If you could sit down with any clothing designer and pick his or her brain, who would it be? Why?<!—-> <!—-><!—->
Deana Tierney, Assistant Editor, Threads
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Style Arc, Hendrix Coat
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The Hendrix coat sewing pattern from Style Arc is an unlined, panelled design with long two-piece sleeves, a button or snap front, and optional top-stitching. It features binding along the neck, hem, and sleeves, along with angled patch pockets and dropped shoulders. Recommended fabrics include wool, linen, faux fur, or velvet, with fabric estimates and trim details provided for sizes 4-30.
Quilts on an English Farm by Kaffe Fassett
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Mettler Seraflex
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McCall's 8241
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McCalls Sewing Pattern 8241 Tops A (XS-S-M-L-XL-XXL). McCalls-8241-A
Vogue 1642
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Pattern A has pleated patch pockets with flaps. Pattern B has side seam zippers. This Vogue sewing pattern kit was designed and printed in the United States and comes with sewing templates, instructions, fabric recommendations, pattern pieces, and sizing guides for (2) shirts and (1) pair of pants. Women's clothing patterns can be made to fit sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14.
Replies
Liz Claiborne and whoever designs Chaus, Harve Bernard and Lee jeans because they have the fit and style for a mature woman down perfectly! Their clothes are comfortable, attractive, flattering, and they use the most beautiful but easy-to-care-for fabrics.
Donna Karan. She is fabulous and dresses women like women. Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Kors, and Miucca Prada.
Definitely, I would want to meet Karl Lagerfeld. All those beautiful jackets he designs. I love all the details. They look so modern and classy at the same time.
I agree with you also I would love to have been a fly on the wall and watched Coco when she was making those jackets herself I love the hand madeness of alot of her very early clothes and would LOVE to just sit in those workrooms now and see how its all done .
Ralph Rucci. His designs exhibit a technical complexity unlike anything I've seen elsewhere. The fabrics are part of the story, but the construction is what makes the garments amazing and timeless.
Shannon
Ralph Rucci, both for the timelessness of his designs and the impeccable workmanship evident even from the runway. Also, if I were permitted to time travel, Madeleine Vionnet for her astonishing skill with bias cutting (not to mention the flattering silhouette she created).
Ralph Rucci without a doubt, for the elegance of construction. He is totally awesome!
A chat with Issey Miyake would also be a thrill. Totally different from Mr. Rucci but oh so interesting too.
I second Issey Miyake :)
He's the most innovative designer on the block.
shelly in Jerusalem
Christian Francis Roth! His inlay work; attention to detail; superbly crafted quirkiness.
I'd really like to hear what some of the finalists and winners from Project Runway have to say about what brought them to designing clothes and what route they have taken to get where they are, even those who kept their day jobs. In particular Daniel Vosovic, Kara Saun, Austin Scarlett, there were quite a few others that I found interesting but whose names I cannot come up with right now. They are the designer's that I can most relate to. I'd find learning about the contrast of self taught vs. schooled to be interesting as well.
JT
Just wanted to amend my previous answer to include 4 well known designers; Eileen Fisher, Nanette Lapore, Sigrid Olsen and Vera Wang. I'd also be interested in how you make the jump from wedding dresses to tableware, all of which seem to have the same simple beauty.
Edited 9/21/2006 5:05 am ET by jatman
Vera Wang, Georgio Armani, Valentino . . . and anyone that could channel Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli
But, more than anything else . . . I would love to sit down with Tim Gunn and pick his brain about where he thinks fashion is going, where it shouldn't go, and what makes a truly remarkable garment as far as design and construction.
I love to have met Edith Head. She designed so many beautiful clothes while working under enormous pressure and time constraints. I love her work and her personality.
Yeah, Tim Gunn, only if he spoke honestly, not with the politically correct, approved by the network, available in a brief sound-bite anywhere speech we usually see. In fact, that goes for anyone you might consider interviewing.
Beth
I would have to say Edith Head. I love her style. And that she designed clothes that were in the very best interest of her clients. And, Coco Chanel; if there is a designer I would truly like to learn from it is Coco. I could go on: Dior, Givenchy, Yves St. Laurent, but then I'm truly dating myself, aren't I. Photomom
Coco Channel is my absolute favorite. Her clothes are so well designed and constructed as well as having so much timeless class to them.
However, since that is not possible the next on my list would be Georgio Armani. I just love the softness, including lines, of his clothes.
I too very much like Ellen Tracy's clothes, along with whoever it is (does anyone know) that designs for Chico's clothing line. These clothes have an elegance that's not associated with being trendy, or here today and gone tomorrow.
Even though the post asked for a favorite, I know I've listed more than one, but I too would like to add another designer that I would like to study under and that's Claire Shaeffer. Her knowledge about garments and their construction seems to be endless. Following her (yes there is another) is Susan Khalje, even though her clothing appears to be one-of-a-kind, or custom made for individual clients.
Perhaps Threads would like to sponsor a contest so we can meet and study under some of the designers of our dreams. Hint. Hint. Hint :->
Halston, for sure. I never fail to pick it out of a group of dresses. Simplicity of silhouette and an excellent choice in fabrics!
Issey Miyake, Paul Poiret, Dior, Adrian, Edith Head, Charles Worth, Yves St. Laurent, Balenciaga. Donna Karan and Schiaparelli. Have a dinner party with this lot.
I would love to know what someone like Charles Worth would think of Project Runway.
Balenciaga. If he was good enough for Audrey Hepburn, he'd be good enough for me!! (Not that I can compare with the incomparable Audrey). But I always loved the clothes he designed.
Deana, I would love to meet (in person) Dana Buchman - all of her clothes are classic, Liz Clairbone because she does an affordable RTW line. Michael Kors because I would love to ask about some of his criticisms on Project Runway. John Deer would be great to meet and chat with, his embroidery designs at Adorable Ideas are timeless. Eileen Fisher would be great too. Probably not even possible to get an interview with for the magazine, but Stella McCartney - her look is fresh, feminine and different. And maybe Betsy Johnson, because she never veers from her look and bright colors.
Thank you for asking, jane
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