Fashionarium

For art lovers ...

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:25:00 +0200

I want to share with you this website, a great resource for those who want to Learn how to Draw and Paint. It has a growing collection of articles, tips and techniques created by artists, art teachers and masters of yesteryears for art lovers (students and teachers alike!

Photo: Christian Louboutin by Tae Querney

There you’ll find articles about

color theory,
how to use different painting media (e.g. oil, acrylics, watercolors, gouache, charcoal , pastels, pencil, and that sort of thing),
different painting techniques,
how to draw,
how to preserve your paintings , and
how to frame them and exhibit them (if you’re really serious in your artistic endeavours!).

Enjoy!

What should a portfolio show?

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:51:00 +0200

13 Startups Changing Lifestyle Through Discovery & Curation

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:10:49 +0200

Photo: ktdl.co.uk

I came across an interesting article on our favorite website FashionablyMarketing.me on how some brands reap the benefits of Search Engine Optimization, social engagement and build brand awareness for their fashion brand, when consumers posting and sharing their products and photos on some curation websites.

“With the advent of consumer curation of products, online products no longer have a direct sales funnel. So how are we, as retailers and brands, going to get consumers to hit the purchase button when the path has so many twists and curves? By encouraging the curation of our products, of course.”

I invite you to read the entire article Submitted by Macala Wright on Fashionarblymarketing.me It might be useful for your business growing!

How can Pinterest work for your fashion business?

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:07:00 +0200

Pinterest is making a big boom online and many people are wondering how to use Pinterest to boost traffic & sell more with it’s help.

I’m sure that you have checked out Pinterest, and have lost several hours sifting through all of the site’s amazing photographs or illustrations. If you haven’t you must know that this site is a virtual moodboard which lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web.

It’s very easy to organize your favorite pictures, to share them with your friends and if you use the site correctly, it’s also a great traffic driver for your site.

Why do I use Pinterest?

Source: Google Images

I have fallen into a habit of using Pinterest a while ago when, my computer was full of folders with photos, inspiration for my future drawings, for my style etc. But there were so many picture so that my computer’s memory was full. So I firstly started a tumblr blog and uploaded some of them to have an online gallery with my favorite pictures and to be able to access them anytime, anywhere. But, I’ve realized that it was hard to organize them into folders and search for the favorite one when I needed to draw or simply to inspire myself. So again created folders into my computer.

All this problem until I’ve found Pinterest, and I’ve fallen in love with it. I use it as a tool to organize my favorite photos, to create moodboards, book galleries, fashion illustrations galleries, wish lists or to define my style.

Best of all, I can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

The bennefits of Pinterest

So let’s jump into some simple benefits to utilize Pinterest.

1. Networking & Social Media Tool

The great thing about Pinterest is that it’s a relatively new site/tool that you can further explore to discover how it can be used as a networking and social media tool as well as a traffic driver to your site.

Pinterest’s goal is to connect everyone in the world through the ‘things’ they find interesting. They think that a favorite book, toy, or recipe can reveal a common link between two people. With millions of new pins added every week, Pinterest is connecting people all over the world based on shared tastes and interests.

2. Boost Traffic to your website

If your business sells things online to consumers, Pinterest is the place to be.

I learned the benefits of Pinterest kind of by accident. I started to post a few interesting images from my websites to one of my Pinterest boards and noticed that people were finding my website via the images I posted to Pinterest. I started to force my head and wonder what other kinds of images I could pin that could drive traffic? I tried a couple of different pictures – product images, images from tutorials, interviews, and you know what? It totally worked!

2. Organize your favorite things

You can use Pinterest as a tool to organize into folders your favorite photos as inspiration for your next drawings, to create story boards for your new fashion line, bookmark your favorite books or fashion illustrations or simply to create wish lists.

Anyways, I recommend you to use Pinterest as authentic as possible and to pin not only your products that you’re proud of, but also things you really love. The site does discourage blatant self-promotion:

”Avoid Self Promotion | Pinterest is designed to curate and share things you love. If there is a photo or project you’re proud of, pin away! However, try not to use Pinterest purely as a tool for self-promotion.”

Here are my favorite photos, illustrations and other things I love pinterest.com/julia .

To get started you need to request an invite. So, if you don’t Pin already and want an invite, shoot me an email and I’ll send you one.

