Inspirations
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Monday, February 4th, 2008
It is not often that I can say that I absolutely love a designers entire collection - but Ms. Donna Karan sure knocked me off of my feet this time. All the taste makers have been touting the return of the sleek silhouette with an 80’s vibe that makes all women look like Ferrari’s. UGH - just look at any department store and you will see so many cheap looking, patent leather/man made material shoes in an array of acid pop colors that you may develop a cavity. I don’t care that “shine’ is in, I just can’t take it any more. Amongst the rehash of the decade of extravagance Donna’s collection is a breath of fresh air - thank you Donna:) for giving the non thoroughbreds of the world hope!
The Fashion Designers Survival Guide & Craft INC. - A Review
Sunday, January 6th, 2008
Knowledge is power and when it comes to operating your own small business it can save you time and money. 2 books that I would recommend to any small business owner who is producing goods to be sold in the “luxury” market are The Fashion Designers Survival Guide & Craft INC. Both books dig right into the nitty gritty details like order fulfillment, industry standards and product distribution as wells as marketing and the importance of PR. The FDSG is a step by step manual filled with sample forms and warnings of wholesaling in a take no prisoners industry. I have read this book twice now and each time I have a hard time putting it down. Newbies to the design world receive practical strategies and advice from both big names and newcomers. The result is a ‘must’ for any aspiring fashion designer: packed with strategy, insights, and even checklists for success.
Craft, INC. a recent holiday gift, was a quick read. It was less intimidating than The FDSG, but still packed with a great deal of knowledge and a variety of different tips that the FDSG did not have. What I found particularly interesting were the interviews with some of today’s independent design superstars like Jonathan Adler, Lotta Jansdotter, Variegated INC., and Port2Press. Another bonus, the book design is absolutely scrumptious and the paper that it was printed on is smooth to the touch and delightful to hold.
Both books are on my must read list for any aspiring designer or small business owner. I have to admit that I was a bit exhausted from downloading all of the information in each book, so be ready to take out your notebook to start designing your mater plan.
Emerging Designer Nabs Distinction in Design Award
Thursday, October 11th, 2007Panther Yang, a local Minneapolis Design student, walked away with 1st place last week at Macy’s Distinction in Design competition. Yang focuses her attention on designing dresses with a younger silhouette - her garments are detailed and simple in their construction. They are wearable and have a certain versatility to them that for an accessorizer like myself is exciting! Panther is currently a design student and sells her pieces locally at Cliche’, a boutique that supports emerging designers.
The other designers that came in were an eclectic mix and ran the gammit from emerging to established and designed everything from knitwear design to shoe accessories. One designer even made underwear out of recycled t-shirts and though they were done well I couldn’t get past the fact that someone had perspired all over that fabric. It was enjoyable being a judge for the simple fact that I love seeing the concepts that others come up with and talkin design is always a good time!
MN Fashion Weekend
Wednesday, September 26th, 2007It’s been a while since I have been able to get a chance to blog, many thanks for your patience! Besides Nelle I work in PR and the last few weeks have been nutz! Never fear though, the 2008 collection is coming right along and will be launched with in the next few weeks.
Anywho, last week was Minnesota Fashion Weekend and though I did not have a chance to get to the events I made a point to catch the local designers new collections on line. This jacket is by Kjurek Couture and I have to say that I am smitten for it. You can check out more on MN Fashion Weekend and get caught up to speed on the Minneapolis design scene by gong to mnfashion.org.
Spring Fashion Week 2008- Is Nelle on Trend?
Saturday, September 8th, 2007
I generally start designing each new collection 9 months out from January 1 of the following year, example: my upcoming 2008 collection I started sketching out in March of 2007. I truly enjoy determining what my new line will be and use a series of “scientific” methods to establish the tone of each collection. These scientific methods include paying close attention to the under currents of the fashion world/independent design, new innovations, and following the general sources of fashion information. I also track a great deal of interior design/decorating as it is amazing how closely the two areas are linked.
What I have noticed is that there are usually 2 general themes running in fashion - right now it happens to be and eighties revival (ugh) and a focus on natural fibers juxtaposed with some opulence. My upcoming Nelle collection is the later and I will be using some similar techniques that are used through out these photos.
Some believe that there is no correlation between accessory design and runway -but I like to use the shows as a way to check my upcoming collection and make sure that it is on trend as well as complimentary of the season’s most exciting fashions. So, is Nelle 2008 on trend? It depends - mass market stores will snap up the 80’s trend because they can reproduce knock-offs at a low cost, however designer boutiques will carry through the looks presented by other designers that focus on the juxtaposition of natural fibers and opulence. Designer boutiques our my customers, therefore Nelle is on trend.
Simple Pleasures for Your Inner Goddess
Thursday, September 6th, 2007
I have two long chain link gold and silver necklaces that I wear with almost everything, these pieces are from my go to Minneapolis jewelry designer Stacey Johnson. Using precious metals and gemstones Stacey creates pieces that are a break from the ordinary. A majority of her work focuses on creating subtly stunning pieces that even the most cautious women adore. Stacey develops wonderful palettes using a variety of different gemstones. I recently bumped into Stacey at a local show and was able to grab a few shots and pick up another little something for myself.
She just launch a new website that tells a bit more about her and offers a way to contact her if you are interested in ordering a few pieces. www.staceyjohnsonjewelry.com
Stiching to Save a Dime
Friday, August 17th, 2007This weekend I went to Glamorama, one of the midwest’s hottest runway events. The show was very exciting and honestly quite a visual spectacle, the clothing was a grouping of Fall 2007 looks from the New York runways. It was a great night that got me thinking that I might take a shot sewing a stitch of clothing for myself in an effort to save as I dive head first into the Fall shopping season. My quest for unique patterns brought me to Etsy where I found some fabulous vintage patterns that I think with the right fabrics could be turned into some very “now” pieces. I am bit worried about taking on the task of sewing clothing so please if anyone has any tips or tricj=ks of the trade that they would like to share I am all ears
I adore the classic styles of these shirt dresses and think that with a heavy textured tight, ballet flats and a turtle these little dresses would be a fun statement piece to have in my wardrobe for Fall. Then I came across this vintage skating dress pattern and though I am not going to make this for myself I got excited due to my past skating history and thought what fun it would be to frame the drawings on the pattern sleeves to decorate the walls of my sewing room.
A Pleasure in Composition
Wednesday, August 8th, 2007
This past weekend I ended up at the Loring Park Art Fair in Minneapolis where I came across a stunning little bit of work by photographer, Robert Meyer. I have a small background in photography, it was a minor of mine in school, so I tend to get a bit excited when I see an image that’s composition is breathtaking. Robert wasn’t there but I had a chance to speak with his assistant Michelle about a few of the pieces and about the show circuit etc… She was quite helpful, as I was torn in particular between two images; one of 3 horses and one of a winter landscape. The winter landscape was what pulled me across the festival and into the booth so in the end I selected it, but I must say that I still am dwelling a bit over the composition of the horses, it was an absolutely stunning image. What I really appreciated about each of his pieces was their sense of scale and proportion to the subject matter. Included is a shot from the booth as well as a shot of the winter landscape that I brought home. Each morning I wake up and this little print is a perfect visual treat! Roberts’ work’s simplicity of form and it’s delicacy are such an inspiration.
