Elena Vasileva

Everyone check out Elena Vasileva's knitted designs on Zoozoom.com
Stunning designs to add fabulous texture to your oh so drab usual apparel (scroll down to see Ms. Vasileva's work on this page).

Fabulous Dress for Holiday Shopping

Gorgeous dress by Juicy Couture for the holiday season.
This was found on net-a-porter.com

Paul Smith Knitted Designs

Here are some knitted designs by fashion label Paul Smith.

Yarborough Fiber Jewelry

Innovations are popping up all over the knitting/fashion world, and this is one of them. These beautiful bracelets and bangles will leave you lusting for more and more luxurious yarns to add to your stash. They would also be great conversation starters. I can even see crafty fashionistas coming up with their own takes on this idea. Imagine the endless posibilites! At first I didn't think the pairing of the textured bangle over the texture of a knitted sweater would work, but it seems to look perfect in the first image I have provided (via shopbop.com of course) here. Feel fabulous and glamorous this holiday season, in whatever fiber you choose to surround yourself in :)

Here is a short designer bio taken from shopbop.com:

"Former book editor Elizabeth Yarborough studied literature and writing at Vassar College and the University of St. Andrews. In the spring of 2006, she left the corporate book world, embarking on an arts and crafts spree in her East Village apartment, an adventure which evolved into her jewelry line. With humor and an eye toward deconstruction, her designs subvert traditional wardrobe staples, reintroducing them in innovative, surprising ways. Her jewelry has been featured in Vogue and Vanity Fair."

Embroidery, Art and Time

Embroidery on a design by Dior.

Here is an excerpt from an article on Villiage Voice:

"Time, in fact, is a central motif of "Pricked," where one's eye is slowed by the infinity of stitches, the highly detailed, seemingly labor-intensive nature of much that's on display. The sheer density of works squeezed into close quarters adds to this overwhelming feeling. And their quality varies widely. Embroiderers engaged in a sophisticated repartee with art history—like Elaine Reicheck, contemporary doyenne of the medium—are jarringly juxtaposed with more kitschy sensibilities."

Read the entire article here.

Scott Ramsey Kyle and Annalisa Dunn featured in Chic Today

In the fashionable online magazine, Chic Today, take a break and check out Scott Ramsey Kyle's beautiful embroidery and Annalisa Dunn's knitwear, all in one place. Get your fashion and beauty fix and make it a splendid day.

Smart and Modern "Pasandra": Free Berroco Pattern

This Berroco pattern, called Pasandra, is very interesting. I love the shaping and geometric details. The yarn used for this sweater is a Berroco product called Pure Merino Heather, and is made of 100% extra fine Merino Wool. I would knit this in either the "Tyrolean Alps" or "Dusk" colors.

Chicintuition's Scarf Poll

Is it OK to wear a knitted scarf? Is it still fashionable this season? Well this poll could enlighten you. Check out the beautiful blog Chicintuition for more details. Oh, and don't forget to contribute and take the poll.


Scarves will always be in style because they are classic staples of cold weather fashion. However, the length does matter, so make sure your scarf is long enough for your body. If the ends of the scarf hit your hips, then you should be safe.

Gaultier's Crocheted Dress

Isn't this dress interesting? It reminds me of Mexican crochet. Wild colors and extreme attention to detail are Gaultier staples.

Think Pink Cupcake

I thought this cupcake was really cute so I had to mention it! It is crocheted and made with six different yarn colors. Register on Lion Brand's website to get the free pattern here.

Designer Profile: Giuliana Testino

Giuliana Testino is deeply inspired by Huancavelica, one of the poorest cities in Peru. See a great article on the designer, with fantastic photos, here. View her Trunkt portfolio and a beautiful page with one of her crocheted designs on Net-a-porter.com (you can even purchase it here). Read a fabulous article about her on Vis-A-Vis. This cardigan by Testino would be really cute over a white dress.

French Embroidery: Annabelle d'Huart for Noel

Annabelle d'Huart was born in 1952 in Paris. After studying drawing at the École Camondo in Paris, art history in Florence, and photography in New York, she spent 10 years at the Taller de Arquitectura in Barcelona. Her productions involve a wide range of materials: jewels, bronzes, roller-pressings, and paintings, in which the artist offers the spectator “unending navigation” through the variation of modular elements.source In her works she tries to give shape to objects that are in our individual and collective memories.sourceShe also helped design these stunning and very modern jewelry pieces, in collaboration with Yohji Yamamoto and Mikimoto, which I personally love.

"Constellation", a tablecloth embroidered with two thousand stars, which was designed by Annabelle d'Huart in celebration of the new millennium, is a beautiful example of exquisite french embroidery. Hand embroidery is used in Haute Couture for high fashion designs. You can get more information on how to purchase patterns like this, among many other beautiful works, as well as information on how to get a hand made table cloth like this, at Noel.

Fashionable Knitting Bags and Clutches

Storing your works in progress can be a huge hassle. Tired of your old plastic bag with stabbed knitting needle holes in it? Well, try this ultra chic bag out for size. Zelda Grand knitting bags are offered in various beautiful selections of fabrics, but you can even have one custom made, with that special fabric you had in mind.

This is one of my favorite designs, but they are all beautiful. Click here to see how the bags will look when you carry them next to your body! You can also get matching knitting needle clutches, among other cute craft bags at Stitch Diva Studios.

Embroidered Bustier

This chic embroidered bustier, with beautiful white stitching, would go great with white pipe leg dark denim jeans, or cuffed bottom trousers. Find this fabulous top at White House|Black Market.

letsknit2gether interview

LetsKnit2Gether's Eric and CAT are interviewed on Steve Garfield's Video Blog, Vlog Soup. Head over and check out the short but sweet video.

Don't forget to check out the letsknit2gether podcast as well. Check the iTunes listings for the FREE podcast!

UPDATE: New contributor

Access Fashion is bringing you a new contributor, Ms. Jeani Steal. She will be focusing on beauty and various topics in today's fashion industry, keeping it related to textiles as much as possible. Fashion is design, design consists of textiles, and textiles are beauty, thus, fashion is beauty.

Olivia Ong's "nanofabrics"

Potent new 'nanofabrics' repel germs


Cornell student Olivia Ong designs garments with nanoparticles


The particles repel germs and pollution


The particles are so small the clothing feels and drapes like a cotton T-shirt


Making the fabric swatches for Ong's dress and jacket cost about $10,000


Read the interesting article here.

Japanese Knitting

This history of knitting in Japan is minimally documented. KnitJapan has a great article on the interesting history, with wonderful images and dates.

To get a bit of a better understanding of Japanese knitting patterns, tata-tatao has a explanation to your confusion.

Here are some tips on Japanese knitting techniques. Japanese short rows are explained here.

Fulfill your Japanese knitting fantasies, and add to your knitting library with these Japanese Knitting Books

Dying to see photos of the "knitting prince"? Feast your little eyes on this!

Oh, you must visit this blog. It takes you into Japan like no other, with a sincere couple as your guides. (I'm sure there are other great blogs out there, but I enjoy this one.)

Last, but certianly not least, see some cute little otamas, here and here.

Book Review: Non-functional Knitting

we make money not art posted a great review of KnitKnit: Profiles + Projects from Knitting's New Wave, a fun a quirky book about knitting, art and extreme creativity.

Fashion Word of the Day - The "Zemire"

Christian Dior's Zemire (1905-57)


Paris


1954-5 autumn/winter


Cellulose acetate, with the skirt lined with layers of silk and net

image source


This design is one of the most beautiful designs in the world, and in fashion altogether. It is extremely sleek and elegant. I loved when Christian Dior said this: “I designed clothes,” he said, “for flower-like women, with rounded shoulders, full, feminine busts, and hand-span waists above enormous spreading skirts.”

A charming “detective story” is that of Zemire, one of Dior’s most distinctive designs from 1954, thought to have survived only in archive records and photographs. The original design had been presented to Princess Margaret at Blenheim Place in 1954 but, last year, the V&A purchased a dramatic red version in a Paris auction. Now lovingly restored, its interior labels reveal the House, client, workshop and alterations.source

The Quilted Texture

Quilted designs will always be in style. It is a classic staple of fashion and expert craftsmanship. In this sense, it is not a "trend" because it will live on forever in design. This season, designers such as Jun Takahashi, take this element to an extreme. However, it is not necessarily over the top.

Interesting quilting at Prada, Fall 2007 RTW

Quilted gloves at Burberry Prorsum, Fall 2007 RTW
Stylish quilted bag at Dries Van Noten, Fall 2007 RTW

Wintery White

Beautiful knitted designs to warm you up this winter. How elegant!source

Knit Tube Gloves

Make a chic fashion statement this autumn, and through the chills of winter, with these fantastically designed tube gloves. I love the to-the-elbow length as apposed to the wrist length fingerless gloves. It covers more, and is more of a "feast" for the eyes, especially a knitters' eye.

The Knitting Circle Shows Its Chic

Needlework hobbyists have become more savvy, said Joelle Hoverson, an owner of Purl and Purl Patchwork, neighboring yarn and fabric boutiques in SoHo. “A lot of that is driven by fashion,” she said. Ms. Hoverson has noticed that designers like Mr. Jacobs inspire her customers. “But they’re also looking at clothes from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s,” she said. “And they’re looking at each other. It’s very cool.”

read more | digg story

Knitting and Tattoos: The Latest Microtrends

Over the past two generations, the number of left-handed Americans has nearly doubled. Between 2004 and 2005, the purchase of fashion yarn increased 56 percent. The fastest growing group of knitters are teens and twentysomethings. The fastest growing group of videogamers? Moms over the age of 45.What do these tidbits say about American society?

read more | digg story

Extremely creative cupcakes

This lady knitted sweaters and scarves out of marzipan for the tops of these cupcakes. How could anyone eat these?

read more | digg story

You Knit What??

Even though this blog is no longer in service, You Knit What?? will give any one that stumbles upon it a laugh. It definitely put a smile on my face. Someone should create a new blog like this.

Knit a Scarf? For what!?!

Babydoll sweaterdress with scarf


If you ever thought you can not even use a scarf, think again. Check out this article by Joel about creating specialized looks using scarves and ties.

Fashion Word of the Day

1960s Mink Stole


Stole [stohl]


A woman's shoulder scarf of fur, marabou, silk, or other material.


The stole was originally a kind of shawl that covered the shoulders and fell down in front of the body; on women they were often very large indeed. After being adopted by the Church of Rome about the seventh century (the stole having also been adopted in other locals prior to this), the stole became gradually narrower and so richly ornamented that it developed into a mark of dignity. Nowadays, the stole is usually wider and can be made from a wide variety of material. The most likely origin for the stole is connected with the scarf of office among Imperial officials in the Roman Empire.


Image source

Marios Schwab fabric effects

Marios Schwab creates VERY interesting effects with fabric. The designs are unique and "out-of-this-world" stylish.

Fashion Word of the Day - Hairpin Lace

Hairpin lace is a type of crocheted fabric formed by using a crochet hook and a hairpin, which consists of two parallel metal rods held at the top and the bottom by removable bars. Historically, a metal U-shaped hairpin was used, from which the name originates.

Hairpin lace is formed by wrapping yarn around the prongs of the hairpin to form loops, which are held together by a row of crochet stitched worked in the center, called the spine. The resulting piece of lace can be worked to any length desired by removing the bottom bar of the hairpin and slipping the loops off the end. The strips produced by this process can be joined together to create an airy and lightweight fabric.

Heatherette and Jenna Jameson

Even if she was a "born again Christian," her past screams on her behalf, therfore, why risk it? The statement "Some people will do anything for money," seems to be true. What do you think of Heatherette using Jenna Jameson in their fashion show for their Spring 2008 collection? It is strange that they would use her, when they include little girls on the same runway.
heatherette
jenna jameson

FCUS Beautiful Knitwear

Cara Dress with Crochet detail

Geo Cardi

Cable Car Knit

Cable Cardi

Fairfield Dress

Bobble Crochet Cardi

Fashion Word of the Day - Tea Gown

A semiformal gown of fine material, esp. one styled with soft, flowing lines, worn for afternoon social occasions.



The Afternoon Tea Gown was first introduced, in the 1840s, by Anna, the Duchess of Bedford. The gowns were fashioned on the styles and times of the day.



Tea gowns were constructed in several segments, allowing the hostess to change from the lingerie-inspired overtops to the more revealing off-the-shoulder, lower cut silhouette for the evening hours. Fabrics ranged from elaborate gowns with fanciful hand work of embroidery, beading and smocking to the delicate white handkerchief linens accented with pastels.


Since Afternoon Teas were mostly attended by family and close friends, the hostess' tea gown was often uncorseted for the first time in centuries, introducing the casual form of dress our society has adopted to the present day.


The fashions complimented the Victorian era from which they were born. The gowns were accessorized with magnificently embellished gloves, parasols, fabulous hats and small handbags.
source

Givenchy Very Irresistible Contest Ends Tomorrow!

The beautiful face of Givenchy's Very Irresistible, Liv Tyler.



END Date and Time:
September 15, 2007 11:30 PM (PST)


Prizes:
1st Place: Win a trip for you and your best friend to meet Liv Tyler at her Sephora public appearance in NYC*. You’ll also receive a poster of the ad with your winning slogan, chosen by an illustrious panel of judges with representatives from Givenchy and Seventeen magazine. You and your friend will be treated to a swag bag and lunch at the Seventeen magazine offices.


2nd Place: Receive a Very Irrésistible Givenchy gift basket valued at $250 and a poster of the ad with your slogan. Selected by the community as the entrant with the top score.


10 Highest Scores: Receive a sample of Very Irrésistible Givenchy.


5 Most Viral: Receive a Seventeen goodie bag.


*See rules for complete details

Sweater Dresses for Fall

Anna Sui Lace

source

Another blogger loves what I love ;)

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(Screenshot of the blog)


Check out Fashion Inc.'s post about knitted pieces in high fashion.

Fashion Word of the Day - A-Line

A dress or skirt silhouette that is narrower at the top, flaring gently wider toward the bottom thereby resembling the letter A. Works well on most figure types; good for disguising bottom-heavy figures.

NYC Spring Fashion Week Coverage

Papierblog is covering New York fashion week, diary style, including beautiful and vivid photos.

Fashion Word of the Day - Pinafore

pin·a·fore [pin-uh-fawr, -fohr]

A woman's sleeveless garment derived from it, low-necked, tying or buttoning in the back, and worn as an apron or as a dress, usually over a blouse, a sweater, or another dress.

Paula Sanz Caballero

Paula Sanz Caballero is an interesting fabric artist and fashion illustrator. Her designs have made a lasting impresson om me, with their somewhat deathly/morbid nature. I was very attracted to the embroidered colors she uses in her beautiful pieces.

Fashion Word of the Day-Chambray

3.1 Phillip Lim Resort 2008


Chambray (sham-brey)

–Noun

1. A fine cloth of cotton, silk, or linen, commonly of plain weave with a colored warp and white weft.

Fall 2007 Trend Report from Style dot com - Knit Parade

Calvin Klein Fall 2007 RTW


Surf over to Style dot com for a great review of this season's knits in high fashion. There is also a great audio report by Joanna Rodger. You choose your favorite designer that incorporated knitting in their creations, then comment back to give me your opinion.

Fashion Word if the Day-Cheongsam

Cheongsam (chawng-sahm)

–Noun

1. A form-fitting, knee-length dress with a mandarin collar and slit skirt, worn chiefly by Oriental women.

2. A long dress with a high collar and slit skirt, traditionally worn by Chinese women.

[Chinese (Cantonese) ch'eūng shaam, long gown, equivalent to Chinese (Mandarin) cháng, long + Chinese (Mandarin) shān, gown.]

Caponi Embroidery - Superb Stitchery

Did you know that handkerchiefs were once a symbol of social status, such as the type of car we drive is today? The finer fibers and the more complicated designs indicated wealth. We all covet fine linens, especially those that are expertly crafted with elaborate detail. From the 1600s until the 1950s, embroidery was considered an extreme luxury.

Loretta Caponi's fine embroidered linens are a true testament to this. These textiles are desired by the well-to-do of today's society.


A review from cyberspace:

"Loretta Caponi is the very best the world has to offer for elegant silks, linens and cottons. She and her talented staff design and make nightogowns, robes, sheets and towels and the most beautiful baby clothes we've ever seen. She has made the nightwear for most of the royal houses of Europe.
Her shop in cental Florence is an old convent and an architectural gem.
Be sure to stop in!"