it also had a great way of stretching and expanding. This made it very fun to use with patterns that had a bias grain line.” All the beadwork was done by hand. “I spent many nights meticulously stitching them on one by one, and quite often reinforcing them multiple times.” The beadwork was composed of antique gelatin sequins from France and Belgium back in the 1920s-30s and very heavy copper beads imported from Ethiopia. She also made a collection of many necklaces that had beads from Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Kenya. “One of my favorite elements of sourcing materials for my collection was buying the beads. It was such a delight to speak to the African vendors and search and find such magical goods from such a distant world. Geography and world cultures are very much inspiring to me, and it’s so exciting to dive into learning about what sorts of treasures various parts of the world create. I hope to spend much of my future traveling, to Asia, Africa and India—all over! Something that I love about creating art is that it’s an expression of life itself—what it was, what it is today, what it could be in the future. And that love for life definitely translates into everything I do!” Regarding her own personal style, Khalifeh says, “I like collecting vintage pieces. I like the style from the Paul Poiret era. I like a lot of Japanese designs. I mix all that in with black.
Wedge tries to create designs ‘that have a strong celebrity red-carpet feel.’
It’s a pleasure to get dressed. Part of what’s fun about waking up in the morning is deciding what character I want to dive into. To me, style comes from the imagination.” Khalifeh just started an internship in New York with Diane von Furstenberg. “It’s different from what I’m used to. The rewarding aspect is working with other interns who have different backgrounds. It’s been inspiring so far. It’s interesting to see the process. There’s so much that goes
Khalifeh prefers the vintage look. ‘To me,’ she says, ‘style comes from the imagination.’
into the smallest fabric samples.” On the first day of her internship, she was sewing beads on one of Diane von Furstenberg’s own dresses. “I see her talking to other designers. She’s really there and involved in everything.” A small fraction of the original number of students ends up showing their collections in the Graduation Fashion Show. “The Academy has very high standards and you have to prepare yourself for that.
If you have energy and passion, it’s the best design school to attend,” says Wedge, who also spent time at Parsons and Pratt. Khalifeh was awarded the $25,000 CFDA Grand Prize Geoffrey Beene Design Scholarship. ✹ Brenda Kinsel is a fashion and image consultant based in Marin. Check out her Web site at www.brendakinsel.com.
Offer some helpful fashion advice on TownSquare at ›› pacificsun.com
Marin’s Unique Resale & Consignment Stores Guilt Free Shopping UNIQUE QUALITY PRE-OWNED FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES
Collectibles from All Over the World Sofas U Dining Tables U Mirrors Lamps U Coffee Tables U Side Tables Rugs U Vases U Dinnerware U Artwork Linens U & Much More! Delivery, Layaway & Staging Available
21 First St. • Corte Madera Mon-Sat 10:30 - 5:30 415-927-4756 petersonsconsignanddesign.com
Marin
Kids & Maternity Consignment
Saving the earth, one outfit at a time
Bring in This Ad for 10% OFF!
s 3TYLISH !FFORDABLE -ATERNITY #LOTHING s +ID S #LOTHING n s +ID S 3HOES s 4OYS s #O 3LEEPERS #RIBS s 3WINGS s $IAPER "AGS s 3TROLLERS s (IGH #HAIRS s &URNITURE s %2'/ "ABY s !ND 3O -UCH -ORE
0LENTY OF 0ARKING s #LEAN /RGANIZED &RIENDLY 3ERVICE 814 Francisco Blvd. West, San Rafael (415) 456-4943 Open Wed – Sun from 10 – 6 • www.MarinKidsConsignment.com
JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2010 PACIFIC SUN 19