Showing posts with label eco conscious fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eco conscious fashion. Show all posts
Monday, May 2, 2011
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
I'm working on photos to show the different ways to wear what could otherwise be an intensely classic leather belt.
Although I am no expert, nor want to be, on designing leather accessories for bondage purposes....I do like the harness look with the belt, over a tee or a wool jacket.
I love versatility in wardrobe pieces...I love finding creative ways to mix things up and morph the intended purpose of a piece into something else that ends up quirky, funky, fun and stylish.
Shown with Chan Luu Cashmere dress, Rozae Nichols lace skirt, Der Dau riding boots & fingerless gloves, wool tights & thigh high stockings borrowed from J Crew.
Red Rose Ribbon Leather Belt
Online shop for Mano Bello belts
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Photography Advice for emerging designers
I am inviting critiques and comments on different photography themes for portraying merchandise using the best marketing options.......photos are utmost in importance! Don't be shy....leave your thought and comments!
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| Ruffled Leather Shoulder Bag shop here |
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Leather Flowers Collection
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| Leather Wrap Belthttp://manobello.com |
Finally...SUCCESS with uploading !
I am searching for other interesting Fashion Blogs to provide links. I have added a couple today on the right hand column of this blog. I just love the diverse path of emerging designers and escaping the "rut" of being told what to do by the media & the celebrities. Like "sheep", made to feel that unless you follow , you are out of the pack.....alone....un-chic. I strongly disagree...I think it takes courage and confidence to "go your own way", make your own judgments, decide what YOU like and go with it! For me, there is nothing better than a unique fashion piece, whether it be a jacket, boots or an accessory! I love what's different and unique!
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| Leather Obi Belt |
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Today's PROMO SPECIALS at Mano Bello
I would love to see someone get to take advantage of this lovely pairing of bracelet cuff & necklace in chamois colored deerskin. These are both beautiful items and are marked down substantially for a promotional sale introduction to Mano Bello!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Flying out the door - Specials at Mano Bello
Wide Leather Cuff - Mano Bello
I had no idea this would go over so well....struggling as an independent Fashion Designer and trying to support 2 lives with only that....can be a challenge. Bringing more people to my site any way I can is something I spend hours pondering.....
Yesterday's 1st time ever special offering flew out the door in the first hour!
So, as long as I can and need to, I will feature daily sale items.....come and get to know me!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
First time being published.........
April 29, 2008
Designer Profile - Cynthia Cioffi of Cync00 Gallery for MANO BELLO & GRAFFITI HAND
Vintage Indie would like to welcome you to our latest addition to our online magazine, Designer Profiles. We hope to share with you independent designers who specialize in dealing with vintage materials or an age old tradition of crafting
Today we would like to introduce you to Cynthia Cioffi, creator of and designer for the labels Mano Bello (Italian for Beautiful Hand) and Grafitti Hand wearable art.
I come from a long line of independent, creative and thrifty women. From my great grandmother who was an actress in England and the USA in the 1800’s, to my own mother, who taught me to sew as she refinished antique furniture, hunted down in thrift stores and church bazaars.
My favorite shops even as a child were those very ones. I collected antique clothing and turned then vintage pieces into cutting edge and couture fashion for my own enjoyment.
Back then, you didn’t advertise it too loudly, but, I’ve acquired my mother’s cherishing of old things, especially when it can be turned into wearable art and chic fashion!
My Italian grandmother tatted lace into beautiful bedspreads and tablecloths. Touching old lace or doilies always brings me back there, and I still love their daintiness and feminine aura. This is what led me to my love of hand stitching and embroidery. A lot of my clothes have hand stitching or embroidery and cut out work, including hand stitched labels.
Victorian and Old West styles have always been my favorites, whether it’s furniture or fashion.
