The new designer for Kate Spade loves to update the 60's classic silhouettes. Most of her apparel is very elegant and wearable by women of several generations. I've tried on and inspected them in the Charlotte store and the only problem I've had is with some of the fabrics -- not all, but just a few. A couple of years ago she had a fabulous black and white 3/4 length winter coat with a hot pink lining, but the fabric was cotton, Yikes! Who in their right mind wears a cotton coat in the winter unless you live in Florida or southern California. Maybe that's why it was in the Charlotte store. OK enough of that.
Back to the color blocking that I thought was very elegant. I like this jacket and may apply this to a somewhat longer jacket like the Cutting Line Designs Pure & Simple Jacket pattern I've made a couple of, moving the horizontal seam above the bust and leaving the rest unseamed.
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| Kate Spade Colorblock Dahlia Jacket |
This dress (what we called the tent dress silhouette in the 60's) also has sophisticated colorblocking. I was thinking of making another Tosca Dress by The Sewing Workshop and adding a band at the hemline.
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| Kate Spade Abbie Shift Dress |
These are indeed sophisticated examples of color blocking. I think the color palette is one reason that it is elevated above the cheesy color blocking you reference. And no doubt the fabric is very high quality.
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued by the Pure and Simple jacket more and more as I read your blog. Is there a collar stand on the Pure and Simple? It looks like there might be one on the Kate Spade jacket. You sure have an eye for translating CLD and TSW patterns into high end fashion. Thanks for sharing.
Great ideas and yes you're absolutely correct about color blocking. Most people seem to do it as an after thought or an answer to "how do I use this big old left over piece of fabric?". But that's rarely successful. I think you have to start with the intention of color blocking and carefully proceed. I've seem some excellent examples in YOUR photos.
ReplyDeleteMartha, there is no collar stand on the P&S but I rarely feel the need to copy line for line. I view designer details as ideas to interpret my way like I did that Fendi shirt dress.
ReplyDeleteI bought some silk fabric with subtle color block gradations at the Atlanta Expo that I want to interpret the P&S coat and top as a dress in. I haven't gotten to that project yet but had planned to do the top, collar and sleeve in the same color/tone like this jacket.
I posted photos of that fabric on Flickr on July 1 - Here is the link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrihk/5894172214/in/photostream/
I've been wanting to make a couple of color blocked pieces, but haven't really gotten into my planning stage yet. Thanks for the suggestions and thoughts.
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