Young and Beautiful by Lana del Rey

Stay by Rihanna

Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke and Pharrell

Sweater Weather by The Neighborhood

Crave You by Flight Facilities

I Love It by Icona Pop

I jumped right into my field experience when I arrived to Los Angeles. My list of activities for the first two weeks is long: I shadowed Bri as we attended her studio opening event, watched as a photographer from Day In the Life Of (DITLO) followed her for a day, observed a small photoshoot; went fabric shopping; made corrections to patterns; graded patterns; and attended a seminar held by Fashion Business Incorporated (FBI). I also attended various meetings with Bri with contacts like models, photographers, bloggers, publicists, investors and makeup artists.

One morning we visited a large wholesale fabric store in the Fashion District called Ragfinders. This was a fun experience. First, Bri met with the owner, Ruben, to sell him leftover fabric she was not using. Some of her bolts had plenty of fabric – over 50 yards worth left on them. He hesitated on buying other bolts that had less fabric. He said these bolts would be hard for people to notice in the towers of fabric. However, he ended up buying all the fabric she brought in.

Next, we shopped around for some silks and twills for her Spring/Summer 2014 collection. Bolts were spread all over and stacked high within the store. There were separate rooms that kept similar fabric such as laces, silks, knits, etc. Employees gave us scissors and allowed us to cut our own samples of the fabrics, with the exception of silks. We left with pink, grey, and mint colored cotton twills, emerald and pink colored silk, and grey lace.

To learn the fabric content of each fabric, we visited with the owner again. Ruben burned and studied the threads in the samples of fabric. This reminded me completely of the textiles class from NDSU, especially when Ruben burned the samples and looked at the color of smoke that resulted, smelled the odor, and looked at the residue left over. He followed the steps we learned in textiles to identify the type of fibers in each sample. He even commented on how he thought his textiles class in college was a joke because he never imagined he would end up in the textiles trade and be using the information he learned.

Most of my time has been spent so far on altering and grading patterns. I have learned where and how to add inches to the patterns to increase the sizes from X-Small to X-Large. Things like changing the rise, dropping the hemlines, changing the inseams, and more have become my world. Bri has shown me examples and mentored me through the process to ensure that the patterns match up with the measurements on her size chart.

In the coming weeks, I will continue more pattern grading, accompany Bri to Phoenix for a press conference, and take on a design project of my own.

So many people have reached out to me asking about my life as a Fashion Designer. I usually respond with a very rosy picture of the glamorous side of designing, creating, and being inspired. But the reality behind the life path I have chosen is not quite as glitzy.

Don’t get me wrong – there is a ton of reward with what I do. I love every minute (well, most of them!) of my life. It’s just that things from my perspective aren’t exactly as I choose to show them to people on the outside.

My brand was officially created in 2006. I spent several years doing custom designs for individual clients and maintaining a full-time job outside of my business. My first official collection was released in August, 2011. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.

In addition to patterning, sourcing fabric, managing my social media, designing my website, and maintaining my finances…. I also handmade every piece in the collection (and the subsequent collection!).

Side note: I have never received formal training in anything outside of fashion. Nearly all of my knowledge in Quickbooks/accounting/bookkeeping, web development/management, social media, marketing, etc. was self-taught through hours of research and just figuring it out because I had to.

Over the next few years, I began to cut back my hours at my job and devote more and more time to my business. Thankfully, my job allows for (and encourages!) flexibility. In 2009 I began to cut back my hours and rearrange my schedule. I began working four, ten hour days. Followed by three, eleven hour days. Then four, eight hour days. To my current schedule of “whenever I can find the time.”

The ability to juggle has become my life. I find myself wearing numerous hats every day. My stress levels are off the charts. I neglect my other life commitments and relationships. And to top it all off…. I decided to move – compounding and magnifying my responsibilities and to-do lists.

