Amber Elizabeth

Guilty Pleasures.

Amber Elizabeth — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:35:10 +0000

It’s no secret us girls love to shop. I love love love Nasty Gal. It is mos def my guiltiest pleasure. Even if I don’t buy anything I get such a thrill just browsing what the website has to offer. In fact its my secret pleasure, I love it so much I kind of hate to share it because its my secret hot spot for affordable and haute fashion. But here it goes: shopnastygal.com Your one stop shop for Jeffrey Campbell, Cheap Monday, sweet little vintage finds, and those nameless special somethings you can’t pass up. Oh yes. And I have become the girl who shops months in advance for events. I do have to make a splash, not to mention what more fun is there than to plan the perfect fashion statement. I already have my birthday dress and the never fail sequin skirt for new years.

I could just sew it all myself, but at these prices I don’t have to.

Just don’t be caught with my amazing cobalt one shoulder dress or sequin skirt at the same event as me because I have dibs!

Now I can rest easy. xoxo.

Mad Love.

Amber Elizabeth — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 05:31:10 +0000

Something big is in the air. You know how sometimes you can just smell change, and its in the air of everything you do before something really big happens. Thats how November has felt. Or maybe its the air of the holiday season approaching? Which ever it is, its amazing.

I am looking forward to a lot of new ness and creativity to be. In the mean time I’m feeling the love.

Some of my lovely ladies sporting their favorite Amber Elizabeth necklace scarf.

xoxo

Where have YOU been?

Amber Elizabeth — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 02:29:49 +0000

Oh lawd. First let me say, with my first sentence, since I have moved to Los Angeles I feel more like a southerner than I have my entire life. I mean, I remember as a kid being (not exactly teased) but put on the spot for my accent when visiting family in California and when traveling anywhere outside of Texas. But, by the time I was fourteen I had become so conscious of it that my accent had faded slowly, and when I was 18 it was almost gone completely. Part of the reason was I was always so ambitious and I wanted people to take me seriously. Most people when they first hear me speak would never guess where I’m from correctly. Although there are a few things I just can’t seem to shake, and I notice them daily! It has been easy enough to transition from saying Wil-shiiiire into Wilshure. But I will never be able to say sAles without that long A sound. And years ago I broke the habit of saying Ya’ll but now I work for a company named Ya! and I might as well be saying Ya’ll. It’s the lazy A that will always give me away: pale, mail, fell hmmm that’s not an A is it.

So I was back in the routine and excited to be communicating with everyone through blogging and refreshing my website again. Then I spent an entire month traveling that exhausted me more than I imagined. I was home in LA maybe seven days in August? I’m not complaining because I love the shows and I love traveling, but my body doesn’t love it as much as I do Hopefully I have not been too neglectful because I feel so refreshed and energized lately. I am more ready than ever and nothing can stop me now!

Stay tuned for SaLES and press postings! (I’m also working on some apartment changes so I will post pictures when I’ve finished!)

xoxo

Rayos de Luz.

Amber Elizabeth — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 22:58:40 +0000

I woke up in little mexico today. I love never knowing where I will really be each day. Or at least in my fantasy mind I wont. I have a neighbor that I believe is hard of hearing, a petit little mexican lady (possibly in her seventies) that blares mexican tv that usually I can’t hear when I’m in my studio but any time I’m in the halls I’m sure if I was fluent in spanish I would be able to gab with her about the soap she is constantly watching bc it would be hard to miss any detail. Today it was music that lasted from mid-morning to early afternoon. I couldn’t miss a single beat with my windows wide open to adjust my little studio to the heat with the Santa Monica air. My current sofa bed is placed perfectly beside my side-by-side windows, that for a moment when I woke up and all I could see was the building next to me and hear the music like I was walking the streets of Playa Del Carmen, I actually thought I was waking up in Playa Del Carmen. Its sunny and beautiful and the building next door has that peach hue to it that you find in so much architecture of mexico. It made me fantasize I was on vacation for just long enough that all my irritants made sense as I was reading my Elle magazine.

Yes I actually read my magazines from cover to cover. When I get a moment or actual day to enjoy my magazines, instead of flipping through looking at just all the pretty things, I am more Me. Things make more sense and I don’t feel a shallow greedy desire for the things I don’t really want. Does this sound material to you? Well it’s not. Enjoying my Elle or W, or some random french/italian/japanese fashion magazine (that i really can’t translate fluently) provides a relaxing feeling nothing else can. It provides clarity, not on the world, but daily life that can be so antagonizing. In this particular Elle the Editor’s Letter began a focus on an issue that recently irritated me, and as a woman can not be dismissed on a regular basis.

