Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
2012 is over?!
Wow Maniacs, where does the time go? I'm pretty sure I neglected my blog for like a year, so I'll do my best to update you.
I kicked off 2013 with an awesome runway show at The Museum of Art History in downtown Santa Cruz to debut my 1930's inspired Spring line! The place was PACKED, and I had a total blast!
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| The lovely Lily modelling the Maureen Top and Claudette Maxi Skirt |
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| The elegant Lindsay modelling The Eleanor Maxi Dress |
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| My favorite little show stopper, Morgan, modelling The Zsa Zsa Lace Couture Dress |
I really loved doing this show was so much fun, and it was like a FashionART family reunion! The ever so talented Christina Cree was also there to show a few of her gorgeous RTW and wearable art pieces! Both of us were just stoked to do a quick and easy runway show, and we even had time to make OURSELVES new dresses to wear! Cray!!
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| Me and Christina Cree (right) She made that dress by revamping 2 older pieces in her closet! I love this lady!! |
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| Check out the whole album from this show on the Manic Designs Facebook page! |
After the show, it was photo shoot time. I grew up in Oakland, CA and I've always been fascinated by the gorgeous Victorian houses in the area. The Ygnacio Peralta House in San Leandro, CA is one that always caught my eye. I've always dreamed of having a photo shoot there, but had never had the resources to pull it off, until March of this year- just in time for my birthday too!
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| The beautiful Ygnacio Peralta Home in San Leandro, CA |
The house has been maintained throughout the history of the city, and is currently owned by The Alta Mira Club. As a birthday present to myself, and because the gorgeous interior of the house complimented the aesthetic of the Spring line so well, I mustered up the courage to call them and see if it was possible to do the photo shoot there. I had the privilege of working with Carol, Linda, and Jerry, and it was an absolute joy! They loved the collection and philosophy behind Manic, and they were so excited to give this lovely historical gem more exposure. I had such an amazing time, and the photos were everything I had been dreaming of. I can't thank these wonderful people enough! If you're interested in renting the home for events or even if you just want to brush up on your history of this glamorous era, check out The Alta Mira Club's website at www.altamiraclub.com, or call 510/562-7144 and tell them Rachel Riot sent ya! <3
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| Photo by Carly Gabara Photography, MUA Stephanie Chatfield, Jewelry and Accessories by Creations By Raven Jade |
The Spring line is inspired by the 1930's, which is one of my favorite era's because it was a transitioning period for fashion. Clothing became more of a casual luxury and expression of individuality, rather than just a functional necessity. The color palette is muted (what's new?!) to illustrate the feel of vintage sepia and gray scale photography, utilizing neutral tones like black, charcoal gray, taupe, and olive green. The garment details in each piece are structured, yet asymmetrical to celebrate the eclectic Art Deco period. I designed each piece to collaborate hard, edgy details with soft drapes to create a sexy, fitted, and feminine look that accentuates the curves of the body.
Click here to shop the collection!
My amazing dream team came together to make this dream shoot a reality, and that's why I love them so much!
Stunning hair and makeup by Stephanie Chatfield
Gorgeous and eclectic jewelry by Creations by Raven Jade
and last but not least, breathtaking photography by Carly Gabara
Check out the entire album on the Manic Designs Facebook Page!
I think that's all for now Maniacs, but I promise I won't abandon you again! I've got a few things up my sleeve for FashionART this year, and I hope to see you all there!
XOXO,
Riot
Friday, October 5, 2012
Fall 2012
Wrap yourself in a dark elegance this season with the new Fall line from Manic Designs! This collection is inspired by the unforgettable vintage fashion from the 1940's and 1950's when Dior introduced The New Look, celebrating both the end of the war, and the beginning of timeless style. Each piece collaborates classic silhouettes and details like high waistlines, boatnecks, and princess seam bodices, with intricate and edgy details like angled pin tucks and cut outs to create a fashion forward, yet wearable and versatile look.
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| The Lucy Lace House Coat. Available on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/listing/111232417/the-lucy-lace-house-coat-w-open-front) |
This line celebrates a muted color palette with pops of different texture like crochet lace trim, flattering angled pin tucks, low high hems, and separating panels to bring these timeless styles an edgy breath of life!
