The Invisible Shoe

It's not really invisible, but it does look super cool to me! It is really hot in San Francisco today, and I am sad because my favorite pair of sandals are broken and worthless now, so I started window shopping for a new pair and came across this site

How to Make Huaraches

Its all about Huaraches, these running sandals used by an indian group in Mexico called the Tarahumara. The idea being that running barefoot is better for you than all the clunky stuff we wear now a days. Well, I don't know about running, but I do enjoy the simplicity of them.

Anyhow, I'll post some pics I've found for now, and when I find some time and materials, I am totally making myself some!




Speak soon!

M.E. the Sartor

Beginnings of a collection...

So I have been compiling research and trying to start drawing for a while now. I've decided I want to do my collection based off of my most successful projects in my program. One was a collection inspired by Steampunk and the other was a sort of East meets
West idea. So I'm trying to create something inspired by the Victorian era in England and the same time frame in Japan, then styling them Steampunk-esque.

I'm including some of the process below!




Mood type image. I am doing spring summer


Color Story







The collages are inspiration pages from my sketchbook...enjoy!

M.E. the Sartor

The Convertible Tailcoat Part 2

So here is the end result. I wore it and a classmate as well. It fits my classmate much better than it does me (I'm too big for it, but I couldn't resist)



The gray shirt and the pants are the same pattern!













SO I Call this my convertible tailcoat because as you can see there are a few ways to wear it with the flap that buttons in the front! Its just something that allows the wearer a little more freedom. There were a few more methods I realized after the photos were taken. (Constructive) Comments welcome!

Thanks all!
M.E. the Sartor

Convertible Tailcoat Part 1

Hey Yall!

So I just finished this semester! I am catching my breath a bit, and figure its a good time to recap what I did this semester. So I took an group independent study in Menswear Construction. I am getting ready to start on my collection and so my professor told me to basically explore and figure out the direction to go in. Then I had to design an outfit in the vein of that direction and make it.

In this post, I just show you a few pics of the process. The next post will be the final result.


The shell of the jacket and the lining in the process of being cut



This is the lining for the jacket being cut out.





A couple of detail shots



This is me working on pressing and shaping the sleeve cap.



This is the jacket with the sleeve lining attached. The sleeve lining is the last to get closed up!

So yea, that's some of the process, and next will be the finished jacket and the other parts of the outfit. hopefully after that i can start to document my design process here as well!

Speak soon!
M.E.

What is going to be the standard on gay marriage attire?

So with the recent ruling that Prop 8 in California is considered to be unconstitutional. This means we are closer to having gay weddings...which leads me to wonder...will there be a standard for ceremonial dress? Brides have the dress of course, and heterosexual grooms have the tux in tradition here in the states, but the gays are known to be original stereotypically. As a menswear designer I am curious what people think will become the norm once it is official. I think I am going to do a side project on gay wedding attire. Look for sketches soon!

Til Next time
M.E.

Response to the Dark Times of Fashion

So, I am currently pursuing my masters degree at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. I study Fashion Design, specifically menswear there. Anyhow, I am currently taking a class called Professional Practices. Its basically learning how to obtain work in the industry and such. In the last class, my professor gave us this article from the Atlantic called " Fashion In Dark Times" and it is from 2009, but it still seems current.

It basically talks about how the industry used to produce these lavish shows when the economy was booming in the 1980s and now the runway show is slowly starting to die out. It also talks about the condition of the industry due to the recession and how its affecting the mindset of the consumer and the industry as a whole for the future.

I find it both a little sad and also very optimistic at the same time. Essentially many designers can't keep afloat with all the hardship and are having to close down shop so to speak. This is the bit I am not happy with, but at the same time, it seems to be opening doors for new faces and ideas. It is definitely a promising idea for all of the students out there (including myself) who hope to express themselves in the industry.

Part of the article talks about the idea of lasting power and a certain heirloom quality we are moving towards in fashion. Many are abandoning the frivolous idea of seasonal wardrobe changes, and leaning more towards slowly building a wardrobe to hold onto over time.

This last idea I am a huge fan of. I like the idea of designers working to create something that will be an object to covet. I think fashion is about finding something that is an extension of your personality and holding onto it. Also I think this idea of building the wardrobe can enhance the designer-customer relationship, allowing for growth and dialogue amongst both.

Opinions? Thoughts? I'd love to hear
Speak Sooon!

M.E.

Day 1: The beginning.

Hi all!

This is me attempting to start a blog. I have become inspired by a few of my colleagues and friends. This will hopefully be a space for me to express my interests in fashion and the world, and see where it takes me!

well wishes!
M.E.