why do the gymnasts wear those funny little outfits?….I assume the long sleeves serve a purpose but why all the sparkles and everyone in too much make-up and a pony-tail?….the swimmers look like creatures from another planet but at least it’s a very contemporary one….the runners look mostly cool (and really really thin)….it’s just the female gymnasts who dress like budget Barbies….a matte finish leotard, less eye shadow and a chic short haircut would look amazing and match their unbelievable skills….just my opinion….
starting to be bored with summer and planning what to wear for fall….these are what I need from my collection…..(well, maybe there will be a few more later)….
now it’s about figuring out what colors………..
or husband, or father, or big friend….an oversized piece that’s worn with other smaller tighter pieces….it’s all about proportions…..
I’m working on the anti-granola green suit for spring 2009….in a hemp and silk fabric that looks really sharp and feels realy great….in black (not green…..)……
hemp is thought to be the oldest cultivated fiber plant….it is grown without pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers and is naturally resistant to bacteria and mold…..
the sustainable tux……………..
too much reality today….I started sketching and nothing wearable came out….it was a lot of fun…..
the jewelry dress….was big in some other era (everyone here knows the term but no one knows where it comes from)…..really simple styles so you can pile on the accessories…..
off to the beach….nothing more to say….
a trend I’m fascinated by….like slow food but to put on your body instead of in it…..pure ingredients/materials…quality cooking/workmanship…and some personal spice/flavor/color/accessory…..
pure minimalism….I was thinking about Zoran….I tried Google but nothing much came up so I sketched from memory….not sure if it’s fresh or just layered and boxy….
I was thinking about iconic shirt images…..what becomes a legend most….so old they might be new….
Almost everything is computerized but sketching still seems to be essential to the design process….I sketch (almost) everything and (almost) every day….it’s the first step from the idea to the finished product….
this is an evening coat in black silk organza….I’m imagining lots of volume but almost no weight….an instant drama item….
these are jacket ideas….small and round….a classic blazer….double breasted and sort of military….peter pan fundamentalist….belted wrap….collarless….
sometimes I work backwards and the fashion has to fulfill a need….a grown up and professional dress for an urban summer day….this is a simple sheath dress in organic cotton twill but with an asymetrical neckline and macramae belt….
smooth sleek slick polished surfaces and clean linear silhouettes with a sudden funny surreal element, a touch of evil, and a strong seductive quality – evening gowns should be like this…..
I tried to sew a button and became obsessed with handwork….there’s something very special and luxurious in an anti-luxury way about hand sewing….this dress is from the ’20’s….cutton tulle and wool flowers all stiched by hand….trying to incorporate elements of this in my very minimal modern designs………
a clear blue sky….the shimmering aqua of pool water….coolest tones on a hot summer day….exhale and think pure white cottons and tall frosted glasses…..
channeling Raymond Chandler and old Hollywood glamour….I’m inspired to get my hair done, dress for dinner and wear make-up but maybe that is also a thing of the past….
maybe the artist was thinking hands but I’m in fashion….beautiful in the tree and inspiring for next winter’s wardrobe….
at Figment* outdoor arts festival that was held on Governor’s Island in NYC this weekend….full disclosure and credit: this is my husband’s sculpture that was exhibited there…..thank you Jarret Verga for the awesome photo…..
at the the Battery Maritime Building Playing The Building an Installation by David Byrne.... everyone that visits is casual…. I’m imagining the clothes to fit the art and space….a ball gown in recycled cotton, a Victorian inspired but very techno suit, something in pure ivory to reflect the light……what would you wear?
“Wafrica” by Serge Mouvangue, an interior and industrial designer from Cameroon……two continents, historic costumes and a modern aesthetic……I found these on Diane Pernet’s blog.
at The NYC Opera Thrift Shop’s annual DIVA shopping event….cocktails and fashion and fabulous friends….the surprise was a brief performance by Heather Johnson… really really beautiful music….I wish this blog could sing…..www.nycopera.com
it’s really hard to have a sense of humor with sable but Michael Zimmer does it perfectly with this collar…..on a summer evening, dressed down and perfectly matching his hair…..huge “Wow” factor yet very subtle and wearable…..
went to the NY Botanical Garden for the Henry Moore exhibit but nothing can compete with nature….even the dandelion was beautiful in the sunshine….
a Venus Flytrap: the ultimate in glamorous, sexy, slightly evil plants……
really really hot outside and ultra air-conditioned inside….trying to find a balance….
look closely and obliterate your routine routine routine routine….
in the middle of Times Square…..everything is sensory overload but this very simple signage leapt out….I love that it’s an ad for something good……
does fashion have to be wearable to be good?…..is really great fashion still really great fashion if no one wears it because they don’t have the lifestyle, body, income, whatever…..is fashion art or design or something else entirely…..is all clothing fashion? is all fashion clothing?…..I saw so many beautiful and inspiring things today but my brain is on overload…..does anyone else worry or care about any of these things?…..
Thinking summer….I wanted an image that expressed a smile and Linda sent me this photo of Coltrane…..I’m not sure it’s fashion but he’s the epitome of sporty chic and it made me smile…..
trying hard to get creative for Spring 09…..I’m feeling for soft and draped but also more architectural and very simple and focussed on the pure beauty of the fabric and the way silk feels against your skin…..I unrolled some big pieces of fabric on the floor to play with and took this picture…..
I meant this blog to be only about beautiful and inspiring images but I was researching organic cotton suppliers yesterday and came across Wellstone Mills…..They make organic yarns and they have a garment division that makes US military battle dress uniforms, dress clothing for military recruits and postal uniforms for US postal employees….
They are probably the most successful clothing company in America right now….I wonder how much each battle uniform costs? (your tax dollars at work if you’re an American….)
I also wonder if any of these things are made from organic cottons……
We went to then Brooklyn Museum to see the Murakami show which is AMAZING and WONDERFUL but and then we saw other inspiring visuals….this is looking down at the atrium….we think they are replacing all the skylights…..
the major inspirational discovery was Art Smith….the show is “From The Village To Vogue: The Modernist Jewelry of Art Smith”….more info at www.brooklynmuseum.org
a few pieces of Mr. Smith’s work are for sale at www.auerbachmaffia.com (including this piece)….if I collected anything I would buy this…..
the weird beauty of the modern world…..this year is about Beijing but Shanghai is getting ready for the World Expo in 2010…..these little blue guy’s to promote it are everywhere…..we thought they looked like something we got at the dentist’s office…..
slightly tragic beauty….Plaza 66 is Shanghai’s most famous and upscale luxury mall (Vuitton, Channel, etc…). On a Saturday afternoon it was almost completely empty except for these musicians…..
