Tuesday, November 13, 2007

What is Urban?



Again, I took a dive in to the minds of my contemporaries to gain some clarity on what is now being dawned as a the new cliche' , "Urban." It was once a term used to describe something that is indigenous to inner city culture and largely influenced by the Hip-Hop community.


The celebrities & supermodels are driving the "street chic" look home from the runway to the red carpet and creating an aesthetic genre that is undefinable but clearly recognizable as "Urban." LuQman of Luzzine Media/Photography states,"Urban is the spice that gives historical depth and colorful flavor to all major metropolitan cities around the world." This easily translates to taking what we see and applying it to what we do, and in this case, what we wear.


The recent printed hoodie craze has led to the evolution of the sweatshirt by adding the dimensions of color & embellishment to rival its cousin the T-shirt. Above are textile renderings from the Prints of Orange studio depicting both the literal and abstract approaches to urban apparel concepts. The silhouettes of B-boys in various break dancing poses is a nostalgic hint to a historic movement that inspired a generation. However, on a more sophisticated note the framework of a computer's motherboard makes for an intricate pattern that stands as strong as any contemporary geometric and will debut in children's outerwear later in the season.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

SPRING, AGAIN?... 2009, ALREADY!!!!




Soon after talking to several high end and moderate market designers, the verdict is in...Holiday is a wrap, and let's move on to Spring 2009 with something special to wow the buyers. The age old dilemma of delivering a collection that is fresh, and focused on leisure is still the task at hand, and with all of the intricacies entailed. Basically, let's design for a customer that will be touring the sunbelts of the world, while the rest of the shopping floor is reflective of the weather at hand.

With so many ideas flying about the circuit of market & private label designers, it is impossible to tell what will skyrocket to design stardom and make every editorial feature and claim the illustrious title of TREND. Fractured geometrics, photoreal florals, & safari skins infused with pretty peaches, oranges, & magenta tonals seem to be on the boards at prelimenary go-sees.

The Print highlighted above is one of the most forward out of Europe & quickly making a splash on the boards in the contemporary market interpreting, "Opulent Oasis: Safari." Even if reduced to a mere 4 tones, this print still creates a forward appeal to take the obvious floral a step further in demension and style.

This upcoming season of the vernal equinox will definiely be a colorful display of modern delicate lines playing background to the charactrization of organic shapes and references. But... lets remember, those of us with holiday & resort deliveries...EMBELLISH, EMBELLISH, EMBELLISH!!!...and start planning a winter vacation with a firm Spring direction to build on for a crisp & comfortable new collection.