✂-Designer's Tip of The Day-Punk!

Punk is a state of mind and was a fashion.  It had a greater impact on Western popular culture-from music to fashion, from graphic design to politics- than any other youth movement since the Hippies in the 1960's.   "Do it yourself!" was the Punk's clarion call, referring to both the making of music and clothes.  The orginators, the most inventive "doers", were three teenagers: Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious of the seminal punk band, the Sex Pistols, and Jordan a shop assistant at Seditionaries who became the female punk icon celebrated in Derek Jarman's film Jubilee (1978).  Punk was spawned in a small, highly stylized shop, in West London, which was owned by a young woman named Vivienne Westwood and a young man named Malcom McLauren.    These creative youths achieved a look which instantly communicated all the pain and anguish of lost adolescence. This look centered upon self-mutilation, damaged and asexual clothing, a violent rejection of prettiness or naturalness. 
Punk was the birth of a powerful partnership between music and fashion.  This partnership still remains an influence in today's DIY generation of designer's, musicians and artists.

Source: Icons of Fashion, The 20th Century.  The photo above is from Vivienne Westwood, "Seditionaries" collection.

✂-Designer's Tip of The Day-Metallic!

The Holidays are approaching, this means glitz and glam!  When deciding what to make for all your cocktail parties, choosing a fabric with metallic yarns will make you shine above the rest!

Most present day versions of metallic yarn are various forms of slit plastic film combined with either sheet aluminum or metallic particles.  Originally these were made by sandwiching aluminum foil between two layers of cellulose acetate or cellulose acetate butyrate film with coloring material in the adhesive.  While the form of yarn made from narrow strips of this material continues in the market, there are a number of other versions.  All of these yarns are available in a variety of thicknesses and widths as well as in staple form for spinning with other fibers.

The fabric shown above is a Rayon Silk Velvet Burnout with Metallic yarns woven in a leaf pattern.  Available at The Designer's Lounge.

Source: Fairchild's Dictionary of Textiles 7th Edition by Phyllis G. Tortora and Robert S. Merkel

♥ Craft Punk Vol. 3 Fashion Show.

The Craft Punk Fashion Show is a community of local Designers, Artists and Performers coming together for a cause, hosted by Evolution Piercing, this show was a benefit for  OFFCenter Community Arts Program, held on Friday the 13th of August, 2010.  The Designer's Lounge participated last year and I was so excited to take part again this year; these are just few pictures of  The Leather Collection that was shown that evening.

We had a FABULOUS time!! Thank you to everyone who donated services, for all your hard work and dedication and thank you to all the friends and family who came out to show their support!

Photos by Wes Namen Photography

✂-Designer's Tip of The Day-Corset, Pannier, Chemise!

Throughout the eighteenth century, the silhouette of a woman's dress was formed with a corset and a pannier  (the cage around the hips).  In order to push up the bust for a feminine outline (possibly the original Push-up Bra?), the corset was framed with pieces of whalebone!  First appearing in the early eighteenth century, the pannier became a mandatory item for court dress up until the time of the French Revolution.  As the skirt widened in the mid-eighteenth century, the pannier was modified and split into left and right halves.  Such huge panniers frequently became the subject of caricatures.   It's amazing they were able to fit through any doors! 

The photo above is a corset of brown cotton satin with 162 whalebones inside; pannier of cotton chintz with oval rattan hoops and padding; linen chemise. c. 1760-1780

Source: The Collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute, FASHION- A History from the 18th to the 20th Century.

✂-Designer's Tip of The Day-Have Faith!

When it seams as though everything is starting to unravel,  it's a good idea to take a moment and just breathe.  Often a project does not turn out as we had invisioned or we feel stumped creatively, but instead of getting frustraited or discouraged try to remember this- you are talented, gifted and and above all CREATIVE!  So, when you have to rip out a sleeve because you sewed it in backwards or have to re-cut a pattern because the nap was cut the wrong way, try to remember to "have faith", some of our biggest mistakes turn into the best creations.

✂-Designer's Tip of The Day-Keep a Sketchbook!

I suggest keeping a sketchbook, even if you don't THINK you're an "illustrator".  This differs from a Concept book, which is more organized and thought out.  By carrying a sketchbook with you at all times you are able to jot down ideas that may come to you only while being out in certain settings.  Inspiration comes in many shapes, sizes and in any given moment.  Be prepared to capture that idea, you never know where it may lead.... (you may just find yourself sitting next to Oprah chatting about your new book!)

✂-Designer's Tip of The Day-Frame it!

Sometimes we find trims or fabrics that are just too unique to wear, I think framing them is a perfect way to enjoy, admire and preserve these precious little finds.  
These buttons are hand made lace buttons I found rummaging through a flea market in Brimfield, Massachusetts; along with the two rows of lace trim.  I was waiting to find the perfect garment to make, unfortunately, nothing would suffice. Finally, I just framed them!  They continue to bring inspiration and in many ways good "sewing luck"!

Grand Opening Party!

Our Grand Opening had a GREAT turn out! These are just a few pictures from Friday's event; I wish I had room to post ALL the pictures, we had a wonderful time!

Our FABULOUS DJ Cassyle, however, in this picture she's missing her counter part DJ Bea! Thank you Ladies!

With the kick draw (literally) of her paint brushes Nikki was able to get the scissors painted on the wall just before the party started!! They turned out AMAZING!

Cute boyfriend and his family ♥

Nikki Zabicki and her other half JP ♥

Christine doing a wonderful job of keeping things in order (myself included!)

Thank you to all our friends and family who showed their support!
xo, T

♥ Leather Collection-Accessories

These "Hand Warmers" will be perfect for the cool weather months.  Bows, scalloped edges and silk chiffon ruffles keep these tough little items lady like and feminine!  Also available for custom orders, for more information email- info@designandlounge.com

✂-Designer's Tip of The Day-Pressing Issues

Test your fabric before ironing it, if the fabric has a shine, make sure that ironing dulls it.
You may need to lower the irons temp or use a pressing clothing.  A pressing cloth will protect the fabric from excessive heat and stop the shine that irons cause on some fabrics.

Source: Jeffrey Lelonde, Sr. Director of Technical Design, American Eagle Outfitters.