A Rose from Concrete: Part One

This collection is about overcoming odds. Like a rose that blossoms in street cracks. Unstoppable beauty from urban sprawl.

“They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”

Concrete for miles...

Still, it blooms. A vibrant red rose, the Queen of flowers.

Photography of Jiaqi Chen: Portland Fashion Week and Tim Ward 

Dreams come true.

Not like in fairy tales. In real life, they happen too.

They're filled with joy, creativity and love. Hard work, sacrifice, and resourcefulness bring dreams to fruition. Learning to adapt to change with grace.

Embrace growth.

“Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in concrete? Proving nature’s laws wrong, it learned to walk without having feet. Funny, it seems to by keeping its dreams; it learned to breathe fresh air. Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else even cared.”

-Tupac Shakur

Photography by Jennifer Lully, Founder & CEO, Broken Mirror 

Red Rose Corset and Emerald Green Pants:

We opened this collection with a ruby red rose corset that laces all the way up the back. The rose is a large detachable, sculptural flower. It’s not the easiest to get into … but is any corset? Jiaqi did amazingly!

We wanted to incorporate timeless, feminine silhouettes and shapes. We chose "elegant eco warrior" instead of baring all. 

Roses and all...keep it classy! 

The corset also has a long history in women's fashion with some controversial elements. Some see the corset as binding and restricting women; while others, especially modern designers like Vivienne Westwood, see it as liberating, a statement piece. 

We see a red rose in bloom.

Photography of Jiaqi Chen by Melissa Lully, Co-Founder & Creative Director, Broken Mirror 

Red roses have deep and varied symbolism. For us, they represent love, beauty, and courage. With thorny stems and soft, velvety petals, this unique combination represents achievement, completion and true beauty.

A rainbow after storms... and every rose has thorns.

After overcoming difficulty, you can find harmony and happiness. 

Our rose is currently under revision to give it a more detailed, sculptural, and architectural fit. We also can't decide if we want it detachable or sewn-in... 

To cover the "stems," we're adding dark emerald green pants with "climbing vine" details to match. Emerald is another important color for us in this collection. Why emerald?... Go green!

Yes, and if emerald replaced that ugly neon green on recycling signs, more people might recycle...

Making science sexy one outfit at a time!

Chess Queen and Durden Vegan Leather Jacket:

Our Chess Queen is so fun. Our dad loves chess and taught us to play as little girls. Among other things, it taught strategy. 

He said:

“The Queen is the most powerful piece in the game. She goes anywhere on the board—any direction and number of spaces at a time. Don’t lose your Queen. When the King is out, the game is over. Checkmate.”

In Chess, the King and Queen work together to protect their Kingdom.

Photography of Kate Vitela by John Post 

Our top resembles a Queen Chess piece. It’s also undergoing fit revisions so the top stays in proper form. Keep the crown in place. In chess, the player who moves first is called White and the player who moves second is called Black.

We chose a Black Queen.

The chess board mini-skirt is digitally printed with blocks of gray and black to match, like concrete. The mini-skirt is another classic feminist statement shape.

Our “Durden” vegan leather tribute jacket is also underway!! We are so excited!!

When our Queen walks at NYFW this fall, we will include Durden! It’s our take on the classic red leather jacket Tyler Durden wears in Fight Club. Tyler Durden, the King of anti-materialism and non-conformity.

We always said we wanted to create "Fight Club" for women.

“I say never be complete, I say stop being perfect, I say let….let’s evolve, let the chips fall where they may.”

For the women who refuse to conform. Who embrace imperfect and evolve.

Who let the chips fall where they may...

Waterfall Top and Stepping-Stone Mini-Skirt:

In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy clicks her sparkly, red heels together three times and says…

There’s no place like home.

If I only had a brain, or heart, or courage...or home.

Not to be confused with stop and gos. Home: a nesting ground, refuge and peace.

She wanted to go home. 

Photography of Cannon Beach by Melissa Lully, Co-Founder & Creative Director, Broken Mirror

Life in Washington?... 

I wished I moved here years ago!

After years of moving, traveling and growth, we found the Pacific Northwest. A place to stay, grow, and thrive. 

We are grateful for everything we have in life, positive and negative. We surrender to life, gratitude and joy.

Learn from negativity. Walk away from those who intend harm. Focus effort elsewhere.  

Speaking of sparkly red heels and walking away: mom always found me in the shoe department...wearing them.

I always knew where to find you, she said.

The same is true with water. It feels like home.

Find me by water. 

Photography of Cannon Beach by Melissa Lully, Co-Founder & Creative Director, Broken Mirror

Water is magical and carries memories!...

It's healing and rejuvenating. Fluid, water travels the globe, not landlocked, and connects us all. We drink it everyday.

Waterfalls are pieces of heaven on earth. Like on Angel's Loop.  

I love to swim, snorkel, take baths. I love fish and sea life. I'll float for hours like Drew Barrymore in Ever After, quiet and peaceful. Meditating.

"A bird may love a fish signore, but where will they live?" 

Got me feeling like a mermaid. 

Multnomah Falls, Photography by Jennifer Lully, Founder & CEO, Broken Mirror 

In the Pacific Northwest, we are surrounded by waterfalls. There are so many beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails nearby....too many to count.

Of course there’s Multnomah Falls, and all the waterfalls along the Columbia River. We also have Bridal Veil Falls, Latourell Falls, Fairy Falls, Horsetail Falls…the list goes on!

On weekends, I go for hikes and take fun little videos of my adventures. I love long hikes through the forest that lead to waterfalls. When I get to the waterfall, I sit nearby and meditate or journal.

Forest Park, Photography by Jennifer Lully, Founder & CEO, Broken Mirror

Rain comes and goes. It's constant and doesn’t bother me at all. It suits my mood.

I started wearing all black on Wednesday as a tribute. Like Wednesday Addams...and also as a fun tribute to our thriving and 100% local gothic culture here in the Pacific Northwest! 

Pink?...

On Wednesdays, we wear black.

Rain keeps the air clean, fresh, and inversion free. I can breathe fresh air here! 

I’m also about an hour-and-a-half from the coast. Seaside and Cannon Beach are my favorite. I go when it's not crowded. Avoid the Fourth of July...lol.

We're surrounded by water in Washington and that’s exactly how we like it!

Photography of Jessica Fritts: Portland Fashion Week and Tim Ward

Our top was made to look just like a waterfall. It flows off the shoulders with a rippled, fanned shoulder piece. It's similar in structure to our wrapped velvet tornado dress. Similar structural references give a collection cohesion.

The top's bottom portion is made with hand-dyed upcycled silk organza. We’re adding more layers to the pattern so it billows out with several layers of fabric.

Just like a flowing waterfall. Let it flow!  

We matched it with a stepping-stone mini-skirt. We love incorporating digital printing into our designs. Nature photography on upcycled fabric is our favorite! After all, what's a waterfall without matching stepping-stones?...

Don't forget the concrete! 

Photography of Jessica Fritts: Portland Fashion Week and Tim Ward