20 Years of Sorbier

Creations of Franck sorbier- Photos : Patrick Gries

An exhibititon will be dedicated to French fashion designer Franck Sorbier. This will be the first devoted to him, in Central France's Lyon fabric museum, celebrating 20 years of his work. The retrospecive of his work is marking the last 10 in haute couture, one of only 11 houses entitled to that designation under the strict rules of Paris fashion's governing body.

Sorbier is a hands-on craftman who creates unique pieces. He uses a technique of compression where he sews over fabric over and over, it is similar to giving fabrics a quality of papier mache. He turns humble raw materials into works of art, using various amazing techniques.

The exhibit will run from March to September 2009.

A Walk

As I took my five minute walk to the store yesterday I thought I would capture this beautiful image with my new camera.

I was wonderfully surprised by a desperately needed camera!

Reconstructing a Skirt

Recently I was working on some alterations for a client. One of the items was a basic shape skirt with a waistband and zipper. It would have taken me less time to make it from scratch.

A much older sarta had made it for my client. In Italy a dressmaker is called a "sarta" but a "sarto" is actually a tailor.

But anyway, this Italian sarta had made this skirt. It was made of an amazing Italian wool, with brown and black small houndstooth. The wool had an amazing hand and was great to work with.

As I finished my work I thought to myself, wow, it is nice to know that a traditional Italian sarta is still around and working.

A Small Gift

Tomorrow we will be traveling to Rimini to spend the day with my father-in-law and his companion. This will be the first time we will see his companion since she had surgery.
I thought, I should make something for her. What about some roses! So using some small pieces left from my wedding dress, some silk shantung, some grosgrain, and some wooden skewers, I made this nice bouquet.
I do not usually use grosgrain and wooden skewers, or tulle for that matter to make rose bouquets, but it was what we had in the house.
I did pretty good! Now I just have to find a nice box for it, and I think I want to look around for another color ribbon for my bow.
And in a few hours this morning I finished! I still have more time in my day for other projects!!

Galliano AI 09/10

This is my favorite Galliano piece from his 09/10 collection. I always have to pick a favorite from his amazing collection!

My Internet World

"Gru sulla Luna" Keiichi Nishimura

Without internet. Wow, I can not imagine how that would be. Living in a small town in the country-side of beautiful Italy is amazing. But what sort of contact do I have with the world?

The internet is my only source of contact with the world. I am by no means a computer whiz and I certainly do not have countless hours to spend on the computer. Recently I have encountered so many sites I have no idea how people have time for it all. Personally I have specific sites in my almost everyday life, but they are also some I could do without.

***Hotmail***

I have been an avid emailer since I can not remeber. In this day and age it is a must! This is the site I go to every morning and every evening.

***CNN & BBC.Com***

I make sure every Tuesday morning is spent watching morning news, world, US, and also a little bit of entertainment news.

***MySpace***

I have never been one for this sort of site. I was familiar with it for a long time but I had never joined because previously I had never had the need or time for it.

Once I moved to Italy, it was difficult to keep contact with my family through phone. Apparently everyone including my mother were avid users of this site. I had to give in, now it is the sole means of sharing photos and keeping in touch with close family and friends.

***Facebook***

Recently joined this site. Wonderful site to keep contact with friends and colleagues. I have regained contact with colleagues of long ago!

***Etsy***

My creative outlet! Through my shop I continue to create for myself and others. I have also met so many creative artisans from throughout the world! I continue to learn about everything, including the site with very informative and helfpul forums.

***Blogspot***

My goal is always to post two blogs a week. This site is also important for my creativity. It also proves to be very therapeutic for me.

Plus at one point I want to post detailed work-shops of various sewing, millinery, and tailoring projects.

***PhotoBucket & Flickr***

I began using Photobucket long ago, I started using it when I began my Myspace page. Now with Flickr I have found it to be a little behind the times.

Just recently Photobucket has added the blog option. With Flickr I feel more comfortable using the site. It also contains groups and I was suprised to how many Etsians are avid Flickr users.

***Indiepublic***

This is in my opionion a wonderful site I have recently become a member of. I have already met so may creative talented artisans from around the world. There is also a large amount of Estians who utilize this site.

Yes there is a large number of shameless advertising for Etsy shops, but their are also positive aspects of this site. Plus I have found amazing Etsy shops through through the advertising.

***Kaboodle & Stylehive***

Last but not least. I have recently become a member of these two sites. My experience with one has not been as good with the other.

Stylehive was very difficult for me to understand, how do you use it? I have also received numerous spam emails. Including a proposition from someone to check-out their "special site." No thanks!

