RECKLESS?

A couple of ElleTee designs are featured in Style Bermuda's new "Reckless" photoshoot. There has been a crazy amount of conflicting comments on the site and on Bernews about the shoot and the 'bad girl' message that it is sending out to young girls.

I respect the comments made by the "concerned parent" and think it is very important that as artists we try to send out a positive message as often as possible. However, I also believe that fashion should be used as a tool to bring attention to issues that people actually go through in real life, and Style Bermuda has done this. The reality is that there are bad girls every where that your child will come across AND every normal girl has a bit of 'bad girl' lingering inside her that will most likely come out at some point in her life. It is part of life and the development process for all people. It would be impossible and irresponsible to try and suppress any part of your child's character from surfacing whether it is good or bad. Girls need to learn how to handle the negative aspects of their personalities just as much as the positive. They need to know that how they dress and the attitude they adopt is directly related to how people will perceive them. Whether or not a girl presents this bad girl image constantly is completely up to her. It is our responsibility to make them aware that it is their choice, and that the way to get ahead in life is to stay true to themselves and not conform to what everyone else is doing... especially the media.

That all being said, I think the clothes and models look great in the shoot. While I don't like that the model is smoking while wearing an ElleTee design, I do LOVE how she paired the ElleTee leopard print wrap skirt with a casual crop top - totally my personal style!

This little black silk dress is one that I had made while in Hoi An, Vietnam. I love that she has paired it with cut off denim shorts to give it a more casual vibe, while keeping it classy.

To the girls out there who insist on wearing very short, very tight styles these days... think about the message you are sending to that man of your dreams and all men for that matter. I can guarantee there is only one thing on their minds, and its not your feelings....

Maintain your class and respect ladies!

VOTE for Best Dress!

Style Bermuda is holding a contest for best dress in the Miss Bermuda Pageant.... Please vote for Rachel who is wearing "Venus" by ElleTee! http://www.stylebermuda.com/article.php?aid=12185

Venus was designed to embody the essence of the goddess of love and beauty. It was made with silk charmeuse that moved brilliantly to the motion of Rachel's sexy saunter and rhinestones that lined a classic bodice, showing off her sleek womanly figure.

Miss ElleTee!

Rachel Sawden, 2nd runner up of Miss Bermuda 2011, wore an ElleTee design for the evening wear portion of the Miss Bermuda Pageant and looked absolutely stunning! I had such a great time working with Rachel to create the gown of her dreams and hope that her future dreams continue to come true.

Congratulations Rach! Always stay true to yourself, find a meaningful purpose in everything you do and you will rock not just Bermuda but the Universe!

Congratulations to my gorgeous cousin Davika Hill - you made me so proud girl! And to all of the beautiful and brave ladies that participated in the Miss Bermuda Pageant - you all deserved that title!

Fierce Shirt-Dress by Thomas Kurilla!

I met some truly kind, talented and interesting people while in New York over the past 5 months, who made my experience there sooo fun, inspiring and extremely productive! The majority of people in my classes were humble, kind-hearted people looking for a career change to stimulate their life, and had taken the leap into fashion - I have so much respect for all of them.

Thank you Thomas Kurilla for putting a smile on my face every draping class and allowing me to feature your beautiful yellow shirt dress in my summer collection. It was one of the hottest and most popular designs on the runway :) I still can't believe this is one of the first garments you've ever made, it really is impeccable and fierce!

With some much appreciated help from my good friend Karolina Podlesna - a banker turned fashionista, my latest collection is the first collection that I put together all on my own, without Mamma Aitken having to do my sewing. It is a huge accomplishment for me, considering I despised sewing machines and the thought of having to use one 6 months ago! I would never have been able to do it if it wasn't for my Draping professor at FIT - Karen Rippy, who made me realize how important it is to find enjoyment in the construction process and that it can actually be pretty easy if done with patience.... and lots and lots of practice!



Here is the garment that I made for our Term Project in Draping I. Our class decided on a color theme and we had to include princess line bodice, gored (panelled skirt) with a flare, sleeves, collar and button extension. It was amazing to see what all of my classmates came up with - so much talent! This dress is made with silk cotton, 100% cotton and linen.

Both of these garments will be for sale in the color of your choice by order throughout the summer. To place an order you can email me at ashley@elleteefashion.com or come and visit me at the Moonlight Bazaar every 1st and 3rd Thursday evening of the month at Moon Night Club!

Bermuda Fashion Collective Show - Pics

Here are some pics of my collection from the BSOA Fashion Show on June 4th. Thanks to all my beautiful models who rocked the runway like true Little Terrors! :)

Pics by Robert Daniels