struht - fashion blog and photos

Foreign Unity

About 6 months ago was when I started to get more involved in the SD fashion and art scene.I was helping a friend out with a trunk show and I saw Jennifer Villaruz across the room. After minutes of having a conversation with Jennie, her personality and energy made me feel like I knew this powerful woman for a lifetime. Her jewelry line FOREIGN UNITY was on display in a lightly lit room but each handcrafted piece had a glow that only a queen could give.

Jennie came to San Diego from LA by way of Bency Jimenez, One of San Diegos illest hardest working DJ’s,to spread her LOVE where need be. I had the opportunity to stay in contact with Jennie and work with her on more events, even featuring her jewelry line in one of “theCollaboratory” events, which is a organization in San Diego created by Laura Katherine Logan and myself, that was formed to bring artist and musicians together to collabortate with each other and showcase there art in a seasonal art showcase events. Not too long after the Collaboratory event, Jennie relocated to NYC and she found time in between her photojournalism work and her jewelry design to provide us with some personal insight about her life as an artist and as a mother, as well as how she adjusted to the move:

Andre Power!: What exactly is Foreign Unity? and how did you come up with the name?

Jennie Villaruz: Foreign Unity is everyone.  We’re all from foreign cultures, foreign planes, speaking foreign languages.  I came up with the name by thinking about how much influence my jewelry reflected so many different cultures.  I wanted to find a way where I can visually unite them.  That idea gave birth to the line: Foreign Unity.

continue reading…

Design Dialogue: Narciso Rodriguez X John Hoke

Last week I thought I was attending a talk by Narciso Rodriguez hosted by Dzine2Show (the University of Pennsylvania’s fashion club). Instead, the talk turned out to be a dialogue between Narciso and Nike’s VP of Design John Hoke. Jointly hosted by Penn’s School of Design, the discussion was a fascinating look into the minds of two American design legends.

So what did I learn? Both Narciso and John dig Japan. Narciso says Japan “cleanses the palate,” while John goes to Kyoto to see the “legacy of making” and to be reminded of the importance of detail. The best way to have a meeting is to just hang out and talk about what you love — formal work meetings are lame. Narciso thinks all things should be made beautifully, and John views the human body as his work site. continue reading…

An Open Letter to Stella McCartney

Dear Stella,

When I was 13, I thought your horse stuff for Chloe was brilliant. I love that your dad is a Beatle, but that your talent and success is strictly your own. I was sad to read you and Phoebe Philo had a falling out. I like that your Manhattan boutique is in the Meatpacking District and not on the Gold Coast. That is all to say, I think you’re really great.

When you came out with your first collection for GapKids, I was so excited. You see, Stella, I stand at a solid 5′0″. My mini frame means I can (sometimes) get away with wearing kids’ clothes, in all their twee (and relatively inexpensive) glory. I immediately snapped up the pink tutu skirt and paired it with a tight black tank, sheer black tights and black patent heels. It made me want to twirl and frolic.

continue reading…

Joan Shepp: Philly’s Fashion Queen

I have spent the past three-and-a-half years calling Philadelphia home. Not only does Philly have some of the best food in the entire country, it also has a pretty great shopping scene. But to know Philly fashion is to know Joan Shepp, the city’s chicest boutique which stocks enough Marni and Margiela to make any fashionista swoon.

After being a Joan junkie for quite some time, I was recently able to get the scoop on the fabled store. You can read all about it here in 34th Street Magazine’s spring shopping guide. The whole guide is fantastic, so feel free to check out the PDF and read reviews of an army surplus store, a favorite Philly cosmetics spot and more.