What is good design?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:16:00 +0200

Photo: Lanvin, style.com

While creating the concept for World of Wonderful Boutique, I find myself asking an important question:

“Are my creations good enough? How do I define good design?”

From that moment, I’m continuously focused to understand better and better what a good design really means and how it can affect our lives in a positive way.

From my point of view,

good design is quality
good design is innovation
good design is creativity
good design is uniqueness
good design is honest
good design is aesthetic
good design is functional
good design is simple
good design is delicately colored
good design is long lasting

Why do I value good design?

Well, I have many reasons…

One of them is because good design displays the qualities of beauty and involve professionalism and emotion. But most of all because design is the difference.

I’ll share with you a video created by designer Richard Shed for the “The Good Design Manifesto” that show some experts’ opinion about good design..

Enjoy:

What about you? How do you define good design? I invite you to join the conversation in the comment section bellow.

What is good design?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:53:00 +0200

Photo: Lanvin, style.com

While creating the concept for World of Wonderful Boutique, I find myself asking an important question:

“Is my design good? How do I define good design?”

From that moment, I’m continuously focused to understand better and better what a good design really means and how it can affect our lives in a positive way.

From my point of view,

good design is quality
good design is innovation
good design is creativity
good design is uniqueness
good design is honest
good design is aesthetic
good design is functional
good design is simple
good design is delicately colored
good design is long lasting

Why do I value good design?

Well, I have many reasons…

One of them is because good design displays the qualities of beauty and involve professionalism and emotion. But most of all because design is the difference.

I’ll share with you a video created by designer Richard Shed for the “The Good Design Manifesto” that show some experts’ opinion about good design..

Enjoy:

What about you? How do you define good design? I invite you to join the conversation in the comment section bellow.

Fashion Illustrated -Lessons Learned from David Downton

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:02:00 +0200

When illustrator David Downton and model Jade Parfitt gathered in Rupert Sanderson’s studio for her portrait - with Jade wearing Alexander McQueen couture and shoes by Rupert Sanderson - the results were always going to be mesmerising.

See it happen:

Thoughts on the designer/client relationship

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:09:00 +0200

Enjoy a very inspiring and useful video on the designer/client relationship, thanks to the Design Council.

The ideal client

“The ideal client is a client who is prepared to listen. I’ll make an analogy. If I go to see the doctor, I accept that the doctor has trained, has skill, has experience. He’s concentrating on one aspect of me. I’ve asked them to do that. What I don’t do is what bad graphic design clients do, which is I don’t lean over the doctor’s shoulder and say, can we make that pill a bit larger?” Quentin Newark - Graphic Design Consultant and Co-Founder and Partner, Atelier Works

You can read the full transcript here.

10 Books to help you easily start your Fashion Design Business

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:59:00 +0200

“Hi, my dream is to become a fashion designer and one day have a top selling clothing line. But my only problem is that I don’t know where to start. I just wanted advice for starting my line.”

Because many of you have send me emails like the one above, and also questions on what books to read to reach an entrepreneurial experience I’ve researched for you on Amazon some of the top Business Books in the Fashion Industry and I share them to you right now. I hope they will help you to get a clear idea on how to start, run and manage your own Fashion Design Business.

The Business of Fashion: Designing, Manufacturing, and Marketing, 4th Edition

Revised to keep up with the quickly-evolving landscape of the fashion industry, the fourth edition of this authoritative text offers updated information on the design, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of fashion products within a global context. Research-based content provides insight on the organization and operation of textiles, apparel, accessories, and home fashion companies, as well as the effect of technological, organizational and global changes on every area of the business.

Check out inside the book: The Business of Fashion: Designing, Manufacturing, and Marketing, 4th Edition

Fashion Entrepreneur (Fashion Design Series)

With your head buzzing with innovative and creative ideas welcome to the Fashion Entrepreneurs’ world of glamour, style and wealth. This book outlines the traits and techniques fashion designers use to set up small businesses. The topics include: creativity and innovation, writing business plans, raising finance, sales and marketing, and the small business management skills needed to run a creative company on a day-to-day basis.

Check out inside the book: Fashion Entrepreneur (Fashion Design Series)

How to Set Up and Run a Fashion Label

No matter how talented you are as a designer, if you are going to run a successful fashion label you also need to know about business—from marketing and PR to manufacturing your collection, and where to find the money to finance it all.

