Wednesday, August 26, 2009

I haven't posted for a while because I've been off having adventures, but I have continued doing a few sketches. I'm onto suity mix and match pieces now. I got a bit lazy and haven't indicated the fabric. But have a look anyways:

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

More Dress Sketches

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm working on a 6-figure collection for my portfolio, but I'm actually using fabrics that I have on hand, so I will be making samples of the garments. These are more rough sketches of dresses...if there's one you like, let me know! I still haven't chosen which ones I'm going to render.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Now Get Excited for Milan Spring/Summer 2010!

So many designers! Holy Moly. The excitement starts September 23rd.

Wednesday
Elena Miro, Clips, Fisico, Luciano Soprani, Pin Up Stars, Miss Bikini Luxe, Parah Noir, Carla Carini

Thursday
Enrico Coveri, Kristina Ti, Blugirl, Just Cavalli, Giorgio Armani, Krizia, Moschino Cheap and Chic, Daniela Gregis, Prada, Roberto Musso

Friday
Byblos, Blumarine, C'N'C Costume National, Ermanno Scervino, D&G, Gianfranco Ferre', Debora Sinibaldi, Alberta Ferretti, Versace, Jil Sander, Gabriele Colangelo

Saturday
Bottega Veneta, Paola Frani, Sportmax, Maurizio Pecoraro, Emporio Armani, Iceberg, Moschino, Gucci, Brioni, Emilio Pucci, Franceso Scognamiglio

Sunday
Marni, Angelo Marani, Mariella Burani, Antonio Maras, Roberto Cavalli, Etro, Missoni, Salvatore Ferragamo, Aquilano Rimondi, Gaatano Navarra

Monday
DSquared2, Max Mara, Les Copains, Valentin Yudashkin, Laura Biagiotti, Dolce & Gabbana, John Richmond, Fendi, Albino, Marco De Vincenzo, Versus.

Tuesday
Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Anteprima, Mila Schon, Massimo Rebecchi, Federico Sangalli, Zuhair Murad.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Resort 2010 from A to C

Today I got to browsing the shows from Resort 2010. To be honest, Resort isn't usually my bag. But Here are some looks that I did like. Though I was happy to see so much orange! (all photos courtesy of Style.com)

Akris


Balanciaga


Bottega Veneta


Catherine Malandrino


Chanel


Chris Benz


Christian Dior


Collette Dinnigan


Costume National

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Shop Love: Quack and Dirk in Fairview

I had read about the shop Quack and Dirk in the Sunday Tribune a few months ago when they opened. We put the article up on the wall, and I even rode my bike up to Fairview, which is not far at all from our apartment, but I didn't see it and stupidly didn't look at the precise location. Then it became one of those "things" on my to-do list that clearly I wasn't doing.

Well, as luck would have it, I was walking by yesterday, and there it was! Down this little lane! I saw the sign and was happy at the happenstance. And it was the cutest little store I have ever been in. The entire store is probably smaller than my living room, but nearly everything in there was something I wanted to wear. It had me cursing my unemployed existence! Not the being broke part of unemployment, because actually, considering that her items are either hand made or vintage, they were incredibly priced. But it was more the fact that having no "job" means that I really don't have any reason to get gussied up in new clothes. But if I did, I would buy them all at Quack and Dirk. In my dream world, I would have just such a shop. Her sewing machine is tucked away, and designer Deirdre Cantwell clearly works on projects right there in the store. To me, that sounds like a blissful life.

If you'd like a little inspiration, I highly recommend a visit to this gem of a store -- look for it across from Fairview park.

New York Fashion Week: Get excited!

Here is the list of participants for 2009 NYFW:

Michael Angel, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Duckie Brown, Ports 1961, Cesar Galindo, Cynthia Steffe, Yigal Azrouel, Charlotte Ronson, Nicole Miller, This Day/Arise: African Fashion Collective, Venexiana, Lacoste, Georges Chakra, Andy & Debb, Academy of Art University, Christian Siriano, Chado Ralph Rucci, Vivienne Tam, Lela Rose, Derek Lam, DKNY, Thuy, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Diane Von Furstenberg, Rebecca Taylor, Tuleh, Custo Barcelona, Carolina Herrera, Carlos Miele, Jill Stuart, Tracy Reese, Donna Karan, Yeohlee, Tadashi Shoji, TonyCohen, Gottex, Badgley Mischka, Brian Reyes, Toni Maticevski, Pamella Roland, MAX AZRIA, Dennis Basso, Willow, Tibi, Narciso Rodriguez, Toni Francesc, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Milly by Michelle Smith, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Anna Sui, Doo.Ri, Ralph Lauren, Isaac Mizrahi, Trias, Calvin Klein, Chocheng, Argentinean Designer Collections and Tommy Hilfiger.

