50 Shades of Blue

Good morning!  The summer weddings are wrapping up.  We're working with our autumn brides now.  For one of our very high fashion brides we're designing custom 1930's inspired hats for her bridesmaids - 50 Shades of Blue and a custom veil for the bride.  Her bridesmaids are wearing all custom dresses (by Anatomy) made from different fabrics she hand picked in the NYC fashion fabric district.  She wanted us to design mixed match hat's like a runway collection to coordinate with the bridesmaids dresses.  We designed each one emphasizing different sized flowers and fabrics with sequins, russian netting, tulle, and beautiful blue silk fabric.  Here's a sneak peek of the work in progress!

Click here to see our online shop and message us for custom designs!

Click here to see our online shop and message us for custom designs!

Colorful Veil Hair Adornments

The hottest trend for weddings right now is unconventional veils and wedding gowns.  Stars like Jessica Biel and Amber Tamblyn went for colorful wedding dresses - pink and yellow.  We're beginning to see how this trend is influencing brides and their bridesmaids.  Colored blusher and birdcage veils are divine!  I absolutely love them and the bolder the color, the better!
Pictured here are some of our Rice Rafferty Couture Accessories veils and headpieces.  We wanted the headpieces to be fun and playful with bright colors with a vintage flare.  We specialize in custom designs, so if you see something you like, but want a different style or color just ask!

Runway 4.0 Recap

me and mom

Last Saturday was such a busy day!  The months of preparation for Runway 4.0 paid off though.  Everyone did such an amazing job and looked fabulous! 

My mom's clothing collection looked amazing!  My mom had surgery 3 months ago for breast cancer and here she is on stage with her gorgeous collection.  It made me so proud.  She's my hero and the strongest person I've ever known.  She thought I was crazy for suggesting she designed clothing for the fashion show this year, but the idea quickly grew on her and before I knew it we were both researching and gathering concepts for designs.  The doctors think designing was very healing for her and I'd have to agree with them :)

The clothes were made from 100% up cycled denim and vintage 70s psychedelic fabric.  We used up cycled denim by redesigning old blue jeans into fashionable, fun and sexy garments. The designs consist of halter tops, short skirts, a maxi skirt, a denim vest, a dress, and a poncho.  We made bib necklaces made from denim, hand bags from denim pockets, colorful birdcage veils, denim floral pins, and a denim wrist corsage.  The colors were coral and bright green other details included hand beading, embroidery, and silk screened images.

It takes a village to put such a spectacular show together.  Thank you to everyone involved!

Hair by Vanity Salon
Makeup my Michele Mclaughlin at Estee Lauder

If you're interested in some of the designs above please message us
info@ricerafferty.com
or visit www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

The models pictured above are Alicia Faye, Amy Lee Reusch, Anna Hartzell, Emily Wiech Christ, Jennifer Mergenhagen, and Laura Lemke!

Spotlight on Laura

Our model and friend Laura Lemke is such a natural at modeling.  She was in our bridal and ballet photo shoots.  Recently she modeled for a shop in Buffalo on Elmwood Avenue called Splash Panic.  They have really cute items that will keep you cool and fashionable this summer.  I LOVE the look of these pics.  It reminds me of an Urban Outfitters catalog.  She's taking the modeling scene by storm.  You can see her this Saturday at Runway 4.0 modeling for us - Rice Rafferty!  Cheers to Laura!!!  Stay posted photos from the show will be posted!

www.ricerafferty.com
www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Light as a Feather

The big conceptual trend this year for fashion is birds.  I immediately think of the movie Black Swan with Natalie Portman.  Fashion accessories inspired by elegant birds is all the rage.  Feathery, airy looking material is the look we want.  Feathers are most commonly used in ballet/dancer costumes and wedding accessories/decor.  Imagine how graceful ballerinas look as they flutter across the stage on their point shoes.  Think of an exciting way to incorporate this trend.  Hair accessories, dresses, and scarves can all incorporate this idea to create a very chic look.

Happy Tuesday!!!

Coming Spring 2011

Here's a sneak peek of one of our new designs in the works for Spring 2011.  We're using some similar materials and some new.  Stay posted for new designs!

