FROM THE RUNWAY- TRANG NGUYEN- CLASSIC DESIGNS FOR THE MODERN WOMAN

Hello dolls!

The Sol Sisters interviewed emerging designer Trang Nguyen about her latest work, design style, inspiration, and dreams. She is one of the emerging designers presenting at Phoenix Fashion Week on Saturday October 5^th at the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, AZ.  Inez and I believe Trang Nguyen has something special that we wanted to share with our readers. I mean just look at the beautiful design of this party gown. The elements of intricacy and sophistication are palpable where the woman wearing the piece would feel beautiful, classy, and unique. Trang we are excited to see your collection this coming Saturday and we wish you the best, all the success, and much more.

Xoxo The Sol Sisters

•Where is your design studio located? If it’s not your ideal place, where would that be?

My design studio is located in St. Louis, MO.  I currently sew in my parents’ basement.

• If you had to describe the aesthetic of your line in one word what would it be?

Classic

• Who do you design for?

I design for women who lacks that confidence and also at the same time want to show their confidence in a secretive way.  My target market for my clothing line would be from ages 20-45.

• How had your style evolved as a designer over the years?

I have seen many changes in my style over the past years.  As I get older, I tend to go towards the more classic conservative look.

• What has been the biggest thrill in your career as a designer?

My biggest thrill being a designer as of right now is being at Phoenix Fashion Week.  I have never met so many talented people from all over the country in one place.  Also, because Phoenix Fashion Week Emerging Designer program is exactly what I have been looking for to successfully start my fashion label.

• Is there a hobby outside of fashion that you are also passionate about? Does it influence your designs?

I love to do embroidery and crocheting.  This is what I did for many years before I was bought a sewing machine and after doing it for so long, it became a hobby for me.  Embroidery may be the reason why I have so much patience in sewing because you need a lot of patience when you embroider something by hand instead of machines nowadays.

• What is one exciting goal you are working towards in the next year?

An exciting goal I am working towards in the next year is to create a fashion team and have my own studio so my clients can come for fittings and have a place where they can contact me at anytime.

 

• If you could pick one celebrity or fashion icon to wear your designs, who would it be?

I have so many celebrity that I would like to dress, so this question is hard for me to answer.  I will have to cheat here and say that the celebrities that I would love to dress is Kate Beckinsale and Selena Gomez.  

For more information:

Website: http://trangn.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrangNguyenDesigns?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/designertrang

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/designertrang/

FROM THE RUNWAY- A LOOK INTO THE WORLD OF MICHELLE HÉBERT

 

Who doesn't love feeling excited over something newly discovered. 

Michelle Hébert made us feel this exact same way a few months ago during a Phoenix Fashion Week event we attended. Knowing nothing of this designer's work and then being mesmerized by a piece from her collection only left us craving for more!   

Michelle Hébert is based out of Los Angeles, CA and is a luxury brand that focuses on creating women's evening wear. Her designs celebrate beauty and femininity through her own unique interpretation. There is a very obvious respect for the female form when admiring any of her creations.

The 22 year old designer knew at a very young age that she wanted to be in fashion and throughout her teens she continued to surprise and enroll others in her dreams. Currently she is one of the emerging designers that is showcasing at this years Phoenix Fashion Week.

Below we share with you part of our interview with Michelle:

TSS: Where is your design studio located? If it’s not your ideal place, where would that be?
MH: Currently working out of my garage :) Definitely not my ideal place but I'm trying to make the best of it! When I have the opportunity to re-locate my workstation it would be somewhere in Los Angeles. Exactly where in LA is still to be determined.

TSS: If you had to describe the aesthetic of your line in one word what would it be?
MH: Ethereal

TSS: Who do you design for?

MH: I can see this question from two perspectives so I'll answer it in two ways! I started designing and continue to design for myself for fun, as therapy, and to just exercise my creativity. BUT the people who end up wearing my designs would be women of varying ages!

TSS: How had your style evolved as a designer over the years?
MH: SO MANY WAYS. Someday I have to reveal to the world the atrocities I designed as a younger kid. (okay maybe they aren't that bad) but when I was younger I drew mainly simple t-shirts and hoodies with logos and drawings on them. I was for whatever reason really into drawing cherries (I'm seriously embarrassed right now) and would put them on everything. Post-logo phase I was into very casual attire (think typical 90's/early 2000's outfits). 

