August Magazine Feature

Just updated my Press page with the spread from HY.

It was a learning experience. hahahahahaha. Ah gees.

Custom Printing!!!!

I don't remember the last time I was so excited about a vendor. (Well, maybe the embroiderer...but still!) I've now partnered with a textile printer, allowing me to create print bridesmaids dresses for Miss Sara's bridal party. Rather than strapless, like her inspiration image, we designed a ruched, sweetheart halter. The breezy cotton voile will make such darling sundresses. I am so absolutely tickled!

Her Inspiration Image

My brain is spinning now thinking about how I can play with prints on wedding gowns, mothers' dresses, pageant, cocktail...

weee!!

Natalie Harris Site Redesign!

More brides! More designs! and now faster-loading and more user-friendly. :)

Especially check out the beginning of my page for my upcoming bridesmaids/cocktail collection, Damsel.

You absolutely must listen to the brutally honest song on that page that I hope conveys a bit of humor about the fashion risks of cliched bridesmaid dresses. hehe.
Furthermore, I sketched a few fun croquis to kick off the whole fun/edgy aesthetic. (I'm in love with the blonde.)

Allison's Rendering

Allison's Vintage Lace

Carissa's Ballgown to top all other ballgowns before it

I must say, this one has me in absolute suspense. I cannot wait to see her in this...this...magnificence!

Random Artsy Concept Shoot

Edit 8-19: Just received images from Heinz. So chic.

Hmm. Have to ask if he edited any of 'Piccadilly'. So glad to have 'Cannes' captured now!

-------------------------------

Model Stacie Noble asked that I style a shoot involving her shaving her head. Hey, I was intrigued.
Heinz Weidmann, Photographer
Dennis Clendennen of Dionysus Salon, The Woodlands - with whom I had the pleasure of working with on our shoot for May ENVY

Magazine Feature FLOP

Ugh. I have never been so disappointed by a photo shoot experience as I have been with Couture Magazine. I'm hesitant to even mention their name here, for fear that it might encourage some of you to go read it, which might be a tragic waste of brainpower and time.

Do yourself a favor and just type in page 30 in the upper left instead of scrolling through this hot mess.

As if that weren't enough, way to make me look like an idiot. Read THIS:
"... It is for this reason that my collection includes fashion-foward mail-outs (one-piece suits) and coordinating cover-ups..."
IDIOTS! They run a fashion magazine and can't edit well enough to know to cancel spellcheck (and I think I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt on that one) on maillot!?!?

From Dictionary.com:

–noun
1. a close-fitting, one-piece bathing suit for women, simply styled and usually having a scoop neck and shoulder straps.

Furthermore, the magazine is chock-full of images of swimwear. So...thanks for advertising for my competitors and leaving me in the effing dark.

Friends, PLEASE, take 20 seconds and email feedback@mycouturemag.com. Tell them how strange you think it is that the girl who wrote about shoes has her picture, but there is none of me. Perhaps I'm horribly disfigured. Perhaps they never organized actually taking my photo, as promised. That's not the important part, though.

I requested for months to see my images, and the photographer never got a release from the magazine to even share them with me. I wasted my time one EARLY morning shooting in town for these people. That's not to mention 2 other meetings/fittings that required me to drive all over Hell's Half Acre (which is a town in Wyoming, btw).

I'll waste time for Vogue, ok? These people don't get to do that. Help me out, so that I can at least get some (decent?) photos for my time.

mmmkay, thanks.

Sherray's Gown

Still perfecting the details of Sherray's sleek mermaid, which will feature my signature detachable skirt, in Luxe tulle. She's picked a stunning gold tone, sure to be unforgettable.

4600+ Miles Later

Still expanding my horizons...especially those west of the Mississippi...we hopped in the truck for a roadtrip that most sane people wouldn't consider. Then again, most people don't have families spread out across the entire country!

It was first to Indiana, then Minnesota, South Dakota for a night, through Yellowstone/Wyoming, and finally to meet up in Idaho! It was 3 new states for me, and a handful of memories for a lifetime. I can understand why this revisit to Yellowstone, on the anniversary of a family trip 20 years ago, brought so much excitement to the bunch.

The truck had a bit of elevation sickness near Cody, WY. There were a few minutes that we thought we were stranded, but she finally started again and despite some chugging for most of the rest of the trip, we were good to go. Apparently the quick elevation change confused the F150's oxygen sensor. As it turns out, elevation sickness must be contagious, because at Old Faithful, something suddenly came over me, too! - maybe it was just the toxic geyser fumes. haha.

It was so great to spend time with all 3 parts of our family!

Grand Tetons

Camped in the National Park here overnight, learning that tents are not, in fact, waterproof. When storms roar through mountains, thunder never stops...just echoes!