Celebrating Inner Beauty

Our Lilac Purple Bib Statement Necklace is one of our most popular designs and one of my personal favorites (but who am I kidding I cherish them all).  I love the color and the fun texture.  Some people worry they couldn't wear such a necklace.  Our rice rafferty designs are made to bring out your inner beauty.  We want every woman to feel beautiful inside and out.  Rice Rafferty is a company for women by women.  We believe in supporting local.  We use local materials, print shops and work with a local female photographers, stylists, and hair stylists/makeup artists native to Buffalo, NY.

Our designs are also created as wearable art so you can wear the necklace on a special evening out then bring it home and hang it on your wall to enjoy.  I don't know about you, but i love to hang beautiful dresses, scarves, and necklaces around my bedroom to enjoy.  If you're interested in this necklace, but would like it smaller just ask!  We can make custom orders for you.  btw isn't our model Laura Lemke gorgeous wearing this necklace?  She looks so sophisticated!  Laura is an art history student and a very talented dancer.

* materials used *  hand dyed silk, up cycled jewelry elements and beads, finished on back with soft ultra suede and our rice rafferty label, braided neck tie straps

Photo by Jessica Elizabeth
Visit our sites for more info and join us on facebook!
www.ricerafferty.etsy.com
www.ricerafferty.com

Evening Look for Winter

I'm not one who wants to look like everyone else especially when I'm going out for a special evening.  This is the look I choose for a winter party.  This look can take you from Christmas to February parties. I believe in investment shopping.  I want clothing and accessories I know will last, so I can mix and match the items for years to come.  All of these accessories above can be added to a casual look like jeans and a t-shirt to dress it up.  I know this look is best for warmer climates, but a gal can dream, right? :)

Grey Dress - Jcrew Silk Chiffon Juliet Dress - $180
Purple Red Devore Scarf - Rice Rafferty Handmade Devore Hand Dyed Velvet- $45 http://www.ricerafferty.com/
Metallic Gold Shoes - Alexandre Birman
Metallic Silver Snake Skin Embossed Hand Bag - BCBGeneration Maya Clutch - $48
Rhinestone Cluster Earrings - Ann Taylor

Make Thanksgiving a Part of Every Day

Happy Thanksgiving from Rice Rafferty!  I have so many things to be thankful for this year.  We hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday. This four day weekend was action packed.  I cooked the Thanksgiving dinner for five people and I went with an organic, free range turkey (mmm mmm worth every dollar).  The more I make Thanksgiving dinner the easier it gets. 

Throughout Thanksgiving day I switched between making dinner and creating more accessories!  We're getting ready for our holiday sale at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA.  Dec 4 - Woodland Road, Mellon building 1st floor, between 1-4pm.  Pittsburgh is our hometown so we always enjoy going back for a visit.  We have designed new handmade headbands, bib necklaces, and earrings.  The bib necklaces now come on a board for easy hanging or wear if you dare.  WARNING:  When you wear a Rice Rafferty accessory you will get noticed. 

Our accessories are completely one of a kind - made from up cycled materials, hand dyed, and designed for you with love.  Hope to see you there!  If you can't make it you can contact us directly or visit the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts or Burchfield Penney Museum gift shop.

www.ricerafferty.com

Shoe of the Moment

The shoe trends for Winter 2010-2011 are very high or pancake flat shoes.  Above is my favorite trend right now - the hidden platform high heel.  This is perfect for us shorter girls because it gives the illusion of height.  UGGs are still very popular - now in new colors, looks, and styles.

BCBGirls Parade Platform Pump - pick from a variety of colors and textures.

The Donegar Group

The next stop on our fashion trip was The Donegar Group, a fashion trend company founded in 1946.  The environment was pristine, very corporate and professional.  Our fashions today are a mix of yesterday and today.  To prove this point.  Check out the list of trends from Autumn 2008 and how relevant these trends still are today.  It takes awhile for trends to reach the general public - it's a trickle down process.  At first glance we typically reject trends, but the more we see the trends we begin to accept them.  For example, I was always anti UGG boots and after 6 years of seeing these boots EVERYWHERE I began to wonder - how great are these boots?  Two weeks ago i tried on a pair of Uggs for the first time and damn, they're pretty comfortable!

Womens trends - striped blazer, cargo pants, striped top, double breasted jacket, bubble skirt, navy blue, piping or banding on skirt, knit tops, turtlenecks knit tops. 

