The little brown dress

Inspiration comes from so many places. We are bombarded every day from uncountable sources with information. Designing knitwear is mostly visual. It is also structural. So, colors, textures, fashion shows, fashion programs, design publications, even a colourful recipe. Structural influences are sometimes fluid, sometimes airy, etherial, or very architectural and mathematical.

But that is not all. Influences are also very cultural: weavings from the Andes, street clothing of Japanese kids, referred to as “Fruits.”

What fascinates me of course is fashion and the worldliness of fashion designs and designers. My fascination is everything unique. Like asymmetry. Whether that is in the cut or in the textures used. Is one side longer? Is the back gathered? Does the fabric combine thick and thin? Are the colors juxtaposed so wrongly that the effect is right?

I love the classics. I love the many ways a garment can be worn. The many ways a garment can be styled. I love colors I would never put together but for a mistake or a visual influence from a teacup to the latest news from the runways. I like to keep it fresh, yet classic, so it can be worn for a long time.

And it is always the unexpected that will encourage me to draw on a napkin, on a concert ticket, on anything I can find a square inch to draw or make notes on. Rarely does the initial sketch land in my sketch book. I have an accumulation of napkins, newspaper corners, parking stubs, because sometimes I just don’t remember all the details, when I had a flood of inspiration. Note to self: never throw anything out!

And, this is not even talking about yarn yet! Knitwear. Creating knitting designs and patterns. Accessories. Styling.

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