Today we are featuring the Professional Profile of Michelle Fifis, the Founder of Pattern Observer and The Textile Design Lab; two very successful online businesses in the textile market. Michelle shares her journey from ballet dancer to a textile entrepreneur and the lessons she has learned along the way. Pattern Observer and Textile Design Lab offer numerous free lessons on creating textile designs, marketing yourself, e-books and several online courses. Michelle shares with us, in her own words, her very personal journey of finding her true passion and where you can find the tools to help you succeed too. “For reasons that I couldn’t always specify, I have always been drawn to and interested in the arts, fashion, and entrepreneurship. Something about creating something, regardless of what it was, inspired me. This led to a childhood that was filled with activities such as drawing, ballet practices, and brainstorming small business ideas. It seemed that these things took up my entire day. I’d take art classes at school, ballet on afternoons and weekends, rehearsing and preparing for performances.” Over time, I had to admit that while I loved ballet and practicing until I was perfect, I despised performing. So by high school, I finally acknowledged that I lacked the passion to ever pursue a career as a professional ballet dancer. Realizing this should have made things easier and been a relief, but it really wasn’t. I felt lost. Honestly, I’d never imagined going to college after high school, but into the world of professional dance. This meant that while I was glad to know what I wasn’t, I was left struggling with what I was going to be. I had to quickly regroup and think about what I wanted for a career. This is when I turned to my love of fashion and fine art. It turned out, the answer had been in front of me the entire time.I was lucky enough to discover Stephens College in Columbia, MO, which has an amazing fashion design program, and a wonderful dance department. After spending so many years in the world of dance I hoped to continue to take classes and perform in a more casual manner—hopefully, one that wouldn’t cause me such anxiety—but it turned out that juggling the two degrees was far too difficult. I eventually dropped my dance major to focus solely on fashion design.The summer before my senior year of college at Stephens, I landed an internship with the fashion and textile designer Zandra Rhodes. I showed up for my first day of the internship, excited and a bit nervous. I saw all these amazing artists hand-painting silks in her beautiful, whimsical style, and an entire world opened up for me at that moment. Honestly, I fell in love with textile design and I remember going back to my professors feeling rather devastated. I truly believed that I’d majored in the wrong thing, but my wonderful teachers immediately assured me that we could work with what I’d discovered. To do this, I ended up hand-painting and screenprinting all of the fabrics used in my senior collection. It was a blast and a wonderful bridge to the opportunity that is now my career. After graduating from Stephens I started a line of hand-painted handbags. The collection was a success in some ways, as they were sold in over a hundred stores nationwide. However, in other ways, it was a disaster. I had no idea how to run a business and ended up losing several thousand dollars, which at the time was a great deal of money for me to try and make up.Obviously, it was time to tap into that entrepreneur in me and learn the skills I needed about being a business owner. The failure of my understanding provided the perfect lesson for me to build up from. I realized that I needed to work for a company to understand how the business worked before I went off on my own again. After recognizing that, I worked as an in-house textile designer for seven-plus years at various companies, including Jantzen Swimwear and Columbia Sportswear. Then a new world began to call me and I left my corporate life with much more knowledge and wisdom and became a freelancer in 2010. I was lucky enough to have lots of contacts in the apparel world so my freelance business grew very quickly.In between client projects I started Pattern Observer. It was a blog where I discussed the work that I was doing and trends that I was observing. I had a client challenge me, by asking how I could stay on top of trends when I didn’t use a service such as WGSN, and my blog was a way to prove to clients that I knew what I was talking about! Soon, more designers started emailing me with questions. I didn’t have the time to answer all of them individually so I began teaching classes as a way to answer their questions en mass. It was great, but I never envisioned that it would transition to what Pattern Observer has become today. It has grown so much since then, and it tapped into a passion of mine that I never knew I had until then—teaching. It’s truly incredible and rewarding. Today, Pattern Observer has three arms of the business. First, we have our studio, which houses a library of patterns that are available for purchase and offers custom pattern development services, which is our specialty! We have a wonderful studio manager, Chelsea von Hasseln, who works with our clients and a team of designers who offer a variety of artistic styles that can ensure we meet the demands of what our clients’ need. Second, the Pattern Observer blog features designer interviews, free resources for designers, and highlights our series of eBooks and self-study courses for designers. These courses allow an opportunity for designers to explore on topics such as developing eye-catching patterns and marketing their work. And third, for designers looking to improve the quality of their artwork and learn how to market their work to buyers and agents, we have a membership site called the Textile Design Lab. Members have access to countless courses, tutorials, and resources within the Lab. Additionally, they are able to receive personalized feedback on their work from our team of experts. It’s a vibrant, supportive