Jewelmint

A month or so ago I attended MK&A's Textile Launch party and was introduced to lots of really cool people in the industry. One of them being the duo behind the successful online jewelry site Jewelmint, a line created by Kate Bosworth and her stylist Cher Coulter. Long story short, a couple weeks ago Judy and I took a meeting with the guys in Santa Monica and afterwards were invited back to their offices to snag some free duds. Here's what I left with :)

Rio Bravo, Autumn Glam, and Western Dream Earrings

Sienna and Silver Flower Chain Bracelet

Edie Necklace

Romantic Pine Pendant

Broken Foot

Its been a while since my last update so I figured I'd catch everyone up on what we have been up to lately. 6 weeks ago Judy broke her foot so we've been spending a lot of time working out of her house beings its hard for her to get around on crutches. But luckily this past week she has finally been up and moving and began physical therapy last Friday. One advantage of spending a lot of time at Judy's is her adorable puppies!

This is Sophie hanging out on her mamas bed :)

Fittings

One of the funnest parts of my internship has been to see virtually every single step it takes to build a collection from the ground up. From sample spotting to picking fabrics, to pattern makers and factories, to fittings and hiring fit models... Its amazing to see just how many aspects there are behind making a clothing line. I try to take pictures here and there all throughout the day but often forget, or my hands are too full. Here are a couple of pictures from the early early stages of production.

This is one of the first patterns our pattern-maker, René, worked on. This blouse has since been changed so much, you wouldn't even realize that this was the original idea. We have since added drapey ruffles cascading from the collar and taken out the pleats. 

These are the leather leggings sample. We have since made them much tighter and switched the outside ankle zippers to inside ankle zippers. I can't wait to get my hands on these!

Leather Factory

Last week I was sent on an errand to pick out the leather lining for the fur vest Judy designed for Beckley. I was honored that they respected my opinion enough, as an intern, to put me in charge of choosing the color and texture for the leather detailing. The factory was AMAZING. I spent an hour walking up and down and back up and back down the many isles. Every shade of every color you could ever imagine was there. I snapped a few pictures but none of which do the store any justice.

I chose a lavendar/greyish color with a rich texture. Everybody loved it. Can't wait to see the finished product!

Elizabeth & James Textile Party

Last night was one of the funnest nights of my life. Definitely one of the perks of interning for Judy Swartz is knowing the in's and out's of all things Mary Kate and Ashley. We were invited to join them in their launch for new denim styles for their branch Textile by Elizabeth and James at the Beverly Hills Hotel. It was an intimate party, with less then a hundred people. So although I am not in any of the pictures, beings I'm not a celebrity, I was right there with them! I got to meet and mingle with everybody and was surprised at how genuinely nice every one was.

Every one got to snag a free pair of jeans, I naturally said, "I want whatever shes wearing" and got the "Iggy Jean" that Ashley is wearing :)

Day 4

Busy, busy day today. I met Megan at Judy's at 10 this morning where we collaborated our ideas of the perfect cape all the while sneaking in leftover birthday cake from Judy's party yesterday. After an hour or so of designing capes, signing Juju up for twitter (she's already obsessed) and teaching her how to work Facebook, we walked down to Beckley to show Melissa fabrics and get the O.K. before heading to the pattern-maker. Which brings me to our next assignment, meeting René, the pattern-maker. She lived in a cute little house that was decorated orientally. We sat with her for 30 minutes or so going over tech packs and making sure she understood exactly what we wanted achieved with our designs. Finally we headed downtown to Fox Fabrics, again. Megan and I waited in the car, to ensure we didn't get a ticket for parking illegally, while Judy ran in to drop off fabric. Lastly we made a pit-stop by the Beauty Haus on the way home so Judy could get her bikini wax before her Vegas weekend coming up, she is hilarious.

Day 2

Today was more low-key, but equally as fun. I got to meet Megan, the other intern, and we became fast friends and are already planning our weekend out! We walked down the street to drop some samples at Beckley then headed downtown for round 2. This time we went to Fox Fabrics in search for the perfect wool for a cape being designed for Beckley.

A Banksy piece at the parking lot in downtown

We found a bunch of awesome samples, I think its going to turn out great. We ate a delicious lunch at the cutest restaurant called, the Tiara Cafe.

Inside Tiara Cafe

 Then we headed back to West Hollywood, where we made a pit-stop at the Carpet Store to pick out a new rug for Judy's house. Back at the house, I had fun picking out Judy's outfit for a party she has tonight. We decided on a black cashmere dress, Prada pumps, and an incredible vintage Chanel coin necklace. I'm loving this job!

Day 1

Yesterday was my first day as Judy's intern and I am already having a ball. I arrived at her house around 9 and we quickly jumped in the car and headed for downtown. First stop on our list, California Market Center (CMC). This (gigantic) place was filled with amazing vendors and showrooms. We were there to drop off fabrics but I had fun walking around, popping in and out of showrooms and playing dress up in one of the purse shops. 

Fabric Samples for Scarfs

From there we walked a couple blocks over to the Fashion Building where we met with the Avant Garde Apparel Group. This was the coolest place ever. It was a big, open warehouse, all painted white with chrome accents. Rows and rows of leather jackets filled the room. Judy and I made ourselves right at home trying on jackets and picking out which ones we would like to take home. Although the cute man, that was helping us, offered amazing deals, we walked away empty handed. But I'm planning on taking him up on his offer some day, soon :) At noon we had had appointment with Lafayette Textile Industries to pick out a jersey material for a t-shirt design. And by the time we were finished there we were hungry for lunch. On our way to lunch we saw a sign for a Barney's Warehouse Sale and decided to make a little detour to check it out. I ended up walking away with a pair of incredible Jerome Rousseau boots. Im in love. 

Judy in her Manolo's at the Barneys Sale.

An hour or so later, after a lot of trying on shoes, we finally made it to the cutest little hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant. I wish I had gotten the name because I will definitely be going back. And finally we headed back to the house to walk the dogs and make a quick trip into Beckley's, the store Judy is designing for, to drop off swatches. On a scale of 1-10, I would say my first day was an 11.

My amazing new boots :)