Producing Patterns

I would say this is the season for pattern...but many many many style seasons see the use of print, embroidery and embellishment. However, do we as consumers appreciate print? I know many have a fear of wearing it, and I will admit what to style a decorative garment with can be a bit of a baffle! But this beautiful art work really needs regarding and respecting more regularly!  

I have recently been made aware of how much work is involved in producing prints for fashion: both through first hand experience,  with my own pattern based project; and also by watching the designer at my internship.

Pattern can never be the after thought to a garment; it must compliment the silhouette, trend and the collection's colour pallet. It can often make a garment, and be the stand out area in a collection. 

To see the process of pattern production had to be completed for my project please follow the link below. 

http://jessicajasminefdm.tumblr.com

This was a fun but time-consuming  task... and this did not involve finalities, such as pattern placement on a garment! 

 Here are some reference points to inspire purchasing pattern seeing as it is popular for Spring 2015:

Lavin [Image from Style.com]

Valentino [Image from Style.com] 

MP Massimo Piambo [Image from Style.com]

Louis Vuitton [Image from Style.com]

Dolce and Gabbana [Image from via Google Images]

John Gallioano [Image from Childrensalon.com]

Learning, Inspiring, Creating

I am so glad I visited the Rubin Museum of Art last weekend. Oddly a rather tranquil experience- yes even on a Saturday in the busy city! The beautiful imagery, colours and even the building's structural elements were extremely inspirational to me. 

Mainly focusing on Budist and Hindu religion and the art involved on them, I know some people will be sceptical about visiting. But all I can say is that I personally learnt a lot and felt it enhanced my creative thought process. So I would urge anyone in the vacinity of NYC to plan a visit! 

Fashion For Flying

I was that person that visited a museum by herself this weekend. Don't worry parents, this was by choice! There's just something unusually satisfying about walking round an exhibit at your own pace and contemplating it's origin and how it can inspire you. 

Oddly I ended up at somewhere my brother would prehaps have more interest in than myself, however it was unusually influential to me. 

The Air, Space and Sea museum is home to some of the most famous service vehicles in history. This includes a concord, something that has had me in awe, disbelief and confusion since a child. How could something travel so fast whilst carrying so many civilians?! 

But for me the most interesting area of this magnificent museum was the uniforms of those that travelled on/ in these means of transportation.

The precise details on each garment from : embroidery, to cut, to button; these garments are of a quality every designer who has a fear of fast sewing machines aspires to!

Yet more inspiration: I'm a very lucky lady! 

Looking Good Isn't Easy

I have given up long ago making myself look more than presentable on a daily basis- far to tiring to face the day! 

I am in awe of how models and style icons do it to the extreme, but effortlessly, day in, day out. 

As they do fashion designers, people create a certain stereotypes for catwalk queens such as Cara Delevingne, insulting their interlectual ability among other things. But what is needed to become successful and strive in such an industry is extreamly underrated. 

With the start of Delevigne's film featuring future, Vogue celebrates the geneous of this gorgeous girl. For further coverage of this cover girls talent view Vogue.uk's various articles on the newly aclaimed actress. 

Blooming Marvellous Macy's

I will admit that when seeing the signs for "Macy's in Bloom" I almost ignored it; thinking it would be nothing special. However I have been impressed not only once, but twice by this floral festival of fashion. 

1) Walking past the windows -

Wow, it gives Fenwicks' Christmas window a run for it's money. Flowers, flowers,everywhere... But arranged in the most idyllic way. Floral enhanced sculptural typography: "BOOM" that adorns one window, pretty much sums up the impact it has on tourists and residents alike.

2) Instore - an esculator closed because of growing garlands; trestles teaming with the colourful creations covering the store; and an overall decident display exemplifying Grecian gardens, has those flocking for the famous fashions spending that little time ... And this that little bit more money in store ! 

Home from Home Comforts

However much I enjoy New York, England is my home and always will be.

We may moan about the weather, economy and government, but I definitely appreciate Britain so much more now. 

I think this is down to a combination of experience, comforts and nostalgia, but you would not believe how excited I was

to come across Myers of Keswick. 

This traditionally British shop in the heart of Chelsea, New York is a haven of British basics. From famous English tea brands,

to cordial, and milky chocolate these little treats are definitely worth the importing price! 

Going on a Bear Hunt

This week we have said goodbye to a lovely girl who has finished her internship here. By recommendation whe had a fab farewell food fest at the Bareburger restaurant in lower Chelsea... Although they are dotted all over New York! 

The restaurant itself was super snug and the interior definitely caught the attention of the customer! 

Large patterned bear heads hung from the wall, as did school, hunting and family portraits with bears comically photoshopped in. 

With a large variety of burgers available and also the option to create your own, this allowed all types of eaters to graze... even veggies!

On top of this the puddings were to die for...and allowed grown ups the luxury of fun food. 