I had been raised around horses and loved the smell and feel of leathers well worn and softened with use and care. In high school, my father helped me purchase my first “lot” of leather from Berman Leather Factory in Boston, MA, supporting my desire to begin sewing with leather, which I still especially love. Now, I try to only use recycled leathers, which usually end up being made into small accessories which are so beautiful, like my sculpted roses made into necklaces, and steampunky wrist cuffs! The softest and biggest pieces I love turning into beautiful totally hand stitched purses, like the peachy satchel shoulder bag in my shop, now.
My workshop was an attic bedroom in our old Victorian house with a tower wrapped with bay windows. I started selling to local boutiques in Cambridge and Harvard Square and later on, Portland and Kennebunkport. Later, it was the 35’ long basement below the Kennebunk Inn. Now it is my dining room table, which my grandfather imported from a museum in England in the early 1900’s. My antique Singer sits proudly displayed and working daily, on one end, my Pfaff and Adler collect dust back in my closet!
Throughout the years, my love of fashion, old textiles and creating has only grown stronger. After taking many years off of selling due to an almost deadly exposure to pesticides and the resulting illnesses it incurred, home schooling my only son, and caring for my elderly mother who suffered from Alzheimer’s, I have been fortunate enough to rediscover my craft with renewed support from the entire world for being eco conscious.
I love the female shape and make fashions that compliment it. Simplicity is expounded with detail. Contradictions are fused, like leather and lace, roses and leather, raw edges with structured fit, old textiles and newer finds. My clients must be confident and not followers, as I desire to create uniqueness and tickle courage for the wearer. Shout quietly. Demurely rule. Set an example chicly, through handmade, through recycled textiles, through unique fashion, through purchasing from hands, not corporations.
Visit Cynthia at her shop Cync00 for her gorgeous line of clothing and accessories.
Today we would like to introduce you to Cynthia Cioffi, creator of and designer for the labels Mano Bello (Italian for Beautiful Hand) and Grafitti Hand wearable art.I come from a long line of independent, creative and thrifty women. From my great grandmother who was an actress in England and the USA in the 1800’s, to my own mother, who taught me to sew as she refinished antique furniture, hunted down in thrift stores and church bazaars.
My favorite shops even as a child were those very ones. I collected antique clothing and turned then vintage pieces into cutting edge and couture fashion for my own enjoyment.Back then, you didn’t advertise it too loudly, but, I’ve acquired my mother’s cherishing of old things, especially when it can be turned into wearable art and chic fashion!
My Italian grandmother tatted lace into beautiful bedspreads and tablecloths. Touching old lace or doilies always brings me back there, and I still love their daintiness and feminine aura. This is what led me to my love of hand stitching and embroidery. A lot of my clothes have hand stitching or embroidery and cut out work, including hand stitched labels.
Victorian and Old West styles have always been my favorites, whether it’s furniture or fashion.I had been raised around horses and loved the smell and feel of leathers well worn and softened with use and care. In high school, my father helped me purchase my first “lot” of leather from Berman Leather Factory in Boston, MA, supporting my desire to begin sewing with leather, which I still especially love. Now, I try to only use recycled leathers, which usually end up being made into small accessories which are so beautiful, like my sculpted roses made into necklaces, and steampunky wrist cuffs! The softest and biggest pieces I love turning into beautiful totally hand stitched purses, like the peachy satchel shoulder bag in my shop, now.
My workshop was an attic bedroom in our old Victorian house with a tower wrapped with bay windows. I started selling to local boutiques in Cambridge and Harvard Square and later on, Portland and Kennebunkport. Later, it was the 35’ long basement below the Kennebunk Inn. Now it is my dining room table, which my grandfather imported from a museum in England in the early 1900’s. My antique Singer sits proudly displayed and working daily, on one end, my Pfaff and Adler collect dust back in my closet!Throughout the years, my love of fashion, old textiles and creating has only grown stronger. After taking many years off of selling due to an almost deadly exposure to pesticides and the resulting illnesses it incurred, home schooling my only son, and caring for my elderly mother who suffered from Alzheimer’s, I have been fortunate enough to rediscover my craft with renewed support from the entire world for being eco conscious.