community and we are seeing great results from our members! www.patternobserver.com/courses My favorite part of both of my jobs, designing and teaching, is helping people to succeed. For starters, I love designing a pattern for a client and later seeing it featured in WGSN or learning that the patterned garment has been flying off the sales floor. Then, as a mentor, nothing makes me happier than to hear from one of our Textile Design Lab members that they sold their first pattern, or landed their dream agent. It’s the best. Of course, running a business isn’t always just having the great moments. There are tougher times too. My least favorite parts of my job are the technical challenges and issues that arise from running an online business. Thankfully, I have a lot of help with it now so it is no longer so challenging and draining like it was when I first kicked it all off. Whether it’s the “good stuff” or the challenges, it’s all part of a day. My typical day starts with writing content for new courses, training, or blog posts. My mind is at its most clear in the morning and I am able to do these things more quickly with better results during that time. So, as tempting as it is to dive into my inbox first thing, I do try and get my writing done before I do that so I can send it off to the editor. After that, I take time to respond to messages from our team so that they can continue working and moving forward with their projects. After that, the rest of my emails are answered, and it’s not uncommon for it to be afternoon by that time. Afternoons are typically the time when I have meetings, design patterns for our studio, or work on planning future projects. Additionally, I take the time to clarify what needs to be done the following day. I’ve found that this makes my day begin with certainty and helps me to keep things better organized. When I reflect back on my journey in the world of textile design, I see how my role as a designer has changed a great deal over the past few years. It’s something that is constantly being tweaked as the studio grows and evolves. I currently spend most of my time in the studio reviewing work, brainstorming design ideas, and coming up with initial design direction for our team. I am designing less and less, which has been a difficult transition for me to make. But my skill set lends itself to more of a managerial role, and there are so many designers who are looking for work. I am happy to step aside and allow them to do the design work. “One of the best pieces of advice that I have heard is the one I like to pass on. It involves keeping the thought of “service” in the forefront of your mind. Whenever I am making a decision within my business, I contemplate how I can be of the best service to my clients, readers, and students. I want to know what is going to make their life easier and more enjoyable. The answers to these thoughts are where I know I should be focusing my time and energy.” Through what I’ve envisioned, I would love to see the Textile Design Lab grow to include more mentors with other areas of expertise, such as licensing or wallpaper design. I want to partner with more industry leaders to hopefully provide more job opportunities for our members, as well. It’s a competitive market, but with the right tools and understanding, the potential for a committed designer is limitless. “My advice for designers trying to find their way in this industry is to become a master listener and observer. Instead of feeling like you need to share, or instantly react, focus on listening to the stories that people are sharing, the changes that your manager or client is requesting, the feedback you are receiving and the trends that you are observing. People often tell us what we need to know if we are able to remain still so we can listen and observe.” Thank you, Michelle, for sharing! Want to learn more? visit the Pattern Observer where you will find a wealth of information to help you succeed in the Textile Design Market. Thanks for stopping by!

The secret to the success of any great product is knowing your consumer inside and out. Mega-brands have entire departments dedicated to sifting through user preferences and making consumer observations. But what if you don’t have the funding of a major corporation? For smaller brands and startups on a budget, there are some easy, affordable ways to get started conducting research on your own. We asked Christine Cowan—an Innovation and Brand Specialist and founder of Innovate Strategies (www.innovatestrategies.com) a retail and brand consultancy—for her advice on how solo entrepreneurs and start-ups can gather their own consumer insights. Christine has over 21+ years of global Product Creation, Merchandising and Brand experience and has worked extensively at both Nike and Adidas. She works with large and small companies at every stage of branding. She even built her own brand, Vessel Botanic, a small business selling succulent and cacti arrangements. Christine knows what works at every level of business. Consumer research advice from Christine Cowan: Start by creating a list of questions you want to be answered. Keep them concise and specific, and don't ask too many questions as people often get distracted. You want to be able to do it quickly and painlessly for them! Option 1: If there is a specific brand or store you want to target (you might have a brand or brands you think would be your competition), take your list and ask random people leaving the store if they could answer a few questions for you. Tell them why you are doing this before you start—most people want to help. You might consider a nice incentive for their time, like a gift card to Starbucks if you can afford it. Option 2: Go where they are. If you are researching running, go to Forest Park (In Portland, OR) and catch them as they leave for or come back from a run. Bring some packs of trail mix or mini water bottles as a thank you or incentive. Ask to take a photo of them, but explain it’s for research and you won't put them on social media. Option 3: Ask some people you know who might