LauraZukaite.com- the Dream Team behind the scenes: Pearl

In this post of the Dream Team series i would like to introduce you to Pearl Naidoo- a super talented Jewelry Designer!

Pearl is the brains behind all the Jewelry you have been seeing in the photoshoots for the Golden Girl Collection as well as the upcoming Touch the Sky Collection.

Pearl has agreed to answer a few questions about herself and knitting!

In 5 sentences- tell me tell me your life story.
I am from South Africa. I moved to Long Island when I was 16 years old and haven't been back to my country since. I cannot wait to go see my family again, but in the meantime I am immersing myself in my work at PearNaidoo.com. I hope to one day soon open a store in South Africa. I love fashion, dancing, going out, and socializing, especially when it is for a charitable cause.

In 3 words- describe yourself.
Pearl Naidoo Rocks

Tell me what your passion is: what do you do?
I am passionate about working hard to become the woman I want to be. I own my own business, which allows me to be my full self. In that way I do a lot of charity work through my jewelry line. Mostly for girls, and especially in Africa, because as a Daughter of Africa myself, it's right next to my heart. I want to help other girls to get educated in the way that I was never allowed to do. If you can give an education, you can improve the quality of life from day one for a girl or boy. That is what I strive for and what I hope to accomplish. There are lots of girls out there who are helping and who need help. It's a beautiful thing!

Do you knit? Can you draw yourself wearing the very first thing you knitted? If you don’t- can you draw yourself wearing a “perfect 1st project” you would take upon?
I do knit, and I find it very therapeutic. Mostly blankets is what I knit though. I wear my projects all the time, I am a walking advertisement for Pearl Naidoo jewelry.

For fun: what do you think “a loose knitter” is?
Someone not quite right in the head? Or someone whose stitches are too loose, probably more likely.

And Lastly- what is your personal favorite pick from the Golden Girl Collection?
good girl top ... love it love it

Here you can find the pattern for Perl's favorite design: Good Girl Top

German Translation of Luxe Knits is now available!!!!

Very excited to have Luxe Knits translated into German!
Check it out on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Stricken-deluxe-Laura-Zukaite/dp/384106096X/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320670802&sr=1-4

SKYLER Top from Touch the Sky Collection!

Check out the pattern on Ravelry!
Photography: Marc Hall
Modeling: Ashly Priest
Jewelry: Pearl Naidoo

EASY BREEZY Top from Touch the Sky Collection!

Check out the pattern on Ravelry!
Photography: Marc Hall
Modeling: Ashly Priest
Jewelry: Pearl Naidoo

Laura Zukaite: Portfolio & Press

My apologies for not being very "posty" on my blog: new job and catching up with the newest collection for LauraZukaite.com has left me with no time at all! But I promise to change it all! Keep on checking the blog for the newest updates! One of them is the list of ALL my Published Work and Articles!
Catch up with you soon! Promise!

Vote for me Please!

Please vote for me and tell your friends!
http://www.fashionbyfeelings.com/?source=EComm#/look/823

LauraZukaite.com- the Dream Team behind the scenes: Adriana

In this post of the Dream Team series i would like to introduce you to Adriana Andujar- the genius behind the Website DESIGN!


This is what Adriana says about herself:

I'm originally from a small island called Puerto Rico. I came to NYC at the tender age of 18 with aspirations to leave island life behind and study some sort of design. Four years later, I graduated from Parsons School of Design with a BFA in Design & Technology while doing a dual program with the New School studying Design & Psychology. I currently work in the Flatiron District and reside in the lovely borough of Brooklyn, with my cat, HeyMercedes. My recent work for Hertz has been written up in both the New York Times & the Wall Street Journal.

Words to describe me: Vivacious, quick-witted, steadfast.

My passion is furniture design. I live, eat and breathe great pieces of furniture, mostly of scandinavian descent. I love making my house a home, little by little.

I can't knit and I've never knitted anything before in my life!

My favorite piece from the golden girl collection would have to be the Golden Sun Camisole :)

LauraZukaite.com- the Dream Team behind the scenes: Ashly

This is the first post of the continuous Dream Team series where I will be making posts about my amazing group of the most talented friends that made LauraZukaite.com come true!

The first on the spot- the Model: Ashly Priest with the capital A! Which not only stands for Awesomeness- but also for The A-list that Ashly runs! Curious what it is? Ask Ashly about it!



Ashly had answered a few questions about herself and knitting:

In 5 sentences- tell me tell me your life story.
AP-1. Big fish in a small pond.
2. Bigger dreams and bigger goals.
3. The city called my name.
4. Life is full of ups and downs.
5. Time to make it or break it!

In 3 words- describe yourself.
AP-Reliable. Excitable. Precocious.

