Sketching is one of the first steps of the design process – we do loads of this at Fashion Camp!  We use Croquis templates (Croquis is French for “sketch”), and in our sketching classes, we’ll teach you to draw your own croquis.

Well, yesterday was our first day at Fashion Camp it it was a lot to take in at first. Our meeting was at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza, and our first assignment was to go upstairs and pull 2 outfits – one causal and one elegant to see what it is like to run behind the scenes in preparation for a fashion show.  Those were the only directions we were given and we had just 40 minutes to do it in. You can not even think of were to start when you have the entire store to yourself!  So I just thought to myself, there is no way you can do something wrong just pick what you would like to wear, so that’s what I did.  However,   having only 40 minutes to shop the whole store was still a challenge, but I got what I needed and brought it back down to our instructor. The next step was to explain what we selected and why, then we had to pull it all together in the order that we would run a fashion show in. In the end It was a learning experience for me  because now I know that pulling clothing for a show is a lot of work and it is not for everyone. Attending this Fashion Camp was a very good thing, because you learn what it is like to do things in the Fashion World that you would of never thought you’d like to do!

Written by Monique Acosta, Spring Session 2010

Photograph courtesy of Barbara Higgins Photography

When I got ready for a learning day at Fashion Camp this morning, I thought, “I’ll wear something comfy and very little make up.” It’s 9:00 am after all and a “light and natural” look should be more suitable. Little did I know that I was to have tons of pictures taking of me by a professional photographer!  What an experience!

I am not camera shy per se, but I have to say it was a little nerve-racking to work with a famous photographer!  Thankfully Barbara Higgins has this “breathe and release” technique that helps a great deal with getting rid of my “natural” slouch and made me regain my comfort and get my smile “just right” (not too much teeth.) Lots of group pictures followed and as I started feeling more and more at ease, I thought “Wow, this is a lot of fun!”  Of course, I wished I knew before hand that I would be photographed so that perhaps I would not have made the natural/plain sartorial and beauty choices, but by the end it wasn’t about the way I looked as much as it was about the way I felt. Most of all, I got a taste of what it’s like to be in front of the camera at 10 am, the life of many professional models (without the 2 hour makeup and hair prepping, thank goodness!) and that was a great experience!

Thanks to Erin, Barbara and Krista, I know have a photo shoot personal experience.

Written by Julia Teodorescu, Spring Session 2010

Photograph courtesy of Barbara Higgins Photography

Bloomingdale’s is the place for new fashion trends this summer! Last night I got to take part in a fashion camp experience and pulled clothes for two looks, casual and dressy. I ran around the third floor pulling anything that I felt fit into these categories..It was 40 minutes of pure delight. It was harder than it looked trying to find just the right outfits. For my casual look I chose dark skinny jeans and a cute top with lace and my accessory was a pair of Kate Spade earrings. Next was my dressy look. I chose a one shoulder pink dress from the new Lipsy collection which I absolutely loved. The dress needed no necklace, so I went with a chic pink toned cuff. It was so fun to have the freedom to pull anything I wanted too, and I can’t wait to go shopping at Bloomingdale’s again.

Written by Krista Blanc, Spring Session 2010

Photography courtesy of Barbara Higgins Photography

Our first Fashion Camp task was the perfect assignment to set the mood for the rest of the night. It was really hands on and it got everyone involved.  We had to pick two looks, casual and dressy. Walking around Bloomingdale’s and picking out clothes that appealed to us was amazing, because it gave us the opportunity to show our personal style. It was also fun to see everyone
else’s personal style, because it gives you a glimpse at their personality.  All of the students had a chance to explain in detail why they chose that look which made it even more personal. The looks that I chose represent me and it would be something that I would wear. My favorite look was a bone colored blazer and a navy and ivory striped silk top with beading details. I paired the two with a pair of Tory Burch sweatpants, to follow the high/low and “opposites attract” idea of dressing.  The outfit expressed me, perfectly!

Written by Laura Sandoval, Spring Session 2010

Photo courtesy of Barbara Higgins Photography

Last night at Fashion Camp’s excursion to Bloomingdale’s, we were asked to pull two outfits, one casual and one dressy. As for anyone who has been to the South Coast Plaza Bloomingdale’s knows, the ready to wear section on the third floor is huge and there are so many clothes to choose from and so many brands such as Free People, Aqua, Juicy Couture, Marc by Marc Jacobs and so on. At first I was overwhelmed and walked all around the third floor eying all the clothes from sequin pink shirts to formal dresses to designer jeans and much more. Once I got a feel for the clothes a dress immediately caught my eye. It was a casual dress, black and white stripes up top and floral print on the bottom. “Opposites Attract” is a popular theme for apparel right now and I loved how the stripes and floral contrasted. Then I needed something else to go with it so I found a black leather jacket with ruffles. I loved how the leather contrasted but the ruffles went along with the girly floral patten. I then added a double gold beaded necklace to complete the look. As for my dressy outfit I found a beautiful strapless, pleated, short bright colored dress. It had a wild print. Then I paired it with a solid black blazer to tone it down a bit. I hope this inspires your fashion sense, it certainly did for me.

Written by Heather Graefe, Spring Session 2010

Photo courtesy of Barbara Higgins Photography