Coquette Maman

Style Mom: Interview with SF Fashion Designer Cecily Chudacoff

I first met fashion designer Cecily Chudacoff a few years ago when her son and my daughter were in the same Kindergarten class. Throughout the time I've known her, I've come to admire her wonderful relaxed, bohemian style that's so perfect for San Francisco. Cecily was a former interior designer for five years, but then decided to follow her passion for fashion design. In 2012, she completed an Apparel Arts certificate program and now she's focused on pursing her dream in the fashion world. She works out of her studio in SF's Mission district, creating designs for her brand, Cecily Chudacoff Couture where customers can shop online. All of her clothing and scarves are made in San Francisco from concept to production.

This fall, she's launched her own line of Luxury Circle Scarves ($150 each) featuring five different prints and fabrics. These scarves that layer beautifully thanks to the soft fabric she uses. I have the Mustard X Woven Rayon Crepe Circle Scarf (pictured above) and I love how the beautiful mustard and indigo print spruces up any outfit instantly. And it's so soft and cozy! Here in San Francisco, you can pretty much wear one of her scarves year round!

A quick note for holiday shopping: Cecily will be selling her wares at the SF Bazaar at Nightlife at the Academy of Science in SF on December 8th from 6pm-10pm.

I had a chance to talk to Cecily Chudacoff to find out more about her amazing fashion business and what inspires her to create all the beautiful things that she does!

How did you decide you wanted to work in fashion?

It was no surprise to me how much I loved the apparel design classes as Apparel Arts. As a child, I was obsessed with clothes and fashion, and I even tried making clothes for myself with an old sewing machine. Yet it never occurred to me that being a fashion designer was an option for a career. So, as an adult student, I realized that it IS totally possible...and here I am!

How would you describe your style for Cecily Chudacoff Couture?

I would describe my style as modern and feminine. I always follow my interpretation of the principle of design "form follows function". I believe that clothing should be totally comfortable, wearable and then, beautiful. Have you ever bought the most gorgeous piece of clothing, only to watch it hang in your closet day after day? I certainly have. I may as well just hang it on the wall – beautiful piece, uncomfortable and ill-fitting. I basically strive to make clothing that is super wearable with beautiful elements and is no fuss.

Tell us about your new scarf collection. What inspired you to create these prints?

So, we live in San Francisco, a city with the most unfortunate microclimate, right? Someone should write a song about SCARF weather! I came up with the idea for the Luxury Circle Scarf Collection because I couldn't ever find that perfect-weight, no-fuss scarf that wasn't too hot, but still kept my little neck warm and cute against the San Francisco fog and wind. The answer to my search is the simplest design with exciting and current prints and colors. I'm using a rayon "crepe de chine", a fabric which is basically made of regenerated wood pulp fibers. I've paired the simplicity of this fabric with current and sophisticated prints and colors that I've sourced from various textile designers.

How long have you been sewing? What are your favorite kinds of clothes to make for yourself?

I learned the very basics of sewing when I was twelve years old. I didn't continue sewing though, and only began again, seriously, about ten years ago. The certificate program at Apparel Arts not only taught me pattern making and design, but also construction of clothing and quality sewing skills. I also studied couture sewing with Susan Khalje, a top couture sewing instructor.

I love the fact that I can make custom clothes for myself, especially pants. I have a hard time finding pants that fit me. I'm shaped like a boy, with pretty much no waist, so the pant size that fits my hips and legs is usually tight in the waist. I'm in the process of developing a pant that is equally stylish and beautiful as it is completely comfortable.

What are you working on now?

I interned for a time at local couture bridal shop here in SF. There I learned about making flowers from fabric and it has always stuck with me. I recently started playing around with some fabric scraps from a blouse I'm working on and came up with a silk flower necklace that I absolutely love! It's a ready-made chain woven and adorned with pure silk georgette or crepe de chine flowers, in really beautiful colors. These necklaces will be available on my website soon. Each one will be made to order.

