EDIT: The article has since been edited (though with no formal redaction or apology for the misinformation) and she actually changed the wording on her critique of my line after I left a comment on her blog. While it is marginally better, it still comes off as an un-researched and rather unprofessional piece, in my honest opinion.
Today Blasphemina, who ran the show, linked to this write-up on L'Etoile Magazine about the show. I was not present at the show so I am not sure if she actually asked any of the designers anything about their lines. She got a bunch of information wrong, is quite harsh in her judgement of everybody except Blasphemina's line, and wrongly accuses KMK of using ready-made patterns. FOR YOUR INFORMATION, Kaitlyn and her MOM, Sheridyn, make all their patterns by hand, as should all designers.
The critique on my line (well only two looks) was sort of half-ok half-trying-to-be-condescending I think... but I shall let you be the judge of that~ I am including the remaining two photos from my line under the cut!
This was the look she deemed "showed some style"
Ruffle Skirt Salopette
Hime OP
Photos of all the lines from SGMS 2011 can be seen on Nic Abrego's Flicker set here
While I am disappointed in the lack of petticoats for my looks (it would have cost far to much for me to purchase and mail 3 petticoats) I am generally quite happy with my line.
Oh, and the JSK look that L'Etoile said looked like something "a frumpy Lolita-lover would wear to her office job" was indeed my "work-appropriate Lolita look" for Lolitas who had a bit of a more lax dress code (probably office work) who wanted to wear Lolita, but couldn't go all decked out in layers of ruffles. So despite the "put-down" I would actually call that a huge success!!
This is the first time I have actually gotten public critique, and I am disappointed that the writer appears to have not done any research and just spewed whatever she thought (plus some misinformation) as fact.
Do I like every single line that was shown at SGMS 2011? No. I don't. My favorite was probably [damn]aged. There were choice pieces from almost every line that I liked, and of course some that I didn't.
My Personal Opinion on the Lines (based only on photos I saw)
Laura Peyton~
She tried to do a Lolita line, but went too short on the skirts and had some bad lace choices (deja vu! We've all been there!) Overall, it's not terrible and the "baby bonnet" looks fine from what I can tell :P L'Etoile should do some more research on Lolita before deciding bonnets are "infantile"
Theresa Winge~
I have no idea what style this is, so I guess I can't really give much of a critique :P The Hello Kitty fabric does seem to remind me of pajama pants, though :o But since I was not there in person, I cannot quite tell what the fabrics used actually were
Irregular Pearl~
Kyri's Goth-y style is pretty cool and I usually like what she makes :) This line was a little hit-or-miss, but there are a few really cute/cool pieces in her collection!
Carousel Cafe~ That's me!
FML LACK OF PETTICOATS is my first thought. I love the blazer and salopettes the most! I'm biased because this is my line, no lie D: It's my style!
Deborah Block~
Judging based just on the photos, I don't think her line totally "fell short" as L'Etoile Magazine put it. While her line doesn't look quite as cohesive, it isn't some train wreck of horror either!
KMK Designs~
" construction and fabric can make all the difference from taking subculture fashions out of the realm of costume and into fashion" is what L'Etoile said, implying that all previous lines looked like costumes...? Hm. KMK is not quite my style, but they do make lovely dresses for Halloween, weddings, formal events, etc. As for L'Etoile saying " Some pieces were so 1940s Vogue that I suspect they were made from vintage patterns" my only reply is, "confirm your suspicions by ASKING the designers before publicly posting." Who woulda thunk? :o
Hitomi K of [damn]aged~
She is NOT from the U of M. She graduated from St. Kate's. RESEARCH, PEOPLE! Anyway, as I said before, I pretty much love her line :D She's my favorite!
Samantha Rei of Blasphemina's Closet~
This line is a hugely different style! As always, I pretty much love all the fabrics and stuff she used XD
The long-pants romper is my favorite look. It's clean and I like the color pairing! The little white dress I think could also be nice for daily wear~
The other two looks I personally don't like as much. The Star Wars-looking top in silver with the armor-ish skirt feels a little off, but perhaps if the two were not paired together it would look better?
Lastly, the han-bok looking dress has THE MOST GORGEOUS FABRIC ever! And actually, I think that dress would look lovely if it was worn by a model with smaller breasts as an empire-waist dress. I am not sure if this was a last-minute model-switch or something, but with the waistline above her breasts, the model ends up looking larger than she actually is. I still like that dress ^^;
The same article is also posted here. I did post a comment on the L'Etoile Magazine blog, but it needs to be approved before it shows up =__=
Sorry for such a HUGE post!!
I have also updated my Etsy shop to include some of the things from my new line! They can be ordered in any colorway :)
How do you feel about all the lines after reading L'Etoile Magazine's article? Which ones did you like? Which ones don't you like (and why?)
I'm curious to see what all my readers think!!