On the other hand I have so far found Kaboodle to be an interesting site. Who does not love fashion? One of my favorite options is my "Wish List", Galliano and McQueen please step inside!! I am always a fan of lovely beautiful fashion!

Three spats in three days.

White Cotton Spats, originally uploaded by mariposa_73.

This is my second creation! Using an assortment of white cotton fabrics I constructed this classy spat.

The main fabric contains sections of lace. The fabric used for the inner part of the spat is a textured cotton which I also used to for the the bias finish along the edges.

This pair is very adjustable in size because of the lacing along the back.
It is beautiful and classy! I was happy with the end result.

Note: This post was first published on 2/9/09

-The Third Pair!

A wonderful romantic pair!

On the third day I constructed this wonderful pair. The top layer is a beautiful lace over a layer of heather grey fabric. The edges are finished off in a bias matching edging.

I am really having fun!

Note: This post was first published on 2/9/09

My first pair of spats.

FW:, originally uploaded by mariposa_73.

I just completed my first pair of spats! Once my pattern was ready to go I looked through my fabrics. Wow! I came up with so many ideas I had to start writing them down.

For my first pair I used a black and white wool fabric. I thought it would be nice to add a section of lace to add some contrast, it was a little flat. So along the lace section I accented it with some black piping. I also used the piping for the top. I finished it off by using three black plastic buttons.

There will be more to come!
Oh! Please excuse me if the picture is not too clear. I am still trying to figure out my camera and picture taking.

Note: This post was first published on 2/9/09

Richard Avedon at Rome

FW:, originally uploaded by mariposa_73.

This one of the wonderful photos one display in Rome, in the garden of the French Academy of Villa Medici.
A collection of photos can be viewed for the first time by the amazing photographer Richard Avedon. His photography and fashion, mainly from the early 1950's are on display in this wonderful must see exhibit.

Note: This post was first published on 2/13/09

Project Light Box

For my morning project today I decided to make a light box. Yesterday I spent some time reading Etsy forum postings on this very topic.

Wow, I was surprised how much useful information was listed. So as I woke up this morning I decided to attempt my own.
I used items which I had around the house, it didn't really take that long. I was really impressed with the outcome.
I figured out I have some slight alterations to make. I was really surprised at what a difference it makes in picture taking.

This post was first published on 2/26/09

Couture Shell Hat

Several weekends ago, my chef husband went out to the local mercato and bought a variety of seafood. Later that day we ate some wonderful shallots.

I had never seen shallots straight out of their shells. I immediately asked if afterwards I could keep the shells. My husband thought that was funny. He asked me what I wanted to do with them. My first thought was to make a hat, he also thought that was very funny. He asked me how I was going to do that. At the moment I did not know how.

This morning I woke up inspired to work on my shell hat. I pulled out some wonderful gray silk, some cream lace, and some white tulle. Wow, I compeleted my hat all in one morning. Of course it is not to be worn everday, but for that special occassion.

I was so excited by the finished product!

Note: This post was first published on 2/24/09

Military Uniform Inspired

Last weekend I acquired several beautiful fabrics. They arrived just in time for something I had been researching. I found some amazing decorative military applique shoes, vests, bags, so many thing in recent Italian fashion magazines. Two of my favorites are, Alexander McQueen's wonderful suede boots, or Versace's men's vest.

In my book collection I have a wonderful French tailoring book. It is entitled, "Cours De Coupe Du Tailleur De Paris. " Apart from wonderful drafts of various tailored military uniforms it also contains illustrated decorative military appliques.

So recently I have been doing a series of spats with this very theme, I noticed since the first one they have been transforming into something more detailed, more exciting.
I enjoy how it can be juxaposed with the femininity of a female spat!

Note: This post was first published on 3/9/09

McQueen

Another of my favorite designers is Alexander McQueen. His unique visions continued to be amazing in his Autumn- Winter 2009-2010 in Paris. The collection contains blacks, whites, and reds, in all sorts of combinations.

This is one one my favorites, and wow, what a headpiece!

Stephen Jones & John Galliano

Spring /Summer 09

The year of 2009 marks the fifteenth year that Stephen Jones and John Galliano have been collaborating to produce such magic.

"What really makes Stephen's millinery so unique is his personality - his elegance and refinement. Everything he does looks simply blown together. That is really the art of millinery and he is the best at it."
JOHN GALLIANO

"With John fashion isn't an act, it's for real. Every season is the most thrilling adventure imaginable. It works on trust; I believe in him and he believes in me. For a milliner, John is the best gig in town."
STEPHEN JONES

Wow! This sure is a match made in heaven!