A Year of Pretty - March 01, 2014

Here we are, the first of March. February was a bit of a blur (okay, a whole big bit of a blur) because I was designing for two shows at the same time, both happening within the same week. Luckily, both shows had the same theme of The Great Gatsby.

Now it is the beginning of a new month. Time to start thinking about new projects. Which means time to be inspired .. .new ideas, new colour palettes, new textures, new tones.

Today's Pretty Post is another palette swatch designed by Design Seeds. This one is called "tagged hues".

I've written about Design Seeds before, and it's a great site for gaining inspiration from everyday items and coming up with beautiful colour combinations, like the one shown here. I will probably post a couple of these over the next few days.

Design away my friends . . . Design away !

A Year of Pretty - January 08, 2014

In a little over six weeks time, I will be participating in two design showcases; one on February 22nd, the other on February 27th. Luckily, the theme for both showcases is the same: The Great Gatsby.

Which brings me to today's Pretty Post. The photo is from a tumblr post which no longer exists, so I have no original source. Sorry.

So what does chosen theme represent to me? Besides the obvious beading and fringe and feathers and dropped waist lines, Gatsby is a state of mind. It is elegance, it is decadence. It is the beginnings of women cutting their hair into short bobs, of forgoing the previous decades (centuries) of corsets and hip paniers and other foundation garments meant to alter the female torso into the "ideal" shape. 

It's the start of a more free time, a looser time (both in dress and in morals). It's fun, it's flirty, it's here to drink champagne and dance the night away.

I am striving for six looks. I'm very excited about this challenge simply because I get excited about beading and trims and lace and whispy dresses like those shown in the picture. Although, the front beaded one probably weighs a few pounds.

I'm going to stay with a lighter colour palette; pinks and gold and champagne wishes and caviar dreams. Basically, if you took the black garments out of this picture, you'd have my colour palette. This means these six new pieces will mix well with the five looks I created for my first collection back in September. Ah ha! smart thinking !

So get out your feather boa and stay tuned while my creative process begins, my late night struggles to get things done endures and I try to recreate the fabulousness that is The Great Gatsby.

Have you Missed me ?

I have been away, I mean, I haven't gone anywhere physically, but I've been away from here. From this blog. It seems like just a couple weeks, but in truth it's been months.

Life ran away with me. Or rather, I ran away with life. Together we eloped into a frenzy of office work, fashion sketching, pattern drafting, muslin making garment construction and (horror of horrors) . . . restaurant work. A second full time job.

Yes, despite my previous thoughts of not returning to work in a restaurant, the $13,000.00 for a new roof and balcony had other ideas. So back to prostituting my soul table side for $$ I go ! Okay . . . I'll admit I do love the industry, but no the long hours and the effect it has on my sleeping pattern, my eating pattern, my aching back-knees-calves-and-feet pattern. Essentially . . . my life pattern.

And silly me, I did this heading into the last term of my graduate program. Yes, I am crazy. Or a glutton for punishment. Or destined for design disaster. Time to tell. Time that I don't have . . . for things like this blog.

Because if you're paying attention, I now work 40 hours in the office, 35 hours at the restaurant and 12 hours at school, plus about 10 hours of homework. That's 97 hours per week. Yeh, I'm gonna have to go with "crazy" on this one.

So I think the next little while will be about posting inspirations and ideas and less about writing and actual "blog" blogging.

A blog without any real "blogging". Or blog writing.

You get the picture. Or you will, because there will be a lack of blogging.
Just pictures.
Which you will get.

Beautiful Flocked Ivy Silk Art Fabric by FabricMart

Today on Etsy - March 12, 2013

Today's fabulous find on Etsy is this hand designed and embroidered hand bag by atelierrococo in Santiago, Chile.

The silk fabric bag is embroidered with both colourful threading, beads and silk ribbon.

This is a whimsical bag to add to your everyday wardrobe and would be sure to garner you many compliments. Or, use it to jazz up a simple evening outfit or for attending a summer garden party or wedding.

The bag is individually made and one of a kind. Which means you will not bump into someone with the same bag as you, or inadvertently put your keys into someone else's look-alike Michael Kors or Coach hand bag at the next summer bbq party.
(been there . . . done that)

Today on Etsy - January 24, 2013

Soft pink and dove grey? Yes please! What a charming and fun bracelet from KIMMSMITH.

Wear it with black, wear it with white. Or navy blue. Or chocolate brown.

Wear it with jeans or with a cocktail dress. And so pretty with a soft grey suit set or blazer.

 

Would make a great Valentine's gift for a mother or daughter; or if a guy is a little squimish about giving something red or too fancy-smancy to the lady in his life because she hasn't been in it all that long. (You know what I mean, that awkward "We've only been dating a month....what do I give her?" situation).

There are several other colours to choose from, and lots of options for brides, bridesmaids, mother of the bride, mother of the groom, for prom, for the spring formal dance.....or simply just because.

Today on Etsy - January 23, 2013

One of the best things on the internet beside those LOL cats? PDF patterns. Just look at this pretty bolero style shrug. The pattern comes from BernioliesDesigns.

The nice thing about a PDF pattern is that it usually comes to your email Inbox within 24 hours, there is no shipping cost, and you can access it any time or re-print it as need be.

And of course with a pattern, you can make your project any colour you choose. Add beads, sequins or buttons. Thread a ribbon through the lacework of the sleeves and neckline.

In other words, make it your own. Make it work.

Today on Etsy - January 14, 2013

mmmmmm…lace.
 
Somebody once gave me a card that read, “I love you like vintage loves lace”. Which is pretty à propos, because I love lace. Not the stretchy cheap stuff you find tacked onto panties and tank tops at Walmart, but the real good stuff. Alençon lace, Venice lace, lace from Spain used to make elegant mantillas.

