about
Updated April 2, 2007
- A designer starting her own company, with plans to debut for the Fall 2008 selling season
- An observer and critic of trends in clothes, business, the psychology of the desirable, and the socio-economic cause and effect intertwined
- A girl, living in San Francisco, living with her geekerati husband, both pounding away at their careers
- A designer who clocked in 6 years in L.A. before chucking it all and moving 400 miles north
- A girl so preoccupied with dressing others she forgot to dress herself
- A nerd who feels really really really uncomfortable at the supercool fashionista parties
- A hopeful cynic studying the differences between the fashion industry and the apparel industry
- A fashionista who hates wearing clothes
I write this blog for a couple of different reasons.
- I want people to know what life is really like for a not-famous fashion designer, a very ambitious not-famous fashion designer.
- I want a place to showcase my work.
- I want to have interesting conversations about fashion and the industry in general that goes beyond hyping hot bags.
What I don’t do on this blog:
- I don’t write details about my day job, previous day jobs, and the like. I reserve the right to keep my company’s name, doings and reputation private and wholly separate from my own personal career-related adventures.
- I don’t blog at work. If I don’t respond to your comment right away, don’t be offended–it probably means I’m still at work.
Other notes:
- I love comments, even if you disagree with me! (But please keep things civil and more-or-less on topic.)
- I encourage constructive criticism regarding my work. Can’t grow as a designer without it.
- If you have any questions, would like me to post on a particular topic, etc., please email me at verbalcroquis at gmail dot com.
verbal croquis 
on May 17, 2006 on 6:43 pm
[…] about […]
on July 31, 2006 on 12:03 am
I just wanted to say that I love your blog.
While looking for something for an upcoming party, I discovered a website called http://www.glamforless.com/.
Since they offer affordable celebrity inspired jewelry. I thought other readers may also be interested in the website as well.
Keep up the great job.
Best Regards,
Lisa Bloom
New York, NY
on August 8, 2006 on 7:51 am
Hi Zoe,
Just letting you know that my blog’s moved. It was http://thebargainqueen.blogspot.com; it’s now http://www.thebargainqueen.org.
If you get a chance to update your blogroll some time soon, I’d really appreciate it 🙂
Have a great day!
on August 14, 2006 on 10:42 am
Interesting blog! I just added it to favourites and it will be there till I read all posts:)
on August 17, 2006 on 10:34 pm
Hi there,
I run a website called Refinery29.com. Not sure if you’ve been to Refinery29, but just in case the URL is http://www.refinery29.com.
Thought you’d be interested.
Best,
Philippe
on November 8, 2006 on 3:00 am
Just found your blog. V. cute. Also found some career similarities between the 2 of us…if you have a minute check out my after-work hobby.
on December 3, 2006 on 6:12 pm
hello! i just discovered your blog and i love it 🙂 … and i was wondering if you ever sell your croquis?? very original, totally graphic, i would absolutely love to hang some of them on my wall as art… reading your blog makes me totally miss the bay area…
bravo overall…
on December 12, 2006 on 4:29 pm
I would like to invite you to post your blog on a new fashion site that finds fashion for people based on their unique fashion taste it is the first fashion site that uses “taste-networking” technology and we’d like users to try it out. Note that the site gets smarter with more participants. We will be making an official announcement soon, and some major upgrades. Thanks for your help!
Keith Stephan-Giermek
http://Fashion.mytyrbe.com
p.s. we have a great new tool that lets you post pictures from our site in your listing…check in MyTrybe Tools
on December 18, 2006 on 3:10 pm
Hello, i love verbalcroquis.wordpress.com! Let me in, please 🙂
on January 13, 2007 on 3:35 pm
great blog!
on March 29, 2007 on 7:29 pm
I’ve been looking at your site for months now and I am in awe of your talent and obvious ambition. A late congratulations on your GenArt award and thanks for unknowingly motivating me to show everyone my best. You’ve inspired me to start a portfolio of my work on Myspace which should be completed mid-April (once I’ve figured it out). Thanks!
on July 30, 2007 on 6:40 pm
hi!
i really liked ur desgines n sketches…..wen i was cheking out ur desgines WOW! came out of my mouth….m also a desginer frm India.
great wrk…keep it up
tc
on October 23, 2007 on 8:53 pm
Hi,
I wanted to introduce to you a new website called Wunderbloc that recently launched on NYC boutique shopping and street fashion. Given your passion for fashion and influence these days, I thought you might be really interested in checking this out.
http://www.wunderbloc.com
on March 2, 2008 on 5:31 pm
As a partner of Coutorture, my daughter and I have been following your blog for a while and have found it not only informative but enjoyable. We have found the content to be valuable, particularly your the cult of personality.
Our site visitors would appreciate your content as I think we appeal to the same demographic group. Our blog, http://girl-woman-beauty-brains-blog.com, tracks fashion and beauty trends on a daily basis and would likely be of value to your visitors. I would like to suggest that we trade links.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best ,
Beckie
on June 23, 2008 on 4:15 am
hi again. i love how you described yourself… i’ve bookmarked and probably have to spend my next off-day reading everything!!! there’s too much here for me to learn. 🙂
on July 24, 2008 on 5:56 pm
Hi Zoe,
I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog… it’s fun and informative. I found you through Fashion-Incubator, another great site.
