DIOR BY DIOR REVIEW

Over the last 7 or 8 years that I’ve had a big passion for fashion and fashion designing, I’ve been given quite a few books related to the subject, and I now have a lovely collection of about 25 books to find inspiration from. Recently I was given the Christian Dior autobiography: Dior by Dior. I immediately started reading it, to find myself completely immersed in the book starting from the first sentence. I have now read it all, and I can definitely say that it is the best autobiography I have ever read. It shows every part of his life, from when he started Maison Dior to when he passed away. I absolutely recommend this to anybody that is interested in fashion. Even if you aren’t, trust me, it’s a very good read! I think I might have to read it again next year from how much I loved it! 

ps. I’m thinking of doing some of these book review posts when I finish books about fashion, what do you think? Love, Sara xx

PEOPLE I ADMIRE IN THE FASHION WORLD

Admiration is a feeling I have towards a lot of people. I have admiration for my parents, for important figures in my life, for celebrities and for people who have changed the world, or at least my world. Today I’m going to talk about 3 people who I admire because they have impacted the way I design and my outlook on the fashion world. 

I admire Christian Dior because he is one of my biggest inspirations when I design. He went from having a little design house to creating the New Look, which evolved fashion in such a way that no one could have predicted. He only had his fashion label for almost 11 years before he passed, but he still managed to make such an impact on the world of fashion. 

I admire Elie Saab, because somehow he manages to make all his dresses look immaculate. His details are always on point, and I am always so inspired by how he manages to make all his designs have a pattern, so his collections look put together and always stunning. 

I admire Gaby Aghion, because she created one of my favourite luxury brands: Chloè. I am in love with especially the bags, which are created in beautiful shades and perfect sizes. When I buy my first designer handbag, I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a Chloè bag, as they are made so beautifully, with a range of colours that go with absolutely everything. 

And lastly who inspires my own personal style:

I admire Kylie Jenner, whose sense of style impresses me even when it’s just leggings and a hoodie. She is definitely my biggest style influencer, and I admire how bold and fashion forward she is. I will forever be grateful to her for inspiring my latest collection that I am drawing, and when I’m having a bit of ‘designer’s block’, I can always turn to her to feel inspired again.

Who do you admire in the fashion world? Do you have someone who aspire to be able to dress like? Love, Sara xx

TIPS FOR ASPIRING FASHION DESIGNERS: INSPIRATION

Finding inspiration is one of the most important parts in the process of making a collection. It can come from anywhere: nature, other designers, architecture, fashion history or celebrities.

Firstly you should choose a muse. 

It could be a celebrity or someone you know. Everything you design should be something you could imagine them wearing. This is already a great starting point for creating silhouettes and colours. 

Then you should choose a colour palette that you think would suit his/her skin tone, and that go with the season you are making the collection for. There are no rules for this, but I would stick to the basics if it’s your first one. 

Then you should search images on the internet, or photos you have taken yourself, of places in nature that are inspiring, and that you design something upon. It could be the sea, a sunset, leaves or flowers. 

You can then search certain years, like the 20s or the 50s, and take inspiration from shapes and colours that were in fashion back then. 

Lastly, you can get inspiration from everyday life. I sometimes see buildings that have a nice colour, or make me think of a certain style of clothing, and I will take a photo and make a little voice memo to remind myself later. 

It’s a great way to take inspiration from your surrounding, maybe even the best.  

What’s your inspiration?

 Love, Sara xx

PS. I really hope you enjoyed this little series of tips on fashion designing, if you have any more, just let me know xx

TIPS FOR ASPIRING FASHION DESIGNERS: MATERIALS

Today I thought I would write the second ‘episode’ of my ‘Tips for aspiring fashion designers’ series. This one is going to be all about materials. 

TIPS FOR ASPIRING FASHION DESIGNERS: BOOKS

When I first started getting into fashion designing, when I was about nine years old, I would copy my drawings from books and magazines. I thought today I would tell you what are the best books you can own about fashion and that are great inspiration.

I received The Teen Vogue Handbook when I turned 13, and since then that has been my source for a lot of information. It’s great if you want to find out more about the business, the names you need to know, and where are the best places to study.

I actually received the next four books all last Christmas. The first one i’m going to talk about is 50 Contemporary Fashion Designers You Should Know, which is, as the title says, a book that talks about designers you should keep an eye on, as they are amazing unknown, or emerging designers. I’ve found some great designers in that book, and I really like to read it now and then to find some inspiration.

Then I have Japanese Street Style by Pat Little, this book i absolutely amazing for inspiration. The Japanese fashion culture is absolutely crazy, and they have strange but amazing ideas on how to pair things.

The next two books are pretty much just for fashion culture. 20th Century Fashion by Jim Heimann and Alison A. Nieder and Vogue Covers by Thames & Hudson are two books, mainly pictures, of ads from the last one hundred years, and the Vogue covers since 1920. 

I absolutely love these books, and out of all the fashion books I own, they are definitely my favourites! 

Do you own any of these? 

Love, Sara xx