Motifs - Spring 2010 Intro and Pre-fall 2010 Coming Of Age collections

I am excited to realize that it has almost been a full year of BAGS! In this snip of time, - and it did seem like a true snip - on random evenings, weekends, lunch breaks at day job, and wee hours of morning, I have been creating and sewing my favourite accessories... It has been an interesting year of ups and downs, as I had to eventually learn how to sew leather, find time to draft, grow and promote my line  - and that's been happening at the strangest times, locations and ways I could not even thought of.

Since the start - when I sewed my first ever Kerry bag (and it hardly looked like anything it does today), followed by a few grassroots models; my style has changed so much. I think I am slowly moving towards finding my looks, my nieche and trends, and learning to differenciate Inspiration from Impulses. 

Here's a brief look into a few new designs, to be included in my new Coming Of Age collection, that I am hoping to put together in time for Fall this year.

The "Ruffled Satchel" -  Pre-Fall Coming Of Age collection - is currently looking for a name. I thought I'd show it off at the Portobello West market this coming weekend prior to the whole collection. Comes in garment, upholstery and automotive leather grades. Currently in summer colours. Get 15% off of this bag at Portobello West for the blog readers.

Terri Ann -  Pre-Fall Coming Of Age collection - a compact yet roomy shoulder bag. Modernized Saddlebag styling - feminine and traditional country motifs will be present throughout the upcoming collection, along with my signature 'no-metal-hardware-and-no-lining' look... Mostly upholstery leather. Get 15% off of this bag at Portobello West as well....

And here are a few other bags, which I did not have images of  - as they were gone to their new homes or retail shortly since completion.....

Renata - Spring 2010 Intro collection - unadorned and beautiful...  Mostly light to medium weight upholstery leather. Worn both  - by long shoulder handles or messenger strap. Unlined.

The long rein of the 'Hobo' (or Western Rounded shape) bag in fashion is officially over, and Fall will find us switching to a cross-over between a traditional 'Bucket' - rounded spaceous bottom bag and 'Satchel' - a straighter soft top, securing and accommodating the space inside the bag, created by the rounded bottom. The new shape of the 'It Bag' for fall is more practical in terms of carrying storage space, yet preserved all the best features of the Hobo - soft shell and comfortable fit against the wearer's body.... Renata's features channel the practicality and looks of the upcoming season trend.

Also, a couple fo new one of a kind styles are coming from TRIFFtextiles.

'This Is Triff' - a large felted wool and leather tote, all materials recycled.

And a 'Sequened' mini tote, reworked of recycled sequened bag gottoms and leather.

Also, 2 limited edition 'Ball And Chains': Come and visit my booth at Portobello West market on 27th and 28th

My retail and events update

This is what's been going on during my silent period! Now I am all geared up for action.....
 
Portobello West Fashion and Art market starts it's 2010 season on March 27 and 28th.

Rocky Mountaineer Station
1755 Cottrell Street
Vancouver
BC

 It will be my second time vending at the market - this time along with the main Spring /Summer 2010 Intro collection, I will have a few styles from the next one to preview.

Look for a roomy and compact TerriAnn, shoulder bag with button closure; and a day-to-evening ruffled satchel athat's still to get it's name! I will be offering 15% discount on both these styles  - just mention this post!

I am also hoping to have first batch of re-worked vintage pieces to present at the market.

See you there!

 Also .......................

We had some expansion happening since the two shows and post holiday sale last year. I am excited to announce that my bags can now be found in these 4 retail locations:

Two Of Hearts Clothing Boutique

Two of Hearts Boutique is Located at 3728 Main St. Vancouver, BC
Store Hours:
Tues - Saturday 11am - 6pm
Sun 12pm - 5pm
Mon CLOSED

   Dream Apparel And Articles For People           dream 311 West Cordova Street Vancouver, BC     little dream #130 – 1666 Johnston Street - Granville Island Vancouver, BC 604-683-6930            

Jipsi Clothing Movement 475 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay, BC                 

Hazel And Sid
423 Main Street
Ridgefield, CT 06977










Not so bad for the first year!

Update - after a somewhat lenghthy break...

Although the time I have not been writing, was anything, but a break.
There was a small backlog of custom orders, that needed to be cleared sooner than later;
Also there was Eco Fashion Week's opening event, closely timed with some Valentine's day themed socializing.

Then, of course came the Games.... And the city became an array of places to go to, events not to miss, fun to attend - and for the first time in many years I was quite literally - glued to the television. I even developed interest in winter sports!
And, as most of us perhaps did, suffered from Games withdrawal, once the two weeks were briefly over. Perhaps, not so much the Olympics themselves, as the change they brought to the city - the mood, the crowds and the cellebrations.