An example of a typical day for me goes like this (FYI – this is an actual day that I had last week):
6:30am – alarm sounds
6:35am to 7:00am – yoga on the rooftop
7:00am to 8:30am – shower, prepare breakfast and lunch, pack for the day
8:30am to 10:20am – drive to the studio, check emails, write reports for the day job
10:30am to 11:30am – meet with a blogger at a coffee shop to encourage her to write about the brand launch on Zappos
11:30am to 3:00pm – manage social media outlets, finalize custom order, draft patterns for new collection, prepare shipments per online orders
3:00pm to 4:30pm – drive
4:30pm to 5:30pm – meet with an investor guru about how to find funding for my business
5:30pm to 9:00pm – run errands, eat dinner, caffeinate, check social media, catch up with my sister, change clothes
9:00pm to 1:30am – birthday party including networking with industry professionals and meeting with a stylist to exchange garment bags for photoshoots and event product placement
1:30am to 2:15am – drive home
2:45am to 7:00am – sleep

I choose to do all of this because I can 110% attest to the fact that this is exactly why I am on this planet. It is my life purpose. If it weren’t, there is no way I would make the personal sacrifices that I have made (and continue to make) for my business. Living in a perpetual state of “work” with a ridiculously decreased income isn’t for the weak-hearted. But I would not choose to be anywhere else.

Unless you have significant capitol behind your brand – being a small business owner is a 24/7 job that requires multiple skill sets and little to no pay. On any given day (including weekends!), I put in 12-20 hours of work from accounting to web development to pattern making to marketing to networking and so much more – while still maintaining my outside job since I have never paid myself a dime from my business.

So, for anyone looking to do what I do…. I’ll impart you with some advice from my studiomate: If you can see yourself doing anything else – anything at all. Do it.

Q: Why did you decide to study fashion?
A: My interest in fashion started as simple curiosity. I enjoyed looking through my teen magazines and studying the style stories. I always enjoyed the unique combinations of colors and garments. Then, I took a few fashion related classes in high school that introduced me to careers in fashion. I like to study fashion because it is ever changing and always morphing into something new. I like this change and the fast pace of the industry. There is never a dull moment. I stay invested because I am always looking forward to new designs and trends that appear or are recycled in the fashion world.

Q: Was there someone or something in life that influenced your opinion on fashion?
A: Thus far, my greatest influence concerning fashion is the many travels I have taken around Europe and the United States. In different countries and places, people live different lifestyles that call for different fashion. I like observing these differences and realizing the purpose for different styles. The different styles I have seen during my travels are all unique and express individuality. Elements from all these styles influence my fashion design.

Q: As you approach your graduation date, what is the most valuable thing you have learned in school?
A: From my years spent in college, I have learned the value of surrounding yourself by a dedicated and supportive community. Good community supports and inspires a person. The community I have built around me encourages me to follow my passions, believe in myself, and be confident to do what I want to do. Without the reassurance of my community, I might not have overcome some of my fears and accomplished what I have thus far in life. As I move on from college and into the next chapter of my life, I will take effort to keep surrounding myself with a good community.

Q: What would be your dream career?
A: Right now my dream career is to be a Senior Designer at Target Corporation. Already, however, interning for Bri Seeley is opening my perspective to more opportunities and career paths to follow.

Q: Tell us a little about your personal style.
A: My personal style exudes a spirit for adventure-I wear bright colors to grab attention and brighten my day. Comfort is a high priority in my wardrobe. I do not like feeling restricted in my clothing. The pieces I wear are casual, laid back, and very practical. I try to avoid black-when the world is full of so many colors, why wear the darkest one?

Q: Who do you feel has had the greatest influence on you when it comes to fashion?
A: My History of Fashion class has influenced me the most. I enjoy looking at past fashions and seeing how they have transformed to today. The accomplishments of Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Armani, amongst others all inspire me.

Q: What’s one thing in your closet you couldn’t live without?
A: I couldn’t live without my favorite pair of American Eagle jeans. They are ultimately comfortable, and it feels good to slide into a pair of pants with such great fit. They make me feel good.