I’ve been researching lace for my upcoming design projects. I’ve decided on Alençon lace or point d'Alençon for several reasons. Alençon lace is has a raised, slightly corded edge to it. This makes it easier to work with for couture designs, where the lace is hand appliqued to the garment. It can be cut to suit the design of the garment, since there is an easily defined pattern repeat. It doesn’t fray as readily. It is often embroidered or beaded, so I don’t have to spend the extra time or money to do this. And it definitely has that vintage lace feel.

Here is a picture of the pieces I've bought from MaryNot Martha to use for my fianl designs / runway presentation. Great selection of all kinds of lace, trims, feathers and millinery accessories. Super prices, fast shipping and based in sunny Pasadena....not overseas. I've bougt from this Etsy seller a couple of times and have always been happy when the package arrives.

The trouble is choosing which pieces I like without spending the bank. Self control and I don't always see eye to eye when it comes to things like lace and buttons.

Today on Etsy - January 01, 2013

Yes, it is the first day of a new year. And in keeping with the goal of moving forward and focusing on creativity and my designing....I present you with some fabrics from FabricMart.

There are so many things I would want to make with these fabrics. I'm in the process of designing five looks for my final school project. Not five garments, but five looks. Each look will have two or three pieces. For example, instead of just a dress, there is a dress with a jacket. Another look is a pair of pants with a top with a bolero. Yes, I am designing a bolero.

In total, I will have 16 pieces to make up my five looks. By the end of June. I know, it's a bit daunting. But outside of my full time day job, it's my focus.

Back to the fabrics.

These all are in my colour palette for Pre-Fall 2014. These particular fabrics will work well for the dress and the lining of the jacket. I hope to post sketches soon.

It's going to be hard to choose

 

In the Garden . . . . and off to Victoria, BC

I have a new camera lens...so I thought I'd share a couple quick shots with you before I head out this weekend. Note the sprinkler was on overnight...hence the water droplets.

I'm taking my parents to Victoria, BC for a couple days. We'll meet up with my brother and his girlfriend for some family time. You see, my brother has been in the HMS Algonquin for the past three months, and he has a few days shore leave.

I'm taking my camera with me (but of course!). Victoria has a fair number of gardens, as well as heritage homes. We are staying at a B&B in an old mansion, so there will be lots of shots of the house and the grounds as well.

I'm really looking forward to this quick getaway. It's been some time since I've had a chance to travel. Okay, okay . . .so Victoria isn't really a big trip for me. It's a 90 minute car ferry across the water. But still, sometimes it's good to just get out of town.

And it will be the first time my mom has been away since we went to Seattle in Feb 2011. Dad doesn't travel much; I'm surprised Mom got him to agree to go. He's happiest in the yard with his garden and flowers. And looking at these beauties here, who would blame him?

There are only a couple weeks left before I head back to school and a full schedule again. Three classes this term: Collection Illustration, Couture and Draping. Pretty excited, since couture sewing and fabric draping are two areas I will need to focus on for my collection. It's all starting to come together . . .

Anyhow, enjoy the photos. Happy Weekend !

Basil Soda

Oh happy day when I stumble upon a new designer. Well, new to me at least. I swooned for days when first exposed to Elie Saab. I fell in love with Reem Acra within minutes. Now I am head over heels in love with Basil Soda. How did I NOT KNOW about this designer?

I think celebrities should really try to mention where a designer is from when those red carpet hosts ask the all important question, "who are you wearing?" For example, "Vancouver designer Catherine Regehr" or "Basil Soda from Lebanon". Case in point? Katy Perry in Basil Soda as seen here at the 2009 Grammy Awards. I don't know, it may be just me, but I like to know where a designer is from. Point of reference I guess. It also makes their names / brands easier to search, and to find out if the designer has their brand readily available in North America. But I guess they have a lot on their minds. As a designer though; if I'm lending out a pricey gown to be viewed by millions world wide.....I would hope the celebrity would remember to give me a decent "shout out".

AND… it’s interesting that my favourite designers Saab, Acra and Soda along with Zuhair Murad, are all Lebanese designers. I don’t know if it’s something in the water in Lebanon, but I do know that I could lust after these creations for some time to come.

Blue Hues

Just a quick post with this beautiful collection I discovered with gradiant blue hues....like waves of the ocean ....perfect for summer.

Design Inspiration - part 2

I won't lie . . .every time I see this picture in my "virtual closet", I lose control of the function in the lower half of my jaw. Extreme gorgeousness.There were no details with the original photo, so I can't even credit the designer. But whomever they are . . .so inspired !

Layers upon layers of fabric without creating bulk. And seemlingly light weight and a flutter. Stunning colour, like a summer rose in bloom. Simply stunning. Simply amazing.

This dress would not need much in the way of accessories . . but of course would need the perfect pair of shoes. Might I suggest these by Parisxox . . . .


le sigh . . off to Fashion Design class I go . . .

More Shoes - take 3

have I mentioned I adore shoes? Well, I do. Here are the pair I am lusting after today:



A girl could easily fall in love with this pair. And really? . . .wouldn't blame her.

Little Bit of Lovely - version 2.0

If it's true that April showers bring May flowers, then I would like my May flowers to be in the form of this dress. Gorgeousness!

I'm sorry, I've lost who the designer is. It could be Elie Saab. It has the silhouette of an Elie Saab. I don't know. But if perhaps you do, please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due.

In the meantime . . le sigh . . ..

Beautiful Baubles 2

oh how these would make a prefect birthday gift . . .. just saying (wink, wink).

Simple yet elegant design by Designs by Jocelyn. Dress them up, dress them down. Work, grocery shopping, dinner and dancing. Super versitle. Yes please !