Louise Gray, SS 2011

So if you have been following along, you know I have a love of braids with ribbons, which I didn't think could be trumped until I came across Louise Gray's amazing ribbon head dress.  Yes I would be too insecure to wear such a thing on my head, but maybe in a smaller dose someone could pull it off.  This drawing doesn't do it justice because I went ribbon overboard and it looks like multicolor hair.  

Comic Symposium

This past week I went to a comic symposium hosted by SAIC where I hoped to learn how other comic artists get their work out there to the masses.  It was a panel discussion, which proved to be some what annoying and I really wished they just had one person speak about their experience from A to Z.  None the less attending got me thinking about  how I have to stop putting it off and start putting my stuff out there via a website and etsy.  It was very inspiring to see artists and small time presses be able to devote their day to their art work.  I hope that I too will be able to take that leap of faith and through hard work follow in their footsteps.

So I have been thinking of how this blog will change and if I should add new posts of my other work and slim down the fashion component, since that not the whole picture.  What do you think?

I don't want this to be just another style/fashion blog.  Do we really need more of those?  This series started as a way for me to play with and explore my feminine side, which tends to hide after a lifetime of being a tomboy and not wanting to bring attention to myself (anxiety provoking).  But some how that focus gets lost when I begin writing about the designers and why I picked each look.  Maybe a simple change in what I write will help the readers (all 15, follow if you don't already) take something deeper from these illustrations.

So you are at the start of an adventure.  You are a gold card's member of this blog who has been here from the beginning.  If I ever make it big I will take you to Australia like Oprah did with her audience.  Thanks for sticking around and following as I try to navigate this blog.  Stay tuned and any comments, thoughts, or suggestions would be appreciated.

Designskolen Kolding, SS 2011

From the name I think you can guess this look come from Copenhagen's fashion week.  Kolding School of Design puts out the show, unfortunately I could not find the name of this designer.  So if you know let me know (avid 15 readers)  Seriously if you read this blog and are not a follower, just push that follow button and know that you will warm my heart at the thought of someone paying attention.

The shy girl in me blushes at the thought of wearing this outfit in real life.  The red under layer is very web like, and the texture obsessed lover of fiber art in me finds it hard to resist.   I can't help but think that some where a Granny who crochets beautiful items for her grandkids also makes seductive crochet outfits.  Below is Crystal Gregory who creates web-like fiber creations.

Crystal Gregory (image from her site), calls her series "the invasive crochet series".  Now that I know the title I love it more.  She goes around and crochets in urban areas, similar to yarn bombing.

Yesterday I was talking about being a hidden hermit with ribbons in my braids.  I believe I would also have a crocheted fence to mark my territory.

Do you ever dream of a hermit life?  I can't be the only one.

Tokuko, SS 2011

I got a bone to pick with Style.com, who doesn't cover Copenhagen or Tokyo fashion week.  I always take a minute to look because a lot of the designs are more artsy and less trying to make wearable daywear.  Its really annoying because I have to hunt for coverage (thank god for google).  

Going with this weeks theme, how could I refuse a look that has buns and braids with ribbons!  If I was a hermit and you went to search for me I could be found barefoot with braided ribbons in my hair.  A word of warning, approach me slowly and throw food and color pencils, so I know you mean no harm. 

So of course funky hair do's make me think of Frida and Leia, but it was really cool to come across Miao tribe, which lives in SW China.  They have a traditional hair-do called the "longhorn".  

"On special occasions and during festivals, the women construct an elaborate headpiece utilizing the clan's namesake long horn. These horns are first fixed to the women's real hair, then a highly structured decorative bun of linen, wool and ancestral hair are wrapped in a figure eight around the horn. The hair is then secured to the horn by a geometric white ribbon. This headdress, together with the native costumes, composes the standard attire for festival season."pilotguide.com by Amy Jurries

While it might be a hassle to sit by someone on a plane wearing the longhorn hair do, its so cool and puts the vegas show girl's head pieces to shame.