The letter begins with a story of a beautiful woman, who despite trying to cover up her beauty and be as modest as possible with her work attire, found herself distracting to male co-workers and therefore out of a job. It led on with everything in between , and ended with Drew Barrymore thirty something and ever-changing. This woman tried to cover up a beauty, that so many find themselves lusting after, in order to be viewed as a professional. Why cant a beautiful woman’s intellect rate over her beauty even in this modern-day? Thats a huge topic all on its own that could take more than a lifetime to cover, but it brings me to my on again off again realization. I am no Angelina Jolie, but I have had a constant struggle my entire life having a “pretty face” and appreciating my own assets. I want to be ground breaking. I want to push the boundaries of my mind and those around me ten-fold again and again. I find myself bored and wasteful when I can’t feed off of that type of energy, not to mention bitter. I feel put in a box and as though I can only have one thing to offer. I have been through my phases of hiding anything beautiful about me, and the ones of exploiting it more than I should, and back again. I hate that I get a comment from one person to “be careful what you wear, you know they’re looking” when I am already trying to cover up what I can. Then the next moment I am encouraged to “show off what ya got” otherwise no one is going to be looking. All women have an asset or two, so should we ALL be flaunting or hiding them? I’m coming to the conclusion that the people who suggest to hide anything you could flaunt are uncomfortable with themselves. I’m not saying go out there and leave nothing to the imagination, but I don’t want to be uncomfortable in my own skin. If you find yourself noticing someone elses assets, and find a problem with it, then ask yourself: “Why do I care?” There is always more than meets the eye, and its up to you to find out what it is.

Ode to Mah Blog.

Amber Elizabeth — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:06:46 +0000

Neglected and forgotten,

All busy work and no play,

Postponed but not yet rotten,

I have returned for you this day.

Showing you my love again,

Dear friend I left you alone

When a new path began,

and for this I must atone.

-AE

I’m back! and with more energy than I can afford. After being in Los Angeles for a year now, I finally feel settled into my apartment with furniture and decorating each room to its purpose. Everything has its place and fits to the best space allowed. And I’ve started the hunt for a new one. Am I crazy? It was hard enough to find the one I have now, but after viewing my dear friend Kady’s apartment and realizing her layout affords more space for the same exact price, It started me looking. Dont get me wrong and think I’m looking for a spacious one bedroom apartment. Things are amazing here but they are not that amazing! It’s just about finding a studio that actually allows me to have space to work in without causing me to take over my limited living/sleeping area.

I am ready to get busy with everything. Trust. I am busy enough as it is, but I’m not busy enough with the things that keep me content. I hate thinking though. I just want to do. Forget the planning, although I tend to over plan (in all things career but not in life), I’m over planning completely. Who wants to be my assistant/PR? I’ll have someone else plan the day-to-day scenes and I’ll just put out the work. Sounds like the best plan don’t you think?

Take a look at the refreshed look of my website, still in the process of being refreshed, and have a little read: http://amberelizabeth.us/news.html

Happy Feet.

Amber Elizabeth — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:02:51 +0000

Woohoo! Pin Show images are up: http://amberelizabeth.us/section/92550_Spring_2010.html be sure to check them out. Just got back from working Dallas Market and was very happy to see my images were available. Much love to the Models and Photographer Jeremy Reitman. Next step more product for GMGstyle and then Atlanta Market. I love hearing from everyone, and I do mean everyone, models, friends, family, fans. So keeping sending love and encouragement because it is much appreciated.

Whats the newest thing that has happened besides The Pin Show? I suppose that would be the new gig. A few different opportunities I entertained the idea of until the right one came along, and so far its been perfect. I love connecting with different people on a professional level and being able to pick brains. Speaking of picking brains, I need someone who can write and write well. If you or someone you know enjoys writing get in contact with me at amber@amberelizabeth.us to discuss putting together a bio for me and a few small projects. Nothing too elaborate, but definitely needs an edge to it.

Im looking forward to doing more, seeing more, providing more, and being more.

Love.

Double O Seven.

Amber Elizabeth — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:14:00 +0000

The single most unattractive quality in a human being is the phrase “I dont know”. The frequency of that phrase can mean only two things either you are a complete moron so why would I want to associate with you, or you are not enthralled with this conversation enough to ponder the possibilities. This rings true in all life’s relationships, personal as much as professional. “How did you break your leg?” “Oh I dont know.” Really? Did you just wake up one morning and it was broken. No story to go with that huh.

When you ask a co-worker for information and they answer with I dont know more than they do with factual information, you stopped asking that co-worker (this also applies to subordinates). When you ask a friend for their opinion or idea about something, you are asking bc its something youre considering. Bc its something pondering in your head and you want a genuine response to show either youre being ridiculous or theres something more to look at. “I dont know” shows utter disregard to the person youre responding to. It’s like showing up for work late without calling to say so. Did you not realize you were going to be late fifteen-twenty minutes ago? Thats why I always tell my employees to at least call if theyre going to be late, and then Ill be more understanding.

