Ring in the New Year in Style

Well let me start by introducing myself, my name is Alexa and I work on the Winky Designs team. I’ll be honest, I’ve never really followed fashion trends, or tried to dress to impress. I’m more of an “Ooo I like that” grab-it-and-buy-it kind of girl, but only if it fits into my rules of shopping. I pride myself on finding good deals on quality made clothing that’s twenty dollars and under; of course there are a few exceptions. Clothing should be fun, affordable and fit your personality; not leaving you feeling guilty that you have to skip lunch for a week to make up for the jacket you bought. I’ve never been one to give away my secrets, but lately I’ve been getting asked where I bought certain pieces. So without further ado, here is one of my fancy pants outfits that I will be wearing to ring in the New Year, enjoy!

I happened to stumble across this jacket in a window display at the mall a few years ago. Pretty sure squealing and jumping up and down commenced when I found it in my size. 

I found these leggings at a local store here in Vegas called Teenz & 20’s. When I saw the lineup of leggings on the wall I couldn’t help myself, especially since they reminded me of horse riding pants!

This silver snake skin leatherette clutch goes with just about everything you have in your closet. You also have the option of wearing it across the body with the detachable chain. 

I love this watch ! The wrap watch consists of fuchsia dyed agate stones, silver chains, with cow’s and goat’s leather melding into one beautiful piece. Also gives me an excuse to spend less time staring at my array of bracelets in the morning. 

• Red Vegan Leather Studded Jacket $20:   Forever 21 
• Black and White Stripped top with shoulder cut outs $18.99:  Khols
• Black and Brown Riding Leggings $14.95:   Teenz & 20’s  
• Black Forest Cake Wrap Watch $120:  Winky Designs
• Silver Snake Skin Envelope Clutch $35:  Winky Designs 
• Red Crystal Necklace $14.95:  Teenz & 20’s  
• Black Motorcycle Boots: Marc Fisher

Hope everyone has a great end to 2013 !

Reflecting Back to the Beginning

Hey guys! My name’s Vanessa and I am a part of the 7 person team here at Winky Designs. We’re a very close knit group of young women (and 1 guy!) who believe passionately in our brand and products. Our fearless leader, Winky Wu, is the founder and designer for Winky Designs and came to create the brand in a very unconventional manner. So pull up a seat and grab some popcorn, I’d like to re-introduce you to Winky Designs and its founder Winky…And yes. That really is her name.

Winky doesn’t have a degree in designing nor is she a big follower of the luxury fashion houses dominating the editorial spreads and red carpets. She loves honest, accessible, and affordable style and this proved to be a catalyst for Winky Designs. In 2011, Winky worked as an accountant for Mattel, Inc. in Hong Kong and it was here that she found the importance of bringing joyful designs to people across the globe. Also during this time, she fell in love with Ray, an American gentleman, and was determined to make their long distance relationship work, so she decided to leave the corporate world and start her own business! You see, she needed the flexibility that owning your own business affords in order to uproot her life to move to the US so she could finally be with the man of her dreams. But “Why watches?!” you ask. Although she wasn’t a high-fashion kinda lady, Winky loved accessories and it was while conducting some research, she discovered a huge gap in the wristwatch industry. She noticed watches were either very high end Swiss movement timepieces you cherish forever or no-name cheaply made watches you can find on sale 2 for $10. Winky wanted to fill that gap with her own high quality brand of affordable stylish watches that would bring a smile to whoever would wear it. She got in touch with some factories, tried her hand at designing….and the rest (as they say) is history. Thus, Winky Designs was born!

Since our inception in 2012, Winky Designs has grown leaps and bounds by promising to create products that inspire self-expression through the design of joyful, functional fashion at affordable prices. After only 2 years of being in business, we already sell our watches and accessories in over 200 retail stores and an online store which has shipped to customers in over 25 different countries. It’s evident we love what we do. You can tell from the playful collection names and colorful designs that we simply cannot live without the small pleasures in life like dessert before dinner, fruity cocktails after dinner, and kind words. We realize it is these small joys in life that inspires us to tell our store through our products and brand. We don’t want to be another mass market brand (although they’re great!). As we head into 2014, we aim to tell our cheerful story to whoever will listen and to those who listen and love us, we are forever in your debt. It is for you whom we design for. *Bear hugs*

