​Elsa Schiaparelli’s Skeleton Dress. 1938. 

Fashion designer Donna Karan took time from her busy work schedule to make a trip to Washington D.C. and give an interview, organized by the Smithsonian Associates, at the National Museum of American Indian. I had the great opportunity to attend this interview on May 24 and took a few notes to share. 

​Donna Karan is an icon in the fashion industry but one of the most amazing aspect of her career and life is her passion for community, social change, and her spirit of generosity. She has a huge following in her devoted customers - she stays in touch by being open about her life experiences and her creativity and inspiration. The interview was followed by a Q&A session and every single person who walked up to the microphone to ask a question uttered words such as connection, ease, and realness.

Here are a few thoughts I took away from the lovely and inspiring evening: 

• What works for me ... 
  • Karan knows herself. And I believe it makes a huge difference for all of us interested in her story and business endeavors. She designs for herself and for the woman she knows a lot about. She is passionate about functionality, comfort, working with the body shape, feeling good in clothes, and ultimately expressing who one is through the clothing she/he chooses to wear. 
• Conscious consumerism 
  • Karan changed her life path a few years back to engage in philanthropic activities dear to her heart. Her company Urban zen focuses on social change through a community of thinkers who focus on healthcare and education. The designer works with local communities across the world to highlight their artisan heritage and to bring it up to speed to satisfy world market and thus bring resources back to the community. For instance, in collaboration with the Parsons School of Design, she opened a vocational school in Haiti.   
• Impact of technology 
  • A few of the event attendees asked Karan about her thoughts on the impact of technology on the fashion industry and the consumer experience. Karan is a big fan of Instagram - she uses it to create a sense of community and share her life. However, she clearly outlined the limitations of the Internet when it comes to actual purchasing. According to her, it's OK to buy a bottle of water online but clothes are meant to be felt and experienced with all senses before a customer commits to buying. 

I enjoyed the evening very much and will continue to follow Karan's creative adventures closely. I have learned a lot from her authenticity and ease and will implement it in my own life and career. 

Do you have a person who inspires you? Let me know!

Lone seagull. Chesapeake Bay, Maryland.

Photo taken in September 2015. Credit: Martina Sestakova. 

History and art are my passions and in my latest collection for Fashion Design - a class at the Academy of Arts University - I got to explore both of these interests. Every fashion collection starts with inspiration. For my final project of the semester I chose the rapidly changing society in the 1920s Japan. I studied the history of the iconic kimono and researched the Western influences on Japan as it opened up to the world. And here we are - a collection that marries the tradition with the new!

It's so great to learn about a topic and come across imagery that is inspiring and insightful. How great to find a photo of women walking down a street in a city in Japan ... women who share heritage yet express themselves in completely different ways! Seeing these images inspired me to combine the traditional kimono (e.g., in structured garments) with West-inspired fashions (e.g., in flowy dresses). Fashion can indeed be a fascinating window into a society's culture and changes it undergoes. 

As I gathered colorful images of Japanese art of the time (e.g., pottery, paintings, poster art) and researched the traditional ways of making fabrics, I became fascinated with pattern, texture, and color. As you can see, my collection is full of energy and lively textile combinations.

My collection honors Japan's heritage, yet it celebrates the social changes. It is a collection that draws on the past, yet it celebrates the present. Check out the complete collection presentation in my Portfolio! ​

I recall being thrilled when I got my first kaleidoscope. A pink plastic tube with little beads inside was given to me as a birthday gift when I was a little girl. And who knew there was so much magic inside! 

The Strathmore Mansion has a wonderful - and we could say magical - exhibition on show called "Kaleidoscopes: 200 Years." The whole exhibition area is filled up with many different kaleidoscopes - some of which you can pick up and peek into. What is really fun about this show is that the exhibition showcases kaleidoscopes made out of a wide variety of materials as well as art inspired by this incredible invention.

As a fashion and textile designer, I admire the textile-related items. There are a few quilts of exquisite craftsmanship that imitate the ever-changing kaleidoscope imagery. Take a look below at several examples. There is even a kaleidoscope that gets its otherworldly images from a pile of fabric swatches!

The exhibition has a fun aspect to it, too. A kaleidoscope shaped like freshly baked bread is on show. Or, if you like summer, you will appreciate one called 'Pool Party' made out of a pool tube. I love a chair covered in tiny glass pieces.

So, no matter your age, let this exhibition transport you to a world of childhood awe and craftsmanship and creativity! Strathmore Mansion in Rockville, MD, will welcome you until June 4, 2016. 

Landscapes of the world in one place. Ocean City, Maryland. 

Photo taken in February 2016. Credit: Martina Sestakova.

Look by Argentinian fashion designer Jazmin Chebar. 

There is something magical about travel. One gets to see the world, to step out of the daily life. Some trips are fun to plan - big adventures, big challenges. Others, however, still bring new experiences even when they are just a few-hour day trip.

If you reside in the Washington DC area, you have tons of interesting places to visit right at your fingers tips. Last year, my friend and I jumped into the car and went to Luray Caverns in Virgnia's Shenandoah Valley for the day. And what a great adventure! 

Speaking of new experiences ... walking through these caverns - largest in Eastern America - is breathtaking. Take a look at my photos below and you will know what I am talking about. Colors, textures, shapes - fascinating formations over 4,000,000 years in the making. 

So, make your way to the Caverns and enjoy. No matter what the weather is outside - yes, it's been raining for days now ... - you will love the spectacular underworld in Luray!