I’ve been interested in producing some kids stuff, but I have absolutely no experience in the fashion industry.. other then shopping. For now I would love to just have a few pieces for my daughter to wear.
Is there any chance you make samples or know someone in SF who does. I’ve been doing searches on Google, but it’s pretty limited.
Thanks and I look forward to following your fashion adventures.
Amy C.
on August 24, 2008 on 4:26 am
LOVE your blog!
My name is AJ and I’m with Rive Magazine; a newly FREE paperless (‘green’) fashion magazine. I personally checked out your blog; and feel you would love our magazine. Be sure to check out our 3rd issue which will be posted and released on the 1st of September, so please be sure to signup at http://www.rivemagazine.com/subscribe
If you enjoy the magazine, please feel free to spread the word in a blog or on your site. It would be greatly appreciated.
– aj
on November 2, 2008 on 3:09 am
I just stumbled upon your website and wanted to take a moment to tell you that I am very envious of your work! I have recently gotten into the fashion design industry and want to go to school to be a fashion illustrator. I am somewhat low on funds, so I have started a web business for “free croquis” to hopefully earn the money for art classes. My question to you is, how long did it take you to learn to draw the human figure to your liking and is it possible to draw in more than one style when commissioned?
Please check out my site and tell me what you think. Be honest, I am looking for constructive criticism from experienced artists so I can learn. Thanks!
JD
on June 29, 2009 on 4:50 pm
Hi,
I love your blog! … found it through Fashion Incubator.
I am an aspiring fashion designer. I use to be in the industry in LA having been a partner in a women’s bottom company. I think I’ve got a grasp on the business and production side of things … but want to try to be the “fashion designer”. So my question is, how impt is it to be able to sketch/draw. I’d say i don’t have any skill in this area. I do know i’m creative and know what I like when I see it from a fashion standpoint. Will not being able to draw going to hinder my success???
Cheers,
JoJo
on August 13, 2009 on 3:49 pm
How can I get my hands on the amazing corset that you made?? Lola
on August 13, 2009 on 3:50 pm
Please contact ME!!
on August 25, 2009 on 7:05 am
Hi Zoe,
I am about to begin my sophomore year at Otis this fall (my second degree, so I’m a little bit older), and I came across your blog and have been so inspired! I love your drawings… that’s actually my weakness- drawing.. and I love your honesty and work ethic- we are similar in that respect. I also love SF- moved here (to LA- which I also hate) so my husband could do his Ph.D at UCLA. I guess I’m writing to 1.- give you props, and 2- see what you have to say about being at Otis for fashion, but being someone who lacks in the illustration dept.. I have been staying up so late reading every post of yours, and…I don’t know… I just wonder what it takes to get to that place where you seem to have been at Otis. I am assuming you’ll just say practice, practice, practice… but, then again, maybe not. I guess that’s why I’m sending this message. Regardless of whether you respond or not, I want you to know that I’m inspired, and I loved your collection from last year, and I hope to one day draw with as much skill as you do.
Much love and respect,
Nicole
on September 16, 2009 on 1:11 am
Hey Zoe,
My name is Jen I am in the process of getting my own thing up and going. I have a few people calling about freelance work and I was wondering if I could discuss with you how to go about that. I read your artical that you wrote about freelancing but was wondering if I could talk a little more with you about it. My email address is jtaler@gmail.com
Thanks have a wonderful day and congrats on the success and growth of your own business and the ZInk exposure!! thats amazing!!
Thanks
Jen
on January 24, 2010 on 1:45 pm
Heah, what a nice blog you have. I found it on Google while looking for some baby stuff. Thanks and best wishes.
on January 29, 2010 on 9:00 pm
Just wanted to drop you a note to tell you that I LOVE your blog- it’s very inspirational! I just bookmarked it.
I thought you might be interested in checking out http://www.vivivintage.com .
Vivi Vintage sells great vintage pieces from the 1930’s – 1980’s, sometimes selling even newer designer clothing and accessories.
Enjoy!
on April 8, 2010 on 1:40 pm
This is the best place to look up information.
on May 11, 2011 on 5:05 pm
Hi Zoe,
I subscribed to your blog NOT EVEN REALIZING THAT IT WAS YOU! This “about” page is great. Haven’t had much time delving into your blog, will do so gradually.
I stopped teaching digital in the OTIS Fashion Dept in 2006 – I moved over to Cont Ed = teaching only on Saturdays. 3x a week I’m doing prints for underwear for mass market – all digital, mostly knockoffs (sad but true). It keeps me from having to live off credit card checks – haha. No, actually, for a position in an apparel company it’s very pleasant and no-stress. No screaming and weekends off. Not even late hours because I’m on a time card and they don’t want to pay extra $$!
So glad to reconnect in a cyber sort of way.