In How to Set Up and Run a Fashion Label, Toby Meadows presents a no-nonsense guide to running your own business, whether it is within the clothing, accessories or footwear sectors. Packed with tips, case studies, and tasks to help you analyze yourself, your market and your product, the book is designed for anyone wanting to start their own fashion business.

Check out inside the book: How to Set Up and Run a Fashion Label

The Fashion Designer Survival Guide, Revised and Expanded Edition: Start and Run Your Own Fashion Business

With advice from fashion luminaries including Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Cynthia Rowley, Diane von Furstenberg, Richard Tyler, and top executives from Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York, this fully updated and revised edition of The Fashion Designer Survival Guide addresses the latest trends in apparel and accessories, the newest designers, an updated introduction, and a new foreword by Diane von Furstenberg, Designer and President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

The Fashion Designer Survival Guide provides the necessary tools to get a fashion line or label up and moving on the right track, including:

How to create a viable business plan
Figuring out how much money you need, where and how to get it, and how to make it last, including the latest on private equity
The best sources for fabric and materials
Navigating the pitfalls of production both at home and abroad
Marketing, branding, and getting the product into the stores and into the customer’s closets
Romancing the press, dressing celebrities, and creative publicity techniques
Producing a runway show that will get results

Check out inside the book: The Fashion Designer Survival Guide, Revised and Expanded Edition: Start and Run Your Own Fashion Business

Fashion Marketing: Theory, Principles & Practice

Prior to the 1970s-1980s, fashion marketing focused heavily (and perhaps solely) on women’s fashions. Today, fashion marketing influences all products and the manner of style consumers use products. How products are marketed, when products are marketed, the evolution of products into different sizes, shapes, colors, and uses are all influenced by fashion marketers. Fashion marketing is taken to different levels from branding a person (e.g., Ralph Lauren, the person), line of products (e.g., Lexus luxury cars), or a single product.

Check out inside the book: Fashion Marketing: Theory, Principles & Practice

Designer’s Guide to Fashion Apparel

Designer s Guide to Fashion Apparel explores the creative process of apparel design and the development of a collection. From budget to couture, children to men and women ‘s, fashion-forward to traditional and formal to active, the text demonstrates the proper application of design principles in creating aesthetically-pleasing apparel while emphasizing the importance of production parameters as dictated by the needs of the target consumer. Written from an industry perspective, the book is intended to nurture the student s interest in design while providing the thorough grounding needed for a successful career in the business.

Check out inside the book: Designer’s Guide to Fashion Apparel

Creating a Business Plan (Pocket Mentor)

Every business needs a business plan a plan to meet the expected and unexpected opportunities and obstacles the future holds. This book will help you take a long, hard look at each element of the plan and show you how to communicate the right message to the right people, and maximize the chances of getting your business launched.

Check out inside the book: Creating a Business Plan (Pocket Mentor)

Research Methods for the Fashion Industry

Research is the foundation for understanding consumers and making informed decisions.

Based on their experience in academia, the authors provide the tools for students and professionals to analyze and develop critical thinking skills and sift through what is read and seen to understand the target market for which they will design, buy, market, or manage in the fashion industry. Both a textbook and manual for undergraduate and graduate students studying research methods used in the fashion industry, it can also serve as a reference for industry professionals.

Check out inside the book: Research Methods for the Fashion Industry

Fashion Marketing (Wiley Desktop Editions)

Knowledge of marketing is essential to help ensure success and reduce the risk of failure in fashion. For the designer starting up in business, this book offers a guide to the major decisions that will enable you to fulfil your creative potential and be a financial success: What are the major trends we should be monitoring?; How should we set our prices?; What is the most effective way to get our message across about the new product range? Which colour–wash will be the most popular with buyers?

Check out inside the book: Fashion Marketing (Wiley Desktop Editions)

Fashion Unraveled: How To Start, Run And Manage An Independent Fashion Label

Take an inside look into what it takes to start and run an independent fashion design label. From developing your customer, market and collection, to writing a press release, selling your product, pricing and budgeting, this book has a little bit of everything.

I’ve read this book and I can say that is well organized and I find it a must have for design hopefuls, start-ups and existing design businesses.

