Friday, September 5, 2008

Fashion Week

Photo: Craig McDean for Vogue, 2004

Today marks the official start of New York Fashion Week, and the city is alive with cocktail parties and fancy dresses! So I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite fashion illustrations with you, and also to fill you in on what I've been up to...

To bring a little fashion into the home, I love the idea of framing fashion illustrations and placing them on a gallery wall, or leaning them on a bookshelf, in a powder room, on a vanity, or even on a bar cart! The illustrations above are from my all-time favorite fashion illustrator, David Downton. While an original will cost you thousands, I was lucky enough to find a series of postcard prints that he licensed to Ikea back when I was in college! I think I spent $4 on a pack of 6 images, and I still treasure the one framed below in my living room today. From time to time they pop up on ebay, so if you're interested keep your eyes peeled ;)


Etsy is also a fantastic resource for inexpensive fashion prints, and sometimes even originals! Here are a few of my current favorites from redheather, all of which are limited edition 11x14 prints, modestly priced at $29 each. I'm really intrigued by the print on the far right, titled Seamless. (click the images to enlarge & see their full glory;)

As for my fashion week plans, I'll be headed to the Lela Rose and Cynthia Rowley shows! I'm incredibly excited for both, and curious to see what surprises Cynthia will have in store this season! Last year her models rode down the runway on Cynthia's Beach Crusier bikes (available in January!) which I also spotted last Monday on the season premiere of Gossip Girl.

I also recently hosted a little pre-fashion week soiree of my own! The Rubie Green launch party was (finally!) held last Wednesday at Lather Spa in Midtown, and it couldn't have gone better if I do say so myself ;) I partnered up with jewelry designer Samantha House who also previewed her Spring '09 collection, and together we co-hosted the event with editors, close friends, and some pretty amazing people from both the fashion and interiors worlds :) Lather Spa was even kind enough to give our guests free manicures while they sipped their cocktails and chatted with friends. My good friend, and fellow textile designer Michael Devine posted some great party pics here, as well as the images below which were graciously provided by events photographer Natalia Peters.

22 comments:

Puhvis Kukk said...

I LOVELOVELOVE your sketches. Do you have more?

K said...

Perhaps you could divulge the name of a couple other etsy sellers where I can find fashion sketches??? Thanks

The Devine Life said...

Well done my dear. Bravo!

Style Court said...

Michelle -- so happy it was a success! Great post too.

vicki archer said...

That skirt in the Vogue photograph might be 2004 but it is to die for. Gorgeous post, thank you.

Robin said...

Gorgeous post, congrats on the launch party it looks like it was fun (plus there were cupcakes, how could it not be fun?). And thanks for includng my posting on your fabrics in the RG press blog archive, I get quite a few hits from you! Cheers!

Paul Pincus said...

Lather Spa was even kind enough to give our guests free manicures while they sipped their cocktails and chatted with friends.

yet another reason to LOVE new york!!!


the fashion prints are terrific. cynthia rowley!!! lucky you ; )

congratulations on the RG launch party! it's looks like an insanely fun time and those cupcakes look yummy : )

Oliveaux said...

Congratulations Michelle! Looks fabulous & love the cupcakes - well done! Amanda x

Easy and Elegant Life said...

Ohhhh, that David Downton... Mrs. E. just used the last postcard from that set to send a thank you to a friend. The one you have framed was my favourite, too!

Viera said...

Looks like a lot is happening in NY and your party was definitely a great place to be.
Love your blog

briglioa21 said...

congrats on the official launch!!! and i'm super jealous you're attending some fashion week festivities!!! one day...haha. hope all is well! <3

SimplyGrove said...

Looks like a fabulous party! Congrats on all your AMAZING success:)

Pink Wallpaper said...

how fun is that!! i am soooo happy for you...and thanks a billion for my samples...they put a big smile on my face when i went and checked my mail!!

kelleyp said...

have those same postcards from ikea. love them so much i framed them in large white frames with matting in my 8 yr. old daughters room. could only frame out 4 since one or two had cigarettes in the illustration. congrats on your party!

lowleeta said...

michelle! it was great seeing you at the lela rose show!! i am so excited to see you doing so well! best of luck as everything grows and expands! i can't wait to see how everything unfolds for you. you rock girl!

lowleeta said...

p.s. you have to send me the pic of you and i from the show! or let me know if you post them or anything!

AshleyL. said...

great post. love the bikes!

Anonymous said...

Love your framed illustrations! And what a great price.

MABELLE said...

Thanks everybody! It's so much fun to read all your kind comments :) I cannot tell you how much I truly appreciate your support.

As for K wanting to know of other Etsy artists, here's a few that I LOVE:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5409118
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5096366
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=40878
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5146564
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5039982
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5023696
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5030331
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5240712

perfect bound said...

redheather is one of my favorite Etsy sellers as well. I wish I would have known you'd be at Fashion Week (duh!) Also, did you see the Lorick collections? Very much your style, I would think!

Anonymous said...

LOVE the David Downton drawings...esp the sparkly one :)
Never thought about framing those before--what a great idea that I must steal!
PS: this is Melissa from Rubypr's sister--she told me I'd love your blog :) I do!

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