Road to the Runway!

Today I finished my summer at FIT, where I have been taking a pattern-making class. For my final project I designed and created a dress that fits me! I first draped muslin, traced it onto pattern paper, transferred it onto fabric and finally sewed it all together. The halter top is lined, with a zipper up the back, and a cool clay button (that I made) at the neck... this is my first finished dress! An hour before class was out we were told to dress our mannequins with whatever we had done and bring them to the front of the room. Some of the dresses were finished and others pinned together. We shared a 'Project Runway' moment as we admired each other's work and presented our own.

I learned how to make several bodices and skirts from this class and hope to make more dresses on my own. My teacher Professor Nunez, taught me more than I could have ever imagined in these few weeks. When it came time to start our dresses she patiently helped each of us to turn our sketches into dresses.

I loved getting to know all of the people in my class. They were from all over NY, NJ, FL, NC, CA, and even Hong Kong! Each came in with fairly little experience and all created unique dresses in the end. I was inspired by their ideas and hope that our paths cross in the future!

After I got home from class today I made brownies, as I am off to watch 'Project Runway' this evening with some good friends! Cannot wait to see what the designers create and to hear what Tim Gunn has to say. Hopefully we will see more construction in the 90 min show. The premiere is tonight from 9-10:30 on Lifetime - don't MIS it!

Enjoy,

Margo Isadora

My friend Jane, Professor Nunez, and Me

Dresses!

My Original Sketch

Hester Street Fair!

My Record Art

On Sunday I ventured into the Lower East Side in NYC with my mom to be a vendor at the Hester Street Fair. The Hester Fair is nestled into a local park, once home to one of New York's largest and oldest pushcart markets. It is bustling each Saturday and Sunday as people shop and enjoy the unique vendors a mix of vintage clothing, antiques jewelry, crafts and food. My mom designs Yoga Mat Bags, you can check them out @ http://vintagemoderndesigns.com/ ... she sold her beautiful printed and embroidered bags along side my Record Art. It was 'Zero Waste Weekend' at Hester so the Record Bowls, Pencil Holders, and Business Card Holders were perfect for the day as they are made from old records. Everyone seemed to like the record art and I obtained my first wholesale account 'sustainable nyc' http://sustainable-nyc.com/ @ 139 Avenue A, between 8th & 9th St. It is a great eco store and they will be selling the Record Bowls and Pencil Holders that I make. Below is a picture of their booth. Mom and I spent the day selling together and enjoying the fair, there was an interesting mix of vendors. I had a Sigmund Pretzel that had a delicious blue cheese flavor. Just past the pretzel booth was Jemima Jackman,http://www.jemimajackman.com/ selling underwear and headbands in gorgeous African prints. The irresistible colors drew me in right away! As I walked further into the fair I stopped off at 'Macaron Palour' they make delicious macarons. On my first visit to Hester I brought a few home to my brother and he thoroughly enjoyed the succulent and uniquely flavored macarons, the owner at the booth is very friendly. Mom and I devoured the beautiful and yummy Japanese waffles for lunch. The vendor had a huge waffle iron that was shaped for individual fish waffles and he put a bit of red bean paste in the middle... it was delectable! It was quite a memorable day at Hester Street, hope to see you wandering through the booths soon! http://www.hesterstreetfair.com

Vintage Modern Designs

sustainable nyc

Sigmund Pretzel Shop

Jemima Jackman

Macaron Palour

Japanese Waffles

The Sidewalk Catwalk

A few days ago, in the 95 degree heat, I took a walk down Broadway between Herald Square and Times Square. I was greeted by a free public art installation of beautiful mannequins that were proudly posed in the middle of the Garment District. 32 designers created weather proof looks to grace the streets and shine light on the Garment District, they will be up through September 3rd. Betsey Johnson, Jill Stuart, Elie Tahari, Isabel Toledo, and Nanette Lepore among others created gorgeous innovative apparel to outfit the models in. I was inspired by their innovative materials (i.e. flowers, straws, stones) and impeccable construction. I highly recommend taking this walk as it is one that I will never forget! Check out the link here http://sidewalk-catwalk.com/

Motivated by these creative looks I headed over to Mood Fabrics. As I patiently waited as the elevator rose to the 3rd floor I anticipated the store that I have dreamed about ever since I got hooked on Project Runway. Mood was better than I could have ever imagined, with 3 floors of fabric and lovely, creative, helpful people I was in heaven. In this magical place I picked out a vibrant swirl printed cotton fabric and beautiful orange fabric. I plan to use these in a halter dress that I have just began to make. I've already draped the muslin, now I need to trace the pattern onto pattern paper, cut the fabric, then finally sew it all together to create my finished dress! I will post a pic of my creation as soon as I'm done!

Enjoy,

Margo Isadora

Blogging has begun

Welcome!

I started this blog because I want people to take the time to open up their eyes and appreciate what’s around them. I hope to share things that inspire me that I Don’t want you to MIS! I want ‘Don’t MIS It’ to be your kaleidoscope;(A kaleidoscope is a tube of mirrors containing loose coloured beads, pebbles ,or other small coloured objects. The viewer looks in one end and light enters the other end, reflecting off the mirror)... similar to a kaleidoscope I want to shed light on things that I find inspiring; and hope that they will motivate you to see things differently. The blog will focus on people, places, art, textiles, clothing, and design that all make me smile. 'Don't MIS It' is a look through my window and hopefully it will encourage you to keep your eyes open, as you never know what treasures you will find!

Margo Isadora

(p.s. this pic is the ceiling of the bathroom, made out of ribbons at charles nolan a beautiful store I visited with a good friend last weekend in the Meatpacking District in NYC!)