Fashion Expert Bjorn Nasett | Amazing Goodwill Ask the Experts

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on May 18, 2016 4:34:59 PM

Once Upon a Time

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City teaches its students all there is to know about fashion and design. But, it also houses a fashion museum that’s free to the public! Anyone intrigued by fashion, and planning a trip to New York City, should definitely check out the exhibits. For information on hours and location, please see their website here. While I was in Manhattan for Fashion Week in February, I attended one of FITs spectacular presentations entitled “Fairy Tale Fashion.” It took a look at the whimsical world of some familiar fairy tales, but illustrated them through various pieces created by some of the top designers on the planet. Utilizing garments from different eras they were able to create a magical fashion experience for the viewer.

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on May 12, 2016 3:28:19 PM

Cool and Colorful!

Fashion ideas come from many different places, don’t they? A magazine, something we see on television or online, and for me they often come from the numerous fashion shows I’ve attended over the years. One of my favorite designers is Custo Barcelona, whose point of view in fashion is all about color as well as happy feel-good energy! This week I want to share with you some photographs I snapped for his Spring/Summer 2012 collection. One of the reasons I like to show collections from past years is to illustrate the idea that fashion doesn’t change overnight—instead it can change in slow increments over a period of time. When you take a gander at the slideshow below you’ll notice many trends are still viable, and many more that could be what’s happening right now!

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on May 5, 2016 2:30:40 PM

Denim Details

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog about the history of denim exhibition I saw when I was in NYC this past February. (Click here to read The Denim Story blog.) The exhibit illustrated the importance of denim and the way the fabric literally became a mainstay in the fashion world. Denim is such a sturdy fabric and, quite possibly, the easiest to care for as well. One of the things I always do when I shop at Goodwill for clients who want to freshen up their look (or when I’m working on editorials) is to look for unique-and-stylish denim pieces that can be incorporated into the daily wardrobe. This week, I want to show you a few choice denim items that I picked up at two Goodwill stores near my home…

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Apr 27, 2016 3:03:07 PM

Tassels, Tassels Everywhere

“A tassel is a finishing feature in fabric and clothing decoration. It is a universal ornament that is seen in varying versions in many cultures around the globe.” - This is the Wikipedia description for the word “tassel." Basically, a tassel is a type of decoration which has been around for a very long time and, just like anything that has historic value, it has been modified and reimagined over-and-over again in popular culture worldwide.

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Apr 20, 2016 3:22:51 PM

Modern Bridal Style

Recently I went to the premier of a new bridal collection by Amanda Jennings, the designer behind MinkMaids bridal fashion.The event was held at Zita Bridal Salon, a Milwaukee institution for leading trends in gowns and accessories for today’s bride. Also included in this wonderful event was bridal-accessory designer, Jackie Barutha of JAXIE. It was a pleasure to preview this amazing collection that was full of ideas I’ve honestly never seen before. A floral-print gown for a bride? Sure! Metallics and sequins? Yes! Headbands and tie-on bling belts for the gowns? Absolutely!

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Apr 14, 2016 3:51:06 PM

The Denim Story

Denim is possibly the most-loved fabric in the world isn’t it? How many of us out there have a favorite pair of jeans, or a great denim piece that we just can’t live without? The answer to that question is literally millions! While in New York for Fashion Week in February, I stopped by The Museum at F.I.T. (Fashion Institute of Technology) to take in their Denim Exhibition, which celebrates the use of this sturdy fabric in everything from work clothes to swim suits. The Museum at F.I.T. is FREE and open to the public, and should be a must-see for any fashion lover visiting the Big Apple. The exhibits are beautifully curated and, of course, present us with stunning displays to peruse and photograph (without flash of course). Included in the exhibition were high-end designer names like Tom Ford, as well as lesser-known American designers like Claire McCardell, who created sportswear for women in the 1940s.

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Apr 7, 2016 11:11:46 AM

Flower Power - What's "In" for Spring and Summer

That simple question can be answered easily. Floral prints! Sound familiar? It should, because the natural beauty of flowers has always been a mainstay in fashion and art since time began. People still marvel at Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” or the impressionistic flora and fauna of Renoir. So is it any wonder that the fabrics created to emulate the varieties and colorations of posies are revisited again and again in the world of fashion design? From the cotton floral calico prints of the pioneer women, to the avant garde pop abstractions of the '60’s, the flower has ultimate staying power.

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Mar 30, 2016 12:21:00 PM

New, Now, Next from Boston Store!

Being a small part of a giving community is one of the wonderful things I like about being involved with Goodwill throughout the years. One of our biggest supporters and promotional partners here in Southeastern Wisconsin is the Bon-Ton Stores. Their corporate offices are located in downtown Milwaukee, and they are the parent company for Younkers, Boston Store and Carson Pirie Scott. In conjunction with Goodwill, they help promote donations at their stores during the Goodwill Sale.

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Mar 22, 2016 12:00:00 AM

That 70s Spring!

Spring is almost here! Hooray! Let’s celebrate the end of a long winter by taking a look at a designer collection that was surely ahead of the trends when I photographed it. Amber Patton showed a simple and pretty spring and summer collection a few years ago in New York during Fashion Week. It’s pretty clear that her ideas about fashion design are sleek and clean-lined, but the model styling went totally 70s with the oversized flowers and braided upswept hairstyles on many of the models. Take a look at the off the shoulder tops and jumpsuits, the baby doll dresses and the top and shorts combinations are also pretty groovy, but in a modern and good way. With these easy pieces, there is something here for everyone!

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Mar 14, 2016 3:41:24 PM

Tie On Style

Hands down one of the hardest-working accessories in the fashion game is the humble necktie. Whether you had that one uncle with the light-up “novelty” tie, or the clip-on you wore as a kid, neckties have still been stylish for centuries. But, it was the advent of the free-wheeling 1920s when the necktie, as we know it today, caused a minor sensation. Mass manufacturing also gave guys quite a few more options, too. Bold colors and bright prints were a welcome antidote to the more somber colors men sported up until that time.

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Mar 10, 2016 1:36:18 PM

Style Behind the Scenes

Fashion shows are all about putting new ideas out there for people to see and possibly get behind. But, what do people who actually attend Fashion Week wear? What is it like behind the scenes? This week, just for fun, I randomly selected some shots that encompass many years, and various locations, to give you a glimpse into the circus and theatre that is Fashion Week. As always, you can note some cool trends, or some over-the-top looks, but one thing you won’t be is bored! See if you can spot the celebrities I’ve crossed paths with, as well as some of the denizens of the stylish set of NYC.

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Mar 2, 2016 1:18:35 PM

Shine on Spring!

Even though it’s not quite spring yet, let’s pick up some cues from a fall and winter collection which can easily take you into the season soon ahead! Fashion like this allows us to shake off the last remnants of this wild, but somewhat mild, winter we’ve experienced this year. The design duo Noon by Noor definitely likes to keep their shapes simple and uncomplicated. That is exactly why many women can actually see themselves in a lot of these looks. They’re wearable, as well as on-trend at this moment in fashion history! Their take on texture is a key element to playing off of the relatively unfussy, clean lines of their collection. As usual, here’s a list of things I found interesting and noteworthy.

Goodwill Fashion Expert—Bjorn Nasett