Welcome to Apparel Arts’ new website! Be sure to check out all the pages especially those describing our classes and the fantastic teachers. I am really excited about the new look and even more excited to contribute a monthly blog. Each month I will write about what is coming up at Apparel Arts with regard to classes and events. I will often address fashion and style-related happenings around the Bay Area, profile a local designer who has studied at Apparel Arts and maybe throw in some great reads with regard to the fashion industry. A new blog will be posted on the first of each month.
Coming up at Apparel Arts
The biggest news coming from Apparel Arts in 2008 is the publishing of my patternmaking text, Building Patterns, The Architecture of Women’s Clothing. This is the text we have been using to teach patternmaking at Apparel Arts for the last 12 years and it is finally available for any and all to purchase. There is a page devoted to the textbook in Apparel Arts’ website. Whether you work in the apparel industry, aspire to work in the industry or are a serious hobbyist, this book is for you. It will be available the first week in October. If you order by November 30, you will receive a 20% discount.
In addition to our Patternmaking and Design Course that runs year-round, we have some other classes with openings coming up in September: Design Principles/Creativity is on Tuesday evenings, September 9, 16, 23, 30 and October 28; Leather/Suede Techniques meets on Mondays, September 15 and 22. Our construction class is full again. Sign up early for that one when our new schedule comes out in November. Check the schedule and class descriptions pages if you are interested in Draping and Fabric Manipulation in October, and in November we have Apparel Production Seminar, Textiles, and Grading.
Keep an eye out for the date of our Open House in early November. We will open our doors to those of you who have been checking out Apparel Arts, but have not made the leap. I will talk about the certificate program, classes, schedule and whether Apparel Arts is right for you. Of course if you don’t want to wait, I am always open to schedule appointments individually so you can come in to check out the program and the studio. Just call or email.
Check Her Out
September’s designer profile is Rita Dilorenzo of Black Label San Francisco. Rita studied at Apparel Arts in the 90’s. She is also an exceptional artist and an amazing person. Check out her website and her line at www.blacklabelsf.com.
Great Reads
Of course there are hundreds of great fashion reads, but two have recently stood out for me. The first is a newer book entitled Deluxe, How Luxury Lost Its Luster, by Dana Thomas. Deluxe is a fascinating account of the explosion of the world’s luxury market and its affect on shopping practices, counterfeiting, and the designers themselves. It is also an interesting peek into the workrooms and a glimpse at the crafts-people who create the luxury products.
The other book is a less recent book, Diana Vreeland, by Eleanor Dwight. It is, of course, about Diana Vreeland, the esteemed editor of Harper’s Bazaar and later, Vogue. If you don’t know much about Diana Vreeland (or even if you do), this is an interesting, fun and hilarious read on one of the most influential people in the fashion industry from the 1930’s through the 1980’s.
Until next time!
Suzy Furrer
Director, Apparel Arts