Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Times, They've Changed

Time was, I went to lots of concerts. Weekly concerts. Cool shows. But now, as I hang on the edge of 40, with my kid, and her homework, and my career and my householder responsibilities, well now, not so much. My husband is a musical guy. Truth be told, I’m a musical girl. He practices weekly and jams with a band a couple of times a month. I sing along with the iPod. We should be seeing the shows, no?

Which brings me to the point of this post: Last night Scott and I went out to see an actual live musical act – and to dinner - without the child (thank you Nicole!!). The last time we did this was 2 years ago. I can’t even remember who we saw.

Last night we saw The Album Leaf. The opening act was Sea Wolf – a winsome, competent, confident band. Thank goodness, because our headliner didn’t go on till 11:15 p.m. On a Wednesday?! Apparently, generation G hipsters don’t have day jobs that start before noon. They sport numerous variations on lank hair and poorly-fitting vintage shirts with holes at the seams. Don’t ask me how I could determine this in a black room.

For better or worse, I’m sure as hell no longer the target demographic. (Of course, these days, the only thing I’m the target demographic for is TV shows about Cougars…) In my day, we would have been enveloped in a grey fog of cigarette smoke embellished by the sweet, acrid hint of weed. The liquor would have been hard. The attendees louche. This group was cheerful and draught-drinking and there was nary a joint in sight. The scariest thing about this gig was the washroom, which truly did freak me out. I have it on good authority that it hasn't been cleaned since my last visit to the venue in 1989.

Fine, that last para was hyperbolic. It appears I’ve become one of those judgmental middle-aged sorts who bitches about the young 'uns.

But back to Sea Wolf: It wasn’t really my scene. A little too alt meets grunge with some questionable synth and a bit of under-mixed ‘cello. The crowd was very happy though. All things considered, I think Sea Wolf got a warm response.

Turns out that’s all we had to tide ourselves over (Sea Wolf, get it!) because – no joke – The Album Leaf didn’t arrive till 10:00 p.m. and, on arrival, set up in front of us for more than an hour. Given that they didn’t even have a chance to do a real sound check, the band was amazing. Man, did the audience go nuts. I’ll be honest, they lost me at 10:30, long before they started playing. I’d been standing around for 2 hours at that point. I had a big meeting this morning at 9:00 a.m. The whole loud ambient, glitch-hop meets analog thing bores me a bit. But I had to admire the musical chops. They held the audience’s rapt attention.

Why were they apologetically tardy? I left at 11:45 p.m. but my husband stayed until the “meet the band” conclusion of the event, long after midnight. Sometime after I went home, the front person advised publicly that the group was late (and incomplete) because they had been held up at the border – for the entire day. Apparently, and it’s likely more shocking to have never happened before – than that it happened yesterday – this is because three of them have records. Of the criminal variety. Two of them have gone to jail. Yesterday the Canadian customs people finally figured that out. And turned the “criminals” back.

But before you assume that the Canadians were hard ass meanies, turns out – at the US border – the Americans refused to grant them re-entry!

If I understand this correctly, those poor band members were stuck in the 6-foot wide limbo that is neither (both?) America nor (and?) Canada. Talk about a rock and a hard place. I don’t know what they did to land them in jail. I don’t really care – I’m not here to moralize. But it irritates me that my tired toes had to pay for it. (Old person moment again.)

One of the obstacles to expedient set-up was this whack “light stick” arrangement (part of the audio/visual part of the performance). Over the course of the show, these weird strings of LED lights would go on and off in time to the music, change colours and do strange, strobe-y things that put me in mind of epileptic seizures. I have to say, it didn’t add to the experience for me.

I wonder if anyone else was at Lee’s last night and saw the gig. Do you know the band, even if you weren’t there? BTW, were I to start a band, I'd call it Bias Cut and wear cool, mid-century American design, with an air of ennui. Have any band names up your sleeve? Let’s chat post-rock ‘n roll!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Without A Trace (Cutting Edge)

A while ago, a few posts about pattern cutting vs. pattern tracing were making the rounds on the blogs.

The subject drew an impassioned response from a very engaged craft-force. Even I, a new sewist who was even newer then, had a strong perspective, that being: hell can freeze over I'm not freakin' tracing my patterns. That's what the lines and scissors are for!

Well, friends, in eat make my shirt mode, I am here to tell you that I have begun to trace patterns. Like all of them.

Why? (you may ask...)

Well, I wrecked a pattern.

