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I have some wonderful news! The technology gods have smiled upon us and the voting link for our Dare To Design contest is fixed! Working like a champ! Fit as a fiddle! Thanks for your patience.

If you already voted in the comments section of the original post, please DO NOT vote again. (I mean it!) We will count up those votes and make sure they are included in the final tally. Never you fear.

If you have been holding out, waiting for a functioning link, or if you are still trying to make up your mind about which of our fantastic 15 finalists to choose from, follow this link to cast your vote.

And, be sure to tell all your friends, too! All the cool kids are voting for their favorite Dare To Design dress, after all.

My only other command is to have a fantabulous weekend (I will be hanging out with Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. Will you?) and to check back here on Monday morning, when we will unveil our next big scheme. Let's just say that if you are looking for a way to get into the giving mood of the season, we have got you covered.

Until then, lovelies!

Technicality

Turns out that technology and me (me and technology? technology and I?) are not the best of friends, and those of you voting in our Dare To Design finals have probably noticed that the voting link is, shall we say, non-functional?

So, that's my bad (and technology's bad) and we are working hard to sort out our issues. I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime feel free to leave your votes in the comments section.

Thanks, guys. You're the best.

Dare To Design: Results Show!

The moment you have all been waiting for has come!



Actually, I am not sure what moment each of you is waiting for, but the moment of the Shabby Apple Dare to Design contest has come!



And that's something, right?



Below are 15 glorious gown designs. Look carefully. Consider wisely. Feel with your heart, and your head. I'll let you know how you can vote when we get to the end.


1. How about this grey ruffle dress from Fashion Martyrtard?




2. Or this Springy robin's egg blue dress.



3. You could show some fashion patriotism with this navy blue, white collared concotion from Design Snack.



4. Or get a little floaty with this blue dress inspired by bubbles, from Glossy Peach.

5. You can go high-class with this high-waisted skirt with a ruffle detail from I Sew Happy.

6. Who can argue with this flattering V-neck, courtesy of The Chipper Snipper?

7. Head to Never-Neverland in this lady-like yellow frock, with the most darling Peter Pan collar.

8. Show everyone you mean business in these swooping lines and a demure tied neck from Good Little Things.

9. Or woo them all with these romantic, swooping sleeves in floaty white.

10. I am loving this color-blocked sensation. How about you?

11. And how sweet is this candy apple from Candied Apple?

12. I am ready to move it for this hustle in the front and bustle in the back.

13. This sunny little number should make everyone smile.






14. And I think we all know Ikat is the new, well, everything.





15. And last but not least, who wouldn't swoon for this Southern-inspired dress?

And now, for everyone's favorite part! The part where you get to vote for your favorite dress. But first, some rules before the fun begins.

Please, please, unless you want me to hunt you down and destroy your favorite Halloween Jack O' Lantern, only vote ONCE.

And, naturally, only vote for ONE dress.

And, voting ends November 15th, and we'll reveal the big winner November 22nd.

Can I trust you?

All right then, follow this link and tell us what you think! (You're welcome for the rhyme, BTW.)

Best of luck to all our finalists, and may the best dress win!

Fancy Fall

I hereby submit that the easiest Fall outfit ever is a soft and stylish and warm dress, some funky tights, a pair of tall boots and done. This is the outfit that allows me to wake up just minutes before I have to leave the house. So, in other words, this outfit is my best friend. Along with peanut butter toast, which I can eat in the car.

But, I've gone off the track.

The point is, who doesn't need a rockin' dress for Fall?

The answer is, no one!

So, here are some options from our creative friends at Etsy.

This simple cowl-neck dress is perfect for a bold accessory.



This cuddly drop-waist dress is made from soft organic wool, and it comes in seven colors!



I love every detail of this turtleneck dress, from the delicate pleats at the bodice to the bell sleeves. Divine.




I am always a sucker for something vintage, and this dress-and-coat combination hits the spot. This rich color is perfect for colder months, especially when it comes in wool!




And for vintage plus whimsy, nothing can beat this chocolate brown 50s throwback. Those buttons! True love!



