Everything Fashion
While I was reviewing the Spring/Summer 2018 runway shows I came across this fabulous dress by the master – Giorgio Armani and was immediately inspired!
I decided to create it in paper – once again returning to the origins of modacarta. I reversed Armani’s idea by using a print for the dress and a solid colour for the scarf. The result in a burst of bright sunrise.
Every year Pantone introduces a new colour. This year it’s Ultra Violet. Representing the cosmos and space it should not make us feel despair or darkness but allow us to think about the infinite possibilities this year may bring.
At least that’s how I feel about this colour.
Happy New Year everyone!
I went back to the origins of modacarta – paper dresses for this holiday post. So much focus this year was on showing everyone that a positive attitude towards cancer treatment can really make a difference that I had little time to devote to designing paper dresses which is how I started this blog.
I did 3 holiday dress designs inspired by some of my fav designers.
Starting on the left – this multi-pattern dress was inspired by a SS2018 from Marni. I love the mix of pink and purple and shock of bright coral for the straps. Very boho. Aqua dress was derived from a Celine look. I like the small panels of turquoise and gold in this tea length dress. It could definitely be a day to night dress. My final design is on my newest doll from China. I love how tiny she is and her bobbed hair. She really stands out from the barbies. This strapless is Erdem-ish. I love the bow detail. It’s so feminine.
Wishing all bloggers a happy holiday and looking forward to more great content in 2018. Thanks for all the likes, shares and follows!
While recovering from surgery in March I had plenty time to relax and read fashion mags. The 2 trends I gravitated towards were corsettes and transparency.
I fell in love with Miu Miu’s 50s style bikinis. I loved the high waist and cut away details. The colours and patterns were also fresh and retro at the same time. Bravissima Miuccia!
On my wish list is the corsette jacket from La Perla. It is structured elegance! Although black would be the most long wearing colour it looks stunning in baby blue because you can really see the construction of the garment and the details.
What can I say about my love of transparency – it never ends! This season I love the patchwork and lace at Erdem as well as the fabric panels and toile at Louis Vuitton. Honourable mention goes to Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen for fabric panels in orderly stripes.
I was so lucky to add this transparent jacket with flower embroidery to my wardrobe a couple of weeks ago. I was browsing the clearance rack at Top Shop when I came across this beauty.
I created 4 looks for the dolls for Spring.
On the left are 2 corsette and skirt sets inspired by Miu Miu. I also added some transparent cut-outs to the yellow print skirt.
On the right are 2 transparent skirts with similar tops. I wanted the attention to be placed on the skirts.
This week’s inspiration came from a number of different sources. Year of the Rooster had me thinking about plumage and Chanel’s Haute Couture Show gave me ideas on how to create fantastic dresses aceented with feathers.
Chanel showed floaty, feathery, uber feminine dresses in a very monochromatic palette of black and white. I decided it was time to use up the feathers I had from the fascinator project int he summer.
I think the dolls look elegant in their feathery gowns. What inspires you to create?
I find inspiration everywhere. But I get really excited when I’m inspired by my friends. Recently my friend Lucia Bellina posted a link on my wall. It was for show in Milan at Villa Necchi Campiglio entitled MODA DI CARTA.
It showcases the work of Isabelle Borchgrave with 30 full size garments made entirely of paper. The designs illustrate fashion from the Novecento (early 1900s).
I would have loved to see this exhibit. The clothes look spectacular and the fact that they are made of paper really got me inspired to create some new looks for the dolls.
This show reminded that another friend of mine, Tracy Kim, was kind enough to think of me on a trip to Paris this summer and brought me back this charming Marie Antionette paper doll set. Obviously the mood was perfect for design.
I choose blue and white as a theme for the first dress. The navy and white paper dress from the exhibit, as well as the feeling of MariAnt were the inspiration. I also created a long flapper/mod dress in pink. I’m feeling the resort pull as temperatures drop and snow blankets the 6ix.
Trip preparation can always be daunting. Going overseas for an extended stay is really challenging. How much should I bring? Will it be hot, cold? How many pairs of shoes will I need.
I planned my trip to Italy when peak tourist season is winding down but it’s still summer weather. I did not want to worry about bring clothes for 2 seasons but then again shopping for clothes in Milan is not a hardship;) I also had to plan around my host’s availability.
Neutral and versatile are my key words when packing for a trip.To beat the heat I have dresses and culottes. Jeans and a hoodie are good ideas for the plane because it gets cold on a long haul flight. Comfortable sandals and sneakers for exploring. Thin layers that can come off and on as needed.
I have fallen in love with packing cubes. They hold a ton and keep everything organized within the suitcase. They also make unpacking really easy. I did upgrade my ticket to allow for a second checked bag. More for way back…
Must haves for me are a lightweight cross-body bag and a backpack. This Coach bag is great for everyday and has lots of pockets to keep me organized. The Herschel backpack will hold my camera, water, guide book and any other essentials while touring around.
I have had to prep for 2 different portions of this trip.
I wanted to experience outlet shopping – Italian Style and my cousins and I are deciding whether to go to Arese which is just outside Milan or Foxtown in Switzerland. We will also be going to Milan to visit Fondazione Prada which is a modern art museum funded by Prada. We will ofcourse also go shopping in Milan.
My cousin Elena and I will be flying to Sicily for a week. I’ve been reading up on the history of the island and I’m really looking forward to seeing Siracusa and Agrigento with its’ Valli dei Templi. For all this site seeing I have had to do a thorough cleaning and prep of my camera. Although my SLR is a few years old it takes amazing photos. Be sure to follow me on instagram @latonizzo and @modacarta. I’ll be using both accounts.
I could not possibly leave without the star of this blog. I have created a fun, versatile wardrobe for her and I’m looking forward to shooting her in la bella Italia!
Arrivederci! a Presto!
Cheers to all the fashionistas and their fabulous hats who attended the Queen’s Plate today at Woodbine Racetrack. Everyone looked so stylish in their summer dresses and fascinators. I got some great ideas for next next year’s event. At the Hats and Horseshoes Party, my friends and I sipped refreshing wine slushies from Girls Night Out Wines and tasted the Food Truck offerings.
It was exciting watching a full day of racing ending with the glamour event. For the race fans who may be reading…Sir Dudley Digges won the $1 million purse. Congratulations!
Here’s a close up at the 4 fascinators we wore today. They turned out so great and my friends were really excited to wear them.
I couldn’t resist making a miniature fascinator for the doll.
This year modacarta has been invited to the Queen’s Plate horse race. The Queen’s Plate is part of the Canadian Triple Crown and is the oldest horse in North America to run consecutively.
An event like this is all about the hats. I decided to challenge myself and make a fascinator. A fascinator is a little hat that gets clipped to the hair and is highly decorative. It’s popular at the Kentucky Derby and Melbourne Cup. At Royal Ascot the dress code was changed in 2012 making it mandatory for female racegoers to wear hats – not fascinators. My full DIY journey was on Instagram and still viewable on my profile @modacarta.
I started doing some research online and found some great ideas as well as some patterns to use for the form. The original pattern I downloaded was too big for my head so I trimmed it down until it fit perfectly.
Corrugate worked best for the base. Some blogs suggested plastic yogurt containers but it was hard to work with and the decorative paper didn’t adhere well.
The best part was decorating the hat. I’m not a milliner and I don’t have a sewing machine so fabric was out. I purchased flowers, feathers, pearls, paillettes and toile because I wasn’t sure how much I would need. It was around this time that my friends asked me to make fascinators for them for the race. YIKES! Time to get working.
My friends send me their outfit colours so I could start designing. I sent them flat representations for them to approve. That stage went really smoothly and I was able to design something unique for all three of them.
Next post – see the finished hats on the lovely horse-racing ladies!
Inspiration can come from anywhere for a designer and an artist. Yesterday I was adding to my paper supply at the Paper Place in Toronto when a sheet caught my eye in the clearance bin. I knew I had to have it.
When I got home and unrolled it I immediately had designs in my head and a blog post for today. The vertical panels in this paper screamed tunic and shift dress in my head, so I got to work.
Here are final designs. A shift dress with a feature panel in the front and a tunic & pants outfit. I have no SS2016 runway reference for these designs. It was my own inspiration for these looks. Although the tunic and pants are my favourite look.
modacarta 