It was just one - it was after extensive bust alterations - but that was enough. Hours of my life were gone with no recourse. I mean, my recourse is to re-purchase the pattern. Like I'm going to do that before it goes on sale again.

Yes, I realize making massive changes (when one doesn't know what she's doing) on a flimsy piece of tissue is perhaps ill-advised. But if it had worked, I can assure you we wouldn't be having this conversation. I mean diatribe.

Moreover, now that I'm working on the Built By Wendy Dresses book, the forced habit is coming in handy. You have to trace those base patterns (slopers) and their numerous, self-chosen seam allowances, or you can't remake them in their variations.

I don't trace because it is the eco-conscious, archive-friendly, decent thing to do. I do it because the alternative is, potentially, a deal breaker.

Call me principled.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Field of Phlox

Here's my (seeming) field of phlox:

The phlox is only about 2x2 (big for a phlox plant but certainly not a meadow). It's only just starting to bloom. In a week or so, you won't be able to see the green for the little flowers. To wit:

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Bodice Ripper

Welcome to another episode of "Kristin Complains Sews". In today's show, K tells you about her first Built By Wendy dress made from the Shift style sloper discussed previously.

After careful planning (aka determining the things she thinks she can pull off), she opts to turn it into a mash up of a) a few styles in the Dresses book and b) the contents of her own imagination.

What crazy times ensue!





This zipper took 3 hours to insert. The white line denotes where the fabric has been abused in the aim to make the invisible zip lie correctly. Even more stupid: It's strictly cosmetic. The shift can easily be worn by putting it on "shirt style".

K likes to call the finished product "urban caftan". Urban she may be, but this is her first caftan ever. Why does she decide to go so adventuresome? Well, the shift dress unaltered has that rather extreme (she discovers) "a-line from the boobs down" thing happening. The muslin of the original sloper alluded to this, but the boat neck on the urban caftan really drives the point home.

(Note to viewers: K does not look good in boat necks. Formerly, she suspected this. Now she has proof.)

Furthermore, while it's vaguely less depressing (she supposes) to make something too big, than too small, it's all a huge pain in the ass when you're trying to fix it. Stretch fabric, strangely, it makes everything stretchy. Even after re-sewing the side seams at 1 inch (rather than the .5 inch she started with), the finished product has a decided "sack" shape. Chic sack, to be sure, but sack nonetheless.

Here's what she likes about it:
  • The length of the sleeves (really the whole fit of the sleeves) and the hem. Note: The hem is turned up at .5 inch and isn't turned under, i.e. the overcast seam is there for all to see. That's because she cut too much off the bottom. For some reason, K likes to cut 5 inches off the hem of every dress prior to hemming, just to see how it flies.
  • The indigo wash of the denim. Very classy.
  • The fun bias tape, the tone of which is continued by the mustard hem top stitching.
  • The fact that she "made this up" - albeit with a lot of assistance.
What she doesn't like:
  • Blame it on Mercury retrograde (she will deny suggesting this at a later date), just about everything that could turn the construction of a simple frock into a seam-ripping misery, actually occurred. Kind of takes the edge off the 3 hour project. This one clocked in at 20 hours if you consider the pattern drafting.
  • K doesn't care if Wendy suggests that the loose shift will skim curves attractively. She says, if you have boobs you should consider proactively showing off your waist.
  • The boat neck - her choice to construct, of course - is really not a good look. She did narrow it to suit her frame - nothing worse than the boat neck that highlights the bra straps - but still not so flattering.
  • The fabric was vaguely nightmarish to work with, for no discernible reason. It's fraying right through the overcasting stitch that runs over absolutely every raw edge. Yes, that did add a lot of extra time to the project - especially as the tension on K's machine opted to go all insane for a few hours - and it will probably go stringy after washing 2 times. Dry cleaning, anyone?
  • It's kind of monolithic - at least on the hanger, without bare legs to provide contrast. It really is one of those dresses that looks horrible unless it's on.
  • The invisible zipper - albeit her first ever - was a freakin' bitch and without constructional merit. Don't need it. But it was a great learning experience. K suggests when you decide to sew in your first invisible zipper, don't make it 22 inches long. That's a lot of stitch ripping. Note also: K read many sources about this application, before giving it a go. Turns out it's critical to understand the term "wrong side of the zipper" before getting started. Also key, pick a source and stick with it. All the gurus use their own methods, and those don't converge well.
Has anyone else made one of the Wendy dresses from this book? Thoughts or feelings? How would you style this?

