Writing Compilation... Liz Best
About Me...
Writing is an activity that I have always enjoyed. As an avid reader, stories fascinate me. I started my personal style blog, Liz-Best.com, in 2013 as a way to share my outfit ideas and inspiration. My interest in editorial writing began when I started interviewing creative industry people and realized that I really enjoyed the storytelling process. As I pursue my Master’s in Journalism at UGA’s Grady College of Journalism, I plan on learning more about the editorial and publishing process. I hope that my Fashion Marketing degree helps me stand out as a writer and that I can complete freelance work for Lifestyle and Fashion publications while completing my M.A. in Journalism. I hope to be a voice in the Lifestyle and Arts writing world and hope to share my ideas and passion for style and home decorating with a wide audience of readers. I think freelancing will help me get an idea of how the writing world works while still allowing me to explore other writing options. I would also like to write fiction on the side and possibly write a book one day. Possible topics I would like to write about include home, fashion, wellness, travel and animals.
Short Story Parts 1, 2, & 3 Introduction
When I began writing these stories, I initially thought of the doors that open on a daily basis that we don’t even think about, like closet doors. Then I thought about door openings that make us take a big deep breath and require us to think before we speak, such as opening the door to an office where we have an interview. Door openings can take a lot of strength but also none at all. I wanted to write about this juxtaposition by writing two separate essays with characters going through completely different emotions. Sometimes we know what is on the other side of the door we are opening, but other times we have to decide if we really want to even open them. I also wanted to try out the idea of not giving my characters first names, because I think as readers we sometimes subconsciously make snap judgments about people without knowing them. Not including their names removes that aspect and hopefully allows the reader to get to know the character first.
Prompt: If you opened a door what would you find? She opened the door to the office, nervous to go in. This would be her first professional interview out of graduate school and she was incredibly nervous. The company was 70% male and surely no one would appreciate her involvement in campus organizations campaigning for Womens’ rights and equal pay. Little did anyone know, she would have to take almost any job offered to her right now just to survive and begin paying off her student loans. Her family’s reluctance to pay for her graduate program had not only hurt her financially, but also emotionally, as she had realized there was truly no one she could rely on other than herself. Her small part time job as a waitress hadn’t been doing anything but keep her lights on and her confidence low. She had read that morning in the New York Times (that she grabbed out of her neighbors recycling) that the amount of Americans in the workplace had reached its lowest level in years. She knew there were so many other people interviewing for this position, mostly men who had personal backgrounds in construction, and not people like her who’s history mainly consisted of education and sales. Still, she knew she was right for this position. Her past leadership roles had taught her managerial skills if nothing else. She could organize a crowd like no other, and spoke to everyone equally. She also highly enjoyed getting to know people and hearing their stories, as she knew that played such an important role in how they acted professionally. As she began to daydream about what this job could mean for her career, she heard her name get called. She quickly snapped herself out of her thoughts, stood up, and smoothed her skirt. She followed a secretary towards another office door and for a second all she heard was the click of her heels and her heart beat thumping. Even with all the doors in her life that had shut in her face, she had a hopeful feeling that this one would remain open.
He opened his closet door, rushing to pick out a tie for his morning meetings. As he scanned the large color-coded assortment, he couldn’t help but think of the girl crying on the subway the night before. He knew she had seemed upset and regretted not saying anything to her, even though he knew he was not the most comforting person by far. She had not been audibly crying, but her face was red and puffy, similar to the look he himself had had when his girlfriend had broken up with him a few weeks earlier. But this seemed more serious than a break-up. She had a pile of papers in her lap, most likely bills. She did not come off as someone having financial troubles, but then again it was hard to tell in New York City, he thought to himself. As soon as he decided to ask her if she was okay (even though the answer was pretty obvious), the subway lurched to a halt and she walked off, barely making it before the doors closed after she gathered all her papers. He knew he would probably never see her again, and could not help but feel a small ache for whatever pain she was going through. As he adjusted his tie and returned to checking e-mails on his phone, he quickly snapped himself out of his emotional state and rushed to finish getting ready. He had an interview to conduct before the rest of his morning meetings with a strong candidate. He was surprised a female had applied to manage a large group of men at a construction company, but he admired anyone who wanted such a demanding job. He quickly realized what time it was and closed his closet door behind him as he rushed to make it to the interview. Of course this candidate would not only be on time, but probably early and already sitting in the waiting area when he arrived. He ran out his apartment door, locked it behind him, and began the busiest part of his day.
