Big News!

Hello my friends! 

I have some very very very fantastic news!

The past several months I have been waiting very eagerly to hear back from the Fashion Institute of Technology on the application I submitted months ago. I can now let the news out that I have indeed been accepted into the Spring 2015 semester for Fashion Design at FIT! I am leaving Pittsburgh in several weeks and moving back to Upstate New York for the remainder of the year. Very excited and eager to start my life in the city. 

With that being said, I most likely won't be putting out that many new garments this year. Or maybe I will because I'll be free. Who knows! Either way, I'm going to focus on really cleaning everything out this year. Closet, fabric, sketchbook(s), desk and most importantly, my mind! I plan on moving on to the next chapter calm, cool, (chic) and collected. So in other words, I'll be organizing things and honestly just growing up. 

During my first year of college, I realized there were/are some things I needed to learn or work on. Things I kind of wish I had done or handled before I left for college. One thing is definitely all the basic life skills you're expected to have or know when you're an adult. I always thought that since I was somewhat young for my generation, (I was only 17 for the majority of my first year of college), I assumed some of my slip ups would be dismissed and overlooked. Enter: Lesson One that I learned. You're a college student. You are entirely responsible for (almost) everything that happens to you. Lesson Two: Yes, dress for the job you want, not the one you have or lack. However, do not act like you have that job already. Biggest thing I've had to stop and remind myself is to stay humble. Also keep in mind that it doesn't mean you should act like a shadow, speak up and participate. Just don't let yourself take over. At least not every time. Lesson Three: Just because someone else is taking on a couple more classes doesn't mean you should too. No matter how badly you want to show that you can handle it, as far as academics go, stay in your comfort zone. By the way, I cannot sleep and it's one of those super reflective nights. That's why half of this post is very odd. 

Back to being home for the rest of the year... Since I'll be cleaning and organizing, I might do some posts on how to tend to your closet or garments. Maybe even some vacation related posts, who knows! Just stay with me and you'll find out!

xx Caitlyn

Andy and Edie

Hello there, people of the internet. 

Today is a special day. Why you ask? Because I'm going to introduce you to a very special person. My friend, Erika, is just indescribable. She's a cultured, introverted, sarcastic, cat loving, graphic design, Andy Warhol enthusiast. And I love it. We're the Olsen twins of the Art Institute, you see. The Kendall and Kylie. The Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick. The Caitlyn and Erika. Our styles are similar and yes we are both petite but I assure you, we are talented. We are powerful and passionate about what we do and no one will stop us. Now, back to the Warhol subject. Erika first introduced me to Factory Girl, the movie, last quarter, about two months ago. It's about Andy meeting Edie and how he becomes intoxicated by her presence. He's inspired by her energy and lifestyle. The same goes for Erika and I, she is actually the main inspiration behind my next collection. She's come into my life and almost helped me breath easier. She's introduced me to new movies, foods and music. But the thing is, I actually watch those movies and eat those foods and listen to that band now. We almost sort of take care of each other. I make sure she's awake in the mornings in case she slept in and she makes sure I eat everyday. 

Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick.

We compliment each other very well. Whether it's our style or personalities, we click and work together. I almost feel like she's the sister/twin I never had because half the time we're thinking the same things. We even have the same taste in guys, a little too similar sometimes...... I figured I'd introduce her to you all so you know who I'm talking about for future posts and so I can highlight her style. 

Erika and I after we went to an Art Gallery a few weeks ago.

Erika and I after going to the Andy Warhol museum here in Pittsburgh.

We're a pretty sick team, right? These aren't even our best outfits, obviously. Well I've got to go plan a fashion show now so à bientôt!

P.S. She loves cats, cute boys and The Maine. 

xx Caitlyn

A Look Back

Hello everyone!

I haven't posted an outfit in a while so I figured I'd do you proud and post two today. I've been working to re-launch The Girl From New York and give it a fresher look because I've grown a lot in the past year. I'm also adjusting to a new schedule as it is the Spring Quarter here at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Anyway, last week was the first true and I mean true week of spring. It. Was. Marvelous. Beautiful! So naturally, Erika and I decided to go for a walk around downtown and show off some fab outfits. 

The first outfit wasn't really inspired by anything, I just wore it! I'm in love with my thrifted/DIY boyfriend jeans. I've had the black sheer blouse for at least two seasons now and I'm really trying to reinvent my closet this Spring. My mom always throws a fit whenever I wear these jeans because she thinks they look just awful. However, the key is to mix feminine with masculine and wear the jeans with strappy heels or a chic pair of wedges. Carry a lady-like handbag and bam, you've a chic ensemble that'll catch everyone's eye. 