Update: Just tried this thing on again and I have to say the fit is NOT GOOD on me. I really need to take another inch off the back seam but that would mean having to rip out the invisible zipper yet again and I don't think I have it in me. Also, the boat neck pops out a bit at the centre chest (above the breastbone). It needs a small dart - but that would look totally weird on the front of the dress collar. Sewists, pls advise: That would look weird, right?

Never mind this is made in stretch fabric - I should have cut the small - or at least, next time, I should cut the seam allowances off of the pattern I drafted. On the centre back, I probably need to cut off the seam allowances and then some. Oh, I should mention, I already cut an inch off of the back for this pattern - based on the sloper back being too puffy. If I need to cut 4 inches off the back centre seam, it stands to reason I''m in the wrong size altogether, yes??

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Treemendous

Admit it, you want this tree:

Kristin's Flowering Almond - halfway to full bloom...

Friday, April 23, 2010

Frockaholic

I'm only the 8000th person to review this book, so if you're looking for new insight the likelihood is slim. I will, however, natter on at length.

I'm entirely like 7999 others in my unilateral appreciation of this excellent piece of instructional writing. What a tremendous complement to Wendy Mullin's other books.

I've mentioned before that I am impressed with BBW patterns. So far, I've had more luck - and consistent quality of experience - using them than any other sort. She cuts for a narrow frame - but not so narrow that breasts are a challenge (even if you aren't an alterations expert). Her sizes (XS, S, M, L) cover a good range. Note: they don't accommodate those at either end of the bell curve, which is unfortunate, but they do work for a large subset. Wendy herself (apparently we're on a first name basis) concedes that her independent company is currently too small to meet the needs of every body type.

But about her newest book, a frockaholic's dream: It's predicated on the idea that many dresses can be made (more than 25) on the basis of 3 slopers (i.e. basic patterns without seam allowances built in) which the user modifies to suit her needs. The 3 pattern shapes are: shift, sheath and dirndl. (Seriously, people shouldn't call anything a dirndl. It's just not exciting.)

Each sloper pattern is very clean and easy and offered in all 4 sizes. The sizes are particularly gradable (able to be sized up or down) given that seam allowances are not included. I never would have thought I'd appreciate the omission of seam allowance, but there you go.

The fewer rules you've got to go by, the easier it is to modify - which is what this book is all about.

In addition to the basic shapes, Wendy shows you how to make different sorts of pockets and facings and collars and other fancy design elements.

Here's the deal: You have to be willing to do some simple pattern drafting or this book isn't for you. When I say simple - I mean it's all clearly articulated and info provided. But it's not a cut-, or even trace-and-go. You still have to do the work.

The general process (not "supa-quick easy" - but, let's face it, no sewing is):
  • You read the book.
  • You trace your first sloper (sheath, shift or dirndl), in your presumed size (Measure it first - I've learned from experience that the measurements provided aren't necessarily accurate on the pattern.) This takes a good hour.
  • You add seam allowances - size is your choice, but she recommends.
  • You make a muslin. (It's a simple one - 4 pieces max. I did mine in an hour, which is insanely fast.)
  • You fix it to fit yourself perfectly. (Not suggesting this is easy, but that is the gist of it).
  • You reflect those changes on your master paper pattern (the paper sloper).
  • You use it as a guide to make any number of dresses suggested (in some detail) within that pattern type chapter. Maybe you merge a few of the ideas and come up with your own!
  • Start again with Sloper 2...
With this book, raw creativity will get you almost as far as technical skill but you're best to have a smattering of each, rather than a surfeit of either.

I bought this book as soon as it came out (I preordered) and read it immediately. Still, it took me till this week to start working on the patterns contained within.

Why?

Well, it's a bit of a commitment. I had to be ready to think and pattern alter (albeit in the simple - but smart - "Wendy-style").

Today I finished the Shift sloper and I was amazed by how well the medium fit with no alterations. It could be a smidgy smaller in some spots (tighter seam allowances will easily fix that) and shorter (I slashed it up 5 inches). But the bust (36-37") actually fit more or less perfectly. If I use a fabric with a tiny amount of stretch (my preference for a lot of reasons), so much the better! Note: I do prefer a close, if not tight, fit in all of my garments.

I may actually use the sloper as a pattern, un-embellished - it's a bold idea, I realize. I've also decided on the variation I'll try: "Deep Impact" (page 127), a sleeveless, deep-V, empire, pleated number. Sounds all wrong for my body-type but I think I can make it work.