Mens trends - more polished and dressed up. V-neck argyle sweater, Mr. Rogers sweater (this is fun because i'm from Pittsburgh, the home of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood), peace scarves, military pins

Childrenswear trends - Catholic school look - tie backwards, shirt out - rebellious catholic school look (Gossip Girl totally worked this look)

Color - lots of black & gray, red added to basic black outfit, bat wings, red pants, navy and black combination, eyelet, rich jewel tones - amethyst/purple, rich colors - magenta, fuchsia with black, brights and neutral.  Greens against bronws - green leather. (i see this as an influence on the peacock trend now)

Issues and Objects & Desires
texture, long furs, feathers savage chic
new fabrics - plastic resin
luxe pink - pyrania studs on jeans, belts, earrings (now it's zippers on purses, wallets, belts, etc)
metal objects - metallic
Art Deco & Bauhaus - drop waist, color blocking
Art Deco accessories - hats, jewels
lumberjack plaids
denim - wide and skinny
white - all year
ankle zips, twisted seams
layering - adjusting to weather
cap sleeves, salt and pepper jacket
menswear trend - boyfriend cardigan, boyfriend pant
celebrating in style - pleats and ruffles, tuxedo jackets and shirts
the 70s - Farrah Fawcett hair flip, t shirts, bow blouses
kids - hippie style

Statement Makers
sleevless/short cut sleeves with gloves, driving gloves, berets, satin footwear, clutches are larger. Feminized oxford shoes, scarves go much larger

The biggest trend since the economy tanked is investment dressing - reinvested classics.

New retailers - Luella, Twenty&Twelve, Jack Wills University Outfitters, fabulously British clothing (new competition for Abercrombie because it's more polished and sophisticated.  I really dig it!) http://www.jackwills.com

http://www.doneger.com/
www.ricerafferty.com

The Concrete Jungle

In Autumn 2008, I took a jetblue flight to NYC with fellow Buffalo State College fashion students.  We toured the hottest fashion companies and museums in Manhattan - Trust Fund Baby, The Donegar Group, The Color Association of the US, The FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) Museum, Mood Fabric, WWD, Vivienne Tam, Design Tex, Target, and Diane Von Furstenberg.

We ran around Manhattan 3 days straight up early and to bed late.  It was a really interesting experience being able to see inside the companies, behind the scenes at their store fronts, touring fashion museums, and running around the fashion district.  Any time a rack of clothes was sitting nearby my heart would skip a beat.  We saw everything from the hottest most expensive trends to the clothing vendors down on the streets and in vans selling a knock off Prada for $20. 


Some highlights:
-When we were visiting WWD, Ricky Lizalde, Project Runway Season 4 contestant, happened to be there so he came in to talk to our group. He was dropping off some dresses.
- While drooling over the fabric at Mood I was talking with a worker there, also a fashion student, about how much i love textiles.  She recommended Amy Butler and Ms. Butler's designs have been my favorite ever since.

My fascination at the time was textile design...little did I know I'd be working at a fashion trend book company, art directing photo shoots at a kitchen appliance company, and starting my own cottage industry, rice rafferty couture accessories.  The more we go out there in the world and try various jobs, and meet people we learn where we fit.  Every experience is valuable whether we see it or not.

I'll be posting a separate post about each company I visited soon, so I can give you a more in depth description of each experience.  I loved going to each place and observing the vibe - like when you go on interviews and you think "I can see myself here." It's funny how the congestion on the streets of Manhattan, aka the concrete jungle, give me flashbacks of the tall towering trees from Lake Tahoe.  Both are completely different - one serene, one hectic, but both give a similar vibe.  :)

www.ricerafferty.com

Fabric Flower Corsages

The beginning of September has me reminiscing of homecoming season - brisk autumn evenings watching football games and the homecoming dance.  I loved dressing up and going to school dances with my friends.  I was thinking about one of the most memorable parts - the corsages!  The wrist corsage was such a fun part of the homecoming dance, but it always made me sad when the flowers would dry out.  I decided this would be a great idea for a new rice rafferty design - upcycled fabric flower corsages.  A corsage is a great way to dress up any outfit for weddings, dances, homecoming, prom, mother's day, or just a special evening out!  A corsage is also a great keepsake.

