Flat Sketches

Hey everyone! I know it has been a longer time than usual without a post but these flat sketches kicked my butt just like I thought they would! It also did not help that Christmas is right around the corner and I got a little sidetracked with shopping for presents, baking christmas cookies, decorating and wrapping presents, but they are finally now done and here they are! 

With these sketches I can get to work creating patterns and draping all of the muslin prototypes and final looks, which I am pretty excited about. Everything is now in place to get started once the holidays are done, or sooner if i get any free time (probably not, but trying to think positively haha). All-in-all, the collection will have 20 individual garments which will make up 10 final complete looks. 

I have also recently decided to add a little more work to my plate (which anyone that knows me well, knows I always tend to do) and add a little more detail. I want to put heat sealed flat gold studs at the cross sections of some of the quilted areas. These studs will be in key areas like the shoulders, cuffs and waistbands of particular garments and will help to add visual interest and to update that quilted pattern, without being too over-the-top. I've done my research and they are actually pretty cheap and easy to find, which is definitely a good thing for me since I am working within a short deadline. I will be experimenting with these very soon to see just how they will look on the final pieces. 

Well, I think that is all for now, I will most likely be in holiday mode for the next week or so but ill definitely post shortly after that to keep you all updated on the patterning work! I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday and a happy New Years as well!

xoxo Hillary C.

Fabric Options

I am pretty excited about the fabrics I have found for my collection from my stash that I brought home from school as well as from my mom's awesome stash (more like mountains) of fabric in her sewing room! I found the neutral colors that i was looking for as well as a pop of sheer turquoise. All the fabrics are unique and I was able to find some interesting textures and techniques that I think will make the look and feel of my collection richer and warmer. So without further adieu here they are!

From Left to Right: Sheer turquoise, shearling, white wool, dot-textured woven, corduroy, wool blend suiting, suede-like mid-weight, brown textured knit, brown suiting, black peach skin, black spandex mix

At first glance its a lot of fabrics I know, but when I start designing a look, or a collection for that matter, I always gather more fabric choices than I know I will ultimately end up using. This way, when it comes time to pick out the final fabrics for each garment I have extra that I know will work with my vision just incase I change my mind. I wanted to include a mix of knit and woven fabrics, as well as different weights of fabrics in my selection. Ultimately they will add depth and well as interest in the line. I also wanted to make sure that they are fully functional so I chose fabrics that would allow movement and would provide warmth to the person wearing the garments (since the collection was designed for a colder climate and season).

Now that I have the fabrics selected, I will be staring at my computer for days creating the technical flat sketches for each garment in every look. It sounds tedious, and often times it is, but I find that when I create these flat sketches before I sew that they often help with the pattern making and draping process. Ill have those posted in a few days so make sure to check back :)!

xoxo Hillary C.

All the Sketching is Done!

Im pretty excited to say that I have finished the ideating/sketching process for my line! All in all, 30 looks were designed and rough sketched and I have picked out the final 10 looks that I will create during this next co-op quarter. Im pretty excited about where the line is going, and as always the sketches have turned out a little different than how I originally thought, but thats the fun of sketching, you never know what you will end up with. Once you get into it and just design, without over-thinking, you often get the best and most unexpected looks. The final 10 I have picked have quilting, not only as a small detail as originally planned, but in some cases, as the centerpiece. When the final fabrics and colors and selected I think the quilting will definitely enhance the overall look of each outfit. Well enough teasing, here are all the 30 rough sketches that I have completed along with my scribbly notes about colors, techniques and details. 

   

   

The final 10 that I have chosen from this group have a mix of outerwear pieces, leggings, wide leg pants, blouses and dresses. I also think these 10 pieces are cohesive with one another and will go great with the knitted accessories I will be making as well. These knitted pieces will include, gloves, hats, scarves, belts, socks and possibly ear muffs and headbands. A lot, I know but those will be the last pieces to be completed because I really want to make sure that they compliment the garments and do not overrun or confuse them. Here are the final 10 looks that I will be creating!

Im so glad this part of the process is over, in some ways, this can be the hardest part! Coming up with something new and original that still compliments your style and doesn't look forced is a lot to think about! Next, I will be picking out the final fabrics and colors that will make this collection come alive! Luckily I not only have the suitcase full of fabric that I brought home from school to choose from, but my mom's entire sewing room full of every kind of fabric imaginable as well, so hopefully I wont have to purchase much additional fabric at all! My plan is to have the fabric selected by Christmas so I can start sewing my line at the beginning of the new year! Well, there's a lot more to come so keep checking back!

xoxo Hillary C.