Catching Up With Local Style Blogger Camila Deribeprey

Photo C/O http://www.camilascloset.com/

Last week we had the pleasure of meeting local Vegas blogger Camilla Deribeprey. Her popular blog, Camila’s Closet, caught our eye as a fun and fashionable take on her own personal style. We love her eclectic styling ranging from feminine and flirty to casual chic (but always paired with super stylish heels). We caught up with the petite fashionista and self-described MMA fan at the Downtown Container Park grand opening to ask a few questions:

Winky Design: What made you want to start your own blog?
Camilla Deribeprey: I was enrolled in school, I just moved to Vegas and didn’t have any family or friends here and was just focusing on school. I thought I would do something creative and out of my routine so I started a blog! I’ve always been expressive, since I was little, through fashion and have been encouraged by my mother and the women in my family.

W.D.: That’s awesome! Where did you move from?
C.D: New Jersey

W.D: Wow, such a long way from home! How long have you been here?
C.D: About 3 years

W.D.: What do you think of Vegas and how much it has grown in 3 years?
C.D.: The city has changed a lot! When I first came here I felt like it was a big suburban area rather than a city since I spent a lot of time in New York and I’ve seen little by little, by getting out into different neighborhoods, its identity, it is becoming more of a city. And I like that!

W.D.: Yeah especially here in Downtown, it has changed a lot and becoming closer as a community. Have you heard a lot about the fashion start-ups that are here like the Stitch Factory and of course Zappos moving down here?
C.D.: Yeah, Zappos was a big thing for me. When I heard about that I thought it was really cool and it spoke to the fashion scene growing here. I think it’s awesome.

W.D.: I know! Hopefully in a few more short years Vegas can cement its own identity for fashion..
C.D: Yeah, be like a fashion destination!

W.D.: Absolutely! And speaking about fashion, how would you describe your own personal style?
C.D.: I’m gonna say I’m very girly and I like more classic timeless pieces although sometimes I go for a more edgy look. In 20 years I’m going to look back and be like “What was I thinking?!” But in the end, it’s all about having fun and expressing yourself. I heard this quote by Rachel Zoe: “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak”. I like that and try to express myself through my style in the moment I’m feeling it.

W.D.: That’s what definitely drew us to your blog. Your style is so cute and feminine. It’s spot on for what we stand for: finding the joy in the simple things in life!
C.D: Haha thank you!

W.D.: How important is interaction through social media in what you do?
C.D.: Social media is essential, my blog is just another form of social media, a more personal and expressive one. Without other networking platforms no one would know of my blog’s existence and I’d essentially be talking to myself.

W.D.: Ok one last question, I saw on your blog that you would one day like to travel and explore different cultures. The owner and designer of Winky Designs has done her own share of travelling the world and gets a lot of her inspirations from that. What would you say is your dream destination is?
C.D.: India! The scenery, the food, the people would be totally out of my norm and comfort zone but I think I would love it. I think I would be turning my head back in forth saying “What is this?! I want to know! I want to taste it, I want to smell it! So I think a trip to India would be a dream to me!"

Our hats go off to this lovely fashionista blogger for being so open and warm and visiting us at our new store! Make sure to visit her blog Camila’s Closet and like her on Facebook and Instagram!

Downtown Container Park Grand Opening

Today we celebrated the grand opening of the Container Park in Downtown Las Vegas and it was absolutely Ah-mazing! Even though the morning was cold enough to make a Chicagoan feel at home, the love from the locals at the new mixed use space was enough to warm this Las Vegan’s (cold cold) heart.

There was everything from a juggling mime to awesome performances and speeches to kick off the ribbon cutting ceremony.

 

 

It has been a long arduous road to open up our first retail store, but nonetheless satisfying. We are thrilled to be able to offer all locals and visitors to Vegas a little taste of what we at Winky Designs are about: joy, laughter, and beautiful fashion watches and accessories.

Winky Designs is OPEN FOR BUSINESS!! Visit us on your next trip to Vegas and snag yourself some lovely bracelet watches (you can schedule us inbetween the clubbing and pub crawls ;) )

707 Fremont St. #2070 Las Vegas, NV 89101