Which one of these strikes your Fall Fancy?

Does This Outfit Make Me Look Asian?

We send you off into the glorious weekend with another post about all things Asian and adorable, this time from our dear friend Whitney Klomp. But before I tell you more about how awesome she is, let me remind you that there is free shipping (free shipping!) on orders from The Silk Road right now this very minute. So order away!

And let me also remind you that today is the very last day (very last day!) for our Dare To Design contest. So design away!

You guys are going to be busy!

And now, I'll pass it over to Whitney, who is a tall glass of water with a most enviable sense of style, which she developed at a tender age. Toting around her mother's Vogue, she wondered how on earth a blouse could actually cost $900? She was, of course, a practical and resourceful little person, borrowing scraps of cast-off fabric and trimmings to sew Barbie clothes. She eventually landed in New York with a stint in design school at Pratt Institute and later at the Fasion Institute of Technology, which convinced her professors that she was much better suited to work in the fashion industry and they lovingly punted her to the garment district. She clicked her sparkly heels and worked her way into kate spade, assisting the designers of the jack spade line, and loved every day working among some of the fashion world's most renowned and creative minds. She moved on to work for Holly Dunlap of fairly departed Hollywould, a small but substantial Italian-made American shoe and clothing line. Her fate was sealed when a pair of ballet flats was named for her (which consequently have never left the box); so she learned to construct shoes and handbags, and to embrace the stickiest substance known to man - shoe glue. Her friends report that she is the world's best deal finder. She now works in finance, how drab, but it pays the bills while she sketches, paints and sews on the side, and walks her Yorkie in Central Park.


And with that, take it away Whitney!


The global marketplace has made fashion accessible to everyone, everywhere, ALL DAY LONG (yes, I shop at 2 a.m.). Influences of culture, politics, religion, and taste pervade the racks of clothes we may flip through without a second glance as we often shop with purpose: “I need______ (fill in the blank) in _____ (color) for ______ (event).”

Did you ever notice the Maltese crosses on the backs of Habitual jeans? According to these ladies, the symbol dates back to ancient Greece and represents courage, honor, bravery, and truth. What a way to adorn your derrière! What I find most interesting is this: as consumers we choose to start fresh each season, or perpetuate the stereotypes of style as we sometimes fall prey to being super trendy, or gimmicky, and less unique (I’m speaking to the Blair Waldorf headband-obsessed).

So, I pose this question to all of you: Can you find the kimono in the below picture?

No? Seriously? Just kidding. You could also have searched for mandarin collars and silk frog button closures. Today we are discussing Asian fashion, which is only as Asian as we presume it to be. And really, do any of you own a kimono? (Halloween costumes don't count.)

Let’s consider how many of our favorite major designers are of Asian descent: Vera Wang, Anna Sui, Yohji Yamamoto, Jimmy Choo, Richard Chai, Thakoon, Prabal Gurung, Phillip Lim (fave), Doo-Ri Chung, Peter Som, and our latest darling – Jason Wu. Interestingly, only the very early handful of Asian designers to hit Bergdorf in the 1980s actually sought to be extremely unique and set apart simply because they were different, and presented amazingly unique collections. In the last 10 years a lovely transition has occurred as the same designers can be found in New York as well as Australia and Greece. Specifically, Asian and Asian-American designers have sought to simply be innovative, memorable, and unexpected – for the sake of the clothing and not themselves.

On the heels of Fashion Week Fall '09, a Wall Street Journal article echoed sentiments I have read elsewhere: this elite core of designers is quite content not to band together as a group as they seek to let their individual work stand alone. It almost seems comical to ask you, “What is French fashion?” since those frenchies are everywhere! Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat got his start making shoes in Malaysia at the tender age of 11, even though he launched his company in London. One would hardly consider Choo “Asian” any sooner than calling H&M “Swedish.” Clothing is simply clothing, as beautiful and impeccable as it can be produced, wherever it can be purchased.

