Copyrights Protection for Fashion Design??

This is an important news to read for anyone in fashion design industry. 

The Senate Judiciary Committee has just passed the Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Prohibition Act (IDPPPA) granting limited copyright protection to fashion designs. Read more about it at
http://blogs.findlaw.com/free_enterprise/2010/12/fashio...n-designs-to-get-copyright-protection.html
 
I am eagerly watching the development of this news!

UNLV Fashion Design Students/NSC Business students visits Bettie Page Store

My UNLV Fashion Design students together with my Nevada State College team in Business Management class had a very informative and educational sit-down interview with Jan Glaser and Tatyana, owners of Bettie Page Clothing. 

My fashion design students were thrilled and motivated during the visit! Jan Glaser, of Bettie Page Clothing (BPC), unselfishly shared information with us on how their company started; and how despite the economic situation right now the company is continually expanding!


At the same time, BPC, provided my Nevada State College (NSC) Business Management team valuable information on the team project we are working on. At the end of the semester - we came up with an excellent business case study! Anybody interested to read a copy - drop me a note!

Again, my gratitude to Jan and Tatyana for the wonderful opportunity!!


Sharing some pics with you my dear...

FASHION NEWS - Alexander McQueen is dead.

Farewell, Alexander McQueen!

Today is a sad day for the fashion industry. Alexander McQueen is dead. Let’s respect the request of Lee McQueen’s family for privacy.

And just like the way you showed your support to a troubled friend, this is for you.

Below is a picture of Alexander McQueen publicly showing his support to the then troubled Kate Moss.

My dear, I'm sad and lost for words ... I am a big fan .... farewell LEE!

FASHION NEWS - Spring/Summer 2010 Runway Trends

Spring/Summer 2010 Runway Trends: The Peek-A-Boo fashion

Hot off the runways for Spring 2010 fashion trends are peek-a-boo fashions, schoolgirl chic look, and painterly print fashion. Expect even the return of metallic fashion!

Of these fashion trend, I find the peek-a-boo fashion very interesting. Expect it to come in many creative forms in clothing both for Spring and Summer looks. This trend will manifest in transparent panels, use of mesh, nettings and tulle. Laces and other ornate details revealing flesh under it will be used. Detailing such as slits and cut-outs will be very popular.

Sheer is back together with other see-through and transparent fabrics! This will lead to some lingerie-look detailing. Spring 2010 fashion is not about risqué styling witnessed in the 90s but about, sexiness with mystery and sophistication.

Here are some runway trends from popular designers like Michael Kors, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs and others.   These are some of  their interpretation of the peek-a-boo fashion. Pictures courtesy of http://www.nbcnewyork.com/

How will these runway trends translate to the shelves of your favorite retailers? My dear, any peek-a-book fashion item in your closet right now?

FASHION IDEAS - Little Black Dress of Blue Jeans?

Blue Jeans are pants primarily made from Denim fabric. Denim fabric is made from cotton woven in twill construction; where the weft threads passes under two or more weft threads, and traditionally dyed in indigo; thus called Blue Jeans.

Blue Jeans has gone a long way from its original purpose which is as work apparel to now an iconic fashion item. Brands such as Wrangler and Levi’s had made the Blue Jeans an apparel item that is so identified with American culture. American Old West made Blue Jeans a classic item.

Of course, Calvin Klein turned it into a fashion item with the introduction of designer jeans. Who can ever forget, Brooke Shield with her “Nothing comes between me and my Calvin” line? Now, almost every designer has their denim line. There are also brands such as Not Your Daughter’s Jeans that offer expanded jeans line.

Little Black Dress. Who can forget Audrey Hepburn in her little black dress (LBD) in Breakfast at Tiffany's? Remember Catherine Deneuve with her hair pinned up and heavy black eyeliner? Gone are the days when a black dress is worn as an expression of mourning. Ever since Coco Chanel gave new meaning to it, the LBD has been heralded as every woman's secret fashion weapon.

Fashion historians attribute the origins of this LBD from Coco Channel 1920s designs. To stay true to its origins, it is suppose to be in simple lines and pattern. It is normally worn with or without jewelry, depending on what the occasions call for. A true LBD must be a classic and can outlast current trends. Just like the Blue Jeans, almost every designer has their interpretation or versions of their own little black dress.

So hands down, the two most popular apparel items for any woman is Blue Jeans and Little Black Dress. Both are staple wardrobe for most women. Both can be used to dress up and dressed down by accessorizing. Both are classic fashion item. If you can only choose one, which one is it?

Blue Jeans?

Little Black Dress?

And your vote goes to??? :-)

My dear, till my next Blog!

FASHION IDEAS - Very Vegas!

TEXTURE AS AN ELEMENT OF FASHION DESIGN

Understanding texture means understanding the behavior and characteristics of the fabric. Although as element of design, is not just about the fabric. Trims, accessories and other finishings applied or used in the garment also affect the overall texture of the apparel.