Q: What’s something you wish you could have in your closet?
A: More shoes! I am getting into a loafers craze and would enjoy some Coach loafers in my closet.

Q: What’s your favorite fashion trend for the quickly approaching summer?
A: Ombre colors, especially in high-low skirts. And of course, in the pantone color of the year Emerald.

Q: Finally, what’s one thing you really hope to take from this internship?
A: I hope to build on my knowledge of patterning and garment construction. Versatile knowledge of pattern drafting and garment construction is a key tool in being independent and creative with designing.

My studiomates and I would like to invite you to join us in celebrating our new space this Friday.

You can also RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/583848674982371/

Rachael and I first met at the pre-party for Style Fashion Week in October. We’ve been talking and brainstorming since then about how we can collaborate – and the time has come! We’ll be hosting bloggers and fashionistas alike at our new studio in Downtown Los Angeles this Friday for champagne, shopping, and socializing!

We met up with Rachael this weekend on our rooftop, got her in one of our Arianna skirts, and snapped some great photos! Enjoy!

And remember, you can shop ALL of these trends in our Escape Collection – debuting on Zappos.com in May!!!

Studio 3D is located at 817 S Los Angeles St #3D, Los Angeles CA 90014

Fashion Designer Bri Seeley with Lindsay Yenter at the Chris4Life charity event

As my internship with Bri Seeley is coming to an end, I am thrilled to say my relationship with Bri and the brand is not. I have grown a deep passion for Bri’s brand and hope to stay involved in its future! I’ve also gained so much inspiration from Bri as a person such as her incredible work ethics and her personal aesthetics that coincide with her brand image. As we all know, Bri has been settling into LA and I feel like it is a new beginning for her brand, especially with the Escape Collection launching on Zappos.com in May! There is such a future for Bri Seeley and I am so excited to see where the brand will be within the next few years.

With that said, we’ve already seen pieces from the Escape Collection in numerous fashion publications and even on celebrities, like Kacie B from The Bachelor, but that leaves me wondering… Where else will Bri Seeley be popping up? I’ve come up with a little list of celebrities that match the Bri Seeley aesthetic and who I feel would be a great match for not only the Escape Collection, but more collections in the future!

Jennifer Aniston. Jen is always looking sharp and put together on and off the big screen. She consistently looks classy and feminine on the red carpet as well. Her style includes many neutral colors and comfortable pieces. I could easily imagine her wearing the Grace Blouse (from the Esacape Collection), un-tucked and flowing, paired with some light colored and cropped boyfriend jeans.

Katherine Heigl. Katherine Heigl is another celebrity with a classic and feminine style. She looks great in tops with high necks and I think she would be stunning in both the striped Grace Blouse and striped Mia Dress (from the Escape Collection). The Grace Blouse tucked into high-waisted skinnies paired with a neutral cardigan and some strappy wedges seems like an everyday Katherine would wear.

Kelly Ripa. Kelly Ripa is so darling and always well-dressed on Live with Kelly and Michael. Although the Jaclyn Skirt looks good on absolutely every body type, I think Kelly would look great in the teal style on national TV. She could easily pair it with the Chloe Blouse (from the Escape Collection) and some of her sky-high pumps, perhaps in a shade of coral.

Jennifer Lawrence. As an up and coming actress, Jennifer Lawrence has made quite the impact at the red carpet events this year. She has a gorgeous figure and Bri Seeley has just the pieces to compliment her laid-back, yet feminine, style. She would look stunning in the black ombre Arianna Skirt (from the Escape Collection) paired with a flowy black t-shirt on top and some black gladiator sandals.

So, where will we see the Bri Seeley brand in the future? Who knows! But I certainly know that Bri Seeley will only continue to grow and grow. We would love to hear about where you can picture Bri Seeley’s designs whether it be on celebrities, featured on national TV, in fashion publications, or in your favorite boutique!