Jazz Katze, SS2011

I believe this is a designer who showed at Tokyo Fashion Week.  I am not sure if the designer also designed the necklace, but it makes the look for me. It reminds me of Rachel Udell's work who is an artist (and past classmate) that uses free form crochet to make amazing soft sculptures.  Here are some images I took from her website to show you what I mean:

rachel udell image

rachel udell image

Plus with the short curly fro how could you not like this whole look?  Its too bad that my hair is thin and very straight.  Maybe I will get a perm like Mr. Brady did in the later seasons of the Brady Bunch to fulfill my short curly hair fantasy.

This week's inspiration

This past week I did a lot of things blog related.  I attended a comic symposium at SAIC and the Zine Fest at Columbia college this past weekend.  So look forward to hearing what I got out of those two events as this week goes on.

                        

This weeks inspiration is brought to you by texture and amazing hair-do's.  From short curly fro hair to braids like Princess Leia, I am sure thats what drew me to my pics and oh how I wish my hair was longer so I could have fun braids and project my inner Frieda Kahlo.  

                          

Antonio Berardi, Spring 2011

A dress for Michelle.  This dress makes me think of my friend Michelle and her obsession with textures. It also reminds me of her amazing purses that she once made...check them out here

Mark Fast, Spring 2011

So here is one of those looks where I was not drawn to it because of its functionality or my desire to wear it...I just couldn't resist the use of lines and texture.  Its a common theme that I am drawn too in art, below is one of my favorite artists who uses texture and repeated lines in her work, Annette Messenger:

Carven, Spring 2011

I fell for the silhouette of this dress and the way it plays off the shoe's silhouette.  For better or worse it gives me a Mickey Mouse feel.  It also made me think of a famous Helmut Newton photograph

Basso & Brooke, Spring 2011

I was going through an art history book and Rauschenberg's Canyon stuck out for me and I thought of this dress.  Maybe its just the color scheme, but they also share a similar feeling rugged, rough, pieced together, and composition wise perfect.  In other words both are beautiful, but not necessarily in a  tradition way.

here is what the experts have to say: "By virtue of the baseline maximalist nature of their digital prints, you'd never classify Bruno Basso and Christopher Brooke's work as minimal. But today's collection had a real kind of serenity. Brooke stripped silhouettes of nearly every bit of excess detail. Nearly". style.com,  Meenal Mistry  

David Elfin, Spring 2011

This outfit gives me a sci-fi feel....a high end sci-fi feel.  So if ever I go to Mars and have to introduce my self to the martians I guess I will wear this.  And to help get us all in the mood for sci-fi fashion: 

Albino, Spring 2011

This hat would be perfect for city wearing.  This way you can people watch without getting noticed.  Actually I think people would notice this hat walking down the street, since hats are no longer seen as essential, but more a novelty, which is a shame.  I say back to hat wearing and definitely back to long dress/skirt wearing!  Below are some great examples of big hats (perfect for people watching)

 

Albino, Spring 2011

How can you resist a pop of color?

Marc Jacobs, Spring 2011

This dress is a bright amazing purple.  If it was black I might of overlooked it.  Off the shoulder sleeves, short flowy dress, unusual green neck piece...yes please.  I almost don't want to spend time talking about Marc Jacobs because who doesn't already know how amazing he is and what hasn't been said already.  Except, that I don't understand how someone can crank out so many idea for three different shows per season.  It would be great to sit in on his creative process and see how he does it.  The way he channels his creativity is inspiring.  If you are interested in seeing how he does it on youtube is a documentary about him putting his Spring 2007 line together. Below is an excerpt.

Marc Jacobs, Spring 2011

I have been wanting to draw this one for a while! The hairdo alone sold me.  Its one of my favorite looks of his collection.  With the cut of the jacket and bow it makes me think of Cindy Brady.  I doubt Marc was using Cindy as a muse, but its about time someone does!  She had some great looks with her crazy short dresses, knee socks, and pigtails.

Marc Jacobs, Spring 2011

So we are moving on from Footloose references to Marc Jacobs who was inspired by the 70's.  I found myself more drawn to the looks that were less glam-70's and more flowy and loose.  

D&G, Spring 2011

If I had to attend a chicken-tractor race perhaps I would wear this.  If you don't know what I am talking about you better watch the clip below and enjoy the fashion and music!

D&G, Spring 2011

This may be a stretch, but this dress totally makes me think of the movie "Footloose".  Long, flowly, and perfect for wearing to a religious/conservative town's first dance.

Adam, Spring 2011

When I was posting this I was listening to a little Ani and a song that never really stuck out for me came on and my thoughts, with this song, and this particular post all seemed to belong together.

"Grey" - Ani Difranco

the sky is grey, the sand is grey, and the ocean is grey. i feel right at
home in this stunning monochrome, alone in my way. i smoke and i drink and
every time i blink i have a tiny dream. but as bad as i am i'm proud of the
fact that i'm worse than i seem. what kind of paradise am i looking for? i've
got everything i want and still i want more. maybe some tiny shiny thing will
wash up on the shore. you walk through my walls like a ghost on tv. you
penetrate me and my little pink heart is on its little brown raft floating out
to sea. and what can i say but i'm wired this way and you're wired to me, and
what can i do but wallow in you unintentionally? what kind of paradise am i
looking for? i've got everything i want and still i want more. maybe some tiny
shiny key will wash up on the shore. regretfully, i guess i've got three
simple things to say. why me? why this now? why this way? overtone's ringing,
undertow's pulling away under a sky that is grey on sand that is grey by an
ocean that's grey. what kind of paradise am i looking for? i've got everything
i want and still i want more. maybe some tiny shiny key will wash up on the
shore. 

John Galliano, Spring 2011

John, you were always one of my favorite, never afraid to gets artsy and put on a show, but your recent racist rant is a shame and your ruining this dress for me, which was one of my favorites of the season mostly for the bright blue thigh highs and jane austen-esk hat.   Hows that for a run on sentence?  

janeaustensoci.freeuk.com

Rochas, Spring 2011

Its hard to resist not showing another Rochas's number that shows off the collaboration with Slotts Barbro. Each dress has so much detail, detail that I would never have the patience to draw.

Dolce and Gabbana, Spring 2011

Again flowy/light dress and a little printed jacket....what can I say I am a sucker for that kind of contrast.  Flowy dresses don't really work in Chicago due to the wind, but this number could inspire me to give it a try.  Here is what the experts have to say about the collection: 

"Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are coming off a big year, in which they celebrated the 25th anniversary of their business. What better way to move into their next quarter century, their thinking went, than with the blank slate of an almost all-white collection? The idea behind this quite lovely show, the designers explained backstage, was a hope chest. That is, the things new and handed down that a bride might pack before she sets off on the next chapter of her life".  style.com, Nicole Phelps

Vivienne Westwood Red Label, Spring 2011

Vivienne you never disappoint! I love the print and the flow of the dress and I really love the face paint!  Feel free to invite me to one of your shows, I will gladly wear war paint for you.

Rochas, Spring 2011

Blind man glasses, knee highs, flowy skirt, and printed jacket....sold!  Marco Zanini collaborated with Slotts Barbro a swedish artist  to make prints for Rochas's spring line.  Maybe that explains why I was drawn to the collection, the inner swede in me was connecting with Barbro's bow to Scandinavia.  Here is what the pro's have to say about the collaboration: "Six months ago, he got in touch with her about putting her work on his runway; the paintings he commissioned were then captured on silk and transformed by artisans in Como, Italy, where they know how to do such things. Which is how it happened that at the Rochas show, the striking patterns employed had a definite Scandinavian air of what might be called sophisticated naïveté".  Lynn Yaeger, Vogue.com

                                                                 close up of real jacket

www.dalademokraten.se

Here is a picture of Barbro doing her thing.  note the VERY swedish sweater, which reminds me of...

Alexander McQueen

The structure of this dress is amazing and so is the print, check out the real thing at style.com.  

While the silhouettes of each look vary, this week's looks are inspired by floral motifs.  They make me think of old tapestries, john phael's pictures, jane austen attire, and laid back hippie attitude.  

I have been a rushed blogger and have forgotten to pay attention to where I got the images.  Sorry - I will try to do this next time.