The wrist corsage above is made from pink tulle, shear nylon floral petals, pearl beads, and an elastic wrist band.  Corsages can also be made so you can add live flowers into it too. 

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Be Green and Chic

Check out our new headband for autumn 2010!  Look glamorous and chic in our up cycled silk rosette headband.  The headband is eco friendly because it's made from upcycled beads and hand dyed silk.  Green tea, beige, and terra cota red colors glisten as you wear the headband.  www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Summer Days Don't Go Away

 This summer has been one of the most beautiful summers in Buffalo, NY EVER.  I love hot weather and it has been hot all summer.  I'm from Pittsburgh and I experienced summer days in the high 80s - 90s so bring on the heat!   I don't even have air conditioning in my car and no I'm not complaining.  Summer time is about slowing down, enjoying the simple things in life, pouring a glass of lemonade, going to a bbq, and enjoying good company.  I don't want the summer to end.

I especially love summer fashion.  I wear skirts almost every day.  Above are some photographs from a photo shoot for lookbook.nu.  I'm wearing a blouse with ruffle sleeves from Old Navy, cut off jeans from The Gap, and a rice rafferty upcycled tie belt.  The tie belt is really great to wear with a long blouse, so you don't look sloppy.  The tie belt is also very soft when you wear it unlike belts which can feel bulky mostly.  I like softer, more comfortable things that are stylish. 

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Listening to Summer Days by Phoenix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF3XGGYRAHw

Somebody Loved by The Weepies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQCWPcYD5nQ

A Bib Necklace Fit for a Mermaid

This is not your baby's bib.  It's a rice rafferty bib statement necklace!

Our bib necklaces are very feminine and glamorous.  They're inspired by old hollywood, antiques, art nouveaux, fairy tales, nature, the ocean, mermaids, princesses - all things whimsical and magical.  The necklaces glitter and sparkle with their many upcycled treasures.


YES our bib statement necklaces are elegant and they're green - eco friendly!  Our bibs often include hand dyed silk charmeuse, upcycled chains, pins, beads, earrings, brooches, lace, and tulle.

How do you wear it?  Well that's easy because it goes with almost anything.  If it's brighter in color wear solids or neutrals.  The necklaces can be worn with jeans and a t-shirt as a way to quickly add a more fashionable touch while running out the door or wear with a dress for a more sophisticated evening look that adds some personality.  The necklaces are also great conversation pieces.  It's so fun talking with like minded strangers who enjoy fashion.

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Let There Be Light!

We're always cooking up something new in our studio.  Recently, we designed a new bib statement necklace with LIGHTS.

Our new bib statement necklace is made with fiber optic lights, hand dyed and hand burnt out velvet devore, and upcycled jewelry elements - copper wire, beads, rhinestones, etc.  Simply slide the switch and voila! instant party!

Wear to a special occasion or wear it just for fun!

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com
www.ricerafferty.com

NEW Lightweight Rice Rafferty Earrings

Who said earrings have to be heavy?  I've designed some new earrings that are lightweight and fashionable.  Wear them with casual clothes, work clothes, or on an evening out.  The earrings are made from repurposed, upcycled, recycled (whatever you prefer to call it) materials.  The earrings at the top are made from copper wire and painted paper mache.  The earrings below it are made from hand dyed ruffled silk charmeuse, lace, and pearls.  Both pairs of earrings are a great focal point and compliment to any outfit.

Visit www.ricerafferty.etsy.com
www.ricerafferty.com

Power of Fashion

After the Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise breakup Nicole said something that has stuck with me to this day - "I'm healing through fashion."


Fashion has power to influence our lives.  Fashion determines how we're perceived and how it makes us feel.  Your mood shapes what you decide to wear and how much makeup to put on. If you're feeling down and out you might wear something cozy and over sized, but if you push yourself to put on something brighter and dressed up it can lift you out of that funk.  Fashion can be an instant mood lifter.

Image from http://www.superwoman.ca

NEW JCREW FALL 2010

I was just looking at the new collection on the Jcrew website and it's exquisite! Style today is more about personal touches to express who you are.  The fashion companies today are definitely are going for a more mix and match, casual approach.  I'm loving it!  The above accessories are my fav from the new fall collection.  www.jcrew.com