New Winsome Team Members!

I'm so very excited to introduce you to Monique and Serena, the new members of Winsome!

I met Monique in a 3D Design class last semester. While building a boat (yes, that was an assignment) was not exactly our forte, we nevertheless bonded fairly quickly over a shared love of cats and fashion. She's a super cool girl with a sarcastic sense of humor and a love for styling and organization. As the Assistant Creative Director, she'll be focusing primarily on brainstorming fresh and innovative ideas for Winsome, and helping us find ways to expand and grow.

I met Serena this semester, and may not have met her at all if not for Winsome. As a fellow photography student, she was always nearby. I took notice of her style immediately, and she became my muse of sorts (hence all the photos of her posted on the blog!) Though I'm still just getting to know her, she's a sweet girl with a bunch of creative ideas and a passion for all things art. 

As a Blogger, she'll be contributing her ideas and concepts for Winsome, photographing all over campus, and writing articles.

All three of us will be roaming campus, snapping pictures of the stylish students we see, writing articles, and keeping you updated on the latest news in fashion! Check out their full bios on the About the Team page, take a look at what inspires us, and stay tuned for more articles and photos!

I'm excited to announce that Winsome: Fashion at ASU, will be expanding to become a team! Stay posted, I'll be introducing you to these two lovely ladies very soon...

Monique

Mia

Jason Wu Brings Beautiful Spring Style to Target

Jason Wu's exclusive line for Target hit the web and stores yesterday, just in time for Spring. And it couldn't be more perfect for the upcoming season. He perfectly blends retro chic with feminine details. The Audrey Hepburn-esq silhouettes and demure patterns make these staple items for 2012. His inspiration for the line? “French new wave films and the likes of Jean Seberg and Anna Karina. It's ‘gamine chic’ incorporated with American sportswear details, channeling an American girl in Paris.”

Wu launched his first full collection in 2006, and only two years later, he was one of the CFDA/Vogue finalists. This—in addition to Michelle Obama wearing one of his designs in 2009 to the inaugural balls, followed by winning the CFDA Swarovski Award for Womenswear in 2010—launched the Taiwanese American designer from obscurity to fame. Pieces from his collection have now adorned A-listers like Natalie Portman, Diane Kruger, and Emma Stone. His collection is worldly and sophisticated, influenced by his Taiwanese heritage, his time spent in Vancouver, Paris, and his current home, New York City. He has experience in seemingly every aspect of the fashion world: In addition to handbags, shoes, clothing, and an eyewear collection,  he designed nail polish colors for CND, andco-developed a cosmetic collection, "Jason Wu for Supreme Aupres". 

He uses couture techniques to create his American sportswear inspired collections, and focuses with minute detail on exquisite craftsmanship and luxury materials. Most of his fabrics are designed specifically for him, in Italy and France. Check out this beautiful Toni cross body tote, priced at $1,999 on his site.  
But not to worry! Though celebs flocked to the opening of the pop-up Target by Jason Wu store in New York for the launch, his beautiful clothing and handbags are now available for those of us with budgets more modest than Blake Lively’s or Emmy Rossum’s . Everything is priced beneath $60! 

Some of my personal favorites:

This dress has a classic silhouette—one that will be seen often in the 2012 Spring collections, which nod to 50’s pencil skirts, sleeveless sheaths, and scooped necklines (just no poodle skirts, please).  Floral patterns are, of course, expected for spring; but this print is somehow more modern and fresh than the bright pastels we usually see. Pair it with a bright blazer for work, or a pair of cat-eye sunglasses for sunny days (so, every day). 

I can’t get over the darling little bow on this sheer blouse! Match it with this pleated canvas skirt, and you’ve instantly got a 2012 version of Blair Waldorf from her high school days. The classically shaped straw handbag is the perfect everyday bag: smaller than a tote, but larger than a clutch, and will add a touch of modernism to any outfit. Pair this ensemble with patterned tights and wedge booties for the last of February’s rare chilly days, and with ankle-skimming socks and pumps for spring.

 Obviously, Jason has been paying attention to internet trends, and has addressed the needs of those of us who have set Kitteh Roulette as their home page. I don’t have words for this bag, other than: I will definitely be making a trip to Tempe Marketplace this week to get my hands on it. It’s the perfect sized school bag, and will add quirk to your look. (psst: this fashionable feline is also printed on a basic white tee)

Of course, by the time I post this article, all of the items may be sold out. You better visit Target.com or race to the store as quickly as you can, if you haven’t already braved the massive lines to snag Wu’s latest lovely creations. But I’m just warning you now, I will engage in any and all catfights for that tote…

http://www.jasonwustudio.com/

http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/2012-02-05/story/jason-wu-collection-hits-target-today

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/arts-post/post/jason-wu-for-target-to-brave-the-inevitable-lines-or-order-from-home/2012/02/03/gIQAKxJQnQ_blog.html

http://news.instyle.com/2012/01/27/jason-wu-for-target-collection-celebrity-photo/

Dorothy

Alisha

Welcome to Winsome!

I’ve stammered and backtracked and rethought what it is I should write for the debut article of Winsome. As a modest online presence, hoping to cater to the population of one of the largest universities in the United States… Well, let’s just say the task is a tad daunting. I nearly didn’t even begin. It’s amazing to me after only four short weeks, this tentative idea has kindled from inspiration after watching Bill Cunningham New York, to business cards and grand plans. In a way, beginning this project represents the attitude that I love to see in others: Nerve. It was difficult for me to step outside my comfort zone (do you know how creepy you feel asking a bunch of people on the street if you can take their picture?!) and push boundaries. And yet, most of the people I desire to photograph do just that in the morning as they stand in front of their closets. It takes guts to stand out, or dress in a way that some might scorn or gaze at with quizzical expressions. Though my opinion is clichéd, I’m going to state it anyway: confidence is the best accessory. You can buy a couture dress and the most stunning heels anyone’s ever seen, but if you don’t feel you in them, everyone will see it.

I’m interested in those who represent a style all their own.

Winsome is, for now, a fashion blog. But I’m looking to push boundaries and expand Winsome into something greater. It began as a three-fold concept: a blog about fashion specific to ASU’s campus; a source of information, reviews, and commentary on fashion, art, culture, and student work; and as an expansion for my own work as a fine art and fashion photographer.

ASU Fashion was an important concept to me. I love watching trends develop and unfold, and I just love clothing in general. I constantly people watch the many fashion-forward men and women on campus, and Winsome became a way for me to share their style with the rest of the student body, and hopefully interest other appreciators of fashion.

Sometime soon, I will also include opinionated articles on the latest fashion magazine issues, trends, art, and culture. I want to be a voice for the latest subjects that ASU students are interested in, and focus on local fashionistas, artists, designers, galleries, and businesses.

As for my own artistic expression, I’m continually creating fine art photographs, specifically centered in film and darkroom printing. I am also currently partnering with a lovely friend of mine to create fashion editorial photography. We’re dreaming up the themes and hashing out the details, and as soon as we have work to show for it, it will be posted for all of you to see!

Thank you for looking! I will post new content each Wednesday and Friday, so check back for more posts soon!

Maureen and Blair

Ty

Serena

Sorry for the blur!

Iris and Alan

Lisa

Horrid shadows, I'm sorry! 

But her outfit was too cute, I couldn't not post it!

Laurel

Bucky

Lara

Gabi

Serena

Sherri

Bre

Kat