遇見,秋天;遇見,你…{Che Bella Giornata}…

If God is a DJ
Life is a dance floor
Love is the rhythm
You are the music
~ Pink

I have not been able to update 5am for a really long time. During the past month, I have been busy wrapping up my project and application for accessory design program at domus academy (my dream school in Milan).I did plan to apply to other design schools but I would have to say shoe design and leather production in Italy is the best on my list and Milano is one of the world centers for fashion & design and I am very determined to start my new career path as an accessory designer. It might be difficult in the beginning but I am having a great deal of fun now!

Time flies really fast and I have not realized that it’s already been a month without writing any posts. Now I have a some really good news to update!! I’ve just got accepted to domus and I’m planning to move to Milano around late December to get ready for their one year master program starting in January,2012 (I totally sucked in my art history Ph.D program before but I guess I’ll have lots of fun in doing a design master program!!!) I would love to say thank you to all of our 5am friends and readers. 5am has keeping my passion for fashion and design so alive for the past year and 5am is special because of your reading it!

I’m in the process of revamping 5am je taime again and I’ll keep you all posted very soon! It’s going to be largely focused on my fashion & design adventure in Milan! Blogging from Milan sounds super cool!

I just got a pair of leather legging and a leather motorcycle jacket to prepare for the cold winter in Milano…(I am going to have a hard time to say goodbye to the 360 days of sunny weather in the Southern California…!!!) If I can survive in Milan ( as of what I’ve heard about Milan, living there is not so rosy but every city in this world has its own strength and weakness, and I am not afraid of taking chances to move there at all) I have been living in Southern California for my graduate studies for seven years and it’s now about time to move on!!!I hope that I can stay there (or at least in Europe) until 2015, when the world expo in Milan kicks off…oh yeh!

Anyone’s from Milano? Let’s keep in contact!!

Ciao Ciao!

A new edited “painted shoe from the Louvre painting” book is coming out soon! I am totally smitten by these fabulous french designs centuries ago and it’s not hard to tell how the shoe design has progressed in contemporary time!! I used to study art history and now, as a shoe design student,I can’t wait to receive a copy of this beautiful catalogue!!! Hooray!!! Finally, it’s THE weekend!! wish you all have a blast!!…peace out.

“Raphael, Goya and Ingres may not have been shoe designers, but they are considered to be some of the most famous painters in art history. They recorded the history of the shoe in their paintings and as such, involuntarily produced an archive of styles worn by people from 1280 to 1863 during their appearances…” (GOSEE news)

(the modern version: Parkerson’s Blue Italian Handmade Leather Loafer)

(the modern version: Jeffery Campell’s Kaya knee length gladiator sandal)

(the modern version: a pair of classy red flat! DVF’s Madison red suede flat)

(the modern version: black lace sling back! Guess by Marciano’s Melaney pump) or Stuart Weitzman’s Chantelle pump.

(how stylish the boots are! i’m in love with this “pulling out” character!! here’s the modern version of a pair of shorter boots: Frye Rogan studded lace-up boots)

My recent design project has something to do with “glamour” and I have to say that Balmain fall 2011 really inspired me a lot…I haven’t been posting Ready-to-Wear for a long time on 5amjetaime though.To be honest, I’ve always been a huge fan of Balmain. I can’t agree more with the self-assertive and somewhat showy design motto in Balmain. Pierre Balmain founded this Parisian fashion powerhouse in 1945, and dressed such style icons as Ava Gardner and Brigitte Bardot. Balmain has ups and downs and has been revived again. I’m in love with their ornately embellished outerwear, spray-on leather pants and directional tough-luxe dresses…a totally knock out! I’m in search of a perfect riding boot to kick off the fall season which shall go perfectly well with Balmain’s jacket & leather pants!

Okidoki, I need to catch up with my project, which is due in 3 weeks…{Keep it rocking, Gabbie^_^} Wish you all progress well in whatever you do for this week, darlings!