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| The Marion Mini Dress https://www.etsy.com/listing/111229861/the-marion-knit-pin-tucked-princess and The Ginger Chiffon Maxi Skirt https://www.etsy.com/listing/111325066/the-ginger-chiffon-maxi-wrap-skirt-w |
Come shop the whole line!!
See this line rock the runway and keep up with Manic news on my Facebook page!!
<3 Rachel Riot
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
FashionART Santa Cruz 2012
I can't even begin to express how honored I am to have been a part of the FashionART show this year. It's such an incredible feeling to have my lifetime of work, hopes, and dreams come together so beautifully for this event!
I want to send a big thank you to the coordinators of FashionART Santa Cruz for being so encouraging and helpful, and for working so hard to put this show together every year.
I would work with all of you again in a heartbeat. It's so refreshing to work with people who are driven and work so hard to put this event on for the community solely in the name of art and creativity!
I'm so honored that Angelo, Lisa, and Lindsay wore Manic Designs pieces to the show! You guys looked awesome and I appreciate your love and support!
Stephanie and Raven, I don't know what I would do without you gals pullin' together the hair/makeup and accessories to complete the look AND reminding me to breathe and eat during crunch time before the show!  |
| My awesome hair and makeup artist, Stephanii (left) and the always amazing Raven Jade of Creations by Raven Jade, Taxidermy jewelry and accessories. |
To my gorgeous models, it was so much fun to work with all of you and you ladies rocked the runway! Check out all the pictures from the show on my Facebook page
www.facebook.com/manicdesigns
www.facebook.com/manicdesigns
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| Death metal glam coming in for the kill! Photo by Marty at New View Photography |
I'm so grateful to have had such an amazing group of people to work with and make my long time dream come true. I love you guys, and this is just the beginning ♥ The Riot
Step aside Tim Gunn, Tina Brown is in the house!
One of the best parts about being in FashionART was having the opportunity to work with the awesome team of people that are so dedicated to putting the show together every year. Tina Brown, the Designer Coordinator, is Santa Cruz's personal Tim Gunn!
She took time out of her busy schedule to stop by each designers studio before the show to take a closer look at our collections. She has a great eye for detail and color, not to mention she always looks FAB!
She was so charmed by my little skull buddies she posted a picture of them with a blurb about Manic on her styling blog, Ilka Style!
Visit her site to check out all her visits to the talented designers behind this years FashionART show, and she's got some great tips on how to keep your wardrobe fresh, up to date, and most importantly, personalized to fit your unique style!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Step aside Mugatu, Manic is IN!
That Manic, SO hot right now!!!
This month marks the 3rd anniversary of Manic Designs, and I promised myself at the beginning of the year that things were going to be different; that I was going to make this life long dream a reality even if it killed me.
This experience has been worth every streak of all nighters sewing collections to release the next day, every moment of overwhelming stress, the excruciating burn of carpel tunnel, and every Mugatu worthy bitch fit I've ever thrown!
I am more than pleased to announce that I will be debuting my Fall 2012 line at the Micheal Angelo FashionART Runway Show in Santa Cruz this September.
Thank you so much to all my family and friends that have been so supportive through all of this, and of course to my wonderful Maniacs! I love you guys and I couldn't have done any of this without you!
Stay tuned for a sneak peek of Fall 2012!
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| Manic Designs Fall 2011 |
The 2nd Annual Hart's Craftacular Wonderfair!
I hope all my Maniacs in Santa Cruz had fun at the Hart's Craftacular Wonderfair last Sunday, because I did!!!
I was vending with my girl Raven of Creations by Raven Jade, showcasing her always amazing jewelry and accessories!
Every single person that I met, fellow vendors as well as customers, was an absolute pleasure.
I sincerely enjoyed every single transaction, and each piece that I sold went to the exact person I designed it for-
An adorable pin up for the Demonic Dottie handbag, a gorgeous fashionista for the Arterial Shred Maxi Dress, a loving husband buying his beautiful wife a pair of lounge shorts, a delightful mother from Seattle for the Black Tara Infinity Wrap (she says black is her default color- she's my kinda gal!) and her darling daughter who will be wearing the Marion Mini Dress from the Spring line to her Home Coming Dance! I know, I got a little verklempt!
