Style File: Intimates Fashion Manager

Our head intimates buyer is one stylish lady who knows what she likes and sticks to it. Two of those things definitely seem to be platform shoes and oversized tops. She pulls the two together in a modern hippie sort of way. It’s chic with free spirited accents, like a vintage print or edgy hand piece, thrown in. Her hair is almost always down and perfectly tousled to top off the look.

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Stars & moons on her nails!

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The fur bomber makes the look (similar style here).

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Picnik collage

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<3 the wash on these jeans

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An Interview with Artist Sara Rahbar

This month we’ve been exploring some of the decades that inspire the fashion we see and love today – Paris in the 1920s, America in the 1950s, Morocco in the 1970s – all leading up to today. The twentytens and the modern girl, who mixes together all of the little pieces that make her who she is – her various inspirations, quirks, ethnicities – turning them into something entirely unique to her. It couldn’t be more fitting, then, that the modern section of our catalog featured a flag by artist Sara Rahbar.

I posted some of her flags on the blog a little while back… i was fascinated by them, and love the idea of a flag being made up of many elements that represent different places, ideas and stories.  Read on for an interview with Sara and to learn more about the flags in her own words.

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When did you first come up with the concept behind your Flag Series?

It was in 2005 when I was studying at central saint martins in London, it was for my final project… And I never thought that it would be a series, I thought that I would just make one.

What are some of the materials that you use to make your flags, and where do you find them?

I use anything that inspires me, anything that I am excited and passionate about, and anything that is “sew-able”… there are so many objects that I find that I love and want to use, but they are too large or too heavy for sewing, it has gotten to the point that the objects have completely taken over.  I think that’s why I’m starting to do sculpture now.

As for where I find my materials, well just about anywhere that I can, and I mean ANYWHERE.  I go to the most bizarre places to find things… from bazaars in Tehran, to flea markets in Pennsylvania, from Vietnam vets to little old ladies on the street… I see a million things and I pick two, editing is very important.

I am just as passionate about the objects that I find, as I am about making the work and the final outcome. Gathering these items is such an important part of my process.

What is the meaning behind the particular flag used in our catalog shoot?

There is never any one particular meaning, these pieces are like pages in a book, they are like pieces in huge puzzle.

This work is very personal for me and it’s a direct reflection of my life. In the end I am just a human being talking about my life to other human beings, the work is just an outcome of the way that I view the world and others around me.

It’s about falling, standing and attempting to survive it all. In the end we are all in exile, we are all just visiting and we all come to this earth alone and we leave alone. But while we are here we try so desperately to belong to something, to someone and to somewhere.

Art often inspires fashion.  Does fashion ever inspire your art?

Yes, sure it can, anything can inspire me, anything can spark something, trigger something. The most random things can inspire me; there really is no rhyme or reason to it, it’s just instinctual.

What people have had the most influence on you and your art?

Wow this is a very difficult question for me, mainly because a million different things inspire me every minute of the day, and I have a really bad memory and cant keep track of it all. My mind is a very overwhelming place to be sometimes… that’s why I jot things down a lot, to get them out of my head so that I can make room for new things to enter.

But there really are an endless amount of people that inspire me, from film makers, to artists, to writers, to my mother and brother… the list would really go on, and on, and on…

What does Free mean to you?

Being free is just a state of mind.

If you were to create a flag inspired by Free People, what would it look like?

I couldn’t tell you that in an interview, it all comes to me very instinctually when I’m making the work. I could only show it to you when it’s done. It’s an unexplainable moment, flickers of colors and shapes, I have learned throughout the years to trust my instincts, and let them guide me.

Personally I feel that it loses something when I talk about it, I believe it all happens in the making of the work.  I could try to make a piece about Sylvia Plath’s poems, but what would be the point…her words are powerful enough on their own. I think good work, really good work, moves you beyond words.

So inspiring. I love what she said about having to write things down to make more room in her head – I feel that way all the time. To see more of Sara’s amazing work, visit her website.

Blogger Diary: Birthdays and Photography

“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?”

My birthday was last week… its funny how as you get older, you start to worry about birthdays more, and want to acknowledge them less. I’ve always felt that the day itself doesn’t really hold much significance, but whenever it comes around I think of it as a time to reflect on the past year, and also think about the year ahead and what I want to do with it.

My dad got me a new camera. As someone who once aspired to be a professional photographer, and built a darkroom in his parents basement, he appreciates photography and has always been incredibly supportive of my little “hobby.” I’ve taken photography classes in the past, but with film, not digital – and this year I want to make a conscious effort to work on it.

So over the past week I’ve been playing around with the new camera a lot, and using it to capture little bits of what I’ve been up to…

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My friend made homemade apple cider using tea-bags filled with spices (and a little bit of rum)… YUM!

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And after several months of living in my current apartment, I FINALLY got around to hanging up some artwork! The fish is by my sister’s super talented boyfriend; one of my best friends had the painting on the left below done of my shore house –the sweetest gift I’ve ever gotten.

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I spent some time yesterday working on a DIY with these fun colors of embroidery floss! Can’t wait to share :)

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And lastly, I thought I’d share a few of the Free People items i can’t stop wearing lately! The velvet extreme flares are the most comfortable, luxurious pants I’ve ever worn – they’re getting a lot of wear this season. My sister got me the marled yarn pullover in this lovely wine color and it’s my new favorite sweater! And technically my Gola sneakers are from February of last year when we sold them before, but I still love them just as much today and am contemplating getting another color… put together these items make a cute outfit too!

And, my kitten Jam, who always wants to be the center of attention :)

Oh and to answer the question I started with… I think I would think I’m in my early twenties. How about you??

Featured Jewelry Designer: Erickson Beamon

Pictured: Mixed Gem Statement Ring, Rhinestone Statement Ring, Rhinestone Wrap Ring.

Our featured artist this month is certainly appropriate for the time of year – Erickson Beamon creates a universe “where glittering snowflakes freeze into delicate drop earrings, black roses bloom on bangles, a brave new world is being charted out with yards of pearls and the duchess of fabulous rules the roost”

Their work is the epitome of statement jewelry – they create pieces that not only compliment an outfit, they become an important part of it.  The rings we are featuring by Erickson Beamon scream holiday party – they truly do look like crystals of ice that will add the perfect dazzle to your holiday outfit.

I love Erickson Beamon’s artistic approach to jewelry design – for their spring/summer 2012 presentation at fashion week they created a lush garden scene called “Back to Eden,” that housed four incredible mannequins covered in their baubles and designs. They’re incredible!

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Shop our collection by Erickson Beamon.

Sunday Funday: A few more from Morocco

I’ve had the pleasure of going to one of our catalog shoots, so I know first-hand that our catalog team is amazing and so much fun – these photos definitely capture that spirit! Behind the scenes from our holiday catalog shoot :)

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What a great crew :) Photos by Thomas Northcut.

The Perfect “Dillas”

Ever since Napolean Dynamite came out, I’ve been calling them “dillas.” Years later it’s far too ingrained into my vernacular to go back, so please excuse the blatant mutilation of an otherwise perfect Spanish word. Quesadillas are one of those foods that I think no American can live without once in a while. They’re the perfect blend of cheesy (who doesn’t like cheesy), carbohydrates, and (in my preference) loads of veggies – all topped off with sour cream. I like mine with a zesty flavor which I achieve using generous amounts of cilantro, garlic, and chili pepper. It gives the dillas that Mexican food sucking-air-through-your-front-teeth sort of satisfaction. Who doesn’t love that?

Ingredients (Yields 5 Quesadillas):

10 8” Tortillas (I pick mine up fresh from a Mexican joint in Philly – highly suggest it if you can find a place near you which does the same.)

1 Package of Mexican Blend Cheese or Shredded Montery Jack

¼ Red Onion – chopped finely

1 Small package of Cherry Tomatoes – cut into quarters

1 Green Pepper – chopped

2 Cloves of Garlic – minced

1 Tbsp Chopped Cilantro

1 Tsp Lime Juice

½ Tsp Chili Powder

½ Tsp Garlic Powder

½ Tsp Cumin

Salt & Pepper to Taste

You’ll also need a Panini press or George Foreman-type machine, but you could also probably pull them off in the oven or toaster oven.

Directions:

Combine onion, green pepper, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, and seasonings in a medium bowl.

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Preheat your grill

Place a tortilla down onto the grill. Cover with desired amount of cheese, and then sprinkle with filling mixture. (I also cooked up some shrimp and added it to some. To do this, just cut raw shrimp into smaller pieces, and then sauté beforehand to have it ready.)

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Sprinkle more cheese on top, and then cover with another tortilla.

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Close grill, and let cook for about 8-10 minutes, and then they’re ready!

Garnish with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or hot sauce – whatever you want…

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Win Your Wishlist: Last Chance to Enter!

Don’t forget! You have until the end of the day tomorrow (Sunday 11/20) to enter to win your wishlist!

*One grand prize winner will receive the contents of their freepeople.com wishlist… up to $1,000!”*

*Two 1st prize winners will receive a $500 Free People gift card!*

*Five 2nd prize winners will receive a $100 Free People gift card!*

For the official rules and to enter please click here. Good luck!!

Awesome Event in SoHo This Weekend!

Remember a little while back, we shared a guest post from one of our stores associates in Brooklyn who makes really amazing crochet vests? Well our SoHo store is having a cool event this weekend and she will be raffling off four of her beautiful creations!

Stop by the store this weekend (November 19th & 20th) and purchase a “Cozy” Product: Sweaters, Scarves, Cold, Weather, Socks, etc – and we will enter your name in the raffle to win one of the four vests! Enjoy some hot cocoa and apple cider while you shop as well :)

For more info visit their facebook page.