shoe trivialities

Shoe lust is in high gear..despite the fact that I absolutely do not need another pair of sneakers maybe I *will* slink on over to Customatix as per Geekchick's suggestion...

Speaking of which, I have a tiny shoe habit compared to the sneaker collectors I read about in one of my fashion magazines (tangential note: magazine shows LOTS of cool things coming up for fall of this year). These people collect hundreds, usually limited run or vintage. I do agree with them on one count - bring back the old school styles!

And I still need to look through the archaeological book I have on shoe finds in Holland. Some of these styles look like they'd be wearable today (with tweaking of materials for color/strength) and if I apply stuff from that shoe making site....

difference between designers and stylists

Interesting (if old - I'm just catching up) article.

To sum up: Designers create something that solves a problem and is concerned with the good functioning of the final product. Stylists do not worry about solving problems and have little concern with the successful function of the final product.

Further sum up: designers make things that are useful. Stylists make things that are shiny.

I can see how there are designers and stylists in most artistic disciplines.

A (admittedly flawed and possibly somewhat uninformed) fashion example: Armani designs a suit that deals with the usability concerns of good fit, ease of care, durability, timelessness, comfort, etc. (Note: I do not own an Armani suit, but aspire to one day, even if its just A/X Exchange).

Retailer in UK whose name I don't remember makes skirt. It is not timeless (fishtail hem with neon orange topstitching), durable (seams are rather weak), or particularly comfortable (the fabric does not breathe - wear with tights at your own risk). I suppose it does do the job of keeping you covered, but that's about it. But damn, it looks SLICK. (I actually own this skirt).

Not that there's anything wrong with either approach, just one is more concerned with looks-before-function and the other more concerned with function-before-looks.

This author argues that we need to make a distinction between "designers" and "stylists", or at least not use the word "designer" to describe absolutely everyone that makes stuff.

Not sure that I'm quite that adamant about the distinction but I can see the diffference the author is talking about...

Donna Karan dress - completed

Finished the Donna Karan dress, and it actually doesn't look like a stretchy blob - it looks quite good!

Looked lousy as a dress though - it was a bad hem length for me, even with the unevenness. However, it makes a *fabulous* wrap-tunic top with pants/jeans! Wish I'd finished it earlier in the season as the poly jersey makes it very warm - still, there will be a few more cool days left this spring that I can wear it. Now time to make a round trip of all the fabric stores looking for stuff for my next project. Potential list:

• bargain table cotton for muslins
  
• Black wool wool/blend (please?) for tail coat
  
• Polyester satin/lining/microfiber/something woven to make trial run of Fortuny-type dress (must be 100% poly, or boiling to set the pleats won't work)
  

Speaking of spring.. the weather was very nice today and looking to be so tomorrow as well. Some of the trees are starting to get their leaves back; you can see the buds. I didn't have to wear my coat home today (joy!) Yes yes.. I know it won't last just yet but I like it enough that it is worthy of note..