Texture is the surface feeling or appearance of the garment whether woven or non-woven. Texture can appeal to the sense of touch or to the sense of sight or to both of these senses. Texture can thus be sensed in many ways. A surface can appear rough or smooth, prickly or pebbly, shiny or dull, soft or hard.
It is important for the student to get a basic understanding of different fibers that are used for fabrics. Different fibers have different ways of draping, feeling and looking. This also applies to the way the fabric is constructed, i.e., whether they are woven or knitted. (Morris, 2009. Elements and Principles of Design - Unraveling the Design Process in Apparel Industry)
 
As a designer, you can manipulate the fabrics, trims and accessories to create an exciting texture for your apparel.  On the other hand, sometimes the best way to "manipulate" a fabric is to know when not to "manipulate" it.  I am a big fan of texturizing fabric.  I love dimentional fabric.  So I have to constantly remind myself the concept of design simplification :-)
 
Also, in design, we need to use the principles of Balance, Emphasis, Proportion and Rhythm to create harmony in a garment.  When you already have a well-defined texture, it is a good idea not to break the harmony by using minimal detailing in your design. 
 
My dear,  here is an example of a fashion project where you have to control "showing off" your sewing skills.  :-)  In this set of fashion, showcases a design collection where minimal cutting, patternmaking and sewing manipulation were done.
 
 

I presented this collection in one of NAFD's (Nevada Association of Fashion Design) Annual Fashion Shows in Las Vegas.  I have to say, this is one of my favorite collections.  Plus I have the best sets of models who volunteered to model the collection for me!  Thank you girls! Especially for this photoshoot. 

My dear, till my next blog!

                                                  

FASHION PROJECT - "From Muslin" to "It's something!"

When I was thinking of a good project to show my fashion design students a lesson in creativity – I was thinking of using a material that will not cost them an arm and leg. Neither do I don’t want to use an existing garment because it is not a fashion “make-over” project. Then, I thought why not make use of the fabric that all fashion design students and sewing enthusiasts used often – the good ol’ muslin.

So using muslin as a starting point, I dyed it in purple and hand painted a silver paint in uneven pattern for accent. Now, I have a transformed my fabric from its natural, unbleached state to a more fashionable silver glittered purple-dyed cotton fabric.

I also want to show how to use details that is not commonly used in prêt-a-porter apparel. So I picked yoyo. In the world of sewing, yoyo is not the toy but a circle of fabric gathered in the middle to give a puff look. It is also called Suffolk puffs. It is used in a garment as an embellishment or as an accent, mostly for DIY projects and not much for RTW because of the obvious production concern.

To make a yoyo – simply cut circle of fabrics. The circles must be cut twice the desired finished size. Using a durable thread, make a running stitch line around the edge of the fabric, pull and gather and you have your yoyo ready. Yoyo is popular among crafters, it is used in patchwork quilt, in pillows, used as rosettes and in other knick-knacks. Clover USA also offers yoyo maker in different sizes.

So okay, I decided to use yoyo as my major detail and element of design for this project. Yoyos are normally made more interesting by what you put in the middle of the gathered part. Most craft work use decorative buttons to cover the hole part but it would be an overkill for my design, so I decided to paint it in silver as well. To avoid the hole, I did not fold the edge of the fabric circle when I made the running stitch and allowed a little thread unraveling for a little edgy finished. I decided to paint it over with the silver glitter as well.

Now, I wanna make sure that yoyo will be the major detail without really making them as one single focal point in the design.  To do it I used them all over the bodice and the result is this:

So my dear, here it is … from “Just Muslin” to “It is Something” fashion.

FASHION NEWS - Fashion Forecast 2010

I always advised my students that even if they cannot afford the services of fashion forecasting companies, they are lucky that they are now living in the decade of amazing information technology on the web. Valuable fashion forecasts information are everywhere. Using their own fashion savvy-ness they can filter and analyze what will work and what will not in developing their design lines or collection. One site I recommend is www.fashiontrendsetter.com – you’ll find a lot of valuable information and resources in this site. See screenshots from their website.

In particular, I'd like to share that the Pantone Fashion Color Report Spring 2010 is available free-of-charge. Here is part of that report.

Splashes of Sunshine for Spring 2010

Designers bring splashes of sunshine to the runway for spring 2010. Vibrant brights add a sense of excitement to the color palette, while practical neutrals provide a safety net for cautious consumers.

“Now more than ever, women are vigilant when it comes to spending,” said Leatrice Eiseman,
executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Instead of reinventing their wardrobe at the start of each season, consumers want pieces to complement what they already own. Pairing a bold color with a basic piece or freshening up their look with bright accents addresses the need for practicality, as well as fun.”