A lot of reviewers have commented on the wealth of great sloper embellishments (aka patterns) offered within. I have to be honest - I don't gravitate toward most of them. For me, they're too hippie or young or designed for straight figures. But that doesn't mean I won't benefit from this book tremendously.

One other thing: You can make this as easy (within reason) or challenging as you choose. This book will follow your development as a sewist. So go out and buy it. If you don't like it, you can call me to complain!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Retrofitting

Vogue Very Easy 8123 took me 2 weeks - a eternity by my own standards. I will admit that the instructions were clear, though I wish they'd just told me how to line the freakin' jacket (I can't easily extrapolate that with my current skill level) so that I wouldn't have had to come up with an alternative seam-treatment solution (aka seam binding). It's a pretty, vintage technique - which the pattern didn't instruct about - I just winged it by modeling the sewing experiences of others - but it's a time suck.

At any rate, I am happy with the results. I used a felted wool (I think) with a little bit of 4 way stretch - just a bit. Originally, I cut the pattern and did an FBA (full bust adjustment) but realized, after spending hours on the adjustment and the muslin, that it was grossly unneeded given the loose-fit and ease built into the pattern. The alteration itself was much more successful than my last attempt.

This time, I didn't do the Y variation - just the regular one - and then I managed to figure out how to remove the side dart by moving it to the front waist (which would have looked weird) and then shifting it to the side seam i.e. cutting it off. In the end, I managed to add room in the bust with NO discernible dart. That's a pretty spiffy alteration that I had to search high and low to find out about. I'm pretty proud of myself for having nabbed it, even if unnecessarily.

My second muslin (yes, I made 2?!), cut from the regular size 12 - but shortened through the waist to accommodate my proportions - showed the largely unaltered pattern sizing was fine and here are the finished results:

Sorry the photo is dark - it was tough to get a light enough shot...





That button is a fake! I used snaps to afix the collar ends. My button binder couldn't handle a button that big.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Vogue Doesn't Put Out...

...despite what they try to tell you on the package.

This little pattern (Vogue 8123), is part of a series known as Very Easy Vogue:

That's not exactly truth in marketing.

I mean, if they want to call it "Not so Crazy Difficult but Incredibly Time Consuming" Vogue or "It's Easier than Your Average Vaguely Tailored Retro Jacket" Vogue or "Why Not Just Line this Thing - It's Faster than Bias Binding the Seams or Sending a Guy to the Moon" Vogue, I'm all over it. But Very Easy. Hmmm.

I made it, I should know. Pls. stay tuned for some pics tomorrow...

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Front and Back


Photos courtesy of desiretoinspire

As read on desiretoinspire, this adorable (but moody) house front hides a light and airy, modern interior. I mean, just look at that backyard! (You know how I love me an urban garden.)

Oh, and it recently sold for 1.5 mill AUS. So it may be a while before it's back on the market.

Thoughts?

Friday, April 16, 2010

This is a Post About Denim Leggings

If you don't want to buy stuff, may I suggest you don't go shopping?

I've done insanely "well" for more than 3 months - not buying any new clothing. Tuesday I had a wardrobe malfunction and had to replace (and on-the-spot toss) a pair of trouser jeans that was literally falling apart (ok).

Today, I went shopping for my husband. Yeah, he hasn't bought himself an item of clothing in 15 years. It's all good. He wears everything I buy and I have great taste. Between the 2 of us, he's rocking a mid-40's hot guy thing.

I go out for him once or twice a year. It's been a year now, I'm sure because just about everything in his closet needs to be, um, retired. I found myself with 45 minutes to kill after work and decided to fill in the basics.

All was well until I quickly "nipped" into Club Monaco. I thought I was over that place but apparently I'm like a recovering ice cream-aholic. (Wait, I am a recovering ice cream-aholic.)

I thought I could check out some pants and be done with it.

Long story short, I am the new owner of my second pair of denim leggings. Please don't call them deggings or jeggings or leans or anything else. I wish I could show you a photo but the Club Monaco people are so cheap with those.

Said pants zip and button on the side. They are entirely flat front and without embellishment or pockets on the ass. They're actually practically fitted capris a la 1950. But full length and dark-wash indigo.

They are very flattering but not vanity sized - alas - and not cheap. 140 bucks later I exited the shop with an item which, essentially, I already own.

So why did I buy them?

