A day late, but no harm done...
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Comfort Zone
I seem to have developed a taste for artsy knitwear. First Swedish designer Sandra Backlund with her snowflake-esque sweaters, now Alice Palmer and her designs. While not anywhere near as sculptural as Backlund's, Palmer's designs are pleasing to the eye and more than intricate enough in their own way. With interesting structures and bold use of color and lines, these knits certainly make a statement and manage to look extremely comfortable while doing it.
Dazed and Confused Magazine did an interview with her:
OP KNITS BY ALICE PALMER
Winner of Best Womenswear Designer at New York Fashion Week last season has long been experimenting with textiles.
Text by Limara Salt | Published 18 December 2008
Alice Palmer is one of many new designers taking a new slant on knitwear. Originally interested in creating art onto textiles, Alice made the leap into fashion after experimenting with knitwear. Her clothes, which push the boundaries of shape and construction, has already garnered interest from around the globe and won her an award for “Best Womanswear Designer” at New York Fashion Week as part of NY Profile.
Dazed Digital: Did you always want to be a fashion designer?
Alice Palmer: When I was younger I wanted to be many things from a screen writer to a stunt woman! Though, towards the end of school I knew I wanted to go to art school and study painting or textiles. I chose textiles and as soon as I started knitting for fashion I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer. Also, my two Grandmothers both designed clothes so it was in the genes all along.
DD: What prompted you to make the transition from textiles to designing and was it difficult?
AP: Making clothes came natural to me as I started working on the mannequin. I remember when I had to do two garments for my BA fashion show at the Glasgow School of Art, and I ended up making over eight outfits as the ideas kept flowing. They weren't brilliant, but I remember that excited feeling of finding my direction.
DD: After setting up your business in 2001, how have you evolved into creating unconventional styles of knitwear?
AP: When I started my business I was purely making fashion accessories and selling to galleries and small boutiques. Though, I was not fully satisfied as my passion was always to make clothes, so I moved to London and enrolled at the Royal College of Art. I decided to take the textiles course as it allowed me to concentrate on the actual fabric and I spent the two years exploring different methods of constructing knitwear. It is something I have become obsessed with and will continue to use in my future collections.
DD: Many designers seem to be exploring knitwear a great deal more now than ever, why do you think that is?
AP: I think it is great that knitting has become so popular. Designers such as Claire Tough and Louise Goldin have made it a trend; therefore I think more people are drawn towards knitwear. Also, with the capabilities of modern machinery, knitwear is a very diverse subject to learn.
DD: You're specifically interested in shape, form and pattern and the architecture of Marrakech, what is it about that city and it's infrastructure that has inspired and influenced you?
AP: I found Marrakech a very interesting and peaceful city. I was amazed by the phenomenal craftsmanship of the temples, with many three dimensional structures evident mainly over doorways and in the ceilings. I like to incorporate these shapes into my designs, making the end result very personal to me.
DD: What was it like winning "Best Womanswear Designer" at New York fashion week?
AP: Showing at New York Fashion Week with NY Profile was an amazing experience for me. My collection opened the show and I had such a great response. Winning the award came as a big surprise to me as it was my first proper fashion show and my first collection. I still feel like it was just a dream.
DD: What inspired your S/S09 collection?
AP: For my S/S09 collection I was inspired by Op artist Victor Vasarely, for the bold graphic qualities and primary colours. Being my first collection, I just had a lot of fun with it and the shapes evolved as I went along.
Dazed and Confused Magazine did an interview with her:
OP KNITS BY ALICE PALMER
Winner of Best Womenswear Designer at New York Fashion Week last season has long been experimenting with textiles.
Text by Limara Salt | Published 18 December 2008
Alice Palmer is one of many new designers taking a new slant on knitwear. Originally interested in creating art onto textiles, Alice made the leap into fashion after experimenting with knitwear. Her clothes, which push the boundaries of shape and construction, has already garnered interest from around the globe and won her an award for “Best Womanswear Designer” at New York Fashion Week as part of NY Profile.
Dazed Digital: Did you always want to be a fashion designer?
Alice Palmer: When I was younger I wanted to be many things from a screen writer to a stunt woman! Though, towards the end of school I knew I wanted to go to art school and study painting or textiles. I chose textiles and as soon as I started knitting for fashion I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer. Also, my two Grandmothers both designed clothes so it was in the genes all along.
DD: What prompted you to make the transition from textiles to designing and was it difficult?
AP: Making clothes came natural to me as I started working on the mannequin. I remember when I had to do two garments for my BA fashion show at the Glasgow School of Art, and I ended up making over eight outfits as the ideas kept flowing. They weren't brilliant, but I remember that excited feeling of finding my direction.
DD: After setting up your business in 2001, how have you evolved into creating unconventional styles of knitwear?
AP: When I started my business I was purely making fashion accessories and selling to galleries and small boutiques. Though, I was not fully satisfied as my passion was always to make clothes, so I moved to London and enrolled at the Royal College of Art. I decided to take the textiles course as it allowed me to concentrate on the actual fabric and I spent the two years exploring different methods of constructing knitwear. It is something I have become obsessed with and will continue to use in my future collections.
DD: Many designers seem to be exploring knitwear a great deal more now than ever, why do you think that is?
AP: I think it is great that knitting has become so popular. Designers such as Claire Tough and Louise Goldin have made it a trend; therefore I think more people are drawn towards knitwear. Also, with the capabilities of modern machinery, knitwear is a very diverse subject to learn.
DD: You're specifically interested in shape, form and pattern and the architecture of Marrakech, what is it about that city and it's infrastructure that has inspired and influenced you?
AP: I found Marrakech a very interesting and peaceful city. I was amazed by the phenomenal craftsmanship of the temples, with many three dimensional structures evident mainly over doorways and in the ceilings. I like to incorporate these shapes into my designs, making the end result very personal to me.
DD: What was it like winning "Best Womanswear Designer" at New York fashion week?
AP: Showing at New York Fashion Week with NY Profile was an amazing experience for me. My collection opened the show and I had such a great response. Winning the award came as a big surprise to me as it was my first proper fashion show and my first collection. I still feel like it was just a dream.
DD: What inspired your S/S09 collection?
AP: For my S/S09 collection I was inspired by Op artist Victor Vasarely, for the bold graphic qualities and primary colours. Being my first collection, I just had a lot of fun with it and the shapes evolved as I went along.
Monday, December 22, 2008
She's got Bette Davis eyes...
Photographer: Katrin Thomas
Model: Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films)
Overall, this shoot was well styled. The wardrobe, set, and lighting is gorgeous. Evanna Lynch... not so much. Don't get me wrong, she's lovely as Luna Lovegood. She's got a weird, endearing awkwardness about her that seems almost deliberate. She's also got beautiful big eyes and hair that's so long I turn green with envy. (How does she get her hair to grow that long?) Buuut... she also looks creepy in most of these pictures, like a cross between an alien, doll, and muppet.
Katrin Thomas, I have just a few words for you... Shoot. And. Miss.
Nice try though.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Naughty or Nice?
Light me up, put me on top, let's falalalala lalalala.
The only place you wanna be is underneath my Christmas tree.
Ho ho ho, under the mistletoe. Yes everybody knows...
We will take off our clothes. Yes if you want us to we will.
Oh oh a Christmas, My Christmas tree is delicious.
Here, here, here, the best time of the year.
Take off my stocking’s, we’re... I’m spreading Christmas cheer.
Cherry cherry boom boom!
Photography by Ellen von Unwerth
Model: Ana Beatriz Barros
Friday, December 19, 2008
Foto Friday
It's that time again... winter/holidays is the theme.
And since I'm bored waiting at home (yes, I'm back in Chicago for Christmas) for my friend to get off work so we can meet up for dinner and some shopping on Michigan Ave...
Your hair color? Dark brown.
Your mother? Is super strict.
Your father? Is too much like me, which is why we always fight.
Your favorite thing? How could I ever pick just one?
Your dream last night? Everyone at BC was drunk in class.
Your dream goal? To become a published author.
The room you're in? My bedroom.
Your hobby? Writing.
Your fear? Losing everything.
Where do you want to be in 6 years? I'll be 25... living in New York in a really nice loft, working for a fashion magazine, book publishing company, or possibly living off the royalties of my best selling novel.
Where were you last night? In bed feeling really sick :-(
What you're not? A catty girl.
One of your wish-list items? Leather bomber jacket. Plane tickets to visit my friend Pauli at SCAD next semester.
Where you grew up? Chicago, in the city.
The last thing you did? Straightened my hair.
What are you wearing? Black leggings, plaid flannel shirt.
Your TV? Is not on.
Your pets? A dog. His name is Laddie.
Your computer? A macbook.
Your mood? Excited to see my friends tonight!
Missing someone? Yes.
Your car? What car?
Something you're not wearing? Shoes.
Favorite shop? Garment District.
Your summer? Was amazing, and the next I think will be even better.
Love someone? Yes.
Your favorite color? It changes constantly. Currently, navy blue.
When is the last time you laughed? Today.
When is the last time you cried? Last night.
Where is your mobile phone? On the floor of my bedroom, charging.
Where is your significant other? I don't have one currently.Your hair color? Dark brown.
Your mother? Is super strict.
Your father? Is too much like me, which is why we always fight.
Your favorite thing? How could I ever pick just one?
Your dream last night? Everyone at BC was drunk in class.
Your dream goal? To become a published author.
The room you're in? My bedroom.
Your hobby? Writing.
Your fear? Losing everything.
Where do you want to be in 6 years? I'll be 25... living in New York in a really nice loft, working for a fashion magazine, book publishing company, or possibly living off the royalties of my best selling novel.
Where were you last night? In bed feeling really sick :-(
What you're not? A catty girl.
One of your wish-list items? Leather bomber jacket. Plane tickets to visit my friend Pauli at SCAD next semester.
Where you grew up? Chicago, in the city.
The last thing you did? Straightened my hair.
What are you wearing? Black leggings, plaid flannel shirt.
Your TV? Is not on.
Your pets? A dog. His name is Laddie.
Your computer? A macbook.
Your mood? Excited to see my friends tonight!
Missing someone? Yes.
Your car? What car?
Something you're not wearing? Shoes.
Favorite shop? Garment District.
Your summer? Was amazing, and the next I think will be even better.
Love someone? Yes.
Your favorite color? It changes constantly. Currently, navy blue.
When is the last time you laughed? Today.
When is the last time you cried? Last night.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
I'm like a ringleader, I call the shots.
So my Classical Mythology final is tomorrow morning at 9, but of course, instead of studying the 100+ terms I still don't know, I'm surfing the Internet.
And what do I find? A new Ellen von Unwerth photoshoot featuring the lovely Britney Spears!!
Yes, that's right. Britney, bitch.
She. Is. Back.
And looking quite smashing in this 1930s-esque editorial.
Seriously I feel like a proud parent. She is back and better than ever.
I think I might go shed a few tears of joy.
And then pull an all-nighter, because clearly I'm the best at procrastinating.
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