Coming Up at Apparel Arts

Apparel Arts’ January through June 2011 schedule is on the website. Classes have been filling quickly. With all the cuts in classes and programs at the city and state college level, and the word out on the strong program at Apparel Arts, we are getting a huge run-off of students.

In addition to our usual class listings, we are offering Tech Packs on Illustrator and Excel coming up again in January. In our age of computers, this class is absolutely necessary if you want to find employment in the apparel industry. All spec packages are done on computer – they are faster to write and the information is clean and clear, leaving fewer missteps on the production end. We are also offering a new Sewing with Knits class in April. Knits can be easy to sew, but there are lots of tricks which will produce a more professional looking product. Check out the class descriptions, teacher bios and schedule on line at www.apparel-arts.com.

Spring 2011 Trends

The Spring 2011 New York shows are over and the European shows are underway. I am noticing a lot of minimalism in terms of line, silhouette and color. Of course perhaps I am partial to those looks because to the patternmakers’ eye, it is much more difficult to create a perfect, simple, look. Some of what I see is perfectly, simply, breathtaking. My favorite line so far is Raf Simons for Jil Sander. The proportions are so modern. The skirts are gorgeous with the simple T’s and I love the looks with the peplums

Jil Sander from Style.com

. So chic! Another favorite is Doo.Ri. The draping is lovely. I think the color palette needed a punch (just white, beige, ice blue and versions in between), but very serene and gorgeous. Phillip Lim 3.1 showed some nice layered apron looks throughout his show. I didn’t like the entire line (I could have done without the collars and some of the prints), but there were some strong pieces.

3.1 Phillip Lim from Style.com

With all the focus on strong, modern lines, I was looking forward to seeing Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein Collection. I often love his shows and the first look down the runway was a knockout, but it started to look too austere and dated fairly quickly. While I am not always partial to prints, Diane von Furstenberg sent a  balanced collection down the runway full of exciting prints and silhouettes.

Diane von Furstenberg from Style.com

Check out the spring lines at www.style.com/fashionshows/ and see what you think.

Check This Out

It is nice to see that one can still find machine knitting lessons in the Bay Area. I started my career in the apparel industry on a knitting machine. These machines are fun to operate and    they really indulge your creative side. Of course Academy of Art has an amazing knit design program, but if you are not willing and/or able to jump into their extensive program, try www.machineknittingtodyefor.com in Oakland. The classes are offered by Loretta Warner and Nancy Roberts and will give you an introduction into machine knitting.

I am about to teach another tailoring class at Apparel Arts and was reminded of a fun tailoring blog, www.englishcut.com. Check it out for some old world, yet still relevant tailoring tips. In fact, keep an eye on Savile Row altogether. The tailors in the area are banding together to educate and keep proper tailoring techniques alive and appreciated (www.savilerowbespoke.com).

Great Reads to Inspire

Pattern Magic, the beautiful Japanese draping books that I have mentioned in a previous blog, are coming out with English versions in January, 2011. There are 2 books in the series. You can pre-order on Amazon. I can’t wait!

Until next time!

Suzy Furrer

Director

Apparel Arts