I love the female shape and make fashions that compliment it. Simplicity is expounded with detail. Contradictions are fused, like leather and lace, roses and leather, raw edges with structured fit, old textiles and newer finds. My clients must be confident and not followers, as I desire to create uniqueness and tickle courage for the wearer. Shout quietly. Demurely rule. Set an example chicly, through handmade, through recycled textiles, through unique fashion, through purchasing from hands, not corporations.Visit Cynthia at her shop Cync00 for her gorgeous line of clothing and accessories.
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Comments
Marilyn said...
absolutely the most divinely fabulous creations
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Coming up roses!
Sometimes while deep into the creative process of a certain line, the re making of various repeat items will sometimes evolve into a new idea, which becomes the next design.
Such happened here while carefully sculpting and stitching leather roses and flowers into various wrist cuffs, brooches and rings, it came to me that a few different cuts with my scissors could provide a whole different look to these blooms. Pleased with the results, a new line is born.
I love leather and I love flowers.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Using antique glass or rhinestone buttons, combined with leather that is hand sculpted to ruffle into "petals", these rose pins,cuffs and rings have become one of my best loved lines this fall. Seasonless for wear through Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer. Pin these brooches on your purse, scarf ,shawl, headband or blouse for an instant finishing touch to whatever you're wearing. Available at www.manobello.com .
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Flowers are STILL BLOOMING at Mano Bello !
Yes....new designs are sprouting up BLOOMS to take with you into Fall & Winter this year. Freshly picked leathers in neutral tones, shaped into beautiful brooches, wrist cuffs and even rings! I just love this line.
ShopEach design is a unique piece, using antique buttons and recycled leathers. These make nice gifts for a friend or that special someone, or Mom!
Shop
ShopFriday, September 3, 2010
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| Shop for Mano Bello scarves & cowls Sheepskin suede neck cowls or scarves |
It's always a great day when new designs rise out of scraps & pieces, or some textile just won't go ignored. So often, the ideas come from the fabric itself, as if it knows what it wants to be.........or 1 idea becomes another in the process. I love the fluidity of this place, where design meets creation....
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Most popular purse is a clutch!
I designed this bag for myself. I am a long time "shoulder bag" wearer....the bigger, the better.
I wanted something smaller for those runs to the store, or for when I'm going to the barn for a ride on my horse and I don't need all of my tech-y stuff or all of my makeup, or that book to read while I wait for whatever......just something for my wallet, chapstick, keys, list and sunglasses for a trip out and back.
I can just grab this bag, tuck it under my arm, or hold it with 1 hand.....
These have been flying out of the shop to my delight & surprise. It seems I am spending all of my time right now trying to make more of these instead of working on more designs.
Being a creative being, the monotony of simulating the same thing over and over again can be just that....monotony. Pacing myself is something I need to conform to...allowing time for production AND for creating. After all, I am creating products so that I can sell them and support my family.
So...be forewarned.....if you would like to be on the list for one of these soft leather bags....there may be a slight wait of 1-2 weeks.
Leather "raw" clutch from Mano Bello
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Casual Fall Picks Styleboard at Kaboodle
I'm having great fun with these styleboards on Kaboodle!
I've chosen handmade items from Unique fashion designers!
View them here and don't forget to leave a comment!
Casual Fall Picks Styleboard at Kaboodle: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
I've chosen handmade items from Unique fashion designers!
View them here and don't forget to leave a comment!
Casual Fall Picks Styleboard at Kaboodle: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Anthropology invite
I see the makings of a job position here. Growing from the ground up is a process which sometimes requires jumping over the edge without any time for thought. Things can change quickly with 1 order. Suddenly I'm no longer designing & creating, but, writing emails, proposals, answering requests for a brochure, responding to comments left by admirers, pricing new items, logging time & materials, and the list goes on.
My heart lies in the designing & creating.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
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