AND THEN I was drawing baby-doll looking garments with way too many design elements. I think I really had to over-do it to realize where I need to exercise restraint. And by the time I neared the end of high-school and early college I was starting to develop the style I have now. It was in its baby phases I things were not as intricate, but definitely more on the stylish/classic side of the spectrum. Now I like to try my best to create pieces that are balanced, interesting, visually appealing, and have lasting power. I've always been terrible about keeping up with trends, but rather take interest in new patterns, textures, and silhouettes. My style now is a mosh posh of what I find visually captivating.

TSS: What has been the biggest thrill in your career as a designer?
MH: Reading this I instantly remembered when I was an all-day guest speaker to the art classes at a middle school. It's not entirely related to my career, more of an awesome bonus, but I really enjoyed communicating to younger kids about being persistent in attaining their goals. I felt really energized couldn't stop smiling after the day ended. And to this day I keep in communication with the student's who really enjoyed my speech or who are looking to pursue a career in the arts or design. 

TSS: Is there a hobby outside of fashion that you are also passionate about? Does it influence your designs?

MH: Oh man, I'm the hobby queen. So yes! Well first and foremost drawing/sketching/painting are my first true loves having come prior to fashion and having been a self-proclaimed perfectionist and being overly analytical and detail crazy with my work from childhood and up, that has really impacted the way I treat fashion design. I also used to crochet a lot, practiced origami, a little welding, various forms of crafting, and so on! Most of my hobbies are still arts & craft related so they all contribute to fashion.

TSS: What is one exciting goal you are working towards in the next year?
MH: Spreading my wings and flying out of the nest hahaha. I really need to move closer to LA because many of the people I work with are in the city, and there are more opportunities available to me out there. I'm only 40 mins - 1 hr away but it can be difficult to pull off last minute stunts as much as I would want to :(

TSS: If you could pick one celebrity or fashion icon to wear your designs, who would it be?
MH: Eeee this is always so hard, I have a dream list! Okay I'll say... Kiera Knightly. I always go between her Amy Pohler and Natalie Portman, but Kiera is a pretty classy lady who I would be so excited to see wearing my work.

It is remarkable to see a creative individual grow and we have no doubt that Michelle will go very far. We are thrilled to continue to follow her journey and see what she will achieve next. 

Michelle, You are a sweetheart and we hope you never loose that passion you carry within!

xox The Sol Sisters

[ All Photography from michellehebert.com]

For more information visit MichelleHebert.com

Facebook: facebook.com/michellehebertfashion

Twitter: mhebertfashion

Instagram: michabear

THE SOL SISTERS STYLE- A LITTLE BIT OF LEOPARD

I have been on a personal mission the last few weeks to post more of my daily looks. It all started with some shoe shelving I installed in my dressing room and I am having way more fun seeing them all on display ready to be the day's pick! It has been keeping me busy preparing and sharing more looks but its also been very fun getting to wear some of my heels that have been in hiding and with some really low mileage.

Liz and I took a stroll to Mill Ave. in Tempe in search of a spot to shoot my look. It was so nice to shoot in cooler temperatures. We are enjoying every minute of it! In this look we are showcasing some great pieces that we will be transitioning from summer into fall. The military vest is such a great layering piece and the skirt will easily work for fall looks. A few accessories introduced a bit of pattern and texture to the look.

Are you starting to see fall in your part of the world?

Want to see more daily looks? follow The Sol Sisters on Instagram!

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Las ultimas semanas he estado en una mission personal de compartir mas looks al diario. Todo empezo con un par de zapateras que instale en mi vestidor y la verdad es que es super divertido el tenerlos en exhibicion listos para ser el par del dia! Me he mantenido bastante ocupada  preparando y compartiendo mas looks pero a la misma vez ha sido super divertido el poder ponerme tacones que se han mantenido escondidos y que tienen muy poco millaje.

Liz y yo nos dimos una vuelta a la avenida Mill en Tempe en busca de un lugar para tomar fotos. Fue mas agradable tomar fotos en temperaturas mas frias. Estamos disfrutando cada minuto! En este look combinamos 2 piezas que facilmente haran la transicion de verano a otoño. El chaleco militar es una gran pieza para crear capas y la falda de Simply Be facilmente se prestara para looks de otoño. Un par de accesorios introdujeron un poco de estampado y textura al look.