Somewhere in the middle fo all that I managed to place a few of my bags with a new retailer - the lovely Dream Apparel and Articles for People boutique - again, big thanks to Teresa from Dotted Loop for putting in the good word!

And that was followed by still on-going  leatherwork marathon to make up some stock in time for the Season opening show of the Portobello West market later this month, along with sourcing a few vintage clothing items to re-work and present at the show.
Then there was some furniture, shoe and supply shopping, and tending to my own health as well...
And did I mention that I also hold a day-job?

Now, things are slowly starting to fall back in order. The Market is still a few weeks away and I am really excited to have a couple of my fall preview styles to show off during that weekend. I can even think of relaxing an evening or two.
Also looking forward to the Women in Film and TV festival in April, showcasing a short film, called "Chocolate", directed by a friend of mine...

Oh - and just around that time, my tiny line of bags will hit its first anniversary! It was around April last year, that I've sewn my first oversized paisley - printed upholstery shopping tote, which I am using daily since then. That was followed by my fist dress, made from scratch in the past 10 years or so - and then, followed by a very naive version of the Kerry bag I carry today. The bag pattern has changed since then, but to this day I am very happy to have come up with this design....

I will have a Anniversary sale after Portobello. My Grassroots Model sale is still going.

So, keeping calm and carrying on. In the next few weeks it is my plan to schedule most of the shows I would like to exibit at this year - and squeeze in a trip to my homeland somewhere in between. Most likely in summer. Lots to look forward to. I am wishing myself a good year...

New items in my Etsy shop!

Ladette - new limited edition - purple and brass decorated! Gorgeous!
Terri Ann - also a limited edition - and a sneak preview of my up coming fall range!
SWAG  royal blue floral patchwork zip clutch - a beautiful eco-fashion piece - and a preview of my TRIFF textiles line
Jaki tote in wedding white - gets you mind into summer! And caramel - great TCB bag!

There's good everywhere - you only need to find it - lol (my nearly Andy Rooney moment, directed at Independent Fashion Bloggers)

I am usually tough on so called 'Independent Fashion bloggers', especially if they call so themselves... Usually for the mere lack of purpose to their mission.

Independent Fashion Blogger.... - commonly someone beyond that kind of 'title' is female, usually a student (hence the time on their hands for all the blogging & unloading pictures..), proudly supported by their working family; has true passion for keeping tabs on their latest purchases in junior stores, taking generous loads of pictures of themselves in several outfits each time, and sharing them with their elaborate network of virtual friends, throwing in a few brands or names of fashion icons in their scarse comments to create references...

I am often wondering what exactly makes these bloggers 'classify themselves' as  independent?  Independence in their direction and fashion creativity? Hardly. They are not setting fashion trends or creating them - usually their wardrobes  - and therefore - sources of blogging material -  are fuelled by teen or discount stores, where 'the finds' were picked-up on shopping-sprees, focusing on pure quantities (the more - the better), with little regard to quality of the purchased item, it's propriety or purpose.

Main target is either on a manufacturer's brand, or discount received. Often, boasting about baggin'-up a dirt-cheap couterfeit accessories fills pages of 'independent fashion'. Title Independent is most likely drawn from the lack of authorisation/ or endorsement by a reputable source to one's writings on internet....

Another word that 'gets me' about this title, is the very word 'Fashion'.

If you photograph clothes, then you think you must be showcasing fashion. Well, in the eyes of those creating fashion, what you really are showcasing is your own wardrobe  - and oftentimes, mis-use of the aspiring items.
Junior stores do not create fashion, they mass-produce it. And so do the big brands, and as a result of this consumerism is disquissed as passion for fashion. And mainstream marketing campaigns of air-brushed pictures, and models striking stylized poses - get these copycats to attempt some home version of the same  - and then, unfortunately, to put it all out to Internet for us to see! Lack of regard for fashion, along with lack of regard for purpose of the whole ordeal, leave a bad taste of purely narcicistic intentions beyond these photoshoots, as well as an indirect way to boast about yourself.

Do IFB's live to buy? I suggest that all the 'Independent Fashion Bloggers' I've described here, to be re-named to Fast Fashion Bloggers (slightly better than Consumerist Bloggers )- and they can stay Independent, if they like .

Here's a few suggestions to upgrade yourself in Blogging - from Douchebaggery to Fashion.