September 10 through 17. Just over a month away!

Friday, August 7, 2009

A few picks from here in Dublin

Jennifer Rothwell was born in New York, but grew up in Dublin. I really like some of her newer stuff. The fabrics she sources are getting more interesting and are put together in unique ways.


I mentioned Sinead Doyle in a previous post -- she was in the fashion show I went to a few months ago. I'm not sure these photos do her clothes justice, but I like the way she combines clean lines with busy patterns. She is the newest designer at The Loft in Powerscourt Centre.


This next one will have you wishing for colder weather. Designers Brenda Aherne and Helen Delany at Electric Sheep make me want to run out and buy a knitting machine immediately. They have taken the scarf and the bandana and combined them to make wearable pieces with graphic distinction. But they also do traditional scarves, sweaters, tee shirts, and hats! And I find the prices are quite reasonable, too.


Diana Orving has pieces at the Dublin store Circus, but she is more than just a fashion designer. You can check out her art installations on her web site.


I could go on and on. Dublin has a lot of fantastic designers! Obviously I haven't mentioned the really big names. Maybe I'll do that in a later post! Now if one of them would just hire me as an intern...

Thursday, August 6, 2009

"Bargain" Shopping

Today while I was out, I had 24 dollars in my pocket, so I decided to do some bargain shopping. So of course my first stop was Penneys, where the clothes are so cheap, they're practically disposable. While I wouldn't buy anything distinctive there, I am not averse to buying basics there. (Not that I have -- I've been broke since I arrived in Dublin eight months ago.) I went in hoping to find a long red cardigan. No luck. But I did find a red and white striped boatneck 3/4 sleeve tee made of super soft cotton knit for only five euro! I was pleased and I know I'll wear the heck out of it.

With that success, I headed over to Dunnes, whose radio ad tagline is "The difference is...we're Irish," to try my luck there. Sadly, they only had a sort of pinkish-red cardigan and I was after a true red. So then I traveled to the mondo-Penneys to see if they might have something. I walked away with a belt, a toothbrush (finally found the elusive super-soft bristles!!), and a crochet-style beret, all for 10.45euro.

So when I got home I decided to see what kinds of things I could find to post here for people on a budget!

This top (12euro from Dunnes) is pretty basic, but I like it for its simplicity. And it brings me back to the days of watching the movie Labrynth, wishing I was Jennifer Connelly.


I saw a girl at the bus stop today with these shoes, and I just realized she got them at Dunnes for 22euro:


I tell ya what though. Littlewoods has some things I really like!
This South tiered sleeve blouse would make me look like a football player, but I can see it on someone less endowed in the shoulder area:

And check out this pretty little scalloped blouse for 24euro


Here's a top made by Love, going for 37 bucks.


And I like the simplicity of this design, and the plaid isn't bad either. Lee wide neck checked shirt


And speaking of simplicity, I love this entire outfit

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

New Brand to Look for, from our friends in Canada

The blog Not Couture pointed out a jacket from the brand Kitchen Orange. I wasn't so hot for the jacket, personally, but they had some other things I really liked, so I think it's one to look out for.

In particular, I liked Mira Dress (left), the Fisto Sweater (middle), and the Anastasia Coat (right)

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

File under: You ugly, you ugly, ya mama says you ugly

I hate to be negative, but I came across this, possibly the ugliest tee shirt known to man, originally $556USD, but now ON SALE for $278.85, and I had to share. And I can't believe who makes it!!!

Wear this shirt and you are guaranteed abstinence.

File under: <3 <3 <3 <3

I came across the designer Eugene Lin the other day. His website features his Spring 2010 collection. Holy smokes. Sportswear as it should be done. Unfortunately I can't post photos because the site prevents it, but my favorites include the black and white striped cowl dress, the bright royal blue "Aliyah dress", the royal blue silk jersey shirt, and those cool grey pants with the diagonal panel.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Just a couple of sketches...

I started to do a little drawing in preparation for the collection I'm going to render and eventually sew. The challenge is to use fabrics that I actually own at this moment. These are just quick sketches with implications of fabric to give an idea. I started with dresses, of which I will render two. But I plan on doing a lot more thumbnails before I pick them!