Well, I wanted them. I know I'll wear them into the ground (much as I'm doing with the first pair, my Guido and Mary's). Oh, and I have a thing for denim. Some may call it a problem - but jeans are like shoes to me. Only I have many fewer pairs of jeans than your average shoe addict has shoes.

I wear jeans 3 - 5 x per week. That's kind of a lot. I dress them up and down. I express my inner bad ass, my demure American preppy. People tell me I look good in them.

I know I look good in them.

This isn't an item I can sew (yet). Sewing has taken a back seat the last couple of weeks (not in my mind but in application) because I've been so busy dealing with all the things I have to deal with. I guess I feel the lack of new textiles. I do love the feel of clothing. The joy of something that is new to me and flattering and fun.

So that's my rationale.

This isn't a post where I justify my purchasing in light of my no-fritter challenge. I justified it to myself, on the spot, when I made the choice to buy. I mention this because I don't intend to be one of those non-shoppers who goes guilty when she buys. It's not my way.

When I show them off with my new, handmade jacket (I know, you've totally lost faith that you'll ever see a photo of that sucker), just don't want you wondering how they came to be.

But I do intend to continue on my no-shopping path till June. So I guess it's out of the stores for me. Good to know.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Meander

Photo courtesy of High Park Nature Centre

Thanks to Anabela for keeping me posted on sakura hanami (cherry blossom viewing). Check this out for more information about how to enjoy some spectacular Toronto scenery.

And for Tessa:

when cherry blossoms
scatter…
no regrets

by Kobayashi Issa (1763 - 1828)

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Jean Genie

The theory is that I'm going to make the Jalie jeans every sewing blogger talks about glowingly and incessantly. Thing is, I can't quite get with learning another new mega-skill (lapped zipper anyone?) in the next month. It just isn't in the cards.

But today, on arriving at the office, I realized that my Gap 1969 trouser jeans (part of the prototype line before the main line launched) had totally freakin' given up the ghost.

When it hit me that I was wearing denim with a shredded inner upper thigh, I knew it couldn't go on a minute longer. I mean, I've been distracted lately, but I'm not coarse.

I have this objective to remain fully clothed at work.

I had an agency meeting in the afternoon. You know how those people like to look cool. At lunch, I performed one of my super-hero mom acts: bought a kid's party birthday present, a new (back ordered book), a healthful lunch of leafy greens and a pair of jeans - 30 minutes start to finish - including the walk:

Gap 1969 Curvy Jeans

I threw out the old pair on my way out of the store. It was a bittersweet moment.

You know I like the 1969 line. I've bought a few pairs, but never the "curvy". In truth, I was looking for a recreation of the trouser jeans, but it was wishful thinking. These have some of the same tailored, but casual, elements. And a similar wash.

They are the only jeans I have that can be - nay must be - worn with flats. Too bad they're kind of fitted in the thigh. Attractively fitted, to be sure, but not exactly wide.

If you are 5'3" with longish legs, you can walk out of the store in the ankle-length. And, no doubt, you'll have to go down 2 sizes in order to get them to fit. Could be worse.

PS: IMO, it's not frittering when you have to replace a fraying, obscene garment in order to get away with a chic look while walking to work in flats. Boot season saved me from a purchase till now. And I suppose it's a necessity until I figure out how to make my own.

PPS: You know you're a veteran shopper when you can size up jeans and buy the first pair you see (aka the only pair you take into the change room).

Monday, April 12, 2010

Flowering Almond - End of March

Remember my precious flowering almond? The one that almost offed itself by blooming so voluminously that it struggled to sustain itself and to grow leaves?

My landscaper told me that she'd never seen one quite like it. She imagined it was a new-plant fluke.

Well, apparently, it's on the same trajectory this spring:

Scott took this photo last weekend. since then - due to much rain and warmer temps - the thing is going absolutely nuts. I expect it will explode with puff-ball flowers, fantastically, sometime this week. I am taking steps to help it to stay healthy by making sure that any dead blooms are quickly disposed of (to make space for the leaves).

But oh, what a week it's going to be... Stay tuned for pics.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Less is MOR

You know how I'm doing my little "no frittering" challenge, which I've extended until early June. It pertains specifically to clothing, nothing else, and I've managed to resist temptation rather impressively. Of course, it's easy to resist when everything else is theoretically on the table.

Today I had to go out to replenish my stash soap and hand cream. I'm certainly not thrifty with beauty products and potions. In fact I threw in a little new body wash.