If you consider yourself any kind of fashionista - even more so  - independent fashionista   - then look to the Independent - to the grass-roots of fashion in the jungle of indie art.
Fashion is given birth toitself right there, during the countless scavanges and re-works of thrift items; discovered hiding in dingy craft shows, amongst the vast pages of Etsy.com . That awckward, one-of-kind (very temporarily, as we know), unseen before, item, that none of your friends seem to have (this year - or next) - that's THE fashion item, the trend setter - and not a follower - generate from Inate inspiration, rather that 'as seen on...'  (and copied from) - that's what you should be aspiring to. The originals, not mass-produced copies. Big brands and chain stores popularize trends with their cash, as well as steal them - but it is Us, Indie Artists, that discover them in the first place, before that item became 'the season's Must Have a few years later. Blog about that - even if you're wearing the item in your pics! We'd forgive you.

Do not support counterfeit market. Copying someone else's designs and selling them as your own, is stealing. Buying stolen items is supporting the thieves. If this is hard to comprehend, imagine someone getting wind of your original grad outfit and showing up wearing the same one - claiming they created it themselves.

Also, copying someone else's designs, producing a far inferior copy and selling it as THEIR product, is not only stealing, but degrading too. Designer quality items require hard work by highly skilled people. Inferior, cheap, copies undermine value of the originals, due the the price disperities and lack of consumer education. They also degrade and tarnish the work of designers by the poor quality involved in mass produced copies, that claim to be the actual originals.. Never ever buy a counterfeit - there are lots of alternatives to funding a purchase of an original, or getting your 'brand fix' through buying an alternative item in the same fashion house. OR - possibly there are other items, related to the same trend around already - you just have to find them...

Overall, if you love fashion - show it as art, rather than tool to express your narcicistic  needs. Post pictures of other people sometimes - especially if they do fashion  better than you. It takes a hero to admit it!

Also - be concious of the environment. Buy natural, healthy, fairly made and traded, and cruelty free fashion only - the one you'll keep for a long time, and not one you'll discard to landfill once the photoshoot is viewed by more than 6 people... And obstain from buying all over again, sending your money to chains, which hide sweatshops, cruelty, plagiarism and child labour behind their countless quantities of identical products.

Include one of a kind items in your looks - they're especially easy to locate in Thrift stores. You'll never find an item, identical to what you've found in Thrift store, again. And - use DYI items in your looks. They'll be uniquely yours, and you will -  at least for that one photoshoot - be allowed to clai that you create  fashion!

Work with looks, specific to your cultural, religious or environment  needs  - and stretch them, byt integrating pieces that you like into your attire, shaped by cultural norms. Research your possibilitities and give advice.

Be the first - do not be a narcicistic follower. Bring meaning to the messages you're subjecting us to. Create, love and support art - not just plain consumerist douchebaggery. Sources are out there - just find them. look furhter than yourself - look to fashion!

Be a fashion blogger - an advocate for Fashion.

Big day for a small brand

Talk about bragging rights - my merely 9 months old line just may get another micro expansion. A third retail location! The lovely Two Of Hearts Boutique on Main street.


Really thrilled to finally sell locally! For someone who hardly does any major PR - or any PR for that matter, just as little marketing; and all design, production, purchasing -alongside a full time demanding job, this attention is not only a surprise, but a case of overwhelming.

So the day looks somewhat like this:

• dropping off several of my 'creations' at the boutique
• collecting packages that finally made their way in from around the globe, carrying goodies, ideas and inspirations
• signing up for a day-job related, yet interesting class;
• returning home and designing..... fall stuff. (I cant even think of fall in this weather - my mind is in the spring!)
• major replenishing, sweat shop-like sewing marathon for the rest of the weekend, if cold does not cripple me. 
• oh - and applying for another major handmade show - gee, I am not sure if I can pull it off...

Thank all of  you for finding me....

Pls, visit my bags alongside lots of great locally made pieces of clothing, jewellery, accessories and art - 

Two Of Hearts Clothing & Boutique

3728 Main St.
Vancouver, BC

http://www.two-of-hearts-clothing.com

 

**ps - fall stuff is nowhere in my head...

 

Your low-down of some excellent clothing trends for this spring

More and more days feel like spring time in Vancouver. Quite a contrast from last year, when we were covered with deep snow, which had blackened and turned porous over the weeks.

This year, there's the sunshine, the rain, the birds and that way-too-early-to-be-around warm wind. I am already thinking of Spring - and so do alot of us, I am sure. Spring clothing is sheepishly appearing at the stores, bringing back joyous mood and lighter colours.

I feel somewhat obligated to give the audiences a fair summary of what to look for in order to stay on top of trends this spring. This post will cover the Overview- traits, spotted amongst global Brands, that impact and lead us into each new transition - be it a simple season change or arrival of a new direction in apparel. I will not focus on labels, but rather looks.