I found out about Loeffler Randall when I was browsing Barneys New York. Loeffler Randall was born out of designer Jessie Randall ‘s quest to find the shoes that she wanted to wear but could not find – shoes that possessed an understated elegance, were well-made, and undeniably feminine.

With this distinct point of view, Loeffler Randall launched in the fall of 2005. Styles like the Matilde flat boot quickly became staples among fashion editors and celebrities alike, and remain at the heart of Loeffler Randall’s footwear offering. It’s a relatively successful ready-to-wear shoe line, focusing on the perfect design and made-in-Italy quality.

Here are my picks from LR’s collection for pairing my dresses on the shopping list for now (or later…). My current obsession are shirtdress and leather dress…

Lela Rose easy tank Dress with tucked skirt ~ Super artsy!

Loeffler Randall  zaira mesh cut-out bootie

Loeffler Randal Irina Stiletto Pump

Patterson J. Kincaid Crystal Linen Tunic Dress

Soft Joie January Striped Dress

Loeffler Randal Gioia Mignon knot sandal

Simone strapless leather dress

Loeffler Randal edith platform pump (pre-fall collection)

Sometimes you are just lucky probably because of your horoscope says so, and I guess that was what happened when I received a lovely typography catalogue as the 2000 fan on Loeffler Randall’s 2000 facebook fan page. Yes, it was a very artsy catalogue (not a pair of free Loeffler Randall though) with 55 artist’s works presented. Graphic designer and hand typographer Michael Perry has selected work that represents the full spectrum of design methods and styles. It’s light-hearted, humorous and stimulating. I feel truly and greatly inspired from the drawings in the book.

Here are some of the works I like from the catalogue: (my iphone pics blurred a little bit….)

I based my design of a pair of slipper by this Adrian Johnson’s work (Slap Your Friends, 2005, Pencil) I can’t publish it here in the post yet because I am sending it as part of my portfolio to scholarship context which requires unpublished works…I’ll share it later on 5amjetaime.

Hello darlings! It’s the SALE season again! As we start to receive stocks of fall boots & booties, we are trying hard to promote our summer sandals!!! As some of you may know, I am now working part-time at the shoe paradise ( DSW- designer shoe warehouse), my love for shoes is growing insanely fast. Working at retail is really fun for the moment, especially for me, as an aspiring shoe designer. I get to talk lots of fashion-conscious women and listen to their complaints about certain type of shoe design & their problems with feet & toes. My small design notebook is full of remarks I get from my customers. I also get to help them styling their outfit by finding the perfect pair of shoes. I have this love-hate relationship with my job, but most of the time, I am very happy about it!

I have heard someone said that he never shopped for the sake of discount or last season fashion. However, I think there’s no really “last season fashion” for shoes. Accessory design follows the rule of fashion according to seasonal change but also it has always to remain classy and timeless. Some people collect fashion items from luxury brands for the sake of its brand name, however,  as a visual person, I collect great design, form, style based on my taste. I believe that many of us still keep several pairs of shoes from long time ago and still pair them with our favorite outfits.

I think my manager should write me another bravo card because I am writing this post for promoting our shoes…for free…heyhey. But anyways, I would love to share some pretty eye candies from our on-line shopping website:

Badgley Mischka Desire Bootie

* This LA based fashion powerhouse is famous for their feminine & classy design. Bridal wear and gowns are one of their fortes. I have to say some of their bridal shoes are very pretty but can be too stiff sometimes.

Chinese Laundry Heart Throb Platform

* Chinese Laundry is based in LA and has been running successfully for almost 20 years. It lives at the forefront of fashion footwear for young to middle-age women.

L.A.M.B lively pump

L.A.M.B always catches my eyes. It’s a flirty rocker label represents Gwen Stafani’s personal taste. I have to say the among most of the hollywood singers/actresses, Gwen has one of the most impeccable fashion-forward styles.

Report Signature Downey Pump Peep Toe

* I am a big fan of Report Signature. This is just so me.

Paris Hilton Marcy Pump

* Paris Hilton’s shoe line is very…um…princess like, but sometimes, it’s pretty cute!! I am a sucker of abstract patterns…

Prada T-Strap Sandal

* This design totally brings out the beautiful shape of women’s feet…I have to say Prada design is forever classy and sophisticated! Made-in-Italy is totally hard to resist!

Giuseppe Zanotti Bambola Peep Toe Pump

* The nude peep toe is definitely a must-have on your shoe shelf! It’s an extension of your long legs! Guiseppe Zanotti is just so awesome in creating the beautiful form of pumps! A true rival of Louboutin!

Giuseppe Zanotti T-Strap sandal

Mercanti Fiorentini Naples Leather Italian Leather sandal

* A very affordable made-in-italy casual shoe brand. It’s pretty comfy and seems durable, but of course, you can’t compare it with other more expensive made-in-italy & hand-made shoes!

Marc by Marc Jacobs Grosgrain Sandal

* Color block is still pretty a la mode during this moment! Marc Jacobs always surprise us with some stunningly pretty eye candies! I like this summery feeling & colorful design!

Mojo Moxy Poppy Pump

* Isn’t it adorable?? It comes with probably 10 different colors…I love the fluffy flower design!

Betsey Johnson Eldoris Wedge Sandal

*I love BJ’s funky, edgy and loud statement of fashion!

July 7th is a special day ’cause it’s Iggy’s bday!! I’ve sent her my greetings via text msg, fbook (as she has requested) and now, on 5amjetaime! {To Iggy! thanks for being the best sister in the world! I would be so lost and lonely without you! We are the happiest A-GO-Go sisters (Chicago+San Diego)} Iggy is now working in the beautiful city Chicago  and planning to apply to Ph.D program in public health for next year. As workaholic as she can be, she still tries to keep a very stylish lifestyle for herself. I wish her the best of luck for her study and many more travels with her Italian sweetheart in Europe….I.L.O.V.E.Y.O.U!!!!! (Pictures: Iggy loves pretty dresses!!)

As I promised her before, I did design a pair of “Iggy” shoe for her. I got inspired by the Chinese-French painter Tang Haywen‘s abstract paintings. Tang (1921-1991) was one of my research subjects during graduate study. His painting has layers of layers of depth and mystery. I am always intrigued by his use of colors and composition.

Voila, this model is called “Iggy!!” I know that my sister doesn’t wear heels very often, but I just couldn’t help to add a sexy heel with some avant-garde details attached to it. I love my design to be funky, edgy and the most important of all, it always references to art. These are just basic sketches though. Hopefully, I can make my design real and try them on with Iggy one day in the near future!!

Besides Nicholas Kirkwood, Diego Dolcini, Pierre Hardy, Alexandre Birman, Jeffery Campell, Alexander McQueen, Alaia & Kamilla Skoogvard, we are adding one more name on 5amjetaime shoe star list: Raphael Young, the Korean-French shoe designer who just opened his flagship boutique at Paris last year. His design strikes me in terms of it’s architectural form and colors. While every other shoe addict knows the name of big shoe guru designers by heart (such as Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Manolo, Sergio Rossi & Guiseppe Zanotti), I am more interested in the works of funky, edgy, avant-garde & artsy shoe designers, to be more exactly, those whose works pushe the limit and boundary of shoe design are my favorites!

Creating his first pair of shoes at just 14 years old under the guidance of his uncle – renowned YSL bottier, Alexandre Narcy – Raphael Young had an early introduction to artisan footwear. His label, launched in 2007, focuses on traditional craftsmanship coupled with inimitable style. Combining technical brilliance with materials like resin and mother-of-pearl, his sculptural shoes have a cult following. We are now officially join Young’s fan club! He hasn’t published his AW11-12 collection yet, but we are for sure looking forward to it!

– join 5am je t♥aime on facebook, twitter & bloglovin

SS11 collection




Young’s design studio