Our friend will be greatly missed, but it was a lovely send off! 

A treat for the senses

Anybody in NYC in need of a little pick me up tasty treat today? 

I highly recommend the rasberry and almond croissant ( ... And of course a coffee to compliment it...) from Bouchon Bakery. Not only does the produce look, smell and taste devine: the views from this Rockafella Plaza place is perfect for people watching and just overall admiring the famous area! 

Celebrating, Sharing, Smiling

This wonderful household in Brooklyn garuntees to put a smile on almost anyone's face. Celebrating spring and Easter to the egg-stream (sorry it had to be done), I want to thank the decorators for sharing their festivities and making a sunny Sunday even more special! 

Spring, Snow, Style

So it may have snowed here, but Friday was the official start of New York Spring time. 

Here are four styles for this season that I absolutely adore... and high-street alternatives to the beautiful garments at a more budgeted price. 

Street Style Paris Fashion Week - Image from vogue.co.uk via Facebook.

Role model of mine Emma Watson - Image from Mayrlamode.com

RTW - Rebecca Taylor S/S15- Image from Style.com

House of Holland S/S15 - Image from yycfitfashion.files.wordpress.com

High-street shopping ideas from the above inspiration:
Fringed Jumper- Zara

mhttp://www.zara.com/us/en/woman/knitwear/fancy-knit-fringed-sweater-c358007p2481047.html

White Blazer- Zara, or for a more range and budgeted buy H&M.

http://www.zara.com/us/en/woman/jacket/blazers/belted-woven-jacket-c400013p2651536.html

http://www.hm.com/us/subdepartment/LADIES?Nr=4294866662#Nr=4294866662&N=30409

Pretty Pastels and a Flourish of Flowers - Top Shop 

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&langId=-1&storeId=12556&catalogId=33057&parent_categoryId=203984&categoryId=208529&productId=18590820

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&langId=-1&storeId=12556&catalogId=33057&parent_categoryId=203984&categoryId=208524&productId=19142946

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&langId=-1&storeId=12556&catalogId=33057&parent_categoryId=204484&categoryId=208556&productId=18480175

Full on Flower Powered "Groovy" Garments - H&M (STUDIO - Premium Quality).

http://www.hm.com/us/product/87067?article=87067-A

http://www.hm.com/us/product/85938?article=85938-A

Image Explanation

When words fail you... there is alway an image. 

Today- 10th Avenue, 25th st- Street Art By Kobra. 

Tiffany's Popcorn

I was introduced to the wonderful world of Holly Golightly yesterday evening. Always sceptical of particularly popular films I was very pleasantly surprised by Breakfast at Tiffany's. The film somehow evoked nostalgia and the importance of the simple things in life which left the audience feeling quite humble and content. 

Of course my surroundings definitely helped set the scene. I am in the magical city where the film is set, however that is not what I mean... My apartment put on a perfect little cinema screening for it's guests. A retro popcorn maker; a scroll down screen and blankets in a beautifully grand hall definitely was a pleasant end to a working day.

My fellow interns and I are very much encouraged now to dress up in gowns and eat croissants outside Tiffany's... But I for starters encourage you to watch the film - It may bring those that need to a little closer back to earth.

Green green green

I thought nobody "did" St Patrick's day other than Northimbria's Student Union...How wrong I was! 

Sent on a "pick up trip" yesterday I walked into streets of green... Unlike home's green fields, this was a sea of green people... Well people dressed in green! 

Of course as I got closer and closer to my destination, I also got closer and closer to the St Patrick's day parade. Bagpipes and official people everywhere, it was definitely an unusual sight down the busy shopping street. 

On top of that everything at my apartment's cafeteria was green- dyed... I hope! Green bagels, green lemonade, green scrambled eggs! It was a cute celebration though. 

New York has been prepared for weeks for Paddy's day; fancy dress, memorabilia and cake were the main forms.

A favourite company to have joined in with the festivities has to be Sweet Generation in East Village. Quaint and retro, this coffee shop warmed your insides... and not just from the warm bereages! 

Nearly every single scrumptious cake concuption can be found here, even those you would prehaps need think of! After a morning or afternoon scouring the thrift and vintage shops this is the place to go.

So if you celebrated I hope you all has a good green say yesterday and are not suffering too much today! 

Enter the Exhibition of Fantasy, Fashion and Fear

So I'm in England when this is on in the US and I'm in the US when it is exhibited in England...I am talking about what is raved to be one of the best fashion exhibitions of it's time - Savage Beauty. 

This weird and wonderful collection of masterpieces by the late Alexander McQueen at the V&A has made a lot of people very excited and is almost a sell out for the majority of it's showcasing. Being greatly inspired by this collection I am very disappointed to miss it ... So I urge all fashion and art lovers to find a way to see the exhibit!