Bonobos Trunk Show for Charity this Thursday at Lost Society

Posted: February 21st, 2012 | Author: Tu-Anh | Filed under: charity, events, fashion | No Comments »

New Years Resolutions

Posted: January 17th, 2012 | Author: mwong | Filed under: blog, Inspiration, just for fun, Uncategorized | No Comments »

For many of us, each year our new years resolutions invariably circle back to something fitness related: healthier eating habits, more exercise, hitting the gym more frequently…Unfortunately, our resolve to live healthier usually wanes too soon. It’s hard to stick with these resolution, particularly when we’re constantly bombarded with temptations. As an avid foodie, new restaurants and good beers are my Achilles’s heel.

However, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t continue to try to live a healthier life. People are always trying to throw out a few tidbits of advice about how to keep to your resolutions to lead a healthier lifestyle, but I think that, when it comes to any resolution for exercise/ getting into shape, my one bit of advice is to find an activity you truly LOVE. When we center resolutions around goals such as “losing X number of pounds” or “becoming a size 00″ we obsess over the scale. Seeing the scale tip forwards ushers in moments of panic, dejection, and maybe even forgoing our resolutions. And for those of use who do achieve our goal, what happens after? Celebrate and then…

When you find something you love, you don’t exercise for the sake of exercise or losing weight; you exercise for the love of the sport. You don’t exercise so you can be proud of how many pounds you’ve shed; you exercise so you can be proud of perfecting your craft. The benefits of finding a sport that you are passionate about extend beyond physical improvements. A sport to love brings simultaneous mental stimulation and emotional balance.

I am an avid tennis player and a rock climber. I picked up my first tennis racquet when I was five – a yellow and purple Wilson racquet. I’ve never been very athletic – I was a (nearly) straight A student in middle school. The one blemish came from  physical education:  I couldn’t run a mile (I’ve actually thrown up after attempting to do so).

When I was five, I saw my neighbor with a racquet and asked my mom whether I could take lessons. She agreed reasoning that despite my small frame, I might not be a complete failure. Neither my mom nor I expected that I would stick with this sport, nor did either of us anticipate how it might shape my life. I fell in love with the sport. I played competitively in high school, and despite nearly failing physical education class in middle school, I shone on the tennis court. More than just a physical athlete, my coach praised my resolve to never give up, chasing down every shot. In college, I found a way, through club tennis, to play competitively without the pressures from a varsity sport. Even now, I continue to play. My competitive spirit comes out when I “train” – I’ve recently started doing sprints, not to stay in shape, but for the sake of my sport (although I’m sure sprints have certainly helped to offset the post-holiday indulgences).

I love the “ping” sound from the contact between my racquet and the ball when I hit a crisp shot. I love the perfect rhythm from a 20-shot exchange against my hitting partner, and occasional opponent. I love the satisfaction of deconstructing my opponent’s game to uncover weaknesses – something that I rely on since I haven’t grown much since my middle school days. I love the satisfaction of a hard fought win and the culmination of all my training, from when I first learned how to hit a forehand until now. I love the game.

If I could give a second piece of advice, it would be to try new things. You never know when you’ll stumble upon your love (or in my case, second love after tennis). I picked up rock climbing after I graduated from college. While it was a bit more difficult to find tennis partners, and even more difficult to find courts in New York City, I happened to move into a gym with a rock climbing wall. On a whim, I tried it, thinking nothing more than, “it would be pretty bad-ass to tell people I tried rock climbing last night.” Since then, I’ve done more than tried. I have become a rock climber.

There are similarities between a rock climber’s and tennis player’s mentality. Both are solo sports, and both rely on athletic prowess as well as problem solving – at least for someone who lacks height and bulging muscles. Climbing is a catharsis for all the tension that builds up during my day. It’s a simple dialogue between the wall and me. I am completely focused as I look up at the mosaic of fiber glass holds dotting the walls of the indoor rock gym, plotting my route, visualizing where I will place my feet, and pantomiming the motions with my arms. Despite the dull throbbing in my arms that eventually creeps up, this is hardly exercise for me. I think not of how many calories I’ve burnt and how today’s climbing session will help to tone my arms (because it will), but of how I will make the next move. I deconstruct the puzzle similar to how I deconstruct my tennis opponent’s game. My petite five foot frame is far from ideal for a climber, so I concoct unconventional ways to climb routes: contorting of my stubby limbs, using lousy footholds as hand holds, and balancing and counter-balancing my weight. When I climb, I constantly test the limits of my strength and my belief in my own ability.  If I jump, can I not only reach, but “stick” the next hold long enough to reposition my feet to support my weight? Is my left arm strong enough to hold on while my right hand reaches for the next hold? Questions constantly flit through my mind.

