Stars » fashion design

London’s Calling

zannestar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:03:52 +0000

Sure, I’ve been listening The Clash, but I’ve also been watching what’s been coming down the runway. I think that if I were able to ramp up my wardrobe, I’d be pulling my key pieces from Charles Anastase’s Fall 09 collection (or here). It’s the right amount of “punk” for me. I like the jackets, the layers, the plaids, the stripes and the colors. I like the shoes, but I can’t chase Iz through the grocery store in those. I mean for real.

(image is from Fashionista, which you must visit, totally love the runway shots!)

Punk Plaids

zannestar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:49:58 +0000

I love exploring the Victoria & Albert Museum website. It’s on my list of places to visit. In the meantime, I spend many hours doodling through their fabulous exhibits. I’ve been making Tartans via the Vivienne Westwood Tartan Maker. You should make some too.

Ball Gowns

zannestar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:07:06 +0000

Christian LaCroix Kai Milla

Diane Von Furstenberg Chado Ralph Pucci

Exciting times in the fashion industry. Design ideas for Michelle Obama’s Inagural Ball Gown. Click here to see the sketches. Via Huffington Post.

Yummy Delicious Costumes

zannestar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:59:35 +0000

I love movies. Like books, I love getting lost in them.

I watched Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette the other night. I could watch it over and over and over and over. The movie as a whole was ok, kind of boring, except. Except for the overall Art Direction. BRILLIANT!!!! Eye candy. Totally. And as a lover of fashion, the costumes were just breathtaking. The colors, the fabrics, the sets, the jewelry, the shoes (did you catch the pink converse?), the hair, and even the food. I just drank it all up. In fact, I want the DVD so I can pause over each scene and drink it in even more. The lighting was just perfect for all the colors and textures and fabrics. The hair was delicious. Makes me love rich pastel-ly fruity color combinations.

I found this wonderful site: The Costumes of Marie Antoinette | The Movies and the Woman, that can tell you more about the pictures and history of the costumes, and which costumes can be seen in other films. Prepare to spend a few hours, it’s a great resource.

Sandra Backlund

zannestar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:43:29 +0000

I just knit a hat. I love my hat. (pictures later)

Sandra Backlund has knit some incredible fantastic amazing outfits.

I first saw her work in one of my issues of Selvedge:

I’m very excited about her current collection:

I especially love the way she transforms the body with her organic exaggerated shapes (not to mention those fabulous wedge shoes!). The shapes are quite beautiful and only make the bodies more beautiful. Her work is dreamy. Be sure to check the archives on her site to see more work.

Thanks to Design Milk for reminding me of Sandra Backlund.

Lottie Frank

zannestar — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:11:24 +0000

I have a little fashion illustration love. It’s something I’ve been doing most of my life, for me, doodles on napkins, in my sketchbooks, on notes during meetings (shhh, don’t tell).

Remember this post where I mentioned Lottie Frank? Lottie Frank is the beautiful work of illustrator/designer Lucy Claydon. Well, I don’t know if you’ve been watching, but there’s new work in her Etsy shop.

There’s more treasure to explore in her Flickr too.

A (LuckyStitches) Wedding Dress

zannestar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:34:14 +0000

Many, many months ago, I got a call from a young man looking for help to learn how to shorten shirt sleeves. See, he’s a rock star and well his clothes need to be tight, but the sleeves were always too long. Then his fiancé called and we met in a groovy cafe on a snowy day. The rest is history, and after a few months, Libby had a wonderful and unique wedding dress. While she’s been a sewer (the stiching kind, not the stinky kind), she learned a bit more about her sewing machine, how to sew with knits and how to make a pattern, among other fun sewing tid bits. We draped the pieces, drafted the patterns and stitched up this lovely dress (tunic and skirts). Congratulations Libby and Aaron, you look wonderful! Thanks for letting me be a small part in your amazing celebration. xxooZ

The top tunic part is a lovely jersey with a surplice neckline and petal like hem.

The skirt part is actually multiple parts, both made of interesting gauze pieces that Libby draped and buttoned around her.

Note the lovely green Dr. Martins. I think she has the largest collection of DMs ever! Amazing! – and Libby – love the necklace choice….

Libby sent her party green fabric and they each made their own (or had help) dresses. I think they all did an outstanding job. I love the green and red together.

Here’s a shot of Libby working on a dressform. And here’s a shot of us playing with the paper pattern.

All photos © Coleen Rudolf

Dreaming In Purple

zannestar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:45:27 +0000

I think the last time I wore purple or some shade there of, I was in the 8th grade and had a purple coat. Now, I am totally drawn to it. (and yes, I did have purple hair at one point, but no longer). I love the idea of a purple cashmere t for fall. Or a yummy cowl neck knit dress from Stella McCartney. Oh purple, I think you need a spot in my closet.

ps. I think I’m in love. Polyvore.com reminds me of my spark books, but virtual. Oh, man, I looooove the internet.

Manon Gignoux

zannestar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:43:06 +0000

I’ve been looking for ideas of ways to use the scraps from our textile items that are being used in our Eco-Quilts and while I’ve been staring at Issue 22 of Selvedge, and always stopping to stare and soak in this image, it wasn’t until today I did a little research.

Manon Gignoux, a French Stylist, Artist with incredible vision for re-purposing clothing and textiles has an incredible portfolio.

Her work is proof that re-purposed items can be well designed, sophisticated and elegant. Her work comes from studying people and how they wear clothing, and is quite astounding. I can’t find a piece I dislike, and I am in love with her flowers and necklaces, and well, everything. Please visit her site. The images are just breathtaking.

Bubbles

zannestar — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 01:10:00 +0000

Could be the name of the “girl next door”, but I’m thinking skirts. Not for me, I don’ t need any bubbles, the last one I wore was to my HS Christmas Dance, back in the late 80s. It was a tulle bubble skirt with a tube top. Black, of course. I crimped my platinum locks. Lots of black eyeliner. It was really wonderful. I’ll have to see if I can find a picture.

Anyway, enough FLASHBACK….I’ve certainly been noticing the bubbles. They do remind me of the 80s (cringe), but I think they are still fun, perfect for spring and I am truly in love with the updates. I think they are much more tasteful and classic than their grandmas from the 80s.

Moschino

Vivienne Westwood

Erotokritos

I’ve got a few planned for Iz this summer. Since she’s a 3T, I can experiment quickly with yummy remnants. Although, with a skirt class on the horizon, I might just make one for me!

Here’s a cutesy tute from Threadbangers on converting a hem to a bubble hem. love it. make it.