Tell me what your passion is: what do you do?
AP - I love bringing people together to have a good time. Sort of my second job as a party planning extraordinaire, but I also really love fashion design. I design lingerie which may not seem like much, but in such a small garment there is so much intricate construction! And think about it, you may not wear a jacket every day, but (almost) everybody is wearing underwear!

Do you knit? Can you draw yourself wearing the very first thing you knitted? If you don’t- can you draw yourself wearing a “perfect 1st project” you would take upon?
AP - I tried knitting in college, and I am not that good at it. I made lots of little sample squares and one very long and skinny scarf. I would like to make another scarf someday, something soft and long and luxurious that could be wrapped around a bunch of times.

For fun: what do you think “a loose knitter” is?
AP - I have no idea! Someone that doesn't like to make tight fitting sweaters?! Hahaha

And Lastly- what is your personal favorite pick from the Golden Girl Collection?
AP - Love, love, love the jeweled hat!

You can see Ashly wearing her favorite piece here:

Check out the article from Twist Magazine:

Memorial Day Weekend Surprise! $5 off the complete Golden Girl Collection!

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-golden-girl-collection
Use coupon code: LZMEMD01
Enjoy!

Vogue Knitting Editorial for Magic of Mohair competition winning Dress!

Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2011, photo by Rose Callahan

LauraZukaite.com- The Golden Skirt!

Check it out: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/golden-skirt

LauraZukaite.com- The Forever Cowl!

Check it out: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/forever-cowl-2

LauraZukaite.com- The Golden Sun Camisole!

Check it out: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/golden-sun-camisole

LauraZukaite.com- The Good Girl Top!

Check it out: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/good-girl-top

LauraZukaite.com- The Golden Girl Cardigan!

Check it out: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/golden-girl-cardigan

LauraZukaite.com- The Golden Set Accessories!

Check it out: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/golden-set-accessories

LauraZukaite.com- first pattern up on Ravelry!

check it out:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/every-girl-sweater

More from South Africa and how i was 'Mohairised':

Check out All About Mohair on Luxe Knits page.

My trip to South Africa: Port Elizabeth (or how I have been 'Mohairized')

Besides having this beautiful view through my hotel window- i decided to start my first morning by waking up at 6am to run downstairs and see the Sunrise...

And it was totally worth it!







...and the day has just began...more about what I learned about Mohair coming soon...

Workshop, Book Signing and a Trunk Show at La Casita in Brooklyn

La Casita is hosting a book signing for Luxe Knits together with a trunk show on May 7th (3-5pm) and a Cable Belt workshop from Luxe Knits: the Accessories on May 14th (4-7pm):

Click here for more details.

Check out an Interview with Emma Jordan from IFashion Magazine while in Johannesburg

My first day in Johannesburg i had a pleasure to chat with Emma Jordan from IFashion Magazine. Please read her post on IFashion page.

Check out more Sneak Preview of upcoming Pattern Designs for LauraZukaite.com on LuxeKnits Facebook Page!

More @ Luxe Knits by Laura Zukaite on Facebook

Check out the interview by Emma Jordan while in Johannesburg on my way to Port Elizabeth (the Mohair Capital of he World):

Accompanied by the lovely Eleanor- the view of Johannesburg from the Passenger's seat...as well as the interview from IFashion magazine:
http://www.ifashion.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3397&Itemid=309










More about the Mohair Tour in South Africa coming soon...

Sneak Preview: Website Photoshoot Behind the Scenes Part 2

Some of the Original Sketches for the upcoming designs...

Check out the FIBER PLAY blog post on BURDA STYLE!!!

http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/fiber-play-win-a-copy-of-laura-zukaites-book-luxe-knits

Sneak Preview: Website Photoshoot Behind the Scenes Part 1

This past Sunday was a very exciting day: we were shooting for LauraZukaite.com... the website is far from being launched- but i am very excited to share little bits of what was happening on the crime scene:

First let me introduce you to the fabulous Ashly Priest- my amazing supermodel sister from another mister who best describes herself as "I am a lean, mean, party-planning-event-producing-partnership-fostering-philanthropic-giving-newsletter-writing-lingerie-designing-sexy machine! WOOOOOOO!!!!!"



...and her magic make-up kit (you should have seen the suitcase poor Ashly had to carry for this)...


Second- the super talented photographer Marc Hall (http://marchallphotography.blogspot.com) who was juggling two cameras and tons of lights...honestly, i don't even know how he did it all!


...Third- Pearl Naidoo Jewelry (http://pearlnaidoo.com/)



...Fourth- and very important- these babies (poor Ashly again had to make it work by mastering twists and turns on these heels)...


...and finally- all of them together in action!




PS more Sneak Preview from behind the scenes coming soon!