Fashionably Friday: Korto Momolu

Shows like Project Runway, Fashion Show, and even America's Next Top Model have proved to me that just because someone knows how (or claims they know how) to dress others doesn't mean they know how to dress themselves (we addressed this topic a bit last week, but no worries, there is plenty more where that came from later!). Some designers, on the other hand, not only know how to dress themselves and others, but they also know how accessorize with mad style. Today's subject: Korto Momolu from Project Runway's Season 5 (PR returns in 2 weeks! AHHH!). From the start, I found myself digging Korto's style, both on and off the runway. Having lived in Liberia, Korto definitely has an African influenced wardrobe and design sense (ie: bold, chunky, colorful, etc). She also has an amazing comprehension for fit and flattery when it comes to her clothing - and somehow manages to make her jewelry only flatter the figure even more! Love, love, love her style (click on all the pictures in this post for their sources!)

Let's look at some of Korto's jewelry from Fashion Week in Bryant Park last fall:

Holy mother that is one hot necklace. The dress is of course beautiful, but I must say, the necklace MAKES IT. I am a bit in love with teal/emerald this summer, and wish I had a reason to indulge in a dress like this (anyone else think it would make a FAB bridesmaids dress?)!

This necklace totally steals the show of this outfit (which is a bit too eclectic for my personal wardrobe, but totally within my taste. Although, I am thinking it could look a bit 80's prom dress if you take away the necklace...?). I am spotting Thai silver and genuine gemstones on this beautifully and culturally styled piece. And who else recognized the model from America's Next Top Model, Cycle 9 contestant, Biannca Golden?

This one isn't just some necklace on top of a dress - it's part of the dress! I will admit, I have been collecting big, bold wooden beads in hopes that one day I will have the time and courage to attempt to make a halter with the beads as the straps. I'll get to it, ya know, when I have 36 hours in a day and endless energy and creative gusto (right, one of THOSE projects!). It's no surprise that Korto's jewelry was as big of a hit on the runway as her clothing itself. Of the experience, she says, "I get a lot compliments on my jewelry and handbags and it's actually something that started as a hobby. I took this jewelry class here and I started making earrings for myself and so many people asked about them, so I decided to start making them to sell and that kind of took off like that. I didn't want jewelry in my collection that looked generic. I wanted to use African beads, I also used Thai silver... I felt it really represented who I was as a designer. The judges weren't all the way impressed with it but I stood by my jewelry and I put them on those models and I figured somebody out there would love it. You just have to do what you want in the final, that's your one chance to do and if you hold back you will always regret it. I spent a lot of time making that jewelry so I wasn't going to not put it in just because the judges didn't like it and I'm glad a lot of people took to it so that tells me that the people who matter will buy it." (see the full interview here). Korto has thus added jewelry design to her collection, and is selling lots of it online. But, I am finding myself torn on her online collection. On one hand, I am super proud that she is insightful enough to see that her jewelry collection was a big enough hit to warrant it's own line, but the stuff for sale on her website isn't really as amazing as her jewelry as featured on her final runway show, or even my favorite Project Runway source, ProjectRungay. (The one on the right is one of the better pieces from her collection that actually resembles what she made before, but I feel that the rest of them miss the mark. Check them out here). The following pieces, however, were showcased in an interview with Korto. One word: breathless. Of her work, Korto told Zimbio: Inspiration: "I tried to do a follow-up on the few pieces that I got to show at Fashion Week. They’re very much Asian and African inspired and it’s a fusion between these two ethnic cultural backgrounds that I really love. I found myself always doing things that are Asian inspired." Colors: "I used a lot of the bright colors that I love to use. The ocean greens, really beautiful yellows, purples, and hot fuchsia pinks. Very vivid colors, fun colors, happy colors…those are the colors I really love." Materials: "I use a lot of African beads as well as a lot of things made out of resin because my necklaces tend to be chunky and bulky, so I try to use materials that are not as heavy as using the actual stones and metals. A lot of glass beads. Some of the beads are from Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania. I love texture, there’s a lot of texture, my variation of textures, in all the pieces. I love turquoise. I also used feathers in some of the designs, I’ve always loved feathers and there are many different variations of feather earrings, so I thought “How can I make mine different?” I like the chains and the feathers. It has a soft and a hard feel to it. They’re made out of silver." So, who wants to go on a trip to Kenya with yours truely to buy some African beads? Anyone, anyone?

Have a great weekend, lovies!