This second outfit was during a day out with my photo-major friends. (I have an unusual amount of friends who are photography majors..) They planned on going around Pittsburgh, exploring abandoned buildings, which is right up my alley. I had nothing to do because Erika was busy so I asked if I could tag along. I was feeling a 90's vibe that day, if you couldn't tell.. Anyway, this is a shot by my friend, Emily. I was sitting on the steps of an old church. One of those hey-take-a-picture-of-me-this-might-be-a-cool-shot shots. We both actually ended up loving it. Side note: If you guys spent time with me, you'd find out that I think in hashtags. Sarcastically, of course. All I can think when I see this photo is #modelstatus. Back to the outfit, I'm in love with my new Chelsea boots, I've been dying for a pair since they started trending a year or so ago. The trend finally trickled down to my level and I was able to score a pair that wasn't over $100! Hell, they weren't over $20... The rest of the outfit was just kinda thrown together to be honest. I wasn't sure how the weather would be, as we walked everywhere that day. It turned out to be warm....very...warm... But it worked. I had a bottle of Diet Coke and an outfit on another level. In other words, I was good. 

Keep checking in, it's going to be an exciting quarter. 

xx Caitlyn

Chic In Life.....And In Death?

Hello children of mine that aren't actually mine,

today I wish to discuss an article my soul mate, Erika, sent me. It was a simple message, just a picture of an article in an unknown magazine that read, "Corpse Couture, Clothes for Going Out In Style". And I just sat there like........

oh. 

Then it dawned on me how I plan to be laid to rest in an ermine fur coat, vintage Chanel pearls, maybe a blouse that I made by hand and last but not least Louboutins. No pants, though. They're a struggle for me in life, which means zero pants for this girl in the after life. 

I wish I could have read the actual article but neither of us know what magazine the article is in. If you know or see it, let me know, I'd love to read it! So I'm assuming that this is somewhat like a stylist/funeral director-like job? Styling the dead...hmmm why do feel like I can hear Rachel Zoe's voice in my head? 

If there were such a service, would you, if you could, have someone style you before you were buried? 


xx Caitlyn

Designer Talk

      Hey babes. I had this idea that I wanted to talk to you all as a designer rather than a blogger. I recently put some of my illustrations on my Facebook page. By the way! I set up my official House of Riegal Facebook page! Go like it and you'll get the latest on what's happening with my brand. Now, let's talk design. 

       

      Whenever I start an illustration, I always, always, ALWAYS start with the brow. With the past two seasons being all about the 'power brow' *cough cough Cara cough* I've started focusing on the brow. I've always felt it was really the anchor of the face. If you only have time for one element of makeup, FILL IN YOUR BROWS! It really frames the face and just balances everything out. If you look back through just about all of my past fashion shows, you'll see that every brow was well defined and strong. 

       Now back to the illustrations, it's become one of my favorite hobbies! I took my first (maybe last?) Fashion Illustration class this past quarter and LOVED it! I feel I really found my signature illustrating style. My dad was actually an Art Major waaaaaay back in the day when he went to college. I love being able to talk to him about styles and forms and drawings. Anyway, I have a few illustrations that were actually sent into FIT (along with an application, fingers crossed!). So without further ado, here are my favorite illustrations. 

Hope you enjoy them, let me know if you wanna see more!

And don't forget to like my Facebook page, House of Riegal!

xx Caitlyn

Pop Up Fashion CORE

Oh hey guys!

Here's a treat for you all since I really don't post that much anymore. I was featured as this week's designer for Pittsburgh Fashion Week's Pop Up Fashion CORE! Disregard my insane awkwardness, I've only been interviewed once, no twice, wait no actually I have no excuse. I've been interviewed plenty of times... BUT STILL I'M BARELY 18 I CAN BE AWKWARD. Anyway, enjoy the video and let me know if you'd like to see anything post-wise in the future! 

Check out the interview here.

xx Caitlyn 

Last Minute Thoughts & Thanks

Hey guys, I just want to take some time to reflect on 2013. It's been one hell of a year for me, the most successful and exciting year of my life. I just want to say thanks. As I look back on the year, I'm amazed. Truly amazed. Almost speechless. I couldn't have ever imagined having a year like this. I had a fantastic Senior Prom, my Senior Fashion Show, graduated twice, then scooted off to college merely a week after graduating, met some great people in Pittsburgh, presented in Pittsburgh Fashion Week, had my designs recognized and praised, became an established and recognized designer and even dabbled in modeling. All while I was 17, all mostly by myself. Please I'm begging you, look at this and realize that you can do anything you put your mind, body and soul to. I never would've thought I, little Caitlyn Riegal, could do these things. I feel I've grown so much this year, as a person as well as designer. I know what I want out of life and dammit I am I going to get it. (Although I'm starting to accept that I might not get Harry Styles, love you baby.) I'm not just simply saying that I want my fashion house empire known around the world, it WILL be known. Everywhere. In every language. Watch. Stick with me babes and you'll witness the birth of a new phenomenon. Me. WITH COCO CHANEL AS MY WITNESS, I WILL CONQUER THIS WORLD KNOWN AS FASHION. Oh and earth. I'll probs conquer earth too, to be honest. Just a heads up.