be interested in your product/brand to join you at a location to talk together in a small focus group. This is usually better in a private room at a restaurant or coffee shop. Provide drinks and snacks for them and a small incentive if you can afford it, maybe an item from your brand (it's a good promotion). This option is usually better with a smaller group: about 5-8 people. Ask them to introduce themselves and do a fun ice-breaker question to lighten up the group. Then ask them to answer your questions and get them to talk together about it. This can be tricky if they are all strangers, so you might have to probe the people that are quieter. It can be really fun and enlightening! Option 4: Shop along. Ask some people you know who might be interested in spending some time with you individually on a "shop along." Make sure the people are not your friends or family but people who will provide honest feedback. Ask them to "take you" shopping in a specific store that has similar product to yours. If you are selling clothing go to a store and ask them to pretend to shop and tell you what they are interested in—why they might buy something, what attracts them to it, is price a consideration, etc. This might require a gift from you for their time, as it's more extensive and intensive for you and them! Thank you, Christine, for these great suggestions! These basic, affordable research opportunities can be tested out by any designer or entrepreneur, regardless of budget and company size. Now that you have an idea of how to conduct consumer research, how will you implement and use to benefit your business and goals? Thanks for stopping in today! We love our readers and appreciate you! Peace, Love & Blessings, Britta

"For fashion designers and brands, learning to blend the real with the unreal is going to become a necessary skill in order to transition into the future. Similarly, digital design will likely entice a flood of creative output, so designers and brands must understand how to reach their customer base while mastering digital tools. And right now, video games are where most of these customers are." BRANDON GINSBERG from Rolling Stone Magazine "Fashion Is Moving Into the Metaverse — Here's what What to Expect" Check out this article from Rolling Stones to learn more...and think about how will you be designing in the future?

Swimwear superstar Rod Beattie has been designing swimwear since the 1980s for major names like La Blanca by Rod Beattie and the Anne Cole Collection. His designs have sold millions, with La Blanca by Rod Beattie becoming the top-selling retail swimwear in the United States for 10 years! In 2011, Beattie launched his own brand, Bleu|Rod Beattie, now owned by Amerex Group. Inside Fashion Design stopped by Beattie’s studio for an inside peek at his process and career journey. In our IFD subscriber exclusive, Beattie shows how he puts a collection together from start to finish. Come inside the studio with us for a look at his prints, patterns, palettes and inspiration walls. Beattie shares stories of his incredible mentors and talks about the business of fashion: the pros and cons of where the industry is moving, the lifespan of a silhouette in the swimwear, and what sets him apart from the rest of the industry. Learn what you have to be willing to do to make it in the design world. Thank you to Rod for sharing his time and wisdom with us. IFD’s mission is to inform, inspire, empower and connect creative thinkers, makers and brands. We want to hear from you! Send us a note anytime to design@insidefashiondesign.net!

February brings Valentine’s Day, a holiday dedicated to celebrating love, friendship, and admiration. We recognize that there is another kind of love, one that you get to celebrate. It’s the love you have for yourself, your career, and your creative journey. There gets to be a passion for something when it comes to loving our lives. Something that brings us joy. Whether it’s your career, side hustle, or hobby, focusing on your passion will bring you true happiness. For many, their passion or purpose tends to take a back seat due to survival. They’re doing what they think is necessary to live and pay bills. When you think long-term rather than short-term, you will find that true fulfillment comes from living a life driven by your purpose and passion. So, how do you do it? How do you live your life through your passion? How do you live a purposeful life? Before knowing how you need to know what your passion in life or your life purpose is. You have to listen and know yourself first. Try this. Find a place where you won’t be interrupted. That includes turning off your phone. Grab some paper and a pen. As you ask yourself these 5 questions, write down the first thing that comes to mind. It’s essential to write them down versus just remembering them to go back when you forget or let life get in the way. Remember to be honest with yourself and enjoy this process. 1. What makes you smile? Close your eyes and think of the people, events, hobbies, activities, and projects that make you smile. It can be anything in the world. 2. What makes you feel great about yourself? This one can be tricky for some; however, we all have things that make us feel good about ourselves. These can be habits you have, goals you’ve set for yourself, achievements, and physical parts of yourself that you like. 3. What are your favorite things to do? In the past and now? Thinking of all the experiences you’ve had in life, what are the favorites that you repeat? Maybe you haven’t repeated something, but it’s a favorite of yours. 