SRO for Draco Photography's Janine Addison

On going "Green" - a Sue Rock take on things....

When you look in all the magazines, clothing companies are awash with "green" products. Organic cotton tees, silk dresses - an entire Green section of the recent LA Fashion week feature companies using organic products in the production of their products. The changes in our industry continue across the country and around the world.

Sue Rock has taken a multi-faceted approach to the "Green" fashion trend. Being based in New York affords us a unique opportunity to be in the center of production for some of the largest worldwide brands. We have chosen to create our ENTIRE LINE from reclaimed fabrics - both from individuals and companies.

Most people don't realize the extensive selection process design directors go through to come up with their final choices for their lines. All ideas have to be fabricated and reviewed before the final choices are made. This means that boxes and boxes of fabrics are discarded on a regular basis.

The interior design side of the business regularly discards quantities of fabrics as trends go in and out of season. These beautiful fabrics have a myriad of uses and come in a wide variety of colors and blends. With the trend towards organic fabrics increasing, the ability to reclaim fabrics that include coconut fiber, silk fibers and woven combinations becomes effortless.

These photos show just some of the design concepts of Sue Rock Originals. Most recently, we reclaimed discarded cotton fabrics from a top house. The weight and body of these fabrics, saying nothing of their variety made for a brilliant choice for a delightful selection of spring apparel!

Attending my first photo shoot!

its marvelous working with fine people - normal people - you know, the kind who believe in phone calls, email confirmations and being on time. People like Janine Addison of Draco Photography. Draco Photography is a growing photography studio headed by Janine Addison. Based in Brooklyn, Ms. Addison is one of the growing generation of professionals who has claimed what some might call old school values. Genuine, time-sensitive and with a keen attention to the people she is working with, Janine was my entre into the world of fashion photography.

The shoot started promptly at 10:00am. In a small studio in Williamsburg, I met three models, a stylist and her assistant and the owner of the studio - Tony. Everyone was friendly and talkative and I began to sort through clothes and accessories. There was a rack there and with Janine's steamer I got out some the final wrinkles in the skirts.

Janine moved happily and smoothly from models to stylist to makeup artist - making sure everyone was accommodated and that Tony was up to date on the timing of the shoot.

Soon the models were ready and it was off for a road trip, Tony with keys in hand. as they set outside on a beautiful breezy April morning for some shots by the water.

Femi, my husband and tailor for this wonderful venture, had spent the week working and reworking our wrap skirt patterns for the shoot. Our line had the theme "Back to Basics", using that as an anchor to showcase our one of a kind fabrics. Consistent shapes with variable fabrics was the goal. We worked on an A-Line Skirt, Halter Top, Wrap Pants, Wrap Skirt and I came in with a Crochet Bolero with ruffle accents and Crochet Poncho. We had just come into some delicious cotton blend men's shirting which would work well for both the top and the wrap skirt.

I was able to very comfortably and successfully photograph the majority of items brought, including multiple images of the skirt and pants. A number of key compliments came from those at the shoot about the clothing we brought and I left feeling buoyant and full of hope!

Images from the shoot to come!!

For more info regarding Draco Photography - see www.dracophotograpy.com

The Husband and Wife team of Jerome and Susan Rock launches Spring, 2008

PLUS SIZE FASHION MAKES WAVES IN NEW YORK

Art of Curves was an event hosted by HSSAINC, Bigger and Better Thangs and Smooth Z Productions. Their focus was to feature designers whose focus is creating dynamic designs in size 12 and up to an audience interested in creativity and form.

To a full house, models strutted their stuff down the runway to wild applause.

New York City is all about fashion in September. With the industry's top designers showcasing their spring collections on the catwalks in Bryant Park and other choice venues throughout the city, everyone gets fashion fever.

Bigger & Better Thangs (BBT) Entertainment and HSS&A, Inc. are bringing the hype to the "curvier" community with the first annual The Art of Curves plus-size fashion show.

"The Art of Curves, is not just a fashion show, it's a movement," said Blacque Southerland, CEO of HSS&A, Inc. "It's will show the world that plus-size fashion is not just one dimensional."

Scheduled to take place September 21st at New York's Westside Loft, The Art of Curves will be showcasing some of the plus community's top designers including: Svoboda, Trentacosta, House of Sir Charles , Sue Rock Originals, and BGU.

In the wake of the last year's ban of "skinny" models on the runway, this event is garnering a lot of interest. Divabetic, Nova Intell and The Fat Girl Flea Market are some of the sponsors who are throwing their support behind The Art of Curves showing the response to the increased influence the plus-size community is having on the fashion world.

"We are stepping up the game, in fashion and plus size entertainment community, no longer with we be on the back burner," said Michael Belgrave, President of B.B.T, Inc.

And Sue Rock Originals was there!

Sue Rock Originals at ART OF CURVES

Fall is in the air and if you know anything about the Fashion capital of the world - New York is the home of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. On Friday, September 21, 2007, Sue Rock Originals will be featured with more than seven other designers focusing on bringing fashion to those of us who are larger than a size 2!!!

Art of Curves presents itself as "...not just a fashion show, it's a movement". We are thrilled to be a part of this extravaganza. Scheduled to take place September 21st at New York's Westside Loft, The Art of Curves will be showcasing for a cause, some of the plus community's top designers including: Svoboda, Trentacosta, House of Sir Charles , Sue Rock Originals, and Big Girls United.

We will be focusing on Fall fashions with seven new skirts, Ponchos, coverups and vests!

See you there:

what: THE ART OF CURVES PLUS SIZE FASHION SHOW AND AFTER PARTY
where: 336 WEST 37TH STREET 6TH FLOOR
when: SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 8PM
cost: $40 AND $80 VIP ( open bar, food, preferred seating, gift bags and more)
online ticket sales: http://biggerandbetterthangs.com/fashionshow.htm
contact: info call 866-239-5534 or http://us.f510.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=theartofcurves@gmail.com

It is Extraordinary working on a long project....

....so I met this amazing woman at the Golden Krust restaurant - medical student working her way through roti and peas and rice behind the counter, mulling over whether to come to New York or stay in California for her residency. Alas my effusive spirit rose to the occasion spreading mirth and sunshine in the form of accolades regarding her choice to go into medicine. On and on I went, disregarding the ever growning line of hungry and irate Caribbean folks waiting for their jerk chicken. We spoke and I shared some of who I was and what I do..... She shyly mentioned how she had always wanted a "Crochet Kimono" -

SURE~!!! - I said - NO problem, in fact you DESERVE a Crochet Kimono - well you get the drift.

Buzzing in a world of my own, I hestitated to think just HOW I was going to create this Crochet Kimono, but in the world of crochet Heck! anything is possible -

Well.......
One fitting
Three payments
Two orders of yarn from Elann
and three months later
(and of course countless emails)

My client came to pick up here Crochet Kimono -

Which I present to you now!

I have to of course thank Janine Addison who came by to take these fabulous shots of the work.....

I have never taken on the challenge of a long project - the entire kimono was made with an F hook. I used a fabulous yarn called Mister Joe Blanket - it is an Italian yarn made up of 50% Wool/ 46% Acrylic/ 3% Nylon/ 1% Elastane. I was hoping that by using this almost fingering weight yarn and an F hook, the drape would work and I think it did great!