CONTRASTING TEXTURES:
Each outfit - or, even better - each single piece - combined of not only patterns that differ, but also very different or opposing materials and textures. Pair modal with knits, silk with linen, tweed and lace, leather and jersey - stiff with flowy, masculine with feminine, solids with remnants - all good, as long you thought those ideas could never work together - they CAN (despite what your grandmother or boyfriend says)!

There is also a Military direction to it - when flowy fabric tunics or dresses are tamed with structured blazers, featuring army style finishes.

Avoid: colour clashes. They by no means have to match, but to go is neccessary.

Where to buy highstreet: This is an easy one - dress here, jacket there - mix things from different brands + add DVF

FLORAL - and the more vintage looking, or closer to the 60's wall-paper look - the better! This look has been around for a while, and this spring it is bringing some new cuts and new appreciation of vintage. Also, the dreamy 'Cruise' floral is growing, (whether is a good thing or not), along with modernized, or so called 'Translatable"  florals, most of which we will see in our retail stores shortly. Those are the prints that will suit most bodies and colour pallets. However - if you are picking a more fashion-forward floral, consider your statue more than anything else. Classical rule is that large prints can over-power petite frames. Sometimes belting a big pattern floral dress does the trick for petites. Here are my pics:

Avoid: Overpowering - if you're petite - break up a print with a belt, scarf or blazer.
Head-to-toe floral - is just wrong
Where to buy highstreet: as much as I've seen - the leader is H&M. And vintage......

Some version of BOHO - I am so glad this theme is still around. I solely give this trend all the props for "teaching" me how to dress; and inspiring me to love the world the way it is. Layered, ever-changing, independent, untamed. That is MY version of Boho.
This year Boho channels a few other directions and is losing it's primary 'stark' version - we're not seeing quite as many pon-pons, symbolics and headbands. But the appeal is there, as it always has been. So, be wild, bold, laid back, eco-grunge-chic, or downright crunchy -  and  - at the same time - incredibly tasteful....

This year may be the last one that we're talking about BOHO as a trend. Environmental awareness, recycling and all thing eco-chic have put this movement onto the Shelf of Timeless, next to Classical style and functional Sportswear. BOHO will always be around as a direction, rather than temporary fashion trend. Amen to that - and may your purse never match your outfit!

Avoid: inapropriate pics for your environment - some versions are suited for work, but some are just not.
Over-doing: head-to-toe grunge sometimes is a failure, too many layers can over-power YOU.
Where to buy highstreet: Start with Vallue Village, rework your finds and add new pieces as you go.

MINIMALIST - Usually, when a fashion direction is present for as long as Layering and Volume have been around, there is a fresh 'opposition' rising eventually. That's why this spring new, cleaner, looks were spotted on runways. No co-insidence, we're starting a new decade too. For some artists, this is a way to start fresh and minimal, shedding all the layers and embellishings, and reminding us that less is more.

Clean lines, focus on tailoring and exposing craftsmanship rather than additives...

Yet, not only craftsmanship is exposed.... There is a body-concious line within this trend. Some clothes are tailored to closely fit the body and mimic it's lines. So all eyes are on the wearer, the clothes supplement, rather than over-take.

Avoid: colours that wash you out. Also, if you're curvy, broken -up separates work better than solid strech fabric pieces.


Where to buy highstrreet: Hmmm, try Contemporary section of Holts, American Apparel, Pure And Simple line at Life Of Riley, also - great BC designers such as Toggery & Two Of Hearts.







DRAPED  - some Grecian versions of this look has been around since about 2004. But this year the focus is on draping rather than cultural influences. I personally love this trend, because it works for the most body types. Keep it light and fresh.

This type of clothing cunstruction, if selected right, allows us to seemlessly 'hide' the parts of our bodies we are not happy with. And if paired with solids, this trend can look very professional and personal at the same time.

 Avoid: Like anything new, this idea can be easily over-used.  When you're not sure apply the 'less is more' rule. Also - it is important to try these clothes on while you're moving. Space permitting, take a stroll in and out your changeroom, to see how the flowy materials move with your body.

Where to buy highstreet: hmmm... this is a tricky one - mainly because it may take a while till this trend reaches our shores. For now, your best shot is at Zara.

Should you venture abroad - try TopShop, as they're always ahead of many other stores with their fun and fashion forward ideas.

So, these are the main four avenues that stood out in the spring run-way shows. There are other, additional directions, that were also spotted - like the return of bright colours, mixed prints and safari look, that has been around for a while.

As buyers, our task is to pick what suits for us and make looks our own. Plan and enjoy your wardrobes!

In the next post I will try to cover local, BC indie brands and fashions. BC is marching to it's own beat, when it comes to fashion, and I will try to summarize the new and fresh ideas that appeared in our back-yard in the past few weeks.