Check out inside the book: Fashion Unraveled: How To Start, Run And Manage An Independent Fashion Label

5 Most Innovative Designers - Design with sustainable materials

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:54:00 +0200

In my research process of design philosophy and trend of sustainability I’ve discovered some incredible creative designers who design sustainable fashion from unusual resources. I was deeply impressed by their creativity, innovation and how they change people’s perception of clothing and create fashion with a conscience.

Enjoy 5 of them I’ve named: “the best of the best”

Sandra Backlund

Swedish fashion designer, Sandra Backlund, is a wizard at sculpting hand-crafted garments that celebrate the everyday form in a most unusual and resourceful manner. Her latest, ‘In No Time Collection’, celebrates the best of sustainable risk-taking in design and fashion with a twist of haute-couture know how and DIY craftiness.

Joao Sabino

Joao Sabino’s keyboard bag is made of 393 keys that is produced in Portuguese white silver model. It is named as Keylver. This limited edition keyboard bag is completely eco friendly and surely looks pretty sweet.

Ada Zanditon

LCF graduate Ada Zanditon was showcased at the Hangzhou Grand Theatre in China for the INTIME 10th Anniversary Show on 12 November, where her show stopping full length red dress was worn by China’s premier supermodel. Ada was selected along with four other UK designers to showcase new trends from the European market.

Ada, who has worked with both Alexander McQueen and Gareth Pugh, was also awarded the Prize for Creativity at the Ethical Fashion Show in Paris in October of this year. Profiled in our Fashioning the Future Show, Ada is well and truly one to watch.

Gary Harvey

Newspaper dress, made from 30 copies of the ‘Financial Times’.

Gary Harvey’s first collection showcased nine of his stunning dresses at the Estethica exhibition at the London Fashion Week (Feb 07). The collection creates a dramatic display designed to change people’s perception of second-hand clothing and create fashion with a conscience. Gary uses material he finds in places like secondhand clothing stores to avoid waste, he says of good quality second hand clothing, people “wear it one or two times then discard it because it’s suddenly deemed aesthetically unimportant and out of date when there’s years of life left in the garment.

Winde Rienstra

A modern approach to classic shapes where the simple cream colour is in contrast with the complex cages designed in 3D and made by hand by Winde Rienstra. The collection includes various fashionable clothing design and accessories. From dress to bracelets to shoes and more.

Resources: Inhabitat | Lancia Trend Visions | iGreen Spot

Learn the power of Adobe Illustrator in 8 weeks

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:13:00 +0200

Since I’m always a self taught, I’m in a continuously search on how to improve my skills through online resources as books | courses | or contests.

This is how I’ve found out about the Adobe Illustration Courses delivered by graphic designer Meg Robichaud on matygo.com.

I find them useful for any fashion illustrator aspiring or already into the industry who wants to learn the purpose and power of Illustrator’s vector graphic capabilities through a series of interactive worksheets.

What you will learn:

Meg writes on her blog that she will teach on how to create beautiful digital illustrations using Adobe Illustrator.

For those who don’t know it already, Adobe Illustrator is a powerful program for many kinds of graphical tasks, from logo design and typography to life-like illustrations. In this course, we will cover all the core tools and capabilities of Illustrator. Learn to draw brazier curves with the pen tool, apply custom colours and gradients, create and layer shapes. Work with type and learn to customize text. Familiarize yourself with layers, ruler grids, view modes, and more.

At the end of the course, students should feel quite familiar with Illustrator and be comfortable using it to solve and wide variety of common illustrative needs.

If you’re interested to find out more details about the course you can ask Meg.

So, are you ready to learn the power of Adobe Illustrator in 8 weeks. Check it out!

10 Competences That any Fashion Entrepreneur Should Have

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:30:00 +0200

A while ago I went to Empretec, the entrepreneurial training course for each aspiring entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs, small businesses, young people and employees of large public or private firms. Empretec inspires entrepreneurs in growing and developing their businesses.

Fashion Illustration by Julia Stanescu

During my entrepreneurial course at Empretec, I’ve worked a lot with personal entrepreneurial competencies. This is mainly a methodology of behavioral change that helps entrepreneurs put their ideas into action and helps fledgling businesses to grow.

I decided to share you the 10 competencies that any entrepreneur should work with.