Find out more about Cecily Chudacoff and shop her fashions at Cecily Chudacoff Couture. You can also sign up for her email newsletter and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Style Mom: Stephanie from All About Ami Talks Pregnancy & Nursing Fashion

(All Photos: All About Ami)

Stephanie Lau from All About Ami doesn't just crochet cute amigurumi animals. She's also a very fashionable new mom to six month old Myla. I became friends with this Canadian beauty a few years ago when I was an editor at CRAFT and she did her first published pattern, this crochet spring bunny. I have been loving her recent blog post on her nursing fashion tips so I decided to do an interview with Stephanie on how she stays so stylish and fashionable as a new mom.

How would you describe your fashion style?

I would describe my fashion style as classic and feminine. I love wearing dresses and romantic pieces such as delicate crocheted shawls and items with ruffles and lace. With that being said, comfort is also key for me, and I enjoy layering different pieces together (such as my chambray tops and oversized sweaters), which is key to surviving the Canadian winter! I also love accessorizing as I feel that accessories really help pull an outfit together. I'll usually sport my stud earrings, a necklace and a stack of bracelets when going out! I loved accessorizing from a young age as I have pictures of myself as a toddler wearing chunky beaded necklaces and bracelets with little clips in my hair!

The first few months post-pregnancy is probably the most fashion challenging for a new mom. What was your solution to looking great?

I remember my "What to Bring to the Hospital" pamphlet stated to bring a going-home outfit that would fit you when you were 5 months pregnant… And so, I knew to expect to continue to look somewhat pregnant for a little while even after the baby was delivered! I definitely did not fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans and most of my bottoms, so I continued to wear what I wore when I was pregnant (flawy tops and leggings)! This turned out to be a little more challenging as well since I was also nursing. Now all of my outfits had to be breast-feeding friendly, particularly since newborns feed so frequently! I layered pretty cardigans, oversized sweaters and blazers over my nursing tank tops to continue looking stylish post-pregnancy!

What 3 pieces of clothing could you not live without?

I could not live without my jeans, my leggings and my little black dress.

When you were pregnant, what maternity pieces did you live in?

When I was pregnant, I lived in my leggings, long tunics, maternity jeans and maxi dresses. I continued to accessorize a lot and I also belted my outfits to help give some definition and to make them look more polished. I had a lot of fun trying to figure out how to style my ever-growing baby bump!

What are some of Myla's favorite things?

Myla absolutely loves her pink bouncer- she enjoys sitting in it and taking in her surroundings. She likes it even more than her swing or any other baby item! She also has a little ribbon tug blanket that she loves playing with: this minky blanket has ribbons of varying textures along the edges that she enjoys feeling and tugging! Myla loves it when I sing songs and read books to her as well. She especially likes books that have songs associated with them, such as "Five Little Monkeys" and "Ten in the Bed"- it's really cute because she vocalizes along when I read and sing to her!

You are also a very crafty mom. How does crafting/crochet play into your life as a working mom?

I am currently on maternity leave, and I am really enjoying my time with Myla. Everyday we have story time, song time and floor time. Myla is so inquisitive and curious. She enjoys watching me do everything, from washing the dishes, preparing meals, to doing my hair! It's definitely been more challenging finding time to craft, crochet and finish projects, but thankfully Myla actually enjoys watching me crochet. I think she likes seeing the yarn and crochet hook moving so quickly! However, I do most of my crafting when she is napping or at night when she is sleeping. I continue to enjoy crocheting items for Myla and designing new projects. Crocheting is so therapeutic for me, and the blog motivates me to keep being creative and working on new projects!

Visit Stephanie's blog All About Ami. You can also see her previous post on her maternity fashion.