Two hours later – of both climbing and tennis, I have to stop. Not because the digital timer and odometer has told me that I’ve burt enough calories for the day but because I am too sore to move, and because it is time for me to savor the accomplishments of the day. In a few days, I’ll go through this ritual again.

Interview with Lizzi London

Posted: October 11th, 2011 | Author: Tu-Anh | Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

By Kim Tran

There’s a certain sense of comfort when you talk to Lizzi London. Her calm demeanor and gentle voice draws you in, but it is the strength of her words and wisdom that keeps you listening and wanting more – just like the beautiful gowns and dresses she conceives and creates, all by herself.

There is no doubt that Lizzi’s designs are gorgeously stunning, but it is her personal road to becoming a fashion designer that is a truly fascinating story. Harboring within her a childhood passion for art, and armed with a degree from the London College of Fashion, Lizzi had her first break into the fashion world while on holiday in the United States five years ago.

“I helped a friend for the HOPE Initiative [charity fashion show] in Houston, Texas, and they really needed three outfits in a week. I bought five yards of $5 fabric, and gave myself a challenge.”

“The ao dai [traditional Vietnamese dress] could be so much more. How do I manipulate this dull material to make it look different? To transform it, and change it? To make it move?”

“I told them, ‘Just give me an opportunity.’ And when someone gives you an opportunity, you just want to show them what you can do.”

Despite living out of her suitcase at the time, the ambitious 20 year-old worked tirelessly in a small room, drawing and crafting everything by hand. She was thrilled yet humbled when crowds approached her afterwards, all wanting to know one thing: Do you have a boutique?

Since then, the Lizzi London line has grown to a full-blown collection of women’s dresses and gown, showcasing in 80 different shows throughout a number of cities including New York City, Houston and Dallas, New Orleans, Atlanta, Seattle – and, for the first time, next Saturday, October 22, at Fashion Fix’s Chic Society in Washington, DC.

The designer especially loves lending her creations to charity shows as she finds helping non-profit organizations an especially rewarding experience.

“Fashion is another way of art form, where you can allow yourself to be creative as a designer to inspire others.”

Considering Lizzi’s creations are downright breathtaking, one cannot help but wonder where she finds her inspiration from. From chiffon, to lace, to silk, it is apparent that every single one of the designer’s pieces is a beautiful ode to femininity; each flowing gown cascading down the runway displays the deepest understanding and admiration for a woman’s every curve and angle.
When I asked her how she got to where she is today, she simply tells me, “First and foremost have faith in who you are as a designer, to believe in yourself when time and struggles challenges you in life. Everyone starts as an amateur.”

“Don‘t worry about being so perfect, know that you will make a lot of mistakes.”

“And when people give you opportunities, always thank them, and appreciate what you have around you.”

As for her future, Lizzi plans on remaining open-minded, and always pushing forward. But her fervent hope for all women is to believe in themselves; to turn their struggles into strength.

Thank you, Lizzi, for speaking with me and Fashion Fix!

Meet the Designers of our Chic Society Charity Fashion Show

Posted: September 27th, 2011 | Author: Tu-Anh | Filed under: events, featured - designers, to do in DMV, who's who | No Comments »

Fashion Fix is proud to be the purveyor of the hottest local designers in the DMV. Chic Society, is a charity fashion show that will be held on Saturday, October 22 at L2 Lounge in Georgetown. We will be featuring three young female designers, local to the District. A portion of the proceeds is going to Calvary Women’s Services, with some amazing gift and prizes from our sponsors at Buddha Bar, L2 and more. Reserve your ticket today.

Lizzi London | Featured Designer

We were mesmerized by this young woman’s creations, that we had to have her in our show. Lucky for us, Lizzi London believes in a good cause. Lizzi’s childhood passion for abstract art, influenced by John Galliano and Salvador Dali, led to her desire to observe visuals, manipulate materials and mold on bodies as an alternative to blank canvases and flat drawings. Prepare to be awe and amazed at Lizzi’s magical designs. Lizzi has shown her work across the United States, but this will be the first time she is showcasing her line in D.C.

Lizzi London Designs

Lizzi, working on her designs.

Lizzi London Designs

Eun Jeong Joo | Opening Designer

Making her official debut on our runway, is this recent Parsons graduate. Eun Jeong  earned her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Fashion Design. Her current designs are inspired by the human anatomy, focusing on the muscles, organs and cells within the body.  Watch this space, EJ’s designs is going to be a bit hit. We can already see it.

Eun Jeong Joo

Eun Jeong Joo

Zophia | Opening Designer

Betsy Garcete is the young woman behind this sophisticated line. She graduated from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and has worked at showrooms in New York City. She began to perfect her skills in her teens by constructing several pieces for her close friends, which she found invigorating. This same passion motivates her today in creating unique clothing for women, that will undoubtedly make them feel confident, striking and elegant.

Zophia

Zophia

Tickets can be purchased here.