Estas empezando a ver la temporada de otoño llegar a tu parte del mundo?

Quieres ver mas looks de diario? Siguenos en Instagram! 

[ Military Vest : Forever 21 | Tank : Torrid (similar here) | Chiffon Skirt : Simply Be | Heels : BCBGeneration (similar here)| Bag : Louis Vuitton ]

THE SOL SISTERS STYLE- 3.1 PHILLIP LIM FOR TARGET

This past Sunday started much earlier than usual, it was the day the 3.1 Phillip Lim collection for Target would hit its stores and online site. We had been coveting a few of their pieces and stayed up past midnight to secure two gorgeous bags online...seriously it felt a little like black Friday! We couldn't resist hitting the store as well to check out a few of the other pieces in the collection. There were some great pieces and our favorites included this Boom sweatshirt and black hand bag!! We couldn't wait to style and shoot it so we paired it with this great faux leather skirt and black patent pumps to create a more chic look.

Have you checked out 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target?

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Este Domingo pasado el dia comenzo un poco mas temprano, era el dia que la coleccion de 3.1 Phillip Lim para Target llegaria a sus tiendas y el linea. Codiciabamos varias piezas y nos mantuvimos despiertas pasando la media noche para assegurar dos hermosos bolsos...en serio que se sentia como las compras de black friday! No pudimos resistir tambien visitar la tienda temprano para ver el resto de la coleccion. Tenian buenisimas piezas y entre nuestras favoritas inluyen esta sudadera Boom y bolso negro! No pudimos esperar para crear un look con las prendas y nos encanto la idea de combinar esta falda con detalles de imitacion de piel y tacones negros de charol para un look super chic!

Tu ya revisastes 3.1 Phillip Lim para Target? 

xoxo Sol Sisters

Wearing |  3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Sweatshirt and Satchel,  Mossimo faux leather skirt and Kelsi Dagger heels {similar here}

Our urchases from the collection | Nuestras compras de la coleccioon

THE SOL SISTERS STYLE- PLEATS + SUNSETS

We have been on the hunt for great fall pieces, lets just say that's real dangerous territory for extra findings... We picked up a few new pairs of shoes including these lovely Nine West stilettos. We love that the body is casual because of the linen type material and that the cap toe is patent for a more polished element and even though labor day has passed we couldn't resist pairing them in this look. The top is actually a dress and we decided to be versatile and cover it with this fun pleated skirt from Simply Be. A crossbody leather bag and watch finish off the look. What do you all think of the sunset...gorgeous right!!

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En preparacion para otoño hemos estado de compras buscando prendas esenciales para la proxima temporada, les diremos que es teritorio verdaderamente peligroso ya que siempre llegamos a casa con extras... Entre las conpras vienen varios pares de zapatos incluyendo estos lindos tacones de Nine West. Nos encanta que el cuerpo de las zapatillas sea de lino, un material casual y que la punta sea tipo charol creando una vista pas formal. Aunque el dia de la labor haya sido dias atras no pudimos resistir crear este look al rededor del color blaco. La blusa es realmente un vestido que decidimos cubrir con esta linda falda de Simply Be. Un bolso y reloj completan el look. Que piensas del atardecer...divino verdad?

xoxo The Sol Sisters

Best Friends+Beach=Great Memories/Mejores Amigas+Playa=Hermosos Recuerdos

The Sol Sisters were able to go on a weekend trip this past labor day weekend to Rocky Point, Mexico where we took advantage of the beautiful surroundings and created a photo shoot around the color, textures, clothes for the occasion, and accessories. We had fun together and wanted to present to you two different ways to wear fun floral headbands and still showcase our own style.

Sol Sisters fueron a un viaje a Puerto Penasco, Mexico este fin de semana pasado. Aprovechamos el bello ambiente y creamos una sesion de fotos alrededor de los colores, texturas, ropa para la ocasion, y accesorios. Nos divirtimos como siempre y les mostramos dos formas diferentes de ponerse la diadema floral mostrando nuestro propio estilo al mismo tiempo.

xoxo The Sol Sisters

Color Blocking-Bloqueo de Color