Status – As an indication of wealth or opulence, uses the motifs (but not limited to) of gold chains, jewels, animal skins and ornate scroll work often all in combination and in rich vibrant colours.
Checks/Spots/Stripes – patterns of squares, circles and rectangles of varying size, colour and orientation i.e. horizontal/vertical as well as edge definition. A broken or ‘non symmetrical’ circle is still considered a spot.
Scenic/Pictorial – Traditionally called a Toile de Jouy, uses figurative scenes of an illustrative quality (now more photographic) and often with a narrative and generally in a horizontal orientation. Traditionally printed in monochromatic colour on a plain white or ivory ground.
Paisley – Stylised tear drop motif often with abstracted floral elements in accompaniment, now seen with various combinations of many types of fashion prints. Paisley takes its modern name from the Scottish town which saw a great deal of production of these patterns in the 1800’s. These motifs are now most recognisable as Indian or Middle Eastern from where its tradition is embedded.
Tribal/Ethnic – Perhaps more appropriately termed World Cultures, using motifs and elements specific to a nationality or culture with a western interpretation. Popular areas of inspiration are Africa, India and Arabia but also include the folk arts of Eastern Europe and South America. Care must be taken not to use motifs or symbols of a spiritual or special meaning to the culture being used as inspiration.
I’ve noticed a certain trend popping up of late and its little Cactus gardens. Wherever I look I seem to see these colourful cacti, which is making me want to have my own. It really adds colour to a space and the low maintenance of the cactus is a big factor to want to recreate a garden of my own. Just like in print I think the best gardens are the one with a lot of variety and texture and lots of colour.
I hope these inspire you as much as they inspire me.
cactus garden
cactus garden
cactus garden
cactus garden
cactus garden
cactus garden
Images from Tumblr.com
A creative collaboration between Iris Van Herpen, Nick Knight and Daphne Guinness; has resulted in one amazing piece of wearable art. Rules don’t apply to Iris Van Herpen who is well known for her eccentric futuristic couture masterpieces. For her latest project she has join forces with Knight and Guinness to create a water dress which will be the centre piece for the SHOWcabinet exhibition.
This garment was inspired by the actual splash of water onto Daphne Guinness which was recorded on high speed camera’s by Nick Knight. Van Herpen sculpted the natural movement of water using pet G plastic, creating a one of a kind garment. Iris van Herpen truely thinks outside of the box, not only with her latest design but all her designs fusing old and forgotten techniques with innovative materials.
Exhibition starts June 6 at 19 Motcomb Street in London.
www.irisvanherpen.com/home
www.irisvanherpen.com/home
Images from www.irisvanherpen.com/home
Nick Night of SHOWstudio.com is among the world’s most influential photographers of our time, working for magazines such as Vogue, i-D and Dazed & Confused. He also has customers such as Alexander McQueen, YSL and Dior who call upon for fashion and advertising projects. Knight’s latest project is photographs inspired my paintings from the Baroque period. Using heat, chemicals and water treatment during the printing process knight has twisted and distorted these elegant floral’s into dripping psychedelic masterpieces.
We have noticed this trend filtering through many avenues on the internet and we are excited to see these trickle down into the print world.
http://nickknight.com/
http://nickknight.com/
http://nickknight.com/
http://nickknight.com/
http://nickknight.com/
Images from http://nickknight.com/
Wes Fleming and Phillip Johnson in the Trailfinders Australian Garden
Picture: Ella Pellegrini
Pretty Petals of the Chelsea Flower Show
Could there be anything more inspiring for a floral print than attending the horticultural world’s most prestigious week every year? Celebrating the centenary of the of the Chelsea Flower Show
being held at its current location, the Chelsea Hospital (from 1862 held in various locations in and around London), on display are the Show Gardens, exciting new and re-emerging plants in the Great Pavilion and the Artisan Retreats to give Burke and his backyard a run for his money.
This year the Best Show Garden went to our own home grown landscapers and design team, Trailfinders Australian Garden presented by Flemings. With a billabong, a waterfall and countless native flowers and plants and with a waratah inspired studio to boot, it had an obvious Aussie spirit that bloomed out above the rest.
And it’s hard not see the connection between the Chelsea Flower Show and the floral prints that pretty up spring wardrobes (talking Northern hemisphere spring) when there is such gorgeous imagery in abundance! Take a virtual stroll along the garden paths and be inspired to wear some petals and blooms this weekend to brighten the winter drab that is threatening to soak in.
Display of lupins at the Chelsea Flower Show
Photo: Reuters
Various flower displays at the Chelsea Flower Show
Photos: Reuters
- Gisela Kouker and Mariko Nakafuji seen at the Chelsea Flower Show
Photos: Michael Gray
As Sydney is plunged further into cold this week it’s only normal to start reminiscing the warmer weather. Instinctively I had to have a look at the latest resort 2014 collections, and lust over the beautiful garments and dream of warmer weather. The stand out for me this year is Oscar de la Renta, the mixture of prints, lace and embroidery adds extra depth to his garments; the 50’s inspired silhouettes are gorgeous and I hope it’s a trend that trickles down into everyday life. These garments just scream wear me at a fancy party by the seaside, which is where I wish I was right now. I hope these images put some colour to this dreary Autumn day.
Oscar de la Renta Resort 2014
Oscar de la Renta Resort 2014
Oscar de la Renta Resort 2014
Oscar de la Renta Resort 2014
Images from style.com
The Great Gatsby, film still 2013
Is anyone else on the edge of their chaise lounge fastening their t-strap pumps about to bust out the Charleston, with the expectation of Bazmark’s hotly anticipated remake of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel of the same name?!! It’s almost as if this is the first time we’re all hearing about the decade that was the 1920’s with all the excitement and build up that’s going on. And maybe not everyone will agree on whether or not the film as a whole was worth the delayed release, but much can be (and will be) said for Catherine Martin’s costumes and Miuccia Prada’s collaboration on the project.
The new film of The Great Gatsby will highlight in particular the decadence and frivolity of the 1920’s but with a discernibly modern accessibility, inviting the viewer to appreciate and experience what it would have been like to go to an infamous party hosted by Jay and the many others like him. Fur stolls, miles of fringing, plenty of sequins, feathers and head pieces along with a dress covered with crystals all play a key role in bringing the story forward to take us back again.
Of course the catwalks for the past few seasons have shown hints of the flapper era inspiration, warming the audience up to the idea of 1920’s styling and the trend is likely to continue in one incarnation or another, just look at all the cropped ‘boy’ haircuts on celebrities at the moment or the amount of speakeasy’s (not so quietly) popping up. For the roaring era to be making such a glamorous return to many aspects of fashion and culture, those who’s Midnight in Paris perfect time period is the 1920’s, its time to indulge.
Everyone has their own techniques to get into their zone, which zone? The inspiration zone!
The Highly Anticipated Daft Punk album ‘Random Access Memories’ was available to listen to yesterday on Itunes and might I say it is one great album with the likes of Pharrell Williams, Ezra Koenig from Vampire Weekend and Julian Casablancas lending their voices to the somewhat 80’s sounding album. Personally I find that having music playing in the background really helps gets the creative juices flowing; Delving into different genres can change your mood in an instant, even sometimes inspiring a new design. I can’t get enough of this album and it’s only just the beginning, the album officially comes out Friday the 17th of May. Can’t wait to have this on repeat and see what kind of repeating creations follow.
http://www.daftpunk.com/
http://www.daftpunk.com/
http://www.daftpunk.com/
Images from http://www.daftpunk.com/
The Graffiti Room (www.style.com)
The Metropolitan Museum in New York opens its doors this week to the annual Costume Institute exhibition with this year’s theme, Punk: Chaos to Couture. It looks back to honour the roots of the antiestablishment counterculture that emerged in the seventies and how this ended up inspiring and influencing all levels of the fashion world from then till now.
The exhibition show cases many high end designers with pieces that perhaps were never intended to be worn in any form, and were merely used as shock factors on the runway. The question surely then has to be asked, is it really punk if its couture? If it causes discomfort, then that’s surely a nod in the right direction.
It all comes down to the truism that everything old is new again, and when considering fashion everything really has been done before but the magic is how it is interpreted and reinterpreted. Surely everyone has had a go at punk, whether it be street level or couture. If you look back and see a (fake) leather jacket, ripped jeans, a safety pin holding something together even if unseen, that rebellious piercing or tattoo when you were 16, the political t-shirt you now just wear to bed…It might not be properly hard core but there’s an undercurrent just as there is a flower child in us all as well!
So get a little disruptive this weekend, provoke your inner punk and meld in a little DIY couture just for the hell of it.
Ukraine born Masha Reva is an artist who is using fashion as her current medium, and absolutely killing it. After researching up on Reva I was confused as to why I hadn’t heard about her work earlier, she is a truly gifted being. Her website showcases all her work from videos, illustrations, photography and collections. Seeing her ‘merging’ 2012 collection I instantly knew what I wanted to share on this blog; the explosion of print, the styling, and the backdrops all work together to show off these incredible prints and garment shapes. It’s no secret that I love the use of prints to revive a design and Reva has highlighted how well a print can make a garment.
http://www.mashareva.com/main/index.php?/fashion/-/
http://www.mashareva.com/main/index.php?/fashion/-/
http://www.mashareva.com/main/index.php?/fashion/-/
http://www.mashareva.com/main/index.php?/fashion/-/
Images from http://www.mashareva.com/main/
