A Quick Forecast

As most designers will tell you, knowing what is going to be in style in future seasons is very important to the success of a line. In college we had access to WGSN, short for the World Global Style Network, which basically forecasts everything- colors, silhouettes, fabrics, prints, accessories, etc. Since graduating I've still, by some miraculous gift from the gods, been able to access WGSN which is infinitely priceless because I've been able to accurately forecast all of the above things for my Spring/ Summer 2012 capsule collection. The silhouettes have been finalized, as of about 15 minutes ago, and now it's just a matter of finalizing the colors and fabrics. My color palette is based off of Rihanna's Only Girl (In the World) video with what I like to call electric pastels.



I knew I wanted to use these colors early on and the forecasting confirmed they would work out. Now it was just a matter of figuring out which prints and fabrications to use. Luckily for me florals, vintage prints, stripes and all things kitschy are on trend for Spring/ Summer 2012. So immediately I started scouring Etsy for a little inspiration and I found some amazing stuff. We'll see what makes the final cut but I think this is an amazing start! Happy 4th of July!

From top to bottom: Screen Printed Vintage Silk from EmilyMe, $55; Blue Floral Linen from admiredhistory, $23; Purple Floral from LittleCabinVintage, $14.50; Pink and Orange Floral Knit from thriftypyg, $15.

Top Crop

I think we've seen that all my favorite trends are inspired by all things retro and this one is no exception.  Crop tops first became popular in the 1960s during the Free Love movement and again during the 1990s with, I guess, the Baywatch movement? As of recently I've been attracted to almost any and all crop tops I set my eyes on, just like I tend to fall in love with a good pair of short shorts.  But I digress. I've picked out, as always my favorite crop tops for this summer.

 From top to bottom: Sleeveless Scoop Neck Polka Dot Printed Scalloped Tiered Tank by American Rag, $39; Georgie Cotton Top by French Connection, $138; Sweater Crop Top by RACHEL Rachel Roy, $59.

Moschino May Be From Italy...

... But I want to run down the streets of Paris in nearly all the Moschino Spring/Summer 2011 collection! Moschino is known for being fun and flirty and I feel like this collection really represented so many parts of my design aesthetic: primary colors, polka dots, stripes, a-line skirts, and belts; it's like an amazing pin-up dream! Beloved pieces below!

Gettin' Around Town!

Lately, in many a recent fashion publication, I have seen some adorable Miu Miu dresses that I haven't been able to locate in any of their fashion shows. In any case this collection (which ever it came from) seems very Easter inspired with pastel colors and applique flowers and tons of loveliness!

Above (from left to right): January Jones in C Magazine, Lily Allen for Elle UK, and Carey Mulligan at the Met Costume Gala.

A Pairing for Style Champions

It's amazing the kinds of things you discover as you slowly finish finals and have this weird thing called free time. Like today I had time to go to Style.com and check out more Resort 2011 and fell in love with Proenza Schouler's collection. Later, my browsing brought me to Osborn, a company that makes shoes out of recycled materials. And in a wacky and crazy turn of events, the two go together perfectly! Both include ethnic inspired prints (something included in my senior collection) and remind me of something you could buy in Tijuana... and I mean that in the best way possible.

Doc Kitty

The search for adorable can stop here. Doc Martens and Sanrio are collaborating to create boots and mary janes with a Hello Kitty theme for Sanrio's 50th anniversary. Below is my favorite pair on the far left (and the ones I hope to get for my birthday) and the other two to the right of those:
Update: According to Fred Flare, they debut in September!

I Heart Jeremy Scott

I swear, everything Jeremy Scott touches turns to GOLD. I had seen a few items from his Adidas collection, but when I went on the Adidas website today, the whole collection was pictured! Here are my favorites:


Please notice that the left sleeve on the giraffe sweater pretty much makes you and your hand into a giant giraffe puppet. Uh... AWESOME!!! And I just enjoy graphics.

Here's a video of the collection as well:

She Must Like Kissing Boys Better

Yes. This post is related to Katy Perry. Yesterday as I moseyed my way around the magazine racks of a local Rite Aid, I noticed Katy Perry was on the cover of Glamour in THEMOSTADORABLEDRESSEVER. I'm actually pretty fond of her music and pretty much everything she wears because I appreciate that she wears clothing that can also be considered art.

ANYWAY, upon more research this morning I found out the dress is by Blugirl, one of Blumarine's sub-divisions. Which is probably why I loved the dress Katy Perry wore on the cover, because I love all things Blumarine. In addition to being a big fan of Blumarine, I'm also a big fan of enlarged leopard prints as well as bold colors. I also really like the Juicy Couture belt in the cover picture. Here's the cover:

And here's the picture from the Spring 2010 Blugirl runway show:

About That Time Again!

Today marks the last day of my one week break between Summer and Fall quarter. So in celebration I've decided to post a little something. Actually, I just feel like I should post something since I had a whole week to do so and I didn't.

My friend Jake (who styled my hair and did my makeup in this post) made me watch Lady Gaga's music video for her song Paparazzi. And if you know me, then you already know you pretty much have to tie me down in order to get me to watch videos on You Tube, partially because of the über obnoxious loading time.

Anyway, the video FINALLY loaded on my super slow internet connection and it was amazing! I like Lady Gaga anyway but the story line was compelling as well. Towards the end of the video, she is wearing a very interesting outfit I recognized as being a Jeremy Scott dress. After digging even deeper into the depths of the internet, on his website I found that he did a whole collection inspired by Mickey Mouse.

Above (starting from the top image and going clockwise):
Lady Gaga in the Jeremy Scott dress and sunglasses by him as well;
A Jeremy Scott dress from the runway (I just liked the silhouette of this one);
The dress from the Paparazzi video, off the runway.

How I Spend my Breaks

Last night while lab monitoring and today on my break at Alchemy Goods I did another Polyvore set. This time around I chose stripes, but only those that were blue, red, black and white; typical Chelsea. I had to post it on here because my sets keep getting better and I have to share my excitement with my readers, all five of you, haha.

Print Designs

One of the things I'm working on for my portfolio is a set of print designs. I am picking three different regions to take my inspiration from, and at the suggestion of one of my teachers, Karin, they'll all be designed with graffiti in mind. Lately, everything I see serves as inspiration, but graffiti especially, with the names Banksy and Shepard Fairey (of the Obey fame) coming to mind.

The first region I chose was Africa. The geometric shapes and patterns seemed very unique to that lo-cal and a great place to start in the realm of print design. Also, the masks used in tribal ceremonies serve as excellent inspiration.

Japan was next on my list of locations, mostly because it is home to one of the largest and well known fashion movements; Harajuku. Harajuku is a shopping and entertainment district in Tokyo and every Sunday young adults come to this area to socialize dressed in the style of Gothic Lolita.

The last place I picked was Mexico! I've very recently been obsessed with their literature and their language, but also with the unique embroidery that is often on traditional Mexican peasant dresses. The dresses I'm talking about are usually white with bright flowers stitched on the top half of the garment.


Each of these areas have such a distinct flavor that, really, I had no other choices than these. What is going to be difficult about designing these prints is deciding which aspects of each culture to illustrate and then render in Adobe Illustrator. I have a feeling that drawing out a rough sketch of each and scanning it to trace in Illustrator later will be my best bet. And it all begins tomorrow!