ONE MONTH 2 GO!!!

Hey guys...
Man its been a while since i wrote on my blog!!! :-( I'm slacking I know... But the good news is I have survived NYC!! Well so far... I have learned so much (not in design but within myself) in who I want to be and where I want to work towards when I finish here. I have officially stepped out of my comfort zone! I dont think this internship was to help me learn design and to enhance my design skills (because I havent gotten a chance to show them) but I think my purpose here was to clarify why I shouldnt be intimidated. Not to toot my own horn or say that Im better than someone, but I have seen behind the scenes and I am most certain that I can do a great job if not a little better than some people in the industry... if not, then I am open to learn.

Everyone has their side hustle in NYC...whether they work at a museum, but paint on the side, or work at a Souvenir shop but DJ at night. Their determination and willingness to do what it takes to make it surprises me in a good way. I was in Central Park the other day and I was walking through 'the mall' and there was a girl sitting on the bench with her guitar singing. And her voice gave me chills which rarely happens. Sometimes I wish I was in that position to make her dreams come true as an artist or knew someone legit who could take her that next step in her career. I think that's what separates me from some people in the industry...its simple... I want to help others. Everyone is out for themselves these days. No one is willing to be that person that believes in you to give you a chance to 'per say' work with a designer or give you that chance to show your skills or help you be something you've always dreamed because they are afraid you'll succeed more than they will. I have experienced it first hand and let me tell you, it isn't a good feeling being overlooked. Even when you speak up and take that chance not caring what the other people think or perceive you as, you take that chance and speak up for yourself... It seems like the people that have that ability to be my mentor or help me take that next step don't want to risk their job. Which I don't understand because that would mean you aren't secure in your craft/ skills...

Ive always been the type to want to help others or be that person that helps to make someone's dreams come true because from being in NYC and I've learned first hand what its like to be overlooked and underestimated. You never know what someone can do unless you give them a chance. You never know why this person came into your life or what lengths they can help you succeed in, without giving them a try. Only with God's help am I going to survive this and prosper. Even if I don't gain a job from this experience, I've met some of the best and worst people in my life and have learned and added the experience to my Life's resume. And with that being said... 4 more weeks to go and counting...

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