Now I know why my mom hated that answer when I was a kid. We all did it and you know you did it too. Even as adults we still do it to our parents. I can hear my grandmother asking my mom a question now in that deep southern accent “Weeell why did they do that Darnelle?” My mom responds “I dont know momma” and gives me that look that says what all children have felt when their parents are asking so many questions we want to walk out of the room. Alright, so our parents annoy us with all their questions, so we respond with I dont know. It becomes a habit.

Break the habit.

If you are put off by the question and dont want to engage in conversation over it then say so or politely say now isnt the time to discuss it. Unless youd rather sound like an idiot or someone who flippantly doesnt care. Dont wake up wondering one morning why the boss doesnt come to you and why you havent gotten that promotion, if you are an I dont know responder. Or why arent your friends around?

In real world life situations, “I dont know” means Im a fool. And I am NOT keeping a fool around.

A Little Tickle.

Amber Elizabeth — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:35:48 +0000

Q & A with Amber Elizabeth.

Q: How important is it for a designer to have a fashion-related degree?

A: The more people I meet, in fashion design and nearly any field, the less a degree maters. It’s great to have a degree of some kind, but the degree does not dictate the field you will work in. Many people who work in fashion have a business degree, and Ive even had a few mention a science degree. Experience is what matters, and passion.

Q: What inspired you to become a designer?

A: It’s funny when I think about it. Did I fight this path? Because everyone was like “finally!” when I started on this route. I think Ive tried more fashion trends than anyone I know, especially in high school I tried everything, punk, prep, grunge. I have always been intrigued by fashion and anything that involved creating with my hands, so it was a natural path I couldnt avoid.

Q: Whats the most important thing to consider when designing a garment?

A: Fit. If the fit doesnt work then the visual appeal of everything will be off. You can have something completely bland, but if the fit is right it looks amazing.

Q: How do you keep people interested in fashion during an economic recession?

A: By local! haha.. its engraved into my memory by the great girls at Make Shop in Oak Cliff, Tx, but its very true. Shop Indie and Shop Local. You’ll stimulate your local economy and the independent designers in your area. Buy the unique items that will give your outfit that extra touch, and cant be found anywhere in the mall (gross mass production).

Q: Describe an ideal Saturday morning to-night.

A: Breakfast omelets at the 50′s cafe Ive been dieing to try a couple streets from my studio with great company and conversation. Then the afternoon either at the beach or The Getty relaxing, brainstorming, creating new ideas, and stimulating art. The evening Ill keep to myself, but its not spent out at a bar or club.

Q: What single thing would improve your quality of life?

A: Love. Not to say I dont have love, but you can never have too much.

Q: Describe yourself in one word.

A: Can I use two? Hot Mess. Ha! Ive been told Im in my essence when there’s a mess around me. I look like I have no idea whats going on around me, but in reality Im very aware of what Im doing. Im glad people who really know me realize this, but for those of you who think Im clueless give me a chance because you have another thing coming!

Pulling It Off.

Amber Elizabeth — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:38:09 +0000

What have you missed. A month of industrious sewing, working at the Magic trade show, a studio full of independent designers hustling to prepare for a show, the hard work of everyone shown at The Pin Show, and a photo shoot for GMGstyle. Now Im taking a couple days to breath, and then beginning a new job where I will have the opportunity to learn business from a different angle.
I cant wait to show off the pictures from The Pin Show, but you will have to wait a couple weeks for that. I hope everyone enjoyed The Pin Show because there was a lot of effort put into by the team and the designers. Julie and Rachel you are wonderful, and we love you for your hard work.

I do have a few behind the scenes pictures from the shoot over the wknd for GMGstyle, but you can see the final results by April at GMGstyle.com.

The boys and Ada’s hard work was amazing, and I cant wait to see the final images, not to mention the cover of the magazine is going to be phenomenal! Liz and Thomas were great models to work with as well, and a pleasure to spend the day with.

Oh and btw Im Blonde again. Love.

Say No More.

Amber Elizabeth — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:00:56 +0000

Oh dear. I have not had internet access for more than two weeks and I feel as though not only am I cut off from the world but I have so much to tell. More options keep coming my way and stronger desires/brainstorms are building. Not to mention The Pin Show is this Thursday! Please buy your tickets now (link on thepinshow.com) because I would really love to see you. Im going to keep you wondering what will happen next until my laptop is repaired because updating from my bb just wont do anything justice.
Loves.