ONE MONTH COMPLETE!!

Wow guys... It has been a minute since Ive been back... Well i hope you totally understand... the internship has been an interesting and learning experience for me since I started. Meeting great new people and visiting all over New York and Jersey... March 16th will be officially 2 months of living in NYC and 25th will be 2 months of my internship. Can't say that it has all been a learning experience as far as my design abilities go :-/, but as far as how things are behind the scenes, dealing with the different personalities of people in the industry and the amount of work that goes into a collection has helped me grow thicker skin. I think that was my purpose for coming here...is to truely find out my plans for the future and what I hope to accomplish once this internship is complete. I have somewhat of an idea, but hey this is only month #1 and I have til May... who knows what opportunities could come up by then... Only time will tell and I'm keeping faith and an open mind... XOXO Kimmi

My First week on the BJship (Betsey Johnson Internship)

Hey Guys!!!! It has been a little minute...but believe me it has been crazy! Well I'm in New Yooooorrrrkkk!!! Very exciting... who would've 'thunk' a girl from Memphis, Tennessee would end up in NYC trying to make her dreams come true?! Well...that be me!! I came here early to get a feel for the area and find housing while I was here. From staying in 2 hotels, I got a chance to get out on my own and ride the TRAIN! I was so excited when I did that on my own!! lol... My first week was AWESOME! And might I add...AWESOME! Let me tell you that I was soooooo nervous coming in on the first day... I had the whole vision of 'The Devil Wears Prada' stuck in my head. But it is nothing like that...at least where I am its not :-) The staff is very inviting, they are open to answering your questions if you have any.... Ms Betsey is in the office alot, with us...she is an awesome person and very easy to talk to (even tho I was star-struck when I first saw her). But believe me, it is NOT easy.... Running around NYC is tough sometimes (and painful), but I did get to go and visit places I would NEVER get a chance to go if I were on my own... to name a few, Ive gone fabric shopping at so many places, but one particular place was Mood Fabrics! I went from Canal Street to Vintage Boutiques to the awesome photo-shoot studio PIER 59 (which they mention in Devil Wears Prada) to get clothes for a WELL KNOWN/TALENTED/GREAT singer/performer's photo-shoot, I've been able to go to the SoHo Grand, which is a gorgeous Hotel, Women's Wear Daily, various manufacturing companies, and most recently, I went to the Empire State Building! And this was all just my first week!! I know that there is much more work and errand running to get done, but even though my I cant feel my feet sometimes and my legs feel like noodles lol, I know that I am doing this to make not only for my family and friends proud, but also myself. (I just gotta remember Dr.Scholl's, IcyHot and Epsom Salt are my three best friends...) There aren't a lot of people who are able to do an unpaid internship, with no time to have a part-time job. But my family has my back and they believe in me... (and they know when I get rich and famous...I have their backs lol!!!)

But my journey is nowhere near being over! I still have to meet Shia LaBeouf lol!!! I will try my best to keep you guys updated every week on my progress, my up and downs, and struggles...

Week 1 COMPLETE!! xoxo Kimmi
ps shout-out to the interns Whitney, Joti, English, Amy, Caitlin, Lana, Julie, and Vicki

Dress for ______________...hehehe

Just wanted to show this with you guys... I was asked by Kontrol Mag to design a Grecian-style gown for __________ for an event in Atlanta. I was honored that they asked me...(they are awesome over at the Mag btw shout-out to Julian!!) Anywho... made the dress, but the artist felt it was a little too dressy for the event (sometimes it works out...sometimes it doesnt *shrug). But I was very proud of myself for the construction and handed- beaded detail so I wanted to show you guys what I did!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!!!
FROM KIMMI J

If not later....now's the TIME!!

Hi guys...I have some exciting news!!
Right after graduation, i began my search for my next venture. I worked on my portfolio and got myself together for the next step in my career. It was time for a REAL internship under an exceptional designer. So I began writing emails, sending pics of my portfolio and making some calls everyday to get where I need to be. In October or so, I had an interview with Sylvia Heisel, a great designer in NewYork! The interview didnt go so well (in my eyes at least), but about 2 weeks ago, I got an email stating that I got the internship in NewYork! I was so excited cause you guys have no idea how bad that day went and to top it off, I thought I did really bad in the interview...well I was wrong! Since I thought I did so bad, I started my search again for more internships and I came across Betsey Johnson! I have always LOVED her accessories, clothing and everything...so I thought why not? A week and a half later, I got an email back from the assistant designer at BJ saying that I could do an E-interview (an interview via emails, answering questions...). I got one of my friends to look over it, made some changes and hoped for the best...
Well about a week ago, I got an email back from BJ asking if I would accept an internship to Betsey Johnson! So now I had two great internships to choose from! It went over and over in my head wi=hich one to choose..(I know my friends got sick of me asking them which one I should take) but I had to choose for myself. I had been through so much with so-called "designers" in Atlanta and I thought I deserved a chance to make a name for myself with a designer I LOVED... So I chose Betsey Johnson. Its gonna be hard because Im gonna basically be on my own in a BIG city, but I know God has my back...so I have nothing to worry about....Thanks to everyone thats helping me make my dreams come true :-) Ill keep you guys posted...

Jewelry Sketches w/ "PurpleFlowerJewels"

So a while back I told you guys I was working on some sketches for Purple Flower Jewels by the wonderful, celebrity MUA Toni Acey. She is doing a collection of handmade accessories (headbands, earrings, necklaces and wrist cuffs) of different leathers and skins with accents of rivets, stones, beads and zippers!! The collection is awesome guys!! And trust me I saw the handwork first hand...its like a mini workshop in her house! I love it! Anywho, Toni and I have worked together on shoots in the past before and she knew that I could sketch really well. So I had the pleasure of doing sketches for her jewelry line! It made me feel so good because everytime I sent her the sketches she would say 'Kim. you are awesome!' or 'Kim, you're the sh_t!!!" LOL She's the best!! Here are a couple of the sketches I did for her!!!!
****visit her site @ www.makenitup.com or follow her on twitter @ToniAcey*******

Jewelry Sketches

Whats Up Everyone?!

Hey guys! Giving you an update on what Iv been up to...
Sheesh Ive been busy busy busy!!! But I havent forgotten about my wonderful blog...:
A. I attended the ME Movement Premier by Ebonne Holyfield (where I participated in body painting a model). It was a beautiful night! Lots of inspiration, positive energy and love! Congrats Ebonne!!!! *pics coming soon*

B. I started back working with a designer from Miami, with his urban, recycled clothing collection! Things are coming along really well... right now I'm working on graphics for some tees, a couple logos, and some other detail designs... So hopefully the line will be out within the next month to 4 months :-)

C. Jewelry sketches for Celebrity MUA Toni Acey! She has done makeup for EVERYONE you can possibly name and now she has a one of a kind, handmade jewelry line called 'Purple Flower Jewels'... they are custom made leather and various skin accessories embellished by stones, jewels, grommets and rivets...

D. Oh! Im still working with celeb stylist Ken Buford :-) i think its going on maybe 3-3 1/2 years now! Wow! Continuing to work with him in castings, shoots and events...

...let's see..is that it? No! Im still working on my collection (jewelry, shoe and clothing) ever now and then...I really want to do my own thing as well because I have so many ideas and the skills to do so... sometimes I wish there were more hours in a day. I have been through so much and met so many people in my life I have to say that I am quite proud of myself. Now let's keep it flowing! LOL