Spring 2009 Collection Update

After what seemed to be an eternity, I finally found some things that gave me inspiration for my new Spring 2009 collection.  My inspiration consisted mostly of fabrics, some design details that are sort of an Ishii New York trademark as well as the sexy Italian screen sirens of the 1950's (think Sophia Loren, Monica Vitti, Gina Lollobrigida). 

The fabrics that inspired me most was a beautiful abstract floral silk georgette from France and some beautifully delicate cotton eyelet from Switzerland.  The silk floral is a beautiful impressionistic print filled with virbrant shades of red, green, and purple.  Jewel tones that I thought would uplift someones mood. The eyelet on the other hand is in soft shades of light celadon, blush and pale blue for people who prefer more muted colors.  

The style icons that inspired me this season were the sultry Italian screen goddesses as mentioned above.  I loved the silhouettes back then of their nipped in waists and full circle skirts which I find so feminine and romantic.  I wish more women would dress like that!

Anyway I spent the whole weekend with my pattern makers and seamstresses to turn the sketches that I had worked so hard on into reality.  The process of turning a designer's sketch into an actual garment is pretty tedious and time consuming.

I first describe my design vision and details to the pattern maker who then makes a paper pattern.  We then cut  and sew a sample with a cheap cotton fabric called "muslin."  We then try this garment on the model to see how it hangs and drapes on a an actual human and make adjustments and changes from there.  When the pattern and muslin is finally perfected, we will cut the actual fabric to make the first sample. 

So now you know exactly how a designer's collection comes together!