Allyce King
Host, Designer, Author
Allyce is one of the two super energetic hosts for DIYStyle. She attends Stephens College in Columbia, MO, majoring in Fashion Design. Allyce has been sewing, crafting and making "unique things" since the age of six. Her first love though is Paddy, her VERY spoiled Yorkie, who thinks he can go everywhere with herÉeven the design lab at school! She adores fashion, sewing, designing, painting, drawing, crafting, scrapbooking, and (in limited doses) the outdoors. Always creating, Allyce continuously comes up with more sewing and creative project ideas than she can possibly execute! Allyce writes for several magazines, and is the co-author of a new book My Style, My Place, published by Krause Publications. Watch for a brand NEW pattern line out this Spring '08 from McCall's, "DIYStyle" designed by Allyce and her co-host Melissa Watson.
Melissa Watson
Host, Designer, Artist
Melissa is Allyce's "partner in crime" as host of DIYStyle. Currently a Business major in International Studies at Portland State University, Melissa also has a long standing background in apparel design with lots of sewing knowledge to share! Melissa is also an accomplished artist, and has had several art shows to her credit. She speaks fluent French, has studied Spanish and Italian, and will soon undertake Mandarin. She travels at every opportunity and has visited Europe, Australia, Brazil, France, and Mexico. She LOVES fashion, both design and merchandising, and is contemplating attending a fashion design school after graduation or to get her MBA.
Cindy Cummins
President, Executive Producer
Involved in the sewing industry for over 25 years, Cindy Cummins is finely tuned to the next new trend in sewing. She designed some of the first serger patterns, has written numerous articles and books, and has taught professionally all over the US. Before creating DIYStyle, she was the Education Director for the Sewing Dealers Trade Association. Cindy's passion for sewing was encouraged at an early age, and she is aware of the importance of education in reaching the next generation of sewers. With an M.S. Ed degree in Instructional Technology, as well as a B.S. in Clothing and Textiles, Cindy leads Creative Chicks Productions, devising instructional and entertaining content for the 20-something market.
Elizabeth Ann Cecchettini
Creative Director
Elizabeth is a freelance designer and writer specializing in fashion and home decor sewing, as well as quilt design. Her work has appeared in a variety of sewing, embroidery and quilting publications. Always scouring for unique ideas, Elizabeth finds inspiration in many places, from couture designer shops and flea markets to magazines and especially the environment around her. The possibility of one more person sewing something truly original motivates Elizabeth to create exciting and fashionable designs for DIYStyle.
Marcella Hawley
Art Director, Web Designer
As owner and creative director of Marcella Hawley Creative LLC, Marcella delights in creating "enthusiast" communications: web design and development, printed catalogs and advertising, illustration, logos and branding strategies. DIYStyle is a terrific collaboration, because do-it-yourself decorating is a major part of her everyday life! Before starting her own business in 2005, she was the art director of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine. Marcy was previously assistant to the art director at Martha Stewart Living.
Matthew Schmitt
Season 2: Vodcast/Video Production
Matt has a longheld fascination with video production, ever since his parents bought him a Fisher-Price movie camera at age 10. Matt went on to study film and television at Columbia College in Chicago. In 2003, he started his business, The Art of Film Productions, and has produced 3 programs for the St. Louis market. Matt also works closely with Drury Marketing, assisting with a nationally broadcast television show. Quite the young hipster himself with a keen eye for videography and video production, Matt hopes to deliver a great experience to the hip, young audience of DIYStyle.
Megan Cissell
Season 1: Cinematographer
Megan's cinematography is featured in the premiere season of DIYStyle vodcasts. A graduate of Columbia College with a B.A. in Cinematography and Producing, Megan is now in Los Angeles where she gets to work and play in the heart of the film and television industry. She has worked alongside top directors, producers and actors: Mark Stouffer, Deborah Martin Chase, Robert Duvall and Devon Sawa. She is an instructor at Freshi Film Worx where she teaches children the art of filmmaking.
John Dunne
Season 1: Vodcast/Video Production
The slicer and splicer of the video footage in our premiere season, John is pursuing his film career as a director/editor in LA. Experienced in set construction, light design and directing, John is a former member of a circus troupe, and later taught his own circus arts classes for 3 years. John grew up in Chicago and graduated from Columbia College.
What is DIYStyle?
DIYStyle is a biweekly vodcast (video podcast), an online community, and sew much more. We create an upbeat, fashion-forward show for a fresh audience of sewers and fashion-minded young women. Each vodcast is a magazine-format program featuring segments on sewing, design, crafting, and all things DIY. Each vodcast is ready to watch whenever, wherever on an iPod/media player or a computer.
Design It Yourself
Whether you choose DIY to mean "Do It Yourself", or our version, "Design It Yourself", the name DIYStyle says it all. Style. Fashion. Hip Home-Decor. We teach our audience to sew, from the ground up, sharing plenty of tips, suggestions, and new products along the way. DIYStyle segments include Design Inspiration, Projects, Superfast Sewing Tips, Rising Star Designer Interviews, Trendy Places, and Creative Spaces. But we've got a lot percolating for future seasons, so stay tuned.
Show and Tell
DIYStyle.net is an interactive community, a forum and meeting place for Creative Chicks (and a few Creative Guys, too!). Online photo galleries and forums supply plenty of expression, inspiration, help for both newbies and experienced sewers, and are a showplace for personal projects.
Blogs wrtitten by our hosts Allyce King and Melissa Watson, give us a peek into their busy, crazy--but fun lives. Look for new interactive features in the months to come... we can't stop coming up with ideas to share! Both Melissa and Allyce sleuth the stores, magazines, and fashion sites to forecast the trends, and bring you the skills for recreating your own style. Subscribe to the DIYStyle Vodcast and sign up now...you wonÕt want miss the important stuff.
