About me:

I am a Fashion Merchandising student at Point Loma Nazarene University. I just debuted my second line for Point Loma's annual fashion show. I am also working as a personal fashion consultant. I create Look Books for my clients as well as personally shop with them to complete their wardrobes and help them dress for their body type. I am studying abroad in Paris this summer! I will be studying fashion at one of the best fashion schools in Paris! I give God all the glory for these passions and talents that I thrive on!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Transparency Fashion Show 2012

PLNU's annual fashion show happened a few months ago and with the craziness of the end of the school year I completely neglected to post about it! It was a wonderful experience, probably one of the best shows yet! It was held at the Bristol Hotel in Downtown San Diego. We were located on the top floor of this trendy hotel which, we found out right when the show started, had a retractable roof the opened up and exposed the starry night! It was such a classy touch to the already spectacular venue.

My collection this year was entitled Transparency. I was inspired by my time spent abroad in Paris. I had seen so many irregular cutouts and thought they were extremely interesting so I decided to create a line based on the idea of head turning cutouts. I went with a more tailored, business-y theme than I have in the past. Pencil skirts, pleated pants and fitted tops. I used a lace printed velour to fill in all of the sections I had cutout.

This year I decided to only create three of the designs I had sketched out for this collection. We were only allowed three models and I did not see a quick change for three models in my future. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to fully show the evolution from the previous years with just three pieces but it all came out perfectly! Some friends told me that it was my best show yet! That was the best compliment I got all night! I had a good friend of mine do dramatic make-up masks on the models, and myself which was a fun touch. After spending a few hours getting ready the guests started arriving! I made the models stay hidden, and went out from behind the backstage curtain to explore. I was COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED by the amount of support and love that I felt! I was not expecting to see half of the friends that showed up and they were so excited to see the work that I had done. I always forget about those moments I experience every year at the fashion show, but when they happen I am reminded of the amazing support I have from my friends and family.

The show went of without a hinge, the models were all so great and all developed a sassy pose to hit at the end of the runway. I had to go on stage a few times and that was an experience all in itself, not my favorite, but the cheering I heard and the faces I could see from up there made it all worth it. Afterwards I got a chance to say hi to everyone and thank them for coming. We took tons of pictures and had a wonderful evening! Here are some of the pictures from the event :)

Monday, June 25, 2012

They will know us by our love

Summer 2012 is here and I have a lot of blessings to report! This is pretty much a mad collage of my summer so far in no particular order! I spend the first month of summer in New Zealand on a missions trip for the Church of the Nazarene. That was a time filled with love, God, and so much spiritual/ personal growth. Then I moved back to Point Loma for the summer to work in the office of University Advancement which has turned out to be a wonderful job! It has been a blast living on campus this summer, and getting a chance to do all of the fun things San Diego has to offer that I never have time for when I am in school. For instance the San Diego County Fair! It was a blast and I got to see a free Switchfoot concert which is always a good time in my book! I went with some friends that are also living in the area this summer and there are pictures to prove it :)

Abby and I at the San Diego fair trying to re create an Instagram that Emma Roberts posted!

Kathleen and I and the Switchfoot Concert

The theme of the fair was Out of this World so I tried to play the part...

Entering the fair!!!

This is me after experiencing Crazy Mouse for the first time

I was so blessed in New Zealand to have to opportunity to re design the upstairs kids Sunday school room, these two doors were painted with chalkboard paint and I did a sparkly purple boarder. I also got to sew those bean bags and pillows!

Aukland, NZ

Church camp in Aukland, I really missed seeing the ocean everyday

Beauty

Some outfits I have put together for my summer office job...

Sea foam sheer shoulder-less blouse, belted with a double studded belt, black tailored shorts, houndstooth leggings

Red lace baby doll dress and a jean jacket

Ocean Beach, New Zealand...they have one in San Diego too!

Sunsets are Gods gifts

The Inwood brothers that I met at Kids Club will always be in my heart and prayers :)

Shontayne and Xion

I am reading this book by Donald Miller at the moment and would completely recommend it

I finally joined the succulent club, it is just the cutest low maintenance plant ever!

These are some small shots of the day we went sand boarding in NZ, such a rush I was hesitant for the first 5 mins but after I went down the steep slope head first once I was ready to do it again!

Summer baptism for Flood church in Mission Bay, San Diego

Mt. Manaia, I hiked this monster!

I don't know where I get my confidence sometimes :)

My summer job is the best!

Kids club with some people that I miss dearly

The whole team with our parting gift!

Summer adventure with Jenna and Greg to Coronado Island

NZ jump shots!

Another addition to the kids Sunday school room

I love babies :)

Ocean Beach street fair with my sister :)

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Point Weekly article from Homecoming Week!

The fairytale gowns of Homecoming

BY POINTWEEKLYEDITOR ON NOVEMBER 14, 2011 IN FEATURES / NO COMMENTS

by Cory Saul
features editor
Q&A with Homecoming Court stylist Kelsey Bergstrom:

Ever had a white-knuckle deadline? How about sketching, designing and assembling seven unique formal dresses in just two weeks?
Junior Kelsey Bergstrom, a fashion merchandising major, has done just that. Her position as court stylist on the Homecoming Coronation Committee landed her the task of creating a special dress for every lady in the Homecoming Court.
The princesses will be seen in their gowns during the Homecoming Variety Show and Coronation on Friday, Nov. 18.
Bergstrom took a break from her busy schedule to answer a few questions via e-mail.
The Point Weekly: How did you get the opportunity to design the dresses for the Homecoming Court?
Kelsey Bergstrom: I have designed a collection for PLNU’s Annual ASB Fashion Show for the past two years and have loved the experience and the opportunity to use the gifts and passion that God has given me. I think [sophomore] Ian Crane knew about my involvement in the fashion show when he asked me to be the stylist for the Homecoming Court this year. I immediately accepted the position and was so honored to be thought of for such an amazing position on the Homecoming Coronation Committee.
Ian and I got to talking, and originally my role was to go shopping with the princesses and help them buy a dress to wear, but then we started talking about my design experience and he offered up the idea of me designing and constructing original pieces, and I just couldn’t say no to that! I knew that it was going to be an extreme time commitment to make seven dresses in two weeks (I only had two weeks because that is when the court was selected), but I knew that I couldn’t pass up such an amazing opportunity to do something that I love.

PW: Did you incorporate the Homecoming theme “Let’s Talk Story” into your inspiration/design in any way?
KB: I absolutely love the storybook theme this year. It was no problem for me to create a collection with a whimsical theme. Every girl wants to wear a beautiful floor-length gown that flows behind her when she walks! I had a clear vision from the start of what I wanted these dresses to look like. The committee decided on a jewel tones color scheme, so I stuck to that and incorporated a ton of silk organza and other lightweight fabrics that give off the whimsical, fairytale theme.

PW: How did you take each of the ladies’ personalities and styles into account during the design process?
KB: Because of the unique time frame that I was working with, I had to sketch out all of these dresses before I even knew who the girls selected for court would be. I sat down one afternoon and cranked out about 20 different sketches and then chose my top 10 favorites and presented them to the committee. I would have to make seven dresses total, including Alissa Bird’s, last year’s queen. When I got the e-mail announcing who was chosen for the court, I immediately e-mailed them all to set up a time to come to my room to get their measurements taken. Before they got measured, I had already assigned a dress to each girl according to her body type and personal style. I wanted each girl to feel beautiful and comfortable.

PW: How did you incorporate your own taste/style/fashion sense?
KB: I recently got back from a summer study abroad program in Paris and I have been so changed and influenced from my time spent there. I see a lot of those themes in this collection of dresses. I absolutely love designing dresses. They are my favorite type of apparel to design and construct. I can definitely see myself designing gowns in the future. I love interesting necklines and uneven hemlines, and those two elements can be seen in every dress in its own unique way. I definitely have some signature trademarks that have shown through these dresses.

PW: You also helped pick out the men’s suits. What part did you play there?
KB: I loved being a part of the men’s fashion choices as well. Katy O’Neil and I drove all of the princes to Friar Tux to get fitted for their suits. I chose the suit color and style that they will be wearing as well as their color and style of tie. They will all be wearing the same style tie but in a different color. The colors are in the same jewel-toned color scheme, but I tried hard to make sure that the guys’ ties didn’t match the dresses of the ladies they would be escorting in the Variety Show. I didn’t want it to be too matchy. This isn’t the prom!

PW: What was the biggest problem or frightening moment you faced while assembling the dresses?
KB: I would say that the time crunch was the most frightening issue I faced while constructing these dresses. It was interesting trying to figure out how I was going to approach this task since no one has gone before me. I usually blocked out about three hours and completed an entire dress. It was a little challenging to be doing all of this in the middle of midterms and my job as an RA, but I have recently realized that in the midst of my crazy schedule and classes, it is so nice to be able to just create these beautiful dresses. I have found that it really relaxes me and reminds me what my talents and gifts are.

PW: What will you remember from this experience?
KB: I have just really appreciated this amazing opportunity to share what I love doing with my student body and the alumni of PLNU. I am so happy to be doing this for them. I have gotten so much encouragement and love from so many of my friends and professors, and that really means the world to me. I am so lucky to have found my passion and a way to use it. I just can’t wait to see them all up there on the stage! These are all such amazing women, and I feel so privileged to have the chance to make them feel beautiful and confident on their exciting night!

The Queen is here!

Designing the dresses for the Homecoming Court this year was an amazing experience! I had to sketch, shop, fit, and sew 7 dresses all in two weeks. It was a crazy task to take on but really how could I pass something like that up?! The week before the show was insanity, with rehearsals, fittings, more sewing into early hours of the night and of course finals preparation and homework. The day of the show was so hectic and exciting all at the same time. I was so excited to finally see the princesses all glommed up in their dresses and ready to hit the stage. So many of my friends and family were able to make it to the show which meant so much to me, it was a great show! I actually felt like I was having my own little fashion show! I received so much praise and so many kind words that made all of the hard work seem like nothing. I am so excited to add these pictures to my portfolio and hopefully get the honor of designing these dresses next year!

These are the three senior couples that were in the running for King and Queen.

Stevi and Ian were the Junior couple selected.
(Stevi's dress is a one shouldered floor length dress with silk organza embellishment at the neck line and pleats at the waist.)

Daniel and Victoria were the sophomore couple chosen.
(Victoria's dress has triangle embellishments at the neckline, a pleated waistline with darts, and an uneven hem line.)

Adam and Kendra were the freshmen couple chosen.
(Kendra's dress had and interesting neckline that I absolutely love, and a floor length skirt with a slit up the front. There is a silk organza skirt overlay with floral embellishments as well.)

Daniel and Aimi were one of the senior class couples chosen.
(Aimi's dress has a cut out on the bodice as well as floral embellishments. Her skirt has a shorter hem in the front and a silk organza train in the back.)

Jed and Katie were another couple from the senior class.
(Katie's dress was mermaid inspired, it has an empire waist and sheer straps and back.)

Tony and Shadwa were the last senior class couple.
(Shadwa's dress was a one shouldered baby doll dress with a floor length skirt that had a slit up the front. There was floral embellishment on the bodice and the skirt.)

Here is a picture of me with all of my princesses in their gowns!

Alyssa the queen from last years coronation.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Homecoming Reflection

I was recently asked to write about my story as a Fashion student by my fashion professor. This will be given to the University as a story of a student achieveing an extra ordinary task. I am not sure where it will be published but it may end up in an Alumni newletter ot on the Point Loma website! Thanks everyone for all of your support!

My name is Kelsey Bergstrom, I am a Junior Fashion Merchandising student at Point Loma Nazarene University. I have been sewing as a hobby since I was 12 years old. I would make pillow and small purses with my friends and just taught myself through trial and error. I would attempt to make dresses and even some pajama pants. In high school I took a sewing class for two semesters and those were my first formal sewing lessons. I learned how to use a pattern, and had the chance to create more complex garments. In those classes I made a lined trench coat, some dresses and skirts, and a quilt made up of all of my baby clothes! I had wanted to study fashion for a long time and I was already hooked with just this little taste of a sewing class. When I got to Point Loma and started taking fashion classes I immediately realized this is where I belonged. I thrived in those classes and looked forward to them every day. It was the hour or two of the day where I completely felt like I was in my element. I then heard about the annual ASB Fashion Show and found out that anyone could design for it. This was something that I had never done before, designed a collection of my own. I decided to take on the challenge and see how it went. I designed six pieces, four cocktail dresses, a casual dress and a coat. I constructed them all in my dorm room after classes every night for about two months before the show. My line was title “Glam” and it turned out better than I could have ever imagined. It was so gratifying to see what I was actually capable of and to be so affirmed by my peers! My sophomore year I decided to participate in the fashion show again. The challenge this year was to show my growth in design and my sewing skills, I had to up my game. I really enjoy designing dresses and gowns so that’s just what I did. I designed and constructed six full length gowns, my sister even ended up wearing one to Prom! This year my line was title “Grass Roots” and they were all made of earth tones. I was so happy with how they all came out and I really think I showed my growth and maturity through that line. I studied abroad in Paris over summer and got my inspiration for this year’s collection from my observations there. I can’t wait to get started!

This year I was asked by the chair of the Homecoming Coronation Committee to be the stylist for the wardrobe of the women and men chosen for court. At first I was just going to pick out all of the dresses that the princesses would be wearing on the night of the Variety show, but then I had a meeting with the chair and he offered up the idea of me designing the dresses and I just couldn’t say no to that! I knew that it was going to be a very big commitment but I felt very capable and prepared to do the job. I think doing the fashion shows for the last two years and my time spent in Paris really prepared me and reassured me that I would definitely be able to complete this job! I got to work sketching right away, I would need seven different dresses and I pumped out twenty sketched one afternoon and then narrowed them down and presented them to the committee. I was so pleased at the positive reaction they had toward my sketches! I couldn’t get to work on them right away because the court hadn’t been chosen yet so it was a waiting game for a while. This first dress I made was for the Homecoming Queen from last year because she was local and I already knew she would need a dress. Now that the court has been selected I have been sewing away at a good pace. They are coming out great so far, I can’t wait to see them on the girls! I will be making a trip to the tux shop next week to help the princes get fitted for the suits I picked out. I will also be picking out their tie colors to go with the color scheme the committee has selected. It has been such an honor and a blessing to be given this amazing opportunity. This has never been done before and I am so jazzed to be the first to break into this challenge!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Dancing Lessons!

Tonight I had planned a date night for my residence hall. We got all dressed up and went to Balboa Park for dancing lessons. We learned Tango, Salsa, Cha cha, Waltz, two step, swing, and some others I cant think of. I had sooo much fun! I was so impressed by how much my date Luke and I learned. By the end of the night we could Tango through a whole song to the music! I had a blast and can't wait to go back again! I have a few new outfits pictured here. As well as some from my display fashion class. Ta ta for now :)

Silk Organza blouse, double layered belt, high waisted blue skirt.