Ladylike Lovely: February 2012

Monday, February 27, 2012

What is happening in my studio these days...

These past few weeks I've been working on a futuristic piece inspired by Cubism. I was really drawn into the geometry and using extreme shapes in my designs. I looked a lot towards Sonia Delaunay's designs in the 1920's and I loved her use of color but I also wanted to make it more futuristic or almost space like. So I began with this preliminary sketch:

And finally ended up with this design:

I really love the direction I'm headed with this piece. It's different from my normal aesthetic and I've enjoyed pushing the boundaries of what I'm used to doing. The catch is that the piecing is taking way longer than I expected. On the middle of the jacket I have 4 triangle pieces on the front and 4 on the back. Because of the layers of fashion fabric, fusing, batting, and facing those 4 finished pieces are actually 40 pieces! And that's just the middle detail.

The sleeves are also complicated with several layers, but I'm loving how its turned out. They are very stiff and have great structure so that they stick out from the body and create the silhouette I'm looking for. They almost look like Lady Gaga sleeves.

And finally this is where I am right now, about to sew all the piecing of the shell together. So far so good, the zipper went in a lo easier than expected and for the first time ever I've done all I can and I'm happy with how it turned out!

It's done from preliminary sketch to final space suit!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Stories and Themes 2012

Spring/Summer 2012 is all about Geometrics.

Designers such as Mal Amiee, and Mara Hoffman create unusual style lines tracing shape after shape of bright colors and patterns. The color story for Spring/Summer 2012 is all about deep bluish green, sunny yellow, tickle me pink, periwinkle, and bright orange. I was inspired by the unusual shape of the Hugues Klein, red pod chair, as well as Cantao's wooden stack bracelets. For spring the mini dress is always in style, but Lorena Sarbu reinvents the typical mini made entirely of pieced geometric shapes in a breath taking periwinkle blue. Obviously the bikini is the likely choice for summer, but be sure to pick one Mara Hoffman's brightly colored high rise bottoms. You could mix and match with any color or pattern for a chic, easy style.

Lady Blues is brightening up this Fall/Winter 2012.

Every hue and gradient of lady like blue will be seen this Fall/Winter season. The color story for Fall/Winter 2012 is filled with colors like robin's egg, deep sea, bright blue, turquoise, and baby blue. I was excited by this Anthropologie gradient love seat, and its Victorian style framing. Peep toed booties are an excellent accessory to your collared sheath dress as well as over sized fedoras and bows. Accessories like small velvet carrying bags will be the finishing touch on your outfit. Wool, velvet, and silk are what this winter is all about, so don't be afraid to mix textures in an outfit.

Would you wear a Mara Hoffman geometric bikini with wooden stacked bracelets to the beach this summer? Or maybe an unusual bright colored mini dress to a garden party?

Or are you more interested in stepping out in a subtly sexy bright blue sheath dress and velvet peep toe booties? Too refined? Maybe you're more interested in spunky accessories like an over sized fedora and baby blue tights?

I would love to hear your opinion, just drop me a comment.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Fashion for 2012

I believe the biggest influence on fashion for 2012 will be the threat of an apocalypse. Because of our obsession with the end of the Mayan calendar on December 21st, I think we will see trends of a post apocalyptic look.

Thinking about an apocalypse I think the style will become more about utilizing our clothes as protection. The colors and textures will mimic a now nomadic earth. Gray, tan, peach, orange red, gold, ivory, brown. We will see lots of accessories that add texture like fur, feathers, and natural stones.

It’s a nomadic look of layers, textures and expressive details that will dominate 2012.