Spring and summer naturally evoke feelings of calm ocean waters and tranquil beach vacations in cool, vibrant, tropical Turquoise. This soothing hue from the blue-green family conjures feelings of escape, especially when paired with Amparo Blue. With more warmth than the typical spring navy, this particular shade of blue is extremely appealing because of its brighter, more energetic attitude. Like the scent of a blossoming flower, Violet lends a romantic air to the warm-weather palette. This intriguing purplish hue is a distinctive addition to any wardrobe. Yellow has made its mark on fashion and spring will further this trend with gleaming Aurora. Reminiscent of the first glimpse of yellow as the sun begins to rise over the horizon, this shimmering, slightly greenish yellow adds a bold infusion. Energy continues to surge throughout the warmer hues of spring, leading to provocative Fusion Coral. This inviting orange connects directly to tangy Tomato Purée, this season’s classic red. Pair it with Turquoise for a retro look. Thoughtful, cautious neutrals provide a dependable backbone to the brights of spring. Kick back and enjoy the bubbly luxury of Pink Champagne. This delicate, wispy tint is the season’s newest neutral. The melding of Pink Champagne, Tomato Purée and Amparo Blue is a refreshing take on the classic springtime combination of red, white and blue. Three additional neutrals round out the palette. Tuscany, a warm beige hue, provides the perfect backdrop and works well as a solid base color with dynamic accents like Fusion Coral or Violet. Dried Herb is the ultimate green neutral, pairing well with all other colors. Ideal for bigger ticket items, cool Eucalyptus is the eternal, practical gray. Choose this nuanced neutral and add brightly colored exclamation points in shoes, jewelry and handbags.

My dear, if you want a full copy of the report, visit http://www.fashiontrendsetter.com/ and it is available free for download.

FASHION NEWS - 2nd edition Fashion Figure Templates for Fashion Portfolio

The 2nd edition of Fashion Figure Templates for Fashion Portfolio will be released on March 22. The Fashion Figure Templates for Fashion Portfolio is a collection of professionally illustrated templates of fashion croquis. These templates are ideal to use for fashion design presentations. The new edition contains more additional female templates and children templates as well. The book is printed in Black and White and can easily be traced. It is also available in CD as e-figure template files that are available for purchase separately. It is published and distributed by Lulu Press and is available at http://stores.lulu.com/gigimorris

The book is available both in print and as download.

Additional fashion figure templates available on 2nd edition.

My dear, for those who have already purchased the 2st edition of the book - email me, or leave me a message on this blog and I will extend you 35% discount to be applied on your purchase for the new edition.  I also would love to receive email of your work using my figure templates!  If you give your permission, I may include them in the future editions of this book.

SEWING TIPS & IDEAS - Transferring design by stenciling method.

I posted the idea of doing fabric print using stenciling method as a way to make a garment interesting and someone asked me how to do it. So my dear, this will be my first posting on sewing tips and ideas.

If you are working on one item or few pieces of apparel, stenciling is a good way of making a customized print on fabric. It is a practical way of transferring design idea on fabric without the use of expensive screen-printing equipment, particularly if it only requires one or two color applications. Of course in bigger production, screen-printing is the preferred and practical method.

PREPARE YOUR STENCIL. You can create your own stencil from acetate. You can draw your own design or photocopy a copyright-free design, transfer and cut your very own stencil. You can also find a lot of interesting stencils in your favorite craft stores. Using your creativity, you can use one stencil, combine or mix and match them.

PREPARE YOUR FABRIC. Fabric preparation requires choosing your fabric to stencil with care. Fabric that is treated with stain resistant finish, water-repellant finish, etc. will not work. Pre-washing fabric is a good idea as it keeps the surface free from anything that will prevent the paint from adhering.

PREAPARE YOUR PAINT & BRUSH. When working on apparel projects - I will only recommend non-toxic water-based fabric or textile paint. Period. Buy stencil brush – they are easily available in any craft stores.

If you are ready to transfer design, then make sure you have a masking tape handy to hold the stencil down to the fabric. In stenciling, paint must be applied in straight up and down, gentle pounding motion and never a stroking motion. This will prevent your textile paint from spreading under the edges of your stencil. Evenly cover your brush with paint without flooding it. It will give you a smoother finish that is different from a hand-painted design.

If you are using two or more color, have a separate brush ready and do it all at the same before you lift the stencil. Remember that it is difficult to put the stencil back and match the exact spot you are previously working on. Remove the masking tape only when you are all done and finish.

Let the fabric paint dry thoroughly. I recommend 24 hours. Then iron at the back to heat set the fabric paint.

Here's some picture to guide you. I used a silver glitter paint on black cotton knit fabric.

Position your stencil.

Use up and down, gentle pounding motion.

Gentlly remove the stencil.

The finished product.

Applied in garment.  In my Little Black Dress class, one of my student (5th from L) used this method in making her LBD interesting. Appling it on the hemline and as accent on the neckline.

My dear, stenciling is an easy way to transfer design and a sure way to make your apparel interesting!