New Series: Fashionably Friday

Ok, lovies, so here's what I am thinking. So many times I find myself totally inspired by jewelry that is popping up here in Los Angeles. Seriously, I find jewelry as seen the streets, the red carpet, on TV, or even in tabloids often more inspiring than the sunset itself. I often find myself totally appalled by some of the $#!^ that people wear on the exact same venues, that I feel like I do a double take-shake-my-head-to-figure-out-what-I-just saw type of head dance. Since I watch alot of television programs that feature both amazing and astonishing jewelry (if you want to call some of it that!), and since I read so many blogs discussing these trending topics, I figured to start a little review of my own. Introducing: F A S H I O N A B L Y F R I D A Y. Here I plan on reviewing the week in jewelry fashion, or a particular celebrity's jewelry sensibilities (or lack there of). If all goes as planned in the caverns of my crafty mind, I hope to do this on a weekly basis and have it be a place where we can admire and question celebrity jewelry together. So, that said, with no further adu, let's get started, friends! Though it was no Project Runway, the Bravo opps-we-accidentally-sold-our-best-show-and-therefore-have-to-create-some-replacement-BS series Fashion Show did manage to keep me company while making jewelry in my living room this summer. Though it seems that the blogging world has done well to just abandon any hope of comparing it to PR and allow it to be in a (minor) league of it's own, I'm not showing it any mercy. Let's start with the con's, shall we? When judging a fashion statement, I often make a point to look at the designer behind the work. I mean, seriously, do you really want to trust someone who is wearing their mom's 80's clothing and pearl necklaces?

(image from fancast.com)

Opps, well, sorry Hazel. I judge a book both by it's cover and what's on the inside. I'm not trusting you to tell me what's in style, honey, either today OR 20 years ago. Sheesh. For example, I love it when designers try to show how trendy, or even ahead of the trends, they are by making themselves their own canvas. Like Keith.

(image from fancast.com)

OR NOT like Keith. What IS that around his neck?

I can't take it anymore - moving on to the Pro's and inspirations. The winner of Fashion Show didn't make fashion mistakes with her own wardrobe. I was so happy to see Anna win the show, and couldn't keep my eyes off of her wooden beaded necklace (and her sweet shoes on the right and her OWL PRINT dress on the left - guess she read my blog the other week). Not only did she pull it off BEAUTIFULLY with two outfits, but she also had one of her own models during the final Fashion Show sport a similar necklace, but asymmetrically. But do you think it was meant to be worn to the side? Either way, I've had my mind on the necklace Anna wore all week and went to Michael's last night to buy the finishing beads to make a piece just like it of my own. Be on the lookout for a similar product from Bead Up soon! Anna also wore another statement piece during some of the show's interviews. What do you think of this one? I think she wore it well with the neckline of her shirt and it's color. I dunno, the more I look at it, the more I like it, but it's not one of those pieces that I would rush out to buy for myself. I'll let Anna keep sportin' the look on her own. She also had another statement piece in her final runway show. This super cute black dress and beautiful emerald (my new favorite accent color) jacket were finished with a wooden-looking necklace - made of what looks like two elephant charms! I want to know where she goes shopping. The colors of this outfit, included the light brown of the wood, are also inspiring. I can't say the same for runner-up, Daniella, and her collection. The gal never really wore much jewelry herself, but most of her runway models sported necklaces made by Daniella herself. The one in the middle looks to me like random pieces glued on a applique, and paired with the awfully strange trousers just got lost in translation to me. Another one looked like she just drapped a bunch of heavy chain around a thick piece of string. BUT, I give the gal props for making her own jewelry - shows that she can do more than just clothing! Sadly, other than these two, not many of the designers really included jewelry as part of their final, or even challenge, pieces. There was the one Swarovski crystal challenge (which I of course LOVED!), in which Daniella produced this beauty. Since this piece was the challenge winner, they are of selling a dress "based" on this design on Bravotv.com, but of course it comes no where close to the elegance of this piece. I am thinking I need to invest in some cardboard and silky fabric and start making statement necklaces like this lovely! Though I said I wouldn't make comparisons, this piece reminds me a bit of a prom dress Victorya Huang did in Season 4. Love how the dress basically has it's own jewelry built in!I could go on and on, but I'll stop there for today so I have plenty to dish on next week! If you get a minute, drop by and let me know what you think about this new little series ;) Until then, have a great weekend!

(all images are from either Project Rungay or Bravotv.com)