Perhaps the specific nuances we are after can be voiced in terms of style. Asian women have a very refined and delicate style. The phrase “gilding the lily” has never been more appropriately applied than to the fashionable of Kyoto. French women have notoriously effortless style and grace. Italian men exude refinement and elegance by donning Ferragamo loafers and Persol frames. Do they even consider themselves to be cultural icons? My guess is, no. They just look good! And we love to mimic.

We all borrow from different cultures, and this is my point. If we really want to distill the finest parts of Asian style, I would say look for gorgeous floral small prints on a feminine silk dress, and then pair this with slim-fitted woolen ponte pants or soft tights and saddle-tone knee-high boots, then layer on a luxurious camel-colored sleeveless sweater (belted) or a scrumptious sweater coat. The key notes here are floral, soft, feminine, and understated. Friends in the “know” hint that Asian women dress to meld, and not to be abrasive.

{Bloomie Dress by Rebecca Taylor/Blanket Sweater by Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent}



Or pair a demure floral blouse with a ruffle sleeve and your favorite soft cords, and a metallic snakeskin flat for some texture. It’s a “global salad” people. Go with it.




{Lisette silk top by Milly, J. Brand Pencil Cord Pants}

If you scan the fall looks at Uniqlo, which my friend says are “like 7-11 in Tokyo,” you might actually think you’ve stumbled upon a global J.Crew or Madewell spin-off.
Don’t you love this cute little Uniqlo wool swing jacket?




One of my favorite Asian-inspired silhouette’s this season is the obi top or anything with a dolman sleeve. Pair this beautiful obi top from Anna Sui for Anthropologie with this gorgeous butter-soft leather pencil skirt from Akris, or your favorite straight leg jeans (keep the thighs and hips fitted since the top is flowy).

{Anna Sui for Anthropologie}

{Skirt by Akris Punto}

You must decide for yourself if you identify more with a renegade Harajuku girl and a little bit of punk and a lot of saucy, or the woman in pastel tweed who wouldn’t dare leave home without stockings on her stems and a pressed compact in her baguette. The same brands that adorn Madison Avenue, rue du Faubourg St. Honoré, or Ginza Chuo-ku are re-imagined at your neighborhood Zara, H&M, and now through the fabulously accessible lines of Target.

Be an icon, but with your own flair!

Party Planner, East Side Style

How excited are we for all things Asian after the launch of our fabulous new line of Asian-inspired dresses, The Silk Road?

I said, how excited are we?!?!

I know you are already brainstorming occasions to break out your fancy new frocks (order now and you'll get free shipping!), and here is another option to put on the table. What about an Asian-themed party? An Asian-themed party where you can wear your new Asian-inspired dress!

Genius. Indeed.

To pull it off with class and style, here are some tips from one Jen Fernie. Jen has been a planner ever since she can remember. Dinner parties, birthday parties and everything in between. She has a passion for bringing people together to celebrate the special moments in life. Her creativity and attention to detail are evident in every event she plans from the grandest of affairs to intimate celebrations. She has planned events for both non-profit organizations, corporations and private parties.

And I happen to know she is one cool cat. Read on for her tips on hosting a magical gathering of your own!

I love theme parties. My favorite part is planning all the details: picking out décor, planning the menu, inviting guests, and most importantly choosing my attire for the evening. With Shabby Apple’s Silk Road line coming out, it’s the perfect time to plan an Asian themed party.

There are many Chinese festivals throughout the year to celebrate or you could use the Asian theme for a birthday party or plan a party just because it’s a great time to get together and dress up!

For décor, I love Chinese paper lanterns. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and look great either hung from the ceiling or strung across the room with lights. They instantly create a party mood and are so easy to assemble. I usually hang them with clear fishing line or if I have more time, I’ll tie them with ribbons in my favorite colors and let the ribbons fall down the side. The last time I threw a party, I ended up leaving them up for a few days as I wasn’t ready to take them down yet!

For table décor and centerpieces, cherry blossom branches would be my first choice for flowers. They are so delicate and the branches look great in a tall vase. I would choose a clear or solid colored vase as you don’t want to detract from the beauty of the flowers.

If you have more space on your table or have multiple tables, I love Chinese birdcages and lanterns. After your Asian party you could easily use them year round for lanterns at an outdoor soiree or as décor in your home.

My favorite Asian themed store in New York City for all these décor items and more is Pearl River in Soho (they have an online store as well for those not in NYC). They literally have everything you’ll need and nothing there will break your budget!

If my budget allows, I love to leave my guests with a little something to take home and for this party, it would be fun to buy fans, or parasols or a fun graphic tin of Chinese tea.

Another option for centerpieces if Cherry Blossoms aren’t in season is filling the Chinese tea tins with simple flowers from the grocery store.

For the menu, there are a myriad of options! If you have unlimited time and want to spend a day in the kitchen, you could put together an entire menu of your favorite Chinese dishes but like many of us without hours of free time to spare, you could opt for takeout and serve right out of the standard paper to go boxes or serve in porcelain bowls with wooden chopsticks. Some of my favorite dishes are spring rolls, potstickers, orange chicken, teriyaki and fried rice…delicious!

For dessert (because every party needs a sweet treat), you could make your favorite cupcake recipe and decorate with mini parasols.

Or order Fancy Fortune cookies, in custom flavors with custom message or try making your own and write personal messages to guests in your own handwriting.

Whatever color scheme you decide, light spring pinks or falls deeper hues of reds and blues, you’ll find plenty of décor options for an Asian theme. I like to plan as far in advance as I can so I’m not rushing around at the last minute trying to pull everything together. That way, the day of all you need to do is pull everything together. Just make sure to give yourself time to get ready. You’ve put a lot of work into throwing an amazing party and you should get time to enjoy it along with your guests!

Happy party planning!

Elegance Is Mandatory

Not only is today the day after we celebrate the day that Columbus discovered America (as if that wasn't big enough!), today is also the day Shabby Apple launches our newest line of dresses that would launch a thousand ships: The Silk Road.

I have been drooling over these floaty, Asian-inspired dresses for a while now, and my guess is that you will be, too. Today we get a peek into the creative mind that brought us these Eastern wonders. Say hello to Sarah Brasher of Edelweiss by Sarah.

Creativity! Is there a better way to express yourself?!? Being a designer allows me to absorb the beauty of my surroundings and collectively transform them into clothing that reflects me and my life.

I am always learning new sewing techniques and taking on new projects. I love taking new ideas and implementing them in my designs. Each season I find myself spending hours in the photo section of the Manhattan library, digging through old photos and books. The thing I love most about fashion is doing research.

I am able to selectively filter through the fascinating inspiration that is constantly at my fingertips living in New York. From vintage boutiques to independent bookstores I tap into the never-ending stream of creative expression that drives me to push my designs one step further. I love being able to take ideas from the drawing board all the way through to the finished product.

In my ideal world, elegance is mandatory. There was never a moment when I decided to take up fashion design as a career, it just happened naturally. Fashion has always just been a part of who I am. Edelweiss has become my outlet and form of expression; it allows me to share my inspiration and love of design with others.

Enjoy some of my inspirations and photos from the last couple of seasons, as well as a behind-the-scenes video from the Fall 2010 photo shoot!

Feeling inspired? Don't forget that your chance to share your fashion flair through our Dare To Design contest will run out in just a few days! Hop to it, why don't you?

Collared Whites

My friend Miss Angela sent me an e-mail today. Subject line: A wedding dress I think you would like. And then a link to one Rebekah Westover Photography. Whereon I saw these pictures.

And thought to myself, "Miss Angela knows me so well!"

This collar! These tucks and folds! The cascades of flowers and fabric and dreams and romance!

I liked it indeed. I love to see what people-- even perfect strangers-- choose to wear on their most important days. And I have to say, I feel like I could be friends with this girl. Not to mention with her sister who designed and made this concoction.

I sort of suspect neither of them read this blog but, if they do, well done you!

And for those of you who do read this blog. And who are reading it (right now!) tell me, what is your dream wedding dress?