I should mention: I'm feeling rather overwhelmed lately. I have some pretty big things launching soon at work. I have some significant responsibilities at home. I also have some goals I'm trying to achieve (on the work and life fronts) and I don't know how to find the extra energy required.

My creativity feels a little over-tapped right now, to be honest, and my posting may be a bit short or sporadic - or as active as ever. (You know how I like to fuck around with everybody's expectations.) I may not be as active a contributor on your blogs or as immediately responsive to your fabulous comments. It's not that I'm not reading - and loving your work - because surely I am. I just need to find some way to restore my equilibrium.

But back to the potions: My olfactory sense is particularly acute. I'm sure this is the origin of my 7-month vomit fest during pregnancy. I'm the kind of person who can tell what soap you use from 10 feet. I love scent - of course, except for that which I hate - particularly florals with chypre. My body chemistry metabolizes florals quickly, emphasizing musk. On some, florals are pedestrian. On me, they're sexy (go figure).

Happily, while at my potion shop, I came across this:

On first inhale, I was transported by its lush, almost overpowering bouquet. I should have picked out the ylang ylang instantly (I didn't).

It made me feel a little less stuck. A little more like I'm part of the air and the earth and the change of seasons.

I bought it and, every once in a while, I open the cap (it's a roll-on perfume oil) and smell the heady top notes.

What do you do to restore your sense of balance? How do you manage ennui?

Thursday, April 8, 2010

FBA*: First Time's A Bust

I am following the rulez. Swear! This is what the instructions tell you to do.

I can see I may have to stop posting about sewing for a while because every fucking new thing that involves boobs and catering to their voluptuousness seems to be failing. I mean, everything seems to be providing me with a great learning opportunity.

I mean, totally fuck that. What am I, a grade 1 teacher??

Thing is, I'm happy to bitch about this ad nauseum. It strikes me, however, that you may be vaguely irritated by my constant irritation.

Here are my questions du jour - aimed at the sewists but pls, anyone and everyone must provide feedback:
  • Have you done an FBA? Did it work the first time?
  • Was it the Y variety rather than just the normal one?
  • How big a centre gap do you think you can you accomodate with the regular FBA (not the Y version)? I think I have to add 2.5 inches - is that too much with the regular version?
  • Have you struggled with the apex going too low once you make the adjustment?
  • Have you struggled with the back being shorter than the front at the end?
  • With a narrow back and large chest, do you find that the number of inches you need to increase the pattern by is actually smaller?
*FBA = Full Bust Adjustment. It's designed to make woven and, to some extent knit, patterns (which are cut in general for a 34B chest) perfectly fitting for any woman, regardless of chest size. It's a fairly common - but not insignificant - technical alteration.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

A-Pooling

How is it that there are so many variations on the appealing swimming pool?

Photo courtesy of Studio G

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Toronto Fashion Week: Press Corps

Here are a coupld of photos of me pretending to be a fancy media star at the TFW "tent" at the Allstream Centre:


And here's a view of the press corps I was standing in front of as I (seriously) shamelessly posed.

Of course, here it is during the show. But as I stood there and modeled, pre-show, one media guy shouted "Work it, honey."

Work it I did.

If only I were 6 feet tall, 25 pounds lighter, 20 years younger and more angular - I could so strut, people. :-)

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Fashion Person

I've mentioned my supa-cool, plugged-in, media-type friend Jet. She makes documentaries and belongs to terribly chic arts clubs and plays tennis daily.

Lately, she's been shooting B-roll for her new film. The subject: fashion peeps, shows and the world of models (of course, there's more to it but I don't want to give it all away!)

So I just had to accompany her to the "tent" and watch a show and then go to the Spoke and have a lovely meal and then watch another show. One that was filmed for Fashion Television.

I know, I am very au courant :-)

I'm not going to talk too much about those shows. I don't want to bite the hand that feeds me (the fashion mechanism - not Jet, who totally agrees with me, btw), but I was not impressed by what I observed.

Don't get me wrong: The events were phenomenally organized. As a former planner of media events, I have to say I was nothing but impressed by the venues, the set up, the organizers, the PR peeps, the runway, the perks...

The designs just weren't up to snuff, IMO. And, frankly, it amazes me (given the shoddy tailoring and the lack of imagination that paraded left right and centre - in front of my very eyes) that everyone around me was pandering and ooh-ing and ahh-ing all over the place.

It was curious, let me tell you.

But if you catch me on FT, I assure you I'll be the least bored fashion girl you've ever seen: