New Nelesc Designs 2011 Spring/Summer Collection

I apologize for this late post. I have been very busy working on this collection and then had some family issues to deal with which did not allow me to post this as fast as I wanted to but....here it is, my 2011 Spring/Summer Nelesc Designs Collection.

My Spring/Summer collection is centered around three items; a tank top, a sleeved top, and a dolman sleeve tunic. These are all designed and produced by me in various colors and sizes. This collection continues to speak to my idea of the glorified t-shirt; stylish, casual clothes that make a statement, that are conversation starters. It also continues to showcase my love of color combining that is reminiscent of my past work with color blocking, fabric scraps and t shirt reconstruction.

I will continue screenprinting my collection of icons onto the tops but will offer the tops without the icon if the customer wishes. I believe my designs can stand on their own as well.

Hourglass Tunic.
Available in S/M and L/XL

Striped Tank Top. Available in S, M, L, XL

Striped Tank Top also available in these colors with your choice of icon.  

Baloon Sleeve Top.
Available in S,M,L,XL

Balloon Sleeve Top also available in these colors too.

Akawelle Jewelry: Talk About Transformation!

18" necklace, AKAWELLE.COM


I came across Akawelle Jewelry while reading an issue of Lucky Magazine. I couldn't rip the page fast enough as I knew I wanted to write about it on my blog.

These beautiful charms are made from discarded bullet casings by Lovetta Conto. Lovetta was forced to flee war-torn Liberia with her father when she was a little girl. The 18 year old says, "I thought if I could take something that caused so much pain and destruction and melt it down into something beautiful, I would be showing that transformation is possible." All the profits go to Strong Heart Fellowship Program, which benefits kids displaced by conflict. Check it out, these pendants are beautiful!!!   

Founder of Akawelle Jewelry, Lovetta Conto

Another Wardrobe Transformation!

So here's another wardrobe transfomation. This past summer, I was looking through my closet and noticed this aqua blue top that I hardly wear. I had to ask myself, why don't I wear this top?  What's up with that? I realized I didn't wear it because it was kind of ill fitting, so I said to myself, either you transform it or it goes to the salvation army. I chose transformation and this is what I came up with.

Here's a pic of the top pre-transformation. My son took the picture so he chopped my head off, lol.

Then I looked in my fabric stash and found this cute polka dot fabric that sort of had the same aqua color as the top. You might recognize it from this post.

I made a skirt out of it. Then I cut the top so that it met the skirt at the waist and sewed the two together leaving enough space so that I could insert an elastic. Voila, instant dress. I paired it with a belt and it looks really cute. I wore it a lot in the summer and even wear it now, with a long sleeve top and boots.

What do you think?

WARDROBE TRANSFORMATION: Maternity Top to Cute Little Shrug!

One thing that I wanted to add to the blog this year is to post more of my wardrobe transformations and tutorials. The whole idea of redemtion and transformation is very important to me and it extends to my own clothes.

So here's a maternity top that I converted to a cute little shrug. Boy was I big! I liked wearing form fitting tops to show off my belly. I think I was pregnant with my second here, although I can't remember because I wore this top for both pregnancies. Anyway, this was super easy. I just cut it in the back and added the ribbing to keep it snug on my shoulders. Voila! What do you think?

New Year, New Me

Happy New Year! I am so excited about 2011. I have so many new things that I want to do with this blog and my shop. I will definitely tell you about them soon in an upcoming post.

For now, I wanted to show off this top which I made at the end of December. I bought this fabric months ago and have made two other things from it. I only had a little of it left so I decided to use if for the sleeves of this butterfly top. It's a little tighter than I wanted, showing off my chichos (spanish slang for love handles!) But I love it because the print actually looks like a butterfly design. It represents how I am feeling these days; full of new life and transformation!

How are you feeling about the new year? 

Fan Love Interviews - Cherisse Rivera

If you are a "liker" of my fan page on Facebook then you know that I have a section called Fan Love where I post pictures of people wearing their Nelesc Designs duds. Well, I decided to take it a step further on my blog and not only post a picture but also give my clients a chance to tell the world who they are and promote their business and/or other endeavors. I also share my blog posts with my personal and fan page friends so more people, besides my blog followers, will be in on how great my fans are. 

Cherisse Rivera was the first person to take me up on my offer and here she is rockin' the Billie Holiday puff sleeve jacket I made for her. She was a pleasure to work with and I am so proud to be featuring her today.

1) How did you find out about Nelesc Designs? 

Heard about it by looking for women's t-shirts on etsy.com


2) Why did you choose this top/icon? I love Billie Holiday pictures, I have a few products with her face on them, plus I am more of a moderate politically, so I chose it because I think its more "me" than some other icons.

3) Tell me about yourself.

By day, I work in the legal/consulting field. Other than that, I am working with a website called http://fusicology.com/. Fusicology is a website that has a presence in a number of cities. It promotes progressive music culture through event listings and relevant content. We love all music, but this website tends to give a greater voice to indie artists, especially neosoul artists.

4)What would you like to see more of at Nelesc Designs?

New icon "faces", especially for the cuffs. Perhaps some handbags as well.

5) What are you reading or listening to nowadays?

Reading: "John Henry Days", and listening- Authenticity by Foreign Exchange

Note to self: new icon faces! Thanks Cherisse, I need to get started on that. From our e-mail chats I could tell how cool Cherisse was and I was right! When you get a chance, check out Fusicology, I did and it's a really great sight for music lovers!

Puerto Rican Artisan Fair This Past Saturday

This past Saturday I participated in my very first craft fair. I was among the 40 or so artists who had a table at the 5th Annual Puerto Rican Artisans Fair at Hostos Community College. I came armed with my friend Sheila who helped me set up and eased my anxiousness with her fair business experience. She felt sick that day but I was so grateful she took the time to help me out.


Sheila at the table



Julia de Burgos and Pedro Albizu tops

Anyway, I had a super time. It felt so great to be part of such a talented pool of artists that were also Boricua (Puerto Rican). There were painters, photographers, wood workers, dollmakers, etc. There was such a great feeling of support and encouragement as we went around to each other's tables.  My table was between Jorge Gonzalez, an amazing painter who uses collage elements, and Ivelisse Pabon, and artist and dollmaker. Jorge comes from North Carolina every year for the fair and Yvelisse makes makes her way from Massachussetes.  I realized how prestigious it is to be accepted in this arena. Towards the end there was music, and dancing and it felt like a casual get together with people I have known a lifetime. I am always proud of being Puerto Rican but on Saturday, there was a special connection I felt to my people that I had not felt in a long time. I need to do this more often.

Want to know the best part? When I saw my mom, my sister Melissa and my nieces walk through the door. I have to say that I did shed some tears at their show of support. My mom whispered how proud she was of me and my sister also gleamed with excitement. That meant the world to me. I also have to thank my hubby who was home sick taking care of my boys. I can't do Nelesc Designs without him.

My mom and I

My sister Melissa and I

Finally, a big shout out to Luis Cordero who organized the fair and encouraged me to apply. Luis runs cemiundergound.com where you could find cool Pedro Albizu Campos gear amongst other Puerto Rican items. I will be doing a feature on him in a future post. Enjoy the pics! There's more on my facebook fanpage if you would like to join. Just search for Nelesc Designs. God Bless!