The automatic doors opened, ushering in a large crowd of businessmen and women ready to start their workdays. He rushed up to his office after showing his badge at security and started his day. He would interview a few candidates, have two quick meetings and then take a very deserved lunch break. His assistant was eager to get his interview started, as she always took the blame if his day was even slightly off schedule. As soon as he was situated, she brought in the first candidate, who had apparently arrived the earliest that morning, as that was always how they ranked their interviewees. He got up from his desk, ready to shake her hand. She walked in, resume in hand, and he recognized her immediately. This was the girl from the subway last night, who had seemed so upset and with whom he had immediately sympathized for. She looked much more together now and would have been unrecognizable if he had not so distinctly remembered They locked eyes, but hers were not filled with recognition, just determination and a slight bit of nervousness. She reached out her hand before he could and he stared at it for about a second too long before reaching out his own. They sat down and she placed a copy of her resume on his desk. He scanned it immediately, even though he had already read it when she initially applied. She was clearly a qualified candidate, even though she had not worked in this particular industry before. She seemed to be clear of any stress or sadness she had been feeling the night before and her answers to his questions were well thought out and organized. He asked her about her education, experience and thoughts pertaining to the company. They got along fairly well but it was clear that they both knew she would have to go up against industry-experienced candidates. He knew she had more charisma than any of them, as most were employees looking for promotions within the company. After speaking for thirty more minutes about living in New York, attending Ivy League schools and missing the warmer weather of the places they were used to, he decided she was the perfect person for the job. It may not have been completely professional but he had a gut feeling that led to him offering her the job on the spot, something he had never done before. She was elated, thanked him profusely, and looked even less like the girl he had seen on the subway the night before. After their meeting was over, he got up from his desk, shut the door to his office, and told his secretary he would be taking the day off. He did not wait for her to overcome her speechlessness, but just continued to walk out of the building. His door was shut for the rest of the day.
Published work...
photo courtesy of SCAD.com
Fashion Week Reviews on QuiStyle.com Spring 2013 Prabal Gurung’s ICB collection was an amazing display of his talent and range as a designer. The tastefully colorful line was accessorized with fur snoods and zipper belts. The geometric influence was clear in the pattern used in a sharp blazer and streamlined skirt. The electric blue, turquoise, and red color palette was offset by the greys and blacks, creating a perfect winter wardrobe for any cool, young girl. The fur snoods are sure to be a must have accessory and the leather zipper belts are a great addition to a simple dress. This collection was creative and trendsetting, but also full of classic items that are sure to be a great addition to any wardrobe. The Ralph Rucci fashion show at Lincoln Center was a masterpiece of unique, statement making evening gowns and furs. The color palette was full of pinks,purples, and greens for Fall/Winter. The crochet purple cardigan showed a slight bohemian edge to the designers otherwise modern collection. The yellow dress was the ultimate piece from the collection, as it showed a new take on back detail with the outwards shape and folding of the fabric. Overall, the collection was a fresh take on the classic art that is evening wear. The Tadashi Shoji pre fall show on February 7 at Lincoln Center was filled with beautiful, intricately made dresses. Dresses adorned with feathers,lace, velvet, and bows made the models seem ethereal, as if they were floating down the runway. Tadashi proved that longer hemlines are here to stay but still enhanced the feminine figure with sheer, lace layers on evening gowns. The collection was full of reds,blues, purples, and pale pinks mixed with ivory and black. The drop waist dresses with feathers displayed a flapper style, while the lace and high-necked styles displayed a Victorian influence. The deep folds of the fabric and detailed backs of the blouses made the clothes look as if they were origami.
Blog...
interview with Chris Rogers
What is next season about to you? What’s been inspiring you as you design your collection? Next season is about pure expression and the assertion of yourself as an individual. There are so many designers creating so many garments, and so many people showcasing their ensembles through social media, so it’s really important that the message relay (if you care to relay one at all) is authentic. The idea of things not necessarily being mutually exclusive, embracing contradictory ideas and the multiplicities of our identities has been inspiring me as I craft my collection. How do you balance your client and school work and manage to stay focused? Passion! I really love what I do, despite all of the time and focus that it drains from me. I’m lucky to be able to study what I love, and I always remind myself that I’m doing this because it fuels me. It helps me push through the rudimentary, mundane tasks. Looking forward in your career, who do you hope to work with and who is your dream client? I would love to collaborate with small independent artists on custom prints and textiles, and employ artisans from smaller countries and communities to work on speciality handwork. Maison Lesage is great, but there’s something really appealing about making something extraordinary out of the relatively under-appreciated. Some of my dream clients are Solange, Yasmin Sewell, Angela Pham, Michelle Obama, and Tracee Ellis Ross. Women who wear clothes with a sense of conviction but ease. What accomplishment are you most proud of? Working intimately with Azede Jean-Pierre in her atelier.
Industry Project: WSJ
Conscious Consumers Choose Brands with a Mission, Stores like Urban Outfitters see Fall in Sales
an image from Urban’s spring catalog
above, an image from Everlane’s site
Millenials (also known as Generation Y) may not be known for being the most responsible or down to earth generation, but they will tell you that unlike past generations, they do care about where their clothing comes from. They might have been raised by parents who value convenience, but hearing about factory fires such as the recent one in the Philippines last week has made them think twice before buying from lower-priced chains such as Forever 21 and H&M. Stores like Urban Outfitters, whose sales fell 17% this quarter, are not only struggling to compete against even lower priced stores but also against brands like Everlane, who pride themselves on their “radical transparency”, where they encourage their customers to “always ask why”. They invented an online only business model that passes on their savings from not having a brick and mortar space to their retailers. While their social media following on apps such as Instagram is only a paltry 156,000 to Urban’s 2.9 million, their growth rate is much more encouraging. Urban still relies on their hippie chic aesthetic to gain followers, while Everlane has embraced the chic minimalist approach to appeal to the fashion forward crowd. Urban’s sister brand, Free People, has still continued to grow its sales in its retail stores. Everlane is in good company as an innovative socially conscious brand. Lemlem, which was started as a line of scarves by model Liya Kedebe, has gained popularity as it has grown its product line to include ponchos,dresses, shoes and bags. The line is now being carried on high end retail sites such as Net-A-Porter.com. With brands like these gaining popularity, it will be up to chain retailers like Urban to decide how they will approach the customer they thought would always be theirs.
Industry Project: Refinery29
3 Cruelty Free Make-up Products You Need For Summer
NARS x Christopher Kane
Jack Black Moisturizer with SPF
Anastasia Pro Pencil
Nothing says you’re ready for a change in season like an arsenal of new beauty products. It’ll also make you feel a little better knowing that our top 3 picks for summer are all cruelty free, meaning the company they’re made by doesn’t test on animals. We’ve also tried these products for ourselves and can tell you firsthand they work great and will probably continue to be used for seasons to come. We’ve hand selected a moisturizer, perfecting pencil, and multipurpose highlighter that will mix right in with your beauty routine. 1. Nars x Christopher Kane Illuminating Multiple in Quantum, $39: This collaboration has been wildly popular, and we’d expect nothing less from one of our favorite de-
signers. Christopher Kane is known for his innovation with bright colors, which is what made him the perfect collaborator for Nars. The ‘multiple’ product can be used on eyes, lips, and cheeks to give your face a perfect summer glow. Buy it on Nars.com
2. Jack Black SPF 20 Moisturizer, $28: This moisturizer is not new to the market, but is a tried and true standby our editors love. The ingredi-
ents contain blue algae extract and sea parsley, which hydrate your skin but don’t give you an oily sheen. It also does not contain alcohol or fragrance, which means its the perfect solution for those with sensitive skin. Available at Sephora.
3. Anastasia Pro Pencil, $18: Just like the multiple we introduced you to earlier, the pro pencil is a multitasking product. It can
conceal undereye circles and pimples, but our favorite use is to highlight the brows and eyes. It’s also compact, which makes it perfect for all your summer travels. Available at Nordstrom. photos via Sephora.com, Nars.com & Nordstrom
Industry Project: NYT
Memorial Day What to Wear: An Update on Beach Accessories
En Shallah Fringe tote, $235
Zanzan Mizaru Sunglasses, $360
Flamingos Canvas Platforms, $315
As another beach holiday approaches, many people expect to pull out their usual swimsuit and coverup, and as they may not live in a typically warm area, this seems highly sensible. However, the case can easily be made for unique accessories to enliven your usual beachgoing attire. Flatform shoes have been popular for a few seasons now, but are becoming more of the moment with woven canvas detailing this summer. The red, white, and blue color scheme never gets old and you can, of course, pull these out again once July 4th rolls around (or perhaps earlier than that). Circle sunglasses have made pretty frequent appearances on runways as of late, but the new frame shade is actually nonexistent: it is clear, which means it can be paired with almost anything, especially your favorite swimsuit. The tortoise shade on this pair by Zanzan, an independent brand based in London, makes sure the glasses pop against your summer glow. Stand out against everyone else’s Ray-Bans and buy yourself a pair before the weekend hits. En Shallah is a handbag line that began in Morocco in 1999. Their handbags are usually overtly bohemian, and can be found in stores like Free People but this one is a more sophisticated version due to its’ white leather tassels and braided handle. While there are some brighter colors in the details, this bag is neutral enough to pair with a bright sundress but also pairs well with a classic white button down. Keeping your accessories up to date will improve your entire ensemble this holiday weekend. Woven details and neutral colors help maintain a classic look but your fellow beachgoers will surely be eyeing your sandals and totebag that set you apart from the crowd.
From left to right, products available at Net-A-Porter, Shopbop.com, and Intermix Above images courtesy of Shopbop, Net-A-Porter, Lyst