Opportunity-seeking and initiative
Persistence
When most people tend to abandon an activity, successful entrepreneurs stick with it.
Fulfilling of commitments
Entrepreneurs keep their promises, no matter how great the personal sacrifice.
Demand for quality and efficiency
Entrepreneurs try to do something better, faster or cheaper.
Calculated risk-taking
Taking calculated risks is one of the primary concepts in entrepreneurship.
Goal-setting
This is the most important competency because none of the rest will function without it. Entrepreneurs set goals and objectives which are meaningful and challenging.
Information-seeking
Entrepreneurs gather information about their clients, suppliers, technology and opportunities.
Systematic planning and monitoring
Systematic behavior means acting in a logical way. Planning is deciding what to do. Monitoring means checking.
Persuasion and networking
Entrepreneurs influence other people to follow them or do something for them.
Independence and self-confidence
Entrepreneurs have a quiet self-assurance in their capability or potential to do something.

More about the Empretec Course you can read here.

10 Steps on Making Your Creative Ideas a Reality

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:35:00 +0200

As a continuing of the guest post written by Annching Wang last week: A Guide on How to Make the Transition from Fashion Creator to Fashion Entrepreneur, I invite you now to read some tips she give to any fashion entrepreneur, on how to make his ideas real and how to succeed to achieve their goals.

So, enjoy and do your best to achieve your goals!!

1. Get over it.

You’ll find excuses everywhere. Not enough time, not enough money, someone’s already done it, nobody’s done it. My biggest foreseeable hurdle was money, so I decided to get creative on how I was going to fund my fashion line by starting a crowd funding campaign. I turned an excuse into motivation to do something about it.

2. You can always make more money, but you can never make more time

In the beginning, I hesitated in taking the entrepreneurial path because I thought I wanted the conventional life - graduate, get a good job, get married, buy a house. My definition of success followed that path strictly. But I knew that the further I stayed on this path, the further away I strayed from what I was really yearning to do. So I got a little impractical, and I ditched that roadmap for another one.

And I think the younger you are, the more forgivable your mistakes - not just to others, but to yourself. At any point in time, whether you are 20 or 40 or 60, you are younger than you will be tomorrow. The longer you wait on your dreams, the more excuses you’ll conjure up not to pursue your art.

3. The worst that can happen might happen. It probably will happen

I know that my business could fail, and I could lose all my money and have to start over from scratch. And I could look like a big loser. But, then I can think - what went wrong? There’s something to be learned and you get closer to yourself when you pursue a passion and it doesn’t work out. But if you stay where you are and don’t go for it, and you succeed - you’ll come out probably learning a lot less, and perhaps further away from your best self, which isn’t really success, is it?

4. No matter what they tell you, doing it yourself is the best experience.

People want to get jobs in creative fields because they’ll gain valuable work experience. And while I did learn a lot working in the photography industry, I could feel that the more I learned, the further away I strayed from my goals. It is rare that you will find a match in a company that is congruent to yourself, and what often happens is our creative spirit gets stifled. It’s important to learn and absorb, but it is important to recognize when “experience” takes precedence over growth, and that can sometimes only come from taking risks to stretch your boundaries as an entrepreneur.

5. Get super practical

You have to learn business. You have to learn how to market your idea. If you don’t, you need to partner up with someone who does. The more creative the idea, the more practical you need to get with execution.

6. Know your bigger picture

Perhaps you know what you want to create, but why do you want to create it? I asked this question to my clients while working as a fashion copywriter, and most of them could not come up with anything other than “I just love it.” Love is grand and mighty, and that may very well be your core message, but it might not. Know the bigger picture, and the details look less overwhelming. This applies to both your idea itself and your life - do you want to build a larger than life empire, or are you happy keeping it small and intimate?

7. Become a part of the community

There’s power in numbers. Things are happening on the internet now through the power of community that could not have been possible five years ago, and many of these things are designed to help people like me and you with creative ideas succeed. Source4Style is a community and sourcing platform for independent designers to get sustainable fabrics. And Fashionarium itself is launching a platform to help fashion designers connect with the larger retail community. You don’t have to do it all yourself.

8. Get resourceful

If I had to point out one quality that has made the process of turning my idea into a business that much easier, it would have to be resourcefulness. Part of that resourcefulness comes from lifelong curiosity, and the other part from a drive to make things work. I have business resources that I’ve been collecting since high school. I share them whenever someone asks. But resourcefulness is such an important quality to cultivate. Always be looking, always be learning. And keep track of these things (I use Evernote.)

9. Build the momentum

If you do at least one thing a day to get closer to turning your dream into a reality, in one year, that’s 365 little actions more than doing nothing. Along the way, you’ll want to stop. You’ll want to take breaks. Try to keep the momentum going. Get into a habitual mindset of entrepreneurship, and it will become ingrained in you. It takes time though, but the more you take little steps, the easier it will get to take bigger ones. I sometimes started building momentum before I even had a concrete idea, and even more valuable than the steps themselves was the consistency of mindset I was able to build.

10. Never lose the creative spark.

I recently signed up for a painting class, because I was starting to feel the lull that comes when focusing so much on building a business. So I decided to explore my creativity in a new way. I’ve always been designing clothes, writing and taking photos, but I’ve never really painted. Turns out, I’m learning a lot, exploring my creativity, and it’s a lot of fun. The worst thing to happen is to become an entrepreneur only to shift completely away from creativity. Yes, running a business is a whole game in itself, but it is just important to remember the game you’re playing in the first place. Whatever was your foundation should remain so, so whether you are a designer, illustrator, crafter or artist, you should always make sure to have fun and play with your art.

“A diamond is just a piece of charcoal that handled stress exceptionally well.” -Unknown

An unfulfilled dream, a hidden vision, a gift that hasn’t been shared is like that piece of charcoal, and while it may be a long, hard journey to get to the diamond, you can’t argue that it won’t be worth it. They’re diamonds, after all. And you have yours to share.

Photos source: vi.sualize.us

Guest Post by Annching Wang

What does Katie Rodgers - Paperfashion - reads?

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:02:00 +0200

You’ve met Katie Rodgers into one of our interviews on “How to succeed into the Fashion Illustration Industry”. She’s the fashion illustrator behind Paperfashion brand. Here are the books that changed her career.

For more interesting pictures from her studio check out the interview she has done with Purseblog.

Photo by the talented Vlad Dusil of PurseBlog

From Fashion Creator to Entrepreneur - A Guide to Making the Transition

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:34:00 +0200

Photo source: vi.sualize.us

This is a guest editorial by Annching Wang, one of the fashion entrepreneurs I truly admire for her ambition of making things happen. This article is mainly adressed to the young or fearful fashion creatives around the world who have started to work on their own dream.

Enjoy!

I often get told that I’m good at making things happen. After all, just fresh out of school, I’ve built two businesses from the ground up, and am now venturing on my childhood dream of launching a fashion line. I could be described as a serial entrepreneur, but it really isn’t any more than experimenting with how to make a living by being me - with my mind, my talents, and my skills.

I believe that art is valuable, that it has worth. And if it’s living inside of you, wanting to get out - then your dream, your talent, your skill can become a real, living business.

Just Do It!

Photo source: vi.sualize.us

The only difference between myself and the people who wished that they could just “do it” is simple: action. The antidote to inaction is action.

There’s no other way to get around it. To create momentum, you need movement.

When I decided that I was going to go for it, in turning my ideas into a business, I didn’t sit on it and wait. I did as I waited. I learned and conducted my market research while I designed. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to just do.

Believe in your actions!

Photo source: vi.sualize.us

While the act of sitting on something and letting it simmer sometimes cultivates fear, to me it brings up something different: the desire to create. The more I imagine something in my head, the more I want to turn it into something real.

And that’s where all things we make start - really, from one idea.

And isn’t that the beauty of creative work? We are creative because we have this inner desire to put something out there, to share our voices through art. When they don’t become real, it’s a part of us that withers away. It’s not just the idea itself, but what it represents - a dream, a possibility, a sense of worth in creation.

Not everyone has that thirst, but becoming aware of the fact may just be what will propel you to finally take that dream idea and turn it into something real and tangible.

This is a guest post written by Annching Wang: Here you can read more on her Journal.

Refreshing Timeless Fashion - Interview with Annching Wang

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:35:00 +0200

Today I invite you to meet Annching Wang an ambitious young designer who captured my attention with her strong belief in building a new economy with independent fashion businesses and entrepreneurs at the centre of it.

She has recently graduated with a degree in fashion and technology and has carved the beginnings of a career as a writer and communications strategist for independent fashion businesses. She has learned a lot into this period, so now she’s trying to find funds on a crowd funding platform - IndieGoGo - to launch her first clothing line named: AVERY

AVERY, is a capsule collection of art and is inspired by the power of simplicity and a love of imagination. It was founded by Annching on the idea of taking something classic and refreshing it with a sense of meaning, progress and play.

What I loved the most at her line was her the idea of creating a collection that make people look and feel good, using basic pieces to act as the building blocks of a wardrobe that express personal style and values. Annching strongly believes that intersection between beauty and utility is design.

I’m trying to help Annching bring her fashion dream to life and spread the word to anyone who can contribute on IndieGoGo with funds that may help her to launch.

I’ve talked a little bit with Annching on her passion, her vision and her thoughts on the fashion business. Firstly I’ll invite you to see a short video with her story and then read the interview.

Annching Wang is …

a girl sitting in between, turning those in-betweens into possibilities through her upcoming fashion line.

Nothing inspires me like …

fresh air, blank slates, great storytelling, and a sense of purpose.

I got where I am because …

I’ve always want to do something bigger than myself. I like making ideas happen.

My Creativity comes from

curiosity and a thirst for exploration. I’m passionate about art and design because it turns the possibility of thoughts and ideas - even feelings - into tangible things that people can experience and become a part of.

My mission is …

to inspire people to make more conscious decisions and to become more fully themselves through clothes because life is too short to wear things we don’t really like, that do more harm than good. The intersection between beauty, utility and story in clothing is so fascinating to me, and I just want to share my version of the positive power I see that fashion holds.

The main motivation for starting my own business was …

because I had an idea that I felt like was being hinted at in fashion, but not in the way I envisioned. It also came at the right time, just over a year after I graduated from fashion school, and I finally made the commitment to join possibility with practicality to go after the dream.

My newest collection - Avery Collection - came as

a challenge to design pieces that I myself would actually want to wear and cherish in my closet, while bringing in a sense of conscious design, art and sustainability. So I started by focusing on making the perfect button down.

For a business to be successful I knew that …

I had to keep my eye on the big picture while taking care of the details.

I find help with setting up my business from …

all over - books, experiences, the internet, blogs. All the information is out there, from getting a business licence to learning how to do pattern repeats in Adobe Illustrator. It’s just a matter of filtering it all and finding out what works best.

I gained my technical fashion skills from …

my degree in fashion design and technology, though of course it’s a lifelong process, and I’m adamant about the idea that fashion is a material and tangible expression of all that goes on around us. We start learning about fashion when we first become aware of the clothes we wear, and my education in fashion is informed by my education in all areas of my life - from art, commerce, conscious living, culture, everything. Right now,

I’m cultivating that more artistic side of me as well, because I know how easy it is as a business person to focus on purely business - and I want to make the conscious effort to keep learning and growing as a designer as well.

My biggest issue has been …

letting go at times of the very practical and rational side of me to lean more into scarier, bigger risks. But interestingly enough, it’s that practical side of me that tempers my creative side, and makes sure that I can run a business at the same time that I’m trying to make art.

What aspects of setting up and running your own business have you found challenging?

I can’t really say since I’m still at the very beginning stages. But so far, mindset has been a huge thing. Business, marketing, design - those things come when you make the conscious commitment to learn and grow, although it helps to have an intuitive sense for it, or as what they call it, talent.

But sometimes, there is still that feeling of overwhelm because being an entrepreneur is tough, especially without a lot of real world industry experience in fashion itself. So sometimes it’s hard just thinking of everything that has to get done. Staying organized and feeling “on top” of things has been a challenge, because there is always something new to deal with as an entrepreneur. There are always daily challenges - and getting those right and on time while keeping the bigger picture and the vision I have in mind is something I’m learning to do as I go along.

How to Get Started in the Fashion Business

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:53:00 +0200

As you know, fashion illustration and design go hand-in-hand. And I know a few of you who are interested in starting your own collection.

One of our friends from WYRT community shared with us an event which I think will interest you if you’re trying to start into the fashion business.

I thought this fashion info event lead by Nellie Partow (an actual designer in business) could help point you in the right direction and save you a few costly mistakes. Fashion designer Nellie Partow and Christine Helm, manager of FIT’s Enterprise Center, will explain how to build a successful fashion label.

So if you’re in Brooklin, NY you’re invited on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 6:00 PM to Learn how to turn your passion into profits and get started in the fashion business.

Location:

Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn Heights Branch, 280 Cadman Plaza West at Tillary St. Brooklyn, NY (map)

Make sure to confirm your participation here.

Inside Creative Studios

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:51:58 +0200

Here is some inspiration and ideas for decorating your space.

Click on the image to Read Inside

Quick Fashion Illustration Tips

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:03:00 +0200

Fashion Illustration by Julia Stanescu

Drawing your own fashion designs can be as easy as picking up a pencil and paper, as long as you follow some pointers to get you started in the right direction. Following are a few important tips on how to make your illustrations right for the industry, whether you want to jumpstart a career in fashion illustration/design or you’re simply passionate about fashion and art:

TIP #1: Be patient, not perfect.

When you decide to start drawing, be patient and don’t worry about how quickly you will improve. Like with any art or skill, practice really does make perfect, so keep in mind that professional designers spend years crafting their drawing skills. Many people also make the mistake of thinking that drawing is a talent you either have or you don’t, but drawing instructors will tell you that everyone can be trained to sketch. Remember that a fashion sketch doesn’t have to be completely lifelike and perfectly proportioned. While detail is important in communicating your ideas, focus more on capturing the tone or feeling of your design.

Sketch by Julia Stanescu

TIP #2: Start with a method that feels comfortable.

There are two ways to draw designs: flat and dimensional. A dimensional sketch will show the depth and different angles of a design, and an easy way to get a sense of dimensional drawing is to trace a person in a magazine. This will give you a good sense of proportion and build your confidence in sketching before you try drawing freehand. A flat sketch, on the other hand, shows the full front or full back of a design. These designs are usually drawn using a croquis, or template of a proportioned, two-dimensional body. After you spend some time tracing fashions, you may want to look online for a croquis to guide your freehand designs.

TIP #3: Pay attention to detail.

Before you start developing your own designs, make sure you’ve done your research on current fashions. Being attuned to the latest trends in the fashion industry means survival and success, and this knowledge will serve as a foundation for your designs and help you predict upcoming looks. Practice sketching different styles and make sure you understand the clothing itself–how it’s constructed, how it fits, how it’s cut, and so on. Also try sketching different types of material to get a feel for texture. Every detail from the buttons to the pockets will contribute to the quality of your design as a whole.

TIP #4: Be creative.

Sketching is your chance to use your imagination and show your skill at designing. Make the best of your knowledge when developing your ideas, but don’t let your attention to detail overwhelm you before you begin. Instead, start with simple designs after you’ve practiced drawing existing looks. Your goal should be to practice sketching the feeling of a certain look, and this is the best way to start getting the designs in your head onto paper.

Finally, have fun and be confident! Illustrating fashion is a great hobby/job and can help you later if you decide to make it part of your career.

Article Source: Collins College

WE RECOMMEND YOU:

Are you interested in more tips to inspire how to find your own fashion illustration style? Check out the Fashion Illustration Exposed book! It features a fresh mix of fashion illustration techniques (written by some of the most talented fashion illustrators in the world) that will energize and expand your creativity.

Creativity in front of and behind the camera

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 12:29:00 +0200

A while ago I discovered photographer Oliver Schwarzwald. I simply enjoyed this photo shooting..

Variety is the spice of life for Oliver Schwarzwald. He learnt how to encompass his creativity in front of and behind the camera from Danish photography legend Mad Madsen.

“My years in training with Mads had a huge influence on my work. He taught me how to work creatively – both behind and in front of the camera lens,” recalls Oliver, who has been working as a freelance photographer since 1996. As a direct result of this method of photography, he focused his career on still life and food, bringing together two of his particular penchants. “As a young lad, I loved cooking. When I realized I could combine cooking and photography, it was something of a revelation,” said Oliver

If there’s one thing that’s important to Oliver, it’s variety. His topics and style can best be described as lavish and luxurious sometimes, and very straightforward and reduced in other instances.

In short, Oliver Schwarzwald is a versatile photographer whose work takes advantage of a wide array of inspirations and influences to focus on what counts.

Enjoy more of his creations on his website.