Coming Up at Apparel Arts

Apparel Arts is off to very strong start for 2010. The interest generated by word-of-mouth and the website is astonishing. I am so excited to meet with students who are new to the industry and those who work in the apparel industry and are inquiring about coming to Apparel Arts to sharpen their skills. If you are anyone you know is interested in learning more about us, we have 2 orientations in February: Saturday, February 13, 12:45 to 2:00 pm and Tuesday, February 23, 1:00 to 2:15 pm. We will be adding yet another patternmaking class in June, for 10 patternmaking classes a week! That class will be held on Wednesdays from 1:30 to 4:30 pm.

Since our draping class with Allison Page fills up so quickly, we have added a second draping class for the spring. There are still spots in the session that starts Wednesday, March 31, 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Construction starting Saturday, April 17, 1 to 4 pm also has a few spots available. Both will definitely fill up so register now if you are thinking about taking those classes.

Spring, 2010 Trends

I know it is only the beginning of February, but I have spring fever already. I can’t wait to let my toes and shoulders feel the sun. Some of the emerging trends for spring are a continuing with the boyfriend jacket. I like how Charlotte Ronson feminized it styling. J Crew does a great job with this staple too. We are going to see pants cut from patterned fabric (questionable who could pull that off), but I think it will filter down to muted patterns and bleaching on denim causing a color fade look. Keep the top simple and solid in color to balance out the pattern on the pant. Jumpsuits and rompers will continue to be big. The only ones that look modern to me are the looser/drapier versions. I like the DKNY and Badgley Mischka versions. The very fitted jumpsuits look like they are trying too hard. Sexy slits, sheers, warrior and tribal looks (check out Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen) will continue to be an influence.

The Fall, 2010 couture shows are just wrapping up and I am excited about what I am seeing. The next blog will have a review of those trends, but check them out for yourself and see what you think will emerge as a strong trend.

Check This Out

I have mentioned Fashion Biz, Inc. in a previous blog, but it is worth mentioning again (www.fashionbizinc.org). Their classes and seminars are really informative and inspirational. If you are learning the practical aspects of the industry like patternmaking, draping and illustration, it is imperative to add in your business classes. This is where Fashion Biz, Inc. comes in. Last Saturday I went on one of their factory tours in the East Bay. It was wonderful to see a sewing/embroidery shop that is thriving. We toured Elegance in Emeryville and Art Tes, a silkscreener in Oakland. In order for the apparel industry to survive and thrive in the Bay Area, we need to keep pushing business to our factories. The magic numbers for producing overseas is between 800 to 1000 per style. It would be great to see manufactures reach 1000 units per style and choose to continue producing domestically. We need to educate the consumer that these cheap disposable clothes are not worth it to our work force, economy or the landfill.

Great Reads to Inspire

Occasionally, it is nice to get back to the basics in sewing. I am often asked to recommend a basic sewing book which will help students get through their sewing homework. Reader’s Digest Guide to Sewing is the book I always insist students get. There is nothing fancy about it, but it has all the nuts and bolts you need. If you don’t have this book in your library, think about adding it.

I am teaching a Tailoring class at Apparel Arts in March so I have been focusing on my tailoring skills and making up a jacket using some old-school tailoring techniques. It is a shame that some of these techniques are falling by the wayside in the apparel industry’s pursuit to make clothing quickly and cheaply. Tailoring, The Classic Guide to Sewing the Perfect Jacket, Creative Publishing, is an excellent how-to tailoring book which shows the custom (hand) tailoring method, machine method, and the common industry method of using fusibles.

Until next time!

Suzy Furrer
Director
Apparel Arts