Book Review: Drape Drape

While the crafting of flat patterns in fashion design lends a feeling of architecture to the creative process, draping becomes a sculptural activity. An art form in and of itself, draping requires working with the fabric, directing its flow and coaxing its shape with your hands. Taking a draped piece and translating it into a pattern always yields interesting results and is not always for the faint of heart.

Where the Pattern Magic series left off, guiding readers in creating feats of extreme shapes in fashion, the Drape Drape series continues, sharing the patterns behind the sumptuous, sculptural designs. The original Drape Drape, now in English, offers 17 fashionable and achievable designs and Drape Drape 2 is on the way with 14 more designs for tops, dresses, skirts, vests and jackets. The books offer easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and diagrams that guide the reader through the draping process. Each book contains two folded patterns at the back.

These books provide inspiring ideas and highly practical techniques for anyone wanting to learn about the art of draping. Before you know it, you’ll be looking at fabric and clothing in a whole new light.

Imagery via Exhibitions International & Lula Louise

July 11, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Textiles: Global Tracking Beyond Google

Many of us love and collect maps so it’s no surprise to see modern adaptations to current collections. I recently came across this Carven number while browsing Barney’s after a dentist appointment. It’s quite playful in a polished way. Using a muted palette and traditional layout (who remembers the pull-down version from elementary school?!), this Elizabeth LeCourt dress merges uptown and downtown seamlessly. Reminding us that there are alternatives to the long-winded travel email, Best Made Co adds a needle and thread for DIY participation in their Stitching Postcards (which was recently featured in Wayfare Magazine).

This adorable onesie is from Mini Rodini and almost looks like a web 2.0 info graphic. I saw it on Swiss Miss last week. Precious, no?

May 7, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Color Studies from Europe

Here’s an interesting study (and promo) of a realtime color study conducted by the forecasting company, Pimkie. Have a watch, they’ve set up an honest, playful approach to observing European streetwear. The colors are then plugged into infographics for easy consumption.

April 18, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Interactive Storytelling at Anthropologie

It’s been interesting to follow fashion’s toe-dip into the digital sphere. While the translation over the past few years has been a bumpy ride for many (some food for thought here as to why), some brands keep innovating, infusing their gift of storytelling through interactive mediums. Currently, Anthropologie is sharing it’s pattern, color and scale story through poetry-like pins.

Directing the eye using bright focal points, a la Lifestyle Mirror, each of Anthro’s home spreads teaches the reader more about the creative process. The patterned page reads like a styling mantra.

Sometimes, a pattern simply speaks to you. Choose a single spot for your print focus- a sofa, a papered wall, an area rug- and use a complementary solid color as a backdrop, and that pattern will do more than speak. It’ll sing.

April 17, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Fashion Futures

Nowadays, the fashion engine is moving forward at a faster pace than ever before, with advancing technologies and new materials reinventing clothing as we know it. You may not realize, but the technology that goes into the design process – from textiles to construction – has been steadily evolving at impressive rates so that the “future” we envisioned has arrived – and it’s only getting more inventive.

Fashion Futures explores the surprising sources that inspire futuristic garment design such as: biological science, climate change, space suits, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering and nanotechnology. Offering up a fascinating survey of these new directions, Fashion Futures charts the transformational products, design processes, maverick materials and groundbreaking practitioners that are revolutionizing the industry.

Design expert and author Bradley Quinn also explores radical retail operations, forecasting and its relationship with other disciplines. Featuring inspirational interviews, design illustrations and prototypes, this read’s educational and thought-provoking for any fashion enthusiast.

Cover image via Colette

March 29, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Repetition Elsewhere: Patterns as Branding

I’ve been on the pattern-as-branding bandwagon for a while. When a company embraces a creative style, then infuses their branding, a la Hotel La Amada, the results can be more interesting than simply reusing a logo.

Christina Binkley expressed a similar sentiment in this weekend’s cover story for the WSJ’s Off Duty section, with the subtitle, “Prints of all shapes and sizes are replacing logos as a new way to signal a brand’s identity.”

It’s refreshing to cast a light on this part of the industry. Patterns in product development are a tremendous business, as is forecasting – from fashion to bedding to beauty packaging to digital experience, I could go on- textures are mood enhancing and tribe specific and something I’ve buried my nose in for the past 8 years. If you have a moment, be sure to have a look, it’s an interesting read.

February 28, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik