My winter wardrobe!
Or it will be when I finish this challenge.
Inspiration
I recently rewatched Ugly Betty and No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. Not only are they great shows but the wardrobes are amazing! The mixing of prints, colors, and textures is so fun and creative. Jo Katsaras and Patricia Field are genius.
Mixing prints isn’t just for TV – over the past several years I’ve seen it as a growing trend on the runway. Anna Sui, Balenciaga, and Charlotte Ronson are among the many designers who have featured mixed prints in their current and past collections. However, I admit that I’m intimidated to try the same in my own wardrobe. Finding the right balance between prints is mind-boggling and I fear that at 5’1 I could be swallowed by certain combinations.
I figure the best plan of attack is to simplify. I’m picking a very neutral palette of black and white. A simple palette will allow me to focus on pairing prints without the distraction of color; it’s flattering to everyone; and it will be much easier to find a variety of printed fabric. Later, when I graduate from neutrals, I’ll still have a killer foundation to work from.
In addition to mixed prints, I’d also like to play around with texture. Texture and pattern work well together and at times are almost interchangeable. I’ve been researching how to mix prints in a wardrobe and have noticed that solids are often used to break up the mixed patterns. To incorporate this idea into my wardrobe, not all of my pieces will be made from printed fabrics and I’m making an effort to ensure that those pieces have a dominate texture.
The Nitty Gritty
Who: me
Where: my dining room studio
When: October 1 – December 31, 2011
What: 10 sewn garments
Why: to learn as much as possible about a working wardrobe
I learned so much from my fall wardrobe challenge and I’m determined not to make the same mistakes twice. You’ll notice that I’ve simplified my palette and reduced the number of garments. I went through my fabric stash and placed an order with Gorgeous Fabrics for several of the pieces. I have a list of what I’d like to make (I’ll reveal that soon) and I’m not restricting myself to self-drafted patterns. In addition, I have clear concept and theme and I’ll be posting inspiration boards over the next two days! I’m really excited about this challenge and can’t wait to start putting it together.
