Before a collection hits the runway, there is always a source of inspiration. Each designer comes up with an idea, a story board and sketches that are transformed into a collection that, hopefully, shoppers will love when the styles arrive in stores. As Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week gets underway in New York today, we asked popular designers in the Texas market, as well as some up-and-comers, to reveal their inspirations for the 2013 spring season and offer a peek of what to expect:
"American prep remix”
“Fearless”
(Helmut Newton Polarid photograph, Stern, St. Tropez, 1978, taken from Helmut Newton Polaroids)
"Think the curves of Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth and Rita Moreno, all strong, confident women who command attention, desire and respect."
A nod to iconic '60s and '70s American photographer Slim Aarons, known for glamorously capturing socialites, jet-setters, and celebrities while they lounged poolside.
“Each season, I look forward to exploring new design technologies – printing on new fabrics, incorporating unexpected patterns on various silhouettes… for Spring 2013, I was inspired by the vivid colors and emotive textures of '80s sci-fi movies. The possibilities are endless!”
Noora Niinikoski, head of fashion design of Marimekko
”The inspiration for Marimekko’s spring/summer 2013 collections “Art of Print Making – Color for a Reason” came on one hand from the color block thinking in abstract art and on the other hand from the Finnish nature and its incredible seasonal tones, layers of colors in the landscape.”
The spring 2013 collection was inspired by the artwork of Ellsworth Kelly and the geometric shapes in the sky – the Sun, Moon and Stars. The inspiration sketch illustrates both themes of the collection.
"Layers that Bond the Eye"
("Center medallion strips with multiple borders" quilt artwork by Annie May Young.)
Pamella DeVos, designer of Pamela Roland
"For Spring 2013 the Pamella Roland collection is inspired by the iconic American artist Ellsworth Kelly. His stark black and white paintings are part of a body of work that resonate in particular because of their clean almost severe lines that speak to a harmony between the shapes that they create."
“While in Ibiza, I was inspired by the mix of traditional Spanish ‘gypsy style’ with the more chic ‘hippie beach vibe’ of the European jet set. I love the bright, colorful prints and the relaxed, flowing fabrics.”
Johnson Hartig, designer of Libertine
“This season I was inspired by punk rock and Bloomsbury group artists, thinkers and writers; Virginia Woolf, E.M. Foster and Vanessa Bell”
Monika Chiang explores the modern vibrancy of South Africa. Her travels throughout the region inspired a vision of luxe athleticism that reflects the glamour of Cape Town, as well as the natural beauty and the powerful athleticism of the region.
"Imagine 1920s speakeasy, tuxedo meets lingerie, tux slips lingerie a note in a Japanese Art Deco matchbook..."
Modern masculinity interpreted with a unique and forward edge. Wu draws on the cool subtleties of the changing sky to create a refreshing color palette of blues, purples and greens.