Secrets of Stylists: Exclusive Interview with Sasha Charnin Morrison - US Magazine Fashion Director + Stylish Mom

Fashion industry veteran Sasha Charnin Morrison gives you a glimpse inside the world of fashion and stylists with her amazing book, Secrets of Stylists (published by Chronicle Books). As the current fashion director at US Weekly, Morrison has over 20 years experience working in the biz for such publications as Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Allure, Vanity Fair, and more. She has her finger on the pulse of trends and celebrity fashion, all with an amazing sense of humor. She loves a very high heel and if you follow her on twitter or tumblr, you'll see the many nuggets of fashion eye candy she'll share each day.

She's a fashion lover and she's also a hip mom. In addition to my Q&A with her on Coquette, I got to ask her some mom-specific fashion questions which had me cracking up. Because yes I can relate. Where else these days would I wear my Chanel flats to?

Natalie: How many kids do you have and what ages are they?

Sasha: I have twin boys who are almost 10.

Natalie: Describe your style when you are around your kids? Has your style changed much since before you had kids?

Sasha: I have this running joke with my best friend. Our kids are BFF's and we are always at "drop off" together. And when we look at really super cute or really beautiful clothing-evening dresses to jackets to shorts to beaded skirts we always say "that would be GREAT for Drop Off." We don't really care for date nights, etc. We’d rather be with the kids so we don’t have social occasions or go out to clubs or dinner parties. No, we would wear the new Celine bag in neon pink and the Valentino pointed toe ballet flats with the extra-large patent bows to DROP OFF.

But my style is this: I have a shoe usually a flat boot-motorcycle boots from Chanel or Valentino in lace-that goes to "drop off" this winter. Or a flat Lanvin ballerina. Black leggings or tights. Some layering up top-tank dresses from Wilt or a jersey dress from Rachel Pally and a cardigan in cashmere or wool from Nannette Lepore or Gap. My Norma Kamali fleece sweatshirt coat in black and my Michael Kors fox fur trapper hat. This has become a uniform. Because after I run up the stairs for drop off at school, I am sweating like a pig and need to strip off a few layers. And this looks is the easiest, most urban look that I put together. I dress it up with a Vera Wang statement necklace when I need that. And then when I get to work, the heels go on. Azzedine Alaia platform hiking boots or YSL sandals. Depends.

Natalie: What the easiest thing a mom can do to get out of a fashion rut (aka sweat pants/gym clothes)?

Sasha: It’s hard for an entire overhaul for a lot of women. Most don’t have time or know where to start. Accessories are the best solutions for a rut: a bright and colorful bag-does not have to be expensive. Forever21 has great bags. Gap. H&M. Zara is online now.

Scarves, a pointy toe kitten heel pump. Bright or patterned tights or pantyhose. Get some great cardigans with jewels or ribbon trim from Vera Wang’s collection at Kohl’s. Layer that over a basic dress.

Wear a dressier version of the sweat look. I mean, there is so much crossover of active sports clothing into street clothing: leggings, tanks, tunics, etc. Some moms want to get dressed and not fall into this trap. Buy what you think you can leave the house in without getting sweat stains all over. DVF is a great resource for lovely clothing: wrap dresses, drop waist colorful dresses, tunics, maxi dresses, coats, very chic. Rachel Roy also designs for women who love to look polished with a little style. Buy a great coat, a bag with maybe some color. Invest in nice tights and patterned hose for a change of pace. Buy a nice pump that’s walkable from Cole Haan or Nine West.

Natalie: What are some of the best handbags you have found that work with a mom's busy lifestyle?

Sasha: The ones that have plenty of pockets and that you can open and find your stuff. I love Prada, Celine, YSL on the high end. The bags are so well made for an active lifestyle. I can find everything. Gap, Zara, Ann Taylor on the lower end answer the same prayers. You have to audition several and see which one works for all of your many demands.

Thanks for the great mom fashion advice Sasha! To read more about Sasha Charnin Morrison's new book, Secrets of Stylists and to enter the giveaway, visit Coquette.