It was amazing to meet all of you and a pleasure to network with all the other great vendors at the show! We weren't lacking in the accessories department since we had Black Violets rockin' jewelry (www.blackviolets.com),Love Baggage's super cute vintage accessories (www.etsy.com/shop/Lovebaggage), Marikira Bags with her cute, handcrafted iPad holders and knitting needle caddies (www.etsy.com/shop/MarikitaBags), Ricala's gorgeous hand made leather jewelry (www.ricala.com), and of course my eccentric little Raven Jade with her elegant taxidermy jewelry and accessories (www.etsy.com/shop/CreationsByRavenJade).
We didn't forget about home decor either! Fish Princess Farm had beautiful handmade goats milk soaps (www.etsy.com/shop/fishprincessfarm), Rooted in Thyme with their charming garden and home decor accessories
(www.rootedinthyme.blogspot.com) with Carly Gabarra Photography and her lovely hand printed wooden postcards (www.carlygabaraphotography.blogspot.com).
I want to send a big thank you the Harts Fabric for hosting this craft fair, Raven and I had a blast and it was so great to meet all of you! If you're in a rut I highly recommend going to Hart's and just looking through their amazing and unique collection of fabrics and notions- it always helps me!
Don't forget that if you came to the craft fair you get 10% off your next Manic Designs purchase on my Etsy store! Use coupon code HARTSLOVE10 at the check out!
Thanks again to everyone that came out and all our neighboring vendors, we will definitely be back next year! Oh and Raven is flipping you off in the most loving way possible- some people do bunny ears, Raven flips the bird- I love this girl! Visit my Facebook page to see all the pictures from the fair! (www.facebook.com/manicdesigns)
Friday, May 25, 2012
Get Comfy Maniacs!!
The new lounge line is here to kick ass and chew bubble gum...
And we're ALL out of bubble gum!
Manic Designs is excited to present the new lounge line! This line of basics is super comfy with a fun twist inspired by the 1960's and 70's MOD era. Thank you Twiggy and Mary Quant, now we can be comfy in style!
What's that you say?! The new lounge line will be sold at a lower price point than other Manic collections?!
OHMYGAAAAH THAT'S AWESOME!
Back off bitch, this one's MINE!
Aww don't fight girlies! There's plenty to go around!
This line is great for relaxing at home but it can also be dressed up to wear out or to just stand around and look like you're too cool to care!
Don't ya just love being a girl?! The pieces will be posted on Etsy later this evening so keep an eye out, Maniacs!
XOXO,
The Riot
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Calling all Maniacs!!
Welcome to my humble abode, Maniacs!
For those of you that know me, I realize the website may have been the best place to start but I was just so damn excited to release my clothing line I couldn't wait...I also totally suck at HTML coding- but the most important thing is that I'm here now! Whether you've made your way over from Facebook, Etsy, Twitter, or Pinterest, come check out the new site to stay on top of updates and sales as well as new collections!
For those of you that just read that and are still wondering who the hell I am, my name is Rachel Riot, owner and designer of Manic Designs! Manic Designs is an edgy and unique women's clothing line that collaborates heavy metal music and timeless vintage fashion. I have been sewing since I was 7 years old and I will sew until the day I die. I can still remember sewing collections for my Barbies with Kleenex and spearmint dental floss for a runway show (those empty Kleenex boxes made a killer runway!)
Growing up, I got more and more into sewing and fashion design. After watching countless Hitchcock Films as well as other classics, I developed an admiration for vintage Hollywood starlettes like Audrey Hepburn, Yvonne DeCarlo, Grace Kelly and all the greats including Edith Head, the genius designer behind their simplistic yet breath taking gowns and costumes.
After growing up as the weird kid that watched old movies no one in my class had even heard of and sewed a bunch of weird shit (apparently that isn't cool until High School), I acquired a taste for heavy metal music, mostly death and thrash metal. Sick and tired of an abundance of the same goth and punk rock fashion tainting the industry, it finally dawned on me that maybe there were women out there feeling the same frustrations! I want to convey my passion for heavy metal music with garment details inspired by the beauty an complexity of the music incorporated with the elegance of vintage fashion. Thank you for visiting my site and helping me make my long time dream come true, stay tuned for new collections and upcoming events!
Sincerely,
The Riot
“You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it.”
- Edith Head (1907-1981)
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