Spring is here and many trends have been spotted in recent fashion shows. As the cold weather is ending, and flowers blossoming, many trends represent the beauty of spring.
Michael Kors Spring 2015 Ready to Wear
In Shanghai, designers manipulate fabric to create texture, volume and completely transform them. Similarly, texture is shown in fabrics in Tokyo, where 3D fabric flowers are placed on garments. There are a variety of flower placements, such as oversized repeats, decorative application, varied scales and scattered. This trend has also been seen on the runways shows on Rebecca Taylor and Michael Kors. Florals have also been detected in embroideries on sheer fabrics to resemble delightful gardens.
Alberta Ferretti Spring 2015 Ready to Wear
Another trend that has been spotted in many runway shows is nude colors, which have been inspired by the light hues of makeup palettes. These colors are soft and sophisticated and are perfect for spring for sheer and silky satin clothing. Some designers to use cosmetic nudes are Sharon Wauchob, Haider Ackermann and Vionnet. Sheer fabric is also used by itself in many runway shows as well as with embellishments to create movement on a barely there fluid surface. The sheer fabric trend uses light silks and layering with chiffon to help achieve a feminine look. Sheer fabrics are also combined with knit fabrics, such as ultra fine silk, mohair and viscose blends to create a pattern suitable for the spring weather.
Floral designs, either done in fabric manipulation or actual application of 3D flowers are used frequently to resemble spring’s blooming flowers. Fabrics for spring 2015 are also breathable materials. Even knits that are used are thin and combined with sheer pieces. These trends for spring 2015 are light and feminine; perfect for the spring weather.
So, tell us a little about yourself…
I moved to New York in the summer of ’96, and immediately found a job in a costume jewelry company. For the last 18 years, wherever I lived and live, worked and work, I always walked the block of 39th Street, between 7th & 8th Avenues, five days a week. To this day, I would sometimes still stop and think how lucky I am to be working in the famed Garment District. The excitement goes on after so many years, without cease.
As a designer in a private label design and manufacturing facility, I’ve had the most rewarding experience of working with many famous labels and talented designers, including Peter Som, Zac Posen, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Lela Rose, Isaac Mizrahi, and Doncaster Collection. This training has sharpened my skills as a designer and artisan with a unique perspective, and that is the ability to interpret, understand, and even get excited by an aesthetic that is not my own, as my prime objective is to deliver a piece–if not a collection–worthy of the customer’s label or name.
Was there a project or accomplishment that you consider to be significant in your career?
I consider that during the end of every major market season, Spring market in September and Fall market in February, is an accomplishment simply for having survived it, since I cater to the runway needs of a few designers during NY fashion week, and since accessories are oftentimes the last to be developed, I always worked with a challenging and tight deadline. Remember, I don’t work with just one or two designers at a time! I’m sure many designers would agree with me that talent and sense of style is a given, but stamina is another outfit we must put on every day, to make it in this industry.
But my very first taste of the garment district is what I consider most significant, in relation to my career as a designer. It was the searing summer of 1993, and to support my short stay in NYC as a struggling visual artist, I accepted a job as a delivery person to a dear friend who makes garment samples for a few clothing designers in the area. My afternoons were spent carrying multiple garment and shopping bags, schlepping them from Woodside to midtown, after a morning of ironing the freshly-sewn garments I was going to deliver. No blood, but sweat and tears, yes. But this experience opened me to the idea of possibly, one day, a career in fashion might be a nice idea?
What is exciting in the accessories market right now?
Since I work closely with different types of manufacturers, I hear more often now that there seems to be a boost in interest in manufacturing locally. This means that many designers will be more comfortable producing, since MOQ’s here are relatively not as high as any given factory in China. That to me is very exciting.
Can you give us a sneak peek of what your class will be like?
Other classes seem to have been attended by enthusiastic professionals who are mostly not in the fashion industry yet. I would expect this class to be the same, and by experience, I see that it’s not about trying to find inspiration in designing a collection, but rather, many students battle with the fact that they have too many ideas! My class will be about trimming and editing these ideas, culminating with a concept for a collection that is cohesive, impactful, and relevant. Lots of talk, visuals, and interaction!
Thank you and we look forward to your class! To register for this class, please visit fitnyc.edu/noncreditregister