Grand Prismatic Spring

(This shot by Hubs, courtesy of a trail that was a great deal longer than 1/4 mile. Thanks for the sunburn on my sunburn, idiot tourist guy!)

The sweet Island Park, Idaho chalet, fit for all these Harrises!

Buck Elk

Old Faithful

Yellowstone's Lower Falls

Mt Rushmore

The Badlands - possibly the highlight of the trip.

Double Rainbow - look closely!

Tanaya's Sophisticated Mermaid

A detachable cocktail and full-length skirt provide two looks to this stunning, chic mermaid style created from meshing all of this bride-to-be's favorite design elements. Crisp fabrication and a vintage rhinestone detail make this one incredible look!

If you wear clothes, make clothes, or like me, please...

Please sign this petition.

This bill parades as a way to protect original designs from being stolen, which is a grand theory. However, in reality, it will take a creative industry and turn it into a legally delayed mess in which independent designers will be unable to afford to function.

If you buy affordable clothing, kiss that goodbye.
Are you a sewing hobbyist? Forget buying patterns.
Eight fashion seasons a year? Ha. We'll be too tied up making sure our designs won't accidentally look like something someone else did decades ago.

Nothing is new in fashion. Trends repeat. Inspiration cannot exist in a vacuum.

Please allow me to continue to dream about growing a successful Bridal and Swimwear brand. I don't know what else I would do with myself...

My new Celebrity Muse

I have always described my design aesthetic as elegance with edge...and who personifies that better than screen vixen Megan Fox!? I think she is everything that's great about Angelina Jolie but better. Her spread in June's Elle is just stunning. Just like that, she bumped Natalie Portman to a distant second.

Refer a Bride who orders her gown for $50 Visa Gift Card!

Hey friends and family - listen up! We here at Natalie Harris Design are incredibly excited to be taking our Custom Bridal design services to the next level with a new advertising campaign! HOWEVER...

Everyone knows that word of mouth is the best way to find a trusted professional. That is why we are offering a $50 Visa Gift Card to those of you who refer a bride who places her order for a custom wedding gown or bridal party (5 or more bridesmaids)! (For orders placed through Aug 31, 09.)

So please...recommend us to everyone your engaged friends and family!

Natalie Harris Design: We make dream dresses a reality.

Polyvore: The Poor Man's Photoshop

...but I decided to play with it, as I'm hopelessly torn between two ideas for revamping the "Duck" room, my studio/home office which still showcases the wall duckies from the previous owner. Anyway, one idea is an indigo for the walls, using white accents, and changing to a lucite ceiling fan. On the other hand, I'm toying with a non-offensive shade of chartreuse for the walls, then doing a palm-blade ceiling fan and natural accents. Help?! (I'll try to whip up an image of the green palette in a bit.)

http://www.polyvore.com/duck_room_peacock_indigo/set?id=8817362

(Belated) Birthday Recap

My thanks to Caty for this most entertaining card:

(Inside reads: "I got it on Ebay!")

Dear Hubs and I spent the day together field-trip style at the zoo. It was a beautiful day and a great time. Thumbs down to the zoo, who added a barrier between my Okapi friends and I. Eh, it was hot, so my stupid Okapi friend hid in the shade anyway. :( I did get a few images of cool, colorful animals to add to my ever-growing inspiration file! Please enjoy the following stupidity:

Hubs in an aquarium

"Special" Giraffe

We ended the night at Gianna's (an amazing Italian Ristorante in Tomball) with some friends. It was a fantastic day all around...

even despite that whole downward-slide-to-30 thing.

Gonna Party like it's my Birthday

Thanks to a 50 Cent moment on the commute home this afternoon, cruising with the windows down on a GORGEOUS afternoon, I had a sentimental moment. Of course certain songs remind of us a different time or place; this one brought imagery of Purdue Grand Prix week, with jams blaring from frat patios on my walk to the Art & Design buildings. Funny. :)

Speaking of birthdays...

Mine is tomorrow! Weeeeeeeeeee! This makes 26 years.

Had dinner with the in-laws this evening, complete with Klein's Irish Creme cake. Tasty.

Hubs and I are thinking we'll take advantage of the beautiful day forecast for tomorrow and go visit my Okapi friend at the zoo. It's been a few years, after all. He lets me feed him leaves. We have a bond.

I am also stoked to get caught up with sketching all my recent ideas for bridesmaids, new bridal gowns, and swim coverups. To add fuel to the fire, I just discovered a source for preserved leaves, and you had better believe I'm going to figure out a way to make my favorite applique method workable for mass-manufacture. Besides all the wonderful autumn tones, I FOUND WHITE LEAVES! Which means...WEDDING GOWN!!! I am so freaking excited. I know it might sound scary, but just you wait! This is going to be one of those signature kinds of gowns that people talk about for years. EEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

*deep breath*

"Aspen" and "Shanghai" design edits

It was brought to my attention that 'Aspen', a favorite of mine, might be improved with some light waist-area shirring. This idea has me very excited, so I think this will be release #3 for Jet Set Swim's summer preview. I'm still working on a coverup; I'll post some concept sketches tomorrow and see what you all think.

Also, being inspired by a friend's pregnancy, I'll be offering 'Shanghai' to have sideseam drawstrings (rather than side slits?)...which makes for hot maternity beach attire!!!!

I'm working now on a Jet Set Swim signature print design now. I'll use it as an alternate color choice for every style. I'm trying to decide what look really conveys my whole philosophy for the collection. I want something sophisticated, but fun and modern. Hmm...

Also, I'm working on a couple graphics to complete the Tees shoppe that I'll be adding to my homepage in the next few weeks!

ENVY does Hollywood

So look for the May issue of ENVY Magazine, on newstands (and online at http://www.envymags.com/) at the end of April. Here are two teasers of what to expect from the "Old Hollywood" feature, which will showcase two Natalie Harris Bridal gowns!

I don't even know how Savannah, our bombshell blonde, made it through. The poor girl fought back pnemonia to look this good. Impressive...

Meanwhile, Nicole (ENVY Editor) and I fought for the bird. Voila! Way to work it, Valerie.

ENVY!!

I received a most exciting phone call during my lunch yesterday (thank goodness I was at lunch at 4:30). A stylist from ENVY Magazine just invited me to participate in a shoot Thursday! To put in perspective how I excited I am about this, just know that I've MySpace stalked Envy for years, dreaming about when the time would be right to see if they might be interested.

Gees, if only I would have known all these PR opportunities would start falling in my lap! These gowns are going to be captured so much, they'll need to be retired to the closet for a long while!

Now I'm off to hunt for accessories all day! Then fitting tonight. Hyperspeed....go.

Religious Iconography via Easter

Happy Easter, everyone! He is risen.

I attended a very moving worship service this morning. Pastor Noack's message about keeping the spirit of Easter a priority struck a chord with me. Anyone who can talk about a departed loved one with so much confidence in their salvation has my utmost respect. That was amazing. Then I got goosebumps and was almost moved to tears as the orchestra accompanied some moving Easter hymns. I wouldn't normally go on about this, but it was just beautiful.

(It has always been my philosophy that the most effective evangelism is being a happy, healthy example rather than preaching, so if anyone takes offense to the above, you really are misunderstanding me.)

Along that same line of thought, I like to incorporate a little something into every design to really make people think twice. Interestingly, I've found that religious elements have an edgy duality to them. I stumbled across this awesome bangle the other day, and it got me thinking about styling for some new bridesmaids/cocktail designs. I think I'll use this Renaissance art inspiration as a subtle theme to kickstart the brainstorming process.

Other exciting news: my little brother just took his oath for the US Air Force! Holy cow! I think my patriotism just increased tenfold. I am so proud.

Also: shoot scheduled with Teddy Tran for bridal looks. I am going to have one rockin' catalog!

I recently re-designed the Jet Set Swim style "Cannes". Check it out:

New version (darn! hard to see)

Added length to the bandeau top, pleating through bandeau, lengthened bottom to allow for scrunching.

Upcoming Shoots and Spreads

For those of you who track blogs, the following is my actual URL (but I will continue to feed through Facebook). http://www.natalieharrisdesign.blogspot.com/

Tonight I met with the very energetic creative team from the forthcoming HY Magazine. They have me really hyped for some very cool concepts. I was really stunned to meet such a conglomeration of twenty-something talent, but after I read a little more about the editorial direction they plan to take, it makes complete sense. Read all about it, and look for your copy of the debut issue this summer. After all, you'll have to check out my 7-pg spread. Holla!

Speaking of young talent...very young talent...
I'm also prepping for a more surreal-fantasy shoot with the son of an incredible local photographer. It will be his first very own shoot, and it's exciting to watch the little guy's creative process. I can't help it; maybe it goes back to my 4-H (great org) and Junior Leaders days, but I love watching children get passionate.

I'll also be featured in the summer issue of the new Couture Magazine. The Spring issue is out and about town now.

Introduction

It's true; I've been slathered all over MySpace and Facebook for some time now. A blog is the natural next step, but it took some prodding to convince me. :) Apparently many of you find what I do glamorous and fascinating (ha!), so I hope I don't disappoint!

I plan to share the following:
- Design inspirations that I find incredibly exciting
- Updates galore regarding Jet Set Swim and Natalie Harris Bridal & Evening
- Experiences from photo shoots
- Innovative couture designer looks
as well as:
- Exciting personal goings-on

I really do always love design feedback, so I hope for this to be a good outlet for some back and forth chatter. :)