Co-Op Collection Inspiration

These past few days have been devoted to nailing down a final concept for the collection I am creating for my winter co-op, and after going back and forth quite a bit I finally have it figured out! The collection I am designing will be a Women's Ready-to-Wear Line for Fall/Winter 2012.

I am taking my inspiration from ski resorts like the ones in Aspen and Vail, Colorado as well as Breckenridge, Denver. I love the luxury of these places and the mixes of materials and textiles that are everywhere there, from the stone and wood buildings and cabins to the interiors filled with furs, wool and other textiles. These places represent a carefree, luxurious atmosphere that I want in my line. I am also taking an inspiration from the winter, skiing culture that is there. The girl I am designing for is fashion forward, someone who wants to be seen and is not afraid to be hands on and hit the slopes and be active.

Designing with this girl in mind, one key detail that I want to use throughout my line is quilting, not the cliche "puffer jacket or vest" heavy quilting that can come off cheesy at times, but a lighter, softer quilting that is mixed with suede's, knits and wools. This I think, will provide the luxury feel I am looking for as well and give real depth to each look. As with all of my other designs I really want this line to be fully functional. I want all the outerwear pieces to be fully lined and insulated so they are not just something to look at, but something to be worn in a cold weather environment as well. I also want to include some interestingly pieced leggings throughout the collection to give a more activewear feel to the looks. The more active looks will also be accompanied with more classic silhouettes, wide leg pants, blazers and blouses with seaming details and a mix of fabrics to provide balance to the collection as a whole. I also want to include chunky, knit accessories in the collection. These will include headbands, earmuffs, gloves, scarves and hopefully a few sweaters (time permitting of course). Time management will be a big factor for me with this collection. There will be 10 complete looks that i have a little over 10 weeks to make!
Wish me luck!

As promised here are a few sneak peeks of quick sketches of some of the looks I have designed. There are many, many more on the way but I think this will give you a good idea of the beginning of the line. A lot more sketches will be coming in the next few days!

Original Designs

xoxo Hillary C.

Tailoring Project Final Result

This past quarter at UC my main class was tailoring. It was something that I knew going into it was going to be time consuming, but I truly had no idea just how much time it would take up. My roommate joked with me that this was the most time she has ever seen me spend on one project, but i wanted it to be perfect (I can be a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my work most times).

Our assignment was to choose a time period from history and design a look based on that. I chose the 1940's. I loved the use of details and seaming that was present in garments, especially jackets and coats, during that time period. Colors of garments were more natural and muted to resemble the uniforms the soldiers were wearing during the war at that time, so I chose to stick with a neutral color palette of browns and rich creams and to use a pop of brighter color with a rich rust lining. There were also Sumptuary Laws in place during this time period due to the war and the shortages of goods and materials that resulted from it. Jackets specifically, were required to be no longer than 25 inches in length so I decided to use this restriction in my design as well as an extra challenge to myself. The final design I chose to create included a self-faced, wide leg pant to update the look and keep the overall silhouette sleek and tall, and a simple tank top with a contrast stripe down the center.  

The final jacket was made from a rich brown plaid wool. I had to match the plaid on every pattern piece in order for the look to be clean and cohesive. That process alone ended up taking 4 hours! I decided to place the plaid on the bias for the front and back yokes. The jacket also has princess seams on the front and back and a mandarin collar with an exposed zipper front closure. 

Final Tailoring Look Front, Side 

Final Tailoring Look Back, Full Look    

Designing and creating this look really fueled my desire to spend this next 3 month co-op for school designing my own fall/winter Ready to Wear line. I hope to include a few jackets and tailored pieces in this line as well as separates, dresses and some special knit accessories. The final line will have 10 looks when it is completed. There is still a lot to figure out so lets just consider this a teaser for a post in a few days with the final inspirations and details figured out! Off to sketch this wonderful collection I go! Check back soon for more updates!

xoxo Hillary C.

A Little Bit About Me

Before i start posting about work I have done or am doing or what inspires me i think it makes more sense to give you a little insight to myself and how I design and think.

My design style is functional, feminine and fashion forward. I design for the on-the-go-girl who needs looks to flow from one function to the next whether it may be work or a night out on the town. Versatility and layering is key for me, a perfectly placed accessory or layer can completely change the look of any outfit in my opinion.

I love color, prints and patterns and I am not afraid to use them in my designs. I think a great print or pattern has the ability to set any look or garment apart from what everyone else is wearing and can give a pop of interest. I use these elements in everything from color and print blocked designs, like in my swim wear which mixed sheers with plaids with bright blues, to piping and seaming details.

Swim Wear Designs Spring 2011

I hope this gives you a little bit more insight to what inspires me and what I design for. I just finished up my tailoring project for school so once things slow down a little with the quarter ill definitely get some pictures up to show you all what I have been working on!

xoxo Hillary C