4. What do people typically ask you for help in? Are you someone who people confide in? If so, what do they typically come to you about? Maybe you aren’t that someone for many people, but even the tiny requests of others can be that thing others see you as really good at. 5. What are some challenges or hardships you’ve overcome? How did you do it? The times that have pushed us out of our comfort zone can be the hardest, yet you overcame them because you’re here now. What are those challenges, and what is the process you went through to overcome them? Given your talents and values, how can you use these to serve, help, and contribute to people, causes, organizations, and the environment? Living your passion is living with freedom and ease. Spending another moment thinking about what your life would be like if you lived your passion is a waste of your time. Start living it now. The benefits will come your way no matter how small the changes may be. Once you start, there’s nothing that can hold you back. Going after your dreams? Looking for connections and resources to help in your journey? Stay tuned for IFD Connect, a space to connect with other creatives and like minded individuals, coming Spring 2022! Not a subscriber yet? Sign up today to received updates on IFD Connect and all the other juicy news! Have a feature you would like to recommend? RECOMMEND A FEATURE STORY Curious about advertising with us? SUBMIT AND INQUIRY Curious about Design and Development services? REACH OUT TO US HERE Want to learn about our annual Ethical Fashion Festival and how you can get involved? EFF INQUIRES

Can't make it live? Register and get access to the full replay for one week! New York Adventure Club | www.AdventureClub.com From the court of Louis XIV to the 2006 feature film Devil Wears Prada, the word “Paris” has become synonymous with fashion. But how did one nation — and one city, for that matter — become an internationally renowned source of style and luxury? This is the story of the artisans, artists, politicians, writers, style icons, and designers who transformed Paris into the city of fashion. Join New York Adventure Club for a digital journey through the dresses, workshops, and lives of the storied designers who have played a part in the history of Parisian haute couture. Led by fashion historian Caroline Elenowitz-Hess, our virtual experience and showcase of spectacular examples of Paris fashion will include: Images of historic garments designed by skilled 18th-century artisans, who set the standards for haute couture (creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing) Paintings and photographs of famous Parisian fashion icons throughout history, from Marie Antoinette and Empress Eugenie to Inès de la Fressange A look at some of the most iconic garments to ever come out of Paris, designed by couturiers such as Christian Dior, Jeanne Lanvin, Balenciaga, and Jean Paul Gaultier Scandals surrounding Paris fashion, including Marie Antoinette’s extravagant spending, Chanel’s affair with a Nazi officer, and John Galliano’s dismissal from Dior in 2010 The story of how traveling fashion dolls helped haute couture return to international acclaim after the Nazi occupation Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Caroline — any and all questions about Paris fashion are welcomed and encouraged! Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week! See you there, virtually! *Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar **For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration. ***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week About Caroline Caroline Elenowitz-Hess is an independent fashion historian based in New York City. Caroline worked for several years as a fashion designer before pursuing her MA in Fashion Studies from Parsons. She previously received a BA in English Literature from Yale University and an AAS in Fashion Design from FIT. Most recently, Caroline has been a curatorial intern at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and at the Museum at FIT. Her research is focused on definitions of femininity in the twentieth century in France and the United States. Testimonials "Caroline’s knowledge base is wide and she easily is able to communicate to her audience." -Monte "Wonderful presenter - well organized - great graphics." -Barbara "I liked the overlay of early locations on modern photos." -Judith "Extremely well presented program." -Lauretta "Fast paced, great pictures, organized timeline. My favorite event so far." -Michele "Fascinating lecture by a very knowledgeable speaker. I learned a lot and enjoyed every minute. Also, the price was reasonable, which makes it possible for me to do more programs from your organization. Great experience!" -Carol "I loved the history of fashion. Leader was very knowledgeable." -Peggy "The presenter was knowledgeable and chose images that supported her talk well." -MG "I don’t have enough superlatives for this webinar! The content, photos and presenter were all fabulous!!! I will be watching it again before my week is up. Also looking forward to Caroline’s future webinars." -Karen "Caroline did a fabulous job and full of knowledge." -Linda "Very knowledgeable excellent powerpoint." -Deedee "I liked the enthusiasm in the delivery . . . in addition to seeing marvelous designs. A great respite from the crazy world." -Robyn "Subject is fascinating, lecturer was fascinating and knowledgeable, talk was well-organized and easy to folllw." -Norma "The speaker was extremely knowledgeable-upbeat-experienced and her young and vivacious." -Maria "Very knowledgeable presenter, great range of interesting pictures over centuries of fashion history." -Karen "Presenter is interesting, well prepared, knowledgeable and pleasant and passionate about subject matter." -Phyllis "Everything. Very well prepared, knowledgeable, well organized, great visuals." -Lee "It moved at a good pace, the presenter was knowledgeable and personable and it felt very “in person”, even though it was virtual." -Deborah "Very informative presenter & the history of Paris fashion." -Debra "I loved the slides and the information provided." -Mercedes "Caroline is extremely knowledgeable and well spoken. Presentation was well organized and very interesting. Thank you!" -Susan "Excellent presentation: slides, picture quality, information quality. Fantastic!!!" -Natalia "The presenter was knowledgeable and a good speaker." -Ellen "Comprehensive expert cohesive knowledgable presentation." -Bill "The presenter was excellent - very organized! She covered a lot of material very concisely, and with lovely pictures/examples." -Patti "It was so interesting and Caroline was so knowledgeable." -Victoria "Excellent artwork examples to compliment history." -Virginia "The presentation was great, a big amount of information in such a short time. Caroline is very good in what she is doing. Regarding the event and the schedule I was very well impressed that we were very often attentioned." -Calina "Good pace with spoken info and photos presented. Like that there were lots of photos throughout the presentation." -Deborah "The overview of the times, establishing the political backdrop of fashion evolvement. Caroline was very good and knew her subject very well." -Nicole "Caroline was an enthusiastic & well-informed presenter on the subject & had good visuals for the audience. She answered all the questions with ease & grace. It was an enjoyable experience." -Joan "Caroline is terrific. She has so much great interesting knowledge and she doesn’t read from a script. Her delivery is totally natural. This was another great interesting webinar from her. Looking forward to additional topics from her in the future." -Noelle "The choice of illustrations, the commentary explaining why fashion changed." -Sylvia "The pictures, following the evolution of fashion and the presenter’s knowledge of the subject." -Robin "Excellent speaker. Slides were well done, supporting the discussion. Obviously, she knows her subject matter." -Victoria "I love learning about the news of how fashion traveled and about the future of Haute Couture." -Lani "Caroline was very knowledgeable, she had many wonderful photos, and she was so enthusiastic!" -Judy "Informative and interesting and well presented." -Michela "Extensive knowledge of presenter. Presentation well organized." -Karen Disclaimer By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service. Categories: Virtual, Art & Entertainment

Written by Ayla David, September 25, 2021 Photographers are the unsung heroes behind fashion show magic. Without incredible pictures of the designer’s work on the runways, the documentation of a show can be less than impressive. Seth Ruff is a photographer based in Atlanta, GA who prides himself on natural beauty and fashion show photography. We spoke with Seth about how every aspect of a fashion show impacts the photography and how important it is for fashion show producers to realize this. Whether you’re a fashion designer, show producer, or a photographer, there’s so much to consider when it comes to capturing the show through photography! Find out from Seth the one thing you definitely want to avoid the most! IFD: What was your first experience with fashion photography & what drew you to the industry? SR: My cousin attended a modeling school and asked me to do a photoshoot with her. When she presented the pictures, the school photographer was impressed and decided to take me in as an assistant. The experience helped me learn how to work with all models of varying experience, as well as using my creative mind to present unique takes on the models’ looks. IFD: When shooting a fashion show, what are the most important aspects when setting up your camera? SR: For me, lighting and position to the runway are critical. I concentrate on model movements for memorable images, this also provides the designers with varying photographs of their work. IFD: What is most important for models, designers, and fashion show producers to know when thinking about how to get the best photographs of the show? SR: Models must be smooth and confident with their runway walk. Producers should create an evenly lit runway to highlight the clothing for the audience and the media. Every designer wants their pieces to pop through the photos so creating the perfect environment is crucial. It’s important to recognize that posted images from your show will live online forever. IFD: What are the worst things a fashion show could include to create a bad photography environment? SR: The overall worst thing would have to be smoke and fog. It might be fun for the aesthetics but hurts the quality of film and media documentation. It also prevents me from seeing the detailing and silhouettes of the clothing line as the designer intends. This adds stress to me since I know the designer will not be getting the best images. Also, making sure that the photographers have a printed order list of the designs walking down the runway so we can give the credit to each designer when posting images on social media and on websites. IFD: When it comes to fashion, what are your favorite garments to shoot? SR: Every garment has their own unique personality through the camera lens so it is hard to choose a favorite. However, my least favorite garment to shoot is gowns. They are great for the red carpet but don’t provide much creativity in the studio for showing movement. IFD: What have been your favorite shows to shoot so far and why? SR: I enjoy the New York Fashion Week events in the fall because it’s such a wonderful place to view fashion in all varieties and venues. Getting photos from inside the event and outside on the street has been my favorite so far. IFD: What are your future goals for fashion show photography? SR: I was not able to attend as many shows this year because of COVID and the close-quartered aspect of my job. However, I took this time to update my skills and equipment with the hopes of coming back to each of these events with fresh ideas and a new perspective. Thank you Seth for sharing your work and insights! You can find Seth online at sethruff.com or follow his work on Instagram @ruffcuts7. Interested in Fashion Photography?  Here are 15 Tips On How To Break Into Fashion Photography from Zhang Jingna Written by: Zhang Jingna from Profoto.com Fashion and fine art photographer Zhang Jingna has previously written immensely popular articles about commercial shoots, personal projects and on how to improve your photography. This time she will share 15 tips on how to break into fashion photography. Here is how to make it, in Jingna’s own words. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE Did you know there are 4 different types of Fashion Photography?  Catalog Photography, High Fashion Photogrpahy, Street Fashion & Editorial Fashion Photography.  Want to learn more about these?  Check out this article from Designscene.net here Are you a newbie photographer striving for that perfect photo shoot?  “The most important part of fashion photography is how you translate a story visually and apply your own creative style to a certain idea.” Ira Giorgetti, from Format.com.  In order to do that, you need to start with a strong Brief and describe aspects of your shoot- Read the full list of tips and tricks here And check out this list from Digitaldefynd.com 5 Best + Free Fashion Photography Courses & Classes [2021 SEPTEMBER] 1. Fashion Photography 101 by Lara Jade (Creative Live) 2. Glamour & Beauty Photography Classes (Creative Live) 3. Fashion Photography (Karl Taylor Education) 4. Natural Light Fashion / Beauty Photography (Udemy) 5. Online Fashion Photography Classes (SkillShare) “Photography is one of the creative fields that’s garnering a lot of attention lately, owing majorly to social media platforms like Instagram. Anyone looking to advance as a professional fashion photographer/blogger or individuals interested in capturing self-portraits or those who want to make a living out of working with fashion magazines and advertisers can improve and develop their skills with the help of the Fashion Photography courses mentioned here. These online tutorials include free and paid versions of the courses and are designed for all levels of learners. Check out our compilation of Best Online Photography Courses.” Digitaldefynd.com Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin #fashionphotography #fashionphotographycourses #howtoplanaphotoshoot

Greetings Dear Reader! Fall is upon us which means that pumpkin spice lattes, bulky sweaters, and changing leaves are fast approaching. Fall also brings out the infamous leather jacket. Leather was first used in prehistoric times to cloth and shelter small communities against harsh weather. Later, it was brought into our modern-day fashion scene and everyday society through biker culture. Bikers used leather chaps to protect their legs from pipe burns and jackets to protect themselves against harsh weather and any debris from another vehicle. Genuine leather statement pieces will always be a staple within our fall closets but now we are seeing a new innovative cruelty-free leather movement taking designers by surprise! Here are four ways leather fabrics are evolving: Vegan Leather is the largest growing market for sustainable leather. Vegan Leather is created using recycled materials like plastic or cork and can even be made with leaves and plants. This leather is used to create jackets, wallets, purses, belts, pants, and so much more! Collagen Leather first came on the scene in 2017 when the company Modern Meadow used the process of yeast fermentation to create collagen. Collagen gives the fabric the strength and texture of leather without any animals being hurt in the process. Mycelium Leather is the latest leather phenomenon. This leather is created using mushrooms which then can be shaped into anything the designer desires. This year, Stella McCartney and Hermes have both created lines made with this fabric proving mushrooms are the bright future of leathers. D.I.Y Leather is for the true sustainable leather connoisseurs. You CAN try it yourself like a cool school science experiment but even more fun! Here is a step-by-step how to Also Check out this video: Intersted in taking a class?  Check out Portland Fashion Institutes hands on textile class led by Tris Langman.  There is still time to sign up. Check it out here If you are wanting to learn more about cruelty-free leathers and feel the pull to help the research continue, the Sustainable Leather Foundation gives all the insight and updates about cruelty-free leather. Now, go out with your incredible leather staple pieces and enjoy the coming fall season! #growyourownleather #kombuchaleather #sustainableleather

Dear IFD Friends, Today marks the Anniversary of September 11 terror attacks. We all have a story to tell about that day, where we were, what we were doing, people we knew that were there, people that were lost. New York City is where I studied design and built the foundation of my career. I am so grateful for all my experiences there, good and bad, because it shaped me into the person I am today. I was on the George Washington bridge when the first plane hit and will never forget the smoke billowing out of first tower and the aftermath that followed. Share your story, talk with a friend, reach out to a loved one today and take a moment today to observe, remember, honor and pray for the victims, their families and loved ones lost. Here is a link to tributes happening today The New York Historical Society Museum & Library shares artifacts pulled for the ruble along with artwork created by survivors including Hillary North A few objects from the collection venetian-blind-retrieved-from-st-pauls-churchyard desk-clock cigarette-box-filled-with-change untitled-3-from-the-world-trade-center-memorial-series damaged-front-door-of-rescue-company-2-rig bracelet world-trade-center-dust in-loving-memory-of-joseph-d-mistrulli pair-of-mens-shoes-with-shoe-bags memorial-collage-mat-board-of-a-survivors-efforts-to-find apron-from-starbucks-worn-by-a-relief-volunteer-at-st-paul Artist/Maker Hilary North (1962) Memorial collage/ mat board of a survivors efforts to find friends 2001 Place MadeNew York, New York, United States, North America Paper, plastic Gift of Hilary North 2003.72 The artist was an employee of Aon who was late arriving to work on 9/11 because she stopped to vote. That day she lost about 60 friends and colleagues in the collapse. The collage is a collection of notes and scribblings she wrote down while frantically and tirelessly researching the whereabouts and/or survival of her friends. Thanks for stopping in today!  We appreciate you being a part of our community!

New York Fashion Week is back! In-person & Virtually, big runways and alternative shows available. CFDA RELEASES THE OFFICIAL NEW YORK FASHION WEEK SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER Find the official schedule here New York Fashion Week is just around the corner and after having last year’s taken away this NYFW will be one to remember. The show dates are September 8 – 12th and will include the magical work of designers such as; Bibhu Mohapatra, Christian Cowan, DUNCAN, Proenza Schouler, and many more! NYFW tickets for VIP experiences such as behind the scenes, private styling and shopping, and front row seats can still be purchased today! However, if you are not in the market for going to NYFW there are some smaller fashion shows we’d like to mention for fashion inspiration on a budget! Three Alternative Shows The Rooftop Fashion Show by Urban Fashion Exchange takes place on September 9th on a rooftop in Jersey City, bringing you an array of urban culture and fashion collections from local designers hoping to influence the future of fashion in a positive way. Exclusive Model Icon Fashion Show by Model Icon Events happening October third in Chicago showcases luxury items from their brand and new designs from four up and coming designers. On October 9th, The Collective Fashion Show by Penguin Monkey Productions is a virtual fashion show where the designers were all given the same fabric to create their unique looks. The audience members can vote for their favorite designers and models throughout the event and will be able to connect with the fifteen designers through the virtual platform. Fashion Shows Go Virtual Appealing to fashion lovers uncomfortable with traveling, virtual fashion shows are becoming the new way for designers to showcase their looks. In 2020, more designers than ever leaned into the art of virtual runways so anyone could be in the front row. According to CNN Style, the first of these “Insta-shows” was in September 2015 by Misha Nonoo with Zoe Jordan following quickly behind. Instagram then created the Instashoot which collaborates with the fashion houses to make their runway shows accessible to anyone who has the designer’s dedicated Instagram handle. Instashoots are meant to help accentuate runway shows and be used by smaller designers to get their collection out to an audience. These Instashoots have grown into completely virtual fashion shows, some of which are now using a mixture of avatar and human models to show off their designs using new 3 – D technology. Here are some truly awe-inspiring virtual shows that you can watch and rewatch from 2021 Spring and Summer Collections! Moschino’s Spring and Summer 2021 Collection is presented virtually through means of a marionette puppet show. The head designer Jeremy Scott made each garment doll size to fit the marionette’s and even created the front row audience to give the virtual audience the illusion of watching a real fashion show. Prada’s Spring and Summer 2021 Womenswear Show includes an interview with Raf Simmons and Miuccia Prada that creates a personal connection between the virtual audience and the designers. The camerawork throughout the virtual show is celebrated for giving the audience in depth looks at details, accessories, and styles the designers created. Balmain Spring and Summer 2021 Show is both virtual and in person. However, when Olivier Rousteing, the head designer, heard that many of his front row attendees could not make it to the show he set up television screens where those attendees would regularly be and they watched the show virtually. They continued to also live stream the show on social media for everyone to share in the beauty. Thom Browne Spring Women’s and Men’s 2021 Collection is set in the future of 2132 and called the Lunar Games to play off of the Tokyo Olympics this year. Browne creates a gorgeous, movie-like, immersive virtual fashion show that accentuates Dan Levy’s designs but also makes the audience feel as if they are transported to a new world. We are so thrilled things are opening back up. Are you  going to NYFW?  Share your experience with us!   We would love to hear your perspective on the current industry. Thanks for reading today! Peace, Love & Blessings.  Britta Cabanos  Founder, Inside Fashion Design

This was an exciting week at IFD — we went backstage at a professional fashion show put on by Small Boutique Fashion Week (SBFW)! We’ll be bringing you insider insights and interviews from the backstage connections we made in the weeks ahead. Are you wondering if SBFW is right for you? Here’s everything you need to know about this amazing opportunity. Created in 2012, Small Boutique Fashion Week is a fashion show tour that strives to help upcoming indie designers showcase their products for boutique owners, buyers, and even the general public. SBFW is a way for new designers to make influential fashion connections to make their design dreams come true. This week’s event in Atlanta, GA was their second largest fashion show on the tour with twelve designers showing new lines. Small Boutique Fashion Week offers three extremely beneficial perks for designers taking part in their shows: Experience Most small designers and boutiques have never taken part in a high-end fashion show. SBFW gives these designers their first taste of how to show their designs to an audience correctly and effectively. Fashion shows let designers experience first-hand whether an audience is drawn to their designs or not. If the audience isn’t drawn to them, they won’t be buying them. Designers need their designs to stand out on the runway in order to get customers shopping! Brands from SBFW from left to right: EFABB, Zaki’s Tutu Tops and sandals from Arrogant Queen Exposure Many of the designers featured at SBFW are based in small cities throughout the United States. Without a major presence in LA and NYC, it can be hard for buyers to know you even exist. The exposure brands get from a showcase like this is incredibly helpful. With social media rising as a means of shopping, getting their brand on SBFW social media feed and website gives them the exposure they need to take their brand to the next level! Connections Fashion enthusiasts—from consumers to store buyers to fellow designers—from all over the world attend fashion shows to see new lines, designers, and inspiration for the upcoming seasons. Mingling after the show is a one-of-kind opportunity for designers to connect with these enthusiasts and build support for their designs. Strong connections are forged backstage too, as professionals of all kinds expand their networks and find new people to call on when they need collaborators, photographers, makeup artists, and models for future collections. Are you ready to show your work? Apply online to become a designer for Small Boutique Fashion Week. You will be invited to take part in one of their smaller scale fashion shows with a chance to work your way up to New York Fashion Week. You can also register for either New York Fashion Week and the fashion shows, but there are specific registration requirements and costs that can be found here. A couturier must be an architect for design, a sculptor for shape, a painter for color, a musician for harmony and a philosopher for temperance!” ~ Cristobal Balenciaga” Good Luck out there and Go for it!!!  Looking for more advice and design expertise?  What would help you the most? Let us know at: design@insidefashiondesign.net Liked this article?  Please share!  We appreciate you helping us sharing our insights!

Hello IFD Insider! Are you looking to take some time for yourself to explore & learn something new? Hopefully so…and if you’re looking for some ideas, look no further than todays article. Here are IFD we are big fans of any processes that are good for people & planet and these fabric dying techniques are just that. Read on to learn about eco-friendly options being used and instructions on how to give them a try yourself! Now go out and have some fun! Tie-dye is one of this year’s biggest fashion trends, but the world of fabric dyeing reaches far beyond what you can do with rubber bands and buckets in the backyard on a hot summer day. When you dye textiles you apply pigment to fibers, yarns and fabrics to achieve a desired color. Different dyes and methods are used at different stages of garment production, from dyeing fibers and yarn in the textile production process to dyeing lengths of fabric or completed garments. Matching your dye to your textile is crucial. Nylon, wool, silk and other protein fibers are dyed with acidic dyes. Acrylic fibers are dyed with basic dyes. Polyester is dyed with disperse dyes. Cotton is rather versatile and can be dyed a multitude of ways. When it comes to application, here are a few classic dyes and techniques you can experiment with for your next garment or collection. NATURAL DYES Natural dyes are colorings typically extracted from plants and microorganisms. Research into and adoption of natural dyes is taking off as the industry reckons with the amount of pollution and waste it creates. The washing, dyeing, and finishing of textiles includes massive amounts of chemicals, water and energy used, and is the biggest force in fashion’s environmental devastation. Rivers are turning colors, textile dyes are getting into nearby crops, and some polluted bodies of water are essentially dead. Natural dyes are less common at an industrial level due to their unpredictability, and lack of scalability and color-fastness. While we hope to see big brands adopt natural dyes, they’re likely to be more commonly used by individual designers and smaller brands. Here’s a great list of what organic matter you can try your hand at to create a particular color in your own design work. RESIST DYEING Resist dyeing is a traditional method of dyeing textiles with patterns. Resist dye techniques include waxes or pastes that resist dye to create the patterns, or manipulation of cloth such as tying or stitching. Here are some common resist dyeing techniques. TIE DYE Tie-dyeing involves twisting or pinching portions of cloth and tying them tightly with rubber bