Tweedily Mee

This project has been a long time coming. I made it Mid-January and Inspite of it, I am happy that I finally have the chance to share it with you.

Recently, I applied for a new job and decided to make myself a 2-piece suit, since I don’t currently own a matching one appropriate for an interview. I’ve been wanting to try my hand at tailoring a suit for a while and was inspired by a tweed ensemble discovered in GQ Magazine. Although tweed is not the “norm” in Miami, I love the sophistication of the material.

The jacket is a McCall’s pattern (M6087) and the pant is self drafted. I shorten the jacket a lot because I’m petite and I didn’t want it to look oversized. (That’s the beauty of being able to sew for oneself.) The pant pockets are made of the same lining found inside the jacket. In hindsight, I would make sure the interior pockets are made of the same fabric of the pant. The contrast was too extreme. The pants were also a bit rushed (to be worn for a party), so the finishing on the inside isn’t the best.

The fabric is actually an upholstery textile. I grabbed it for a great price. Although it looks lovely and you can’t tell it’s upholstery, the sewing process was tremendous because it frays a lot.

Overall it’s my first suit and I’m proud of the effort; and I am looking forward to making another one, among other tailored pieces for myself.

I'm pictured at a party I attended in January

Winter Renegade Cardigan

This is one of my favorite projects to date. I’ve been needing a black cardigan for a very long time and with winter still approaching (in Miami), this was the best time to make it.

Obviously, this is not your basic black cardigan. With my style and taste, I had to spice it up a few notches. I’m a big fan of high collars, so I added one in pleather. Since the collar is surprisingly high, it converts to a folded collar, which is great, because that wasn’t intentional. So it can be worn two different ways. The placket for the buttons is also constructed from pleather and the welt pocket (at the chest) and closure too. The waistband around the bottom of the jacket is applied perpendicular to the top and closes with a metal latch hook. Best of all, the sleeves can be pulled up for a more casual look.

Smoking Bottoms

These are my favorite pants to date. I’ve entitled them “Smoking Bottoms” because they are inspired by vintage pants from the 1960’s.

This is my second attempt at making pants. For my first attempt I traced a pair of jeans that I owned to create the pattern and although the results were pretty cool, the crouch wasn’t very successful. Click here to see the Preppy Grunge Skinny Leg Pants project! Thanks to this video on YouTube, I learned how to properly attach a zipper to pants. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhLye8munk0&feature=BFa&list=FL1zbEKELtfsp0Vwjf8SzqVQ&lf=mh_lolz)

For this project, I drafted my own pattern based upon techniques I learned from a pattern making class and these pants have a skinny leg – indeed. I designed the pants with an overlapping waistband with a metal latch hook closure, but I found that the pants would slip off my waist a lot. Several months later I added belt loops for a better fit. Additionally, there are two welt pockets at the back. I only wished I added buttons to secure my wallet.

Although the material appears differently in the photographs, these pants are made of a medium weight linen, so they are very breathable. Additionally, the color and the style are classic, so they’ll be a part of my wardrobe for a very long time.

I first wore them on my vacation cruise last October.

'AllSaints' Fair Isle Hooded Crew

I’m a big fan of AllSaints aesthetic. I adore the brand’s style because it’s so different and the interiors of the stores is pretty cool too. The hooded crew is one of my favorite pieces. It’s a perfect design for “Summery Winters” in Miami. However, the price for this baby is a cool $60 (retail price; see the original AllSaints shirt in the last photograph shown). Nonetheless, I found this great “Fair Isle” jersey print for $2.50 p/y and the rest is history.

Although this material has been sitting in my sewing nooks for several months, a new Christmas shirt was the perfect time for me to use it. Since I’ve never seen the hooded crew in person, I had to imagine how the hood was constructed. In the AllSaints photograph, it looks effortless; the drape and all. I’m not sure if mine is constructed the same exact way, but I like it regardless.

I maintained the ribbed jersey knit around the around, but made them slightly shorter. My upgrade includes the metal grommets for the drawstring and the amazing print.

On Christmas Day I paired it with a coordinating button (which can be seen in the photos) and charcoal grey khakis. The ensemble was a breeze!

Exclusive Cyber Monday 24 Hour Sale for all ZE Menswear Facebook & Twitter Fans only!

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ZE Menswear FALL SALE

Harvest the fruits of ZE Menswear great fashions. Reward yourself, friends or loved ones with a bountiful gift for the holiday season and save 30% off NOW until November 25, 2011 by using coupon code ZEFALL30 at www.ze-menswear.com. 


Consider it an investment for the summer to come.

J.L. King Interview: Royalty's Love Affair with ZE Menswear

Several weeks ago, I had the privilege of connecting with J. L. King via Twitter. Over a series of days, I Twitted several kind messages to him to spark interest in my clothing line and IT WORK!

Now if you're not familiar with J. L. King, he's a New York Times best selling author who appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show to speak about his book entitled, "On the Down Low".

After 15 years of first book, I collaborated with J.L. to design a custom tank to wear on the red carpet and  promote his latest novel, "Love on a Two Way Street."

In midst of our correspondences, I had the opportunity to interview him about his latest endeavors. 

ZE Menswear: After appearing on Oprah, you took the world by storm with your non-fiction debut book "On the Down Low". Now you've entered the fiction arena with a new book entitled, "Love on a Two-Way Street". In comparison to other books of this genre, what makes this novel different from any other story already available on the bookshelves?

J. L. King: My writings is different then other writers. I am a serious story teller and my stories are all based on real people. I have written 13 books and they all get high marks because people can relate to them. They are raw, straight forward and page turners.   I have so many books inside of me that I want to write. And if God continues to bless me, the best is yet to come. 

ZE Menswear: It's been over 7 years since the exposure of "living on the down low" received national acclaim on television. How do you continue to reinvent yourself? Progress your mission?

J. L. King:  I am a person that believes that I can do anything. I have a international platform that has allowed me to do many things and create new opportunities.  And I am just beginning. I have a lot of great things going on in my life. National TV show, stage play, new books, working with new writers and authors through my JL King Publishing company, and on and on. Life is good. And everyday I wake up with new ideas to put into action.  I also get a lot of offers to partner with other authors, producers and celebrities and I pick and chose them carefully. I love helping others get started and if it is a win win for me, then I am always interested.

ZE Menswear: After the release of your newest novel, what does the future hold for the "J.L. King Enterprise"?

J. L. King: I am also working on 4 new books that will be released next year. Who knows, I live day by day. I don't know what God has in store for me next. But, whatever it is, I am ready for it.

ZE Menswear: In collaborating with ZE Menswear to design your Exclusive Designer Tank, describe your personal style.

J. L. King:J.L: Your response goes here. I am a trend setter. As a soon to be a senior citizen (smile), I look at my style as ageless. I dress to make heads turn. I love colors, I love clothes that no one else has or would dare to wear. I love designers who can take my ideas and make them. And I know what looks good on me. ZE Menswear has a fresh approach to men clothes that I love. I recently order more tanks that I will be wearing this year on my Love On A Two Way street book tour.  I also want to be the face of ZE Menswear...lol

 

For more information about J. L. King, please visit www.jlking.net and if you want to write and get published visit: www.jlkingpublishing.com.  Follow J.L. King on Twitter @authorjlking and Facebook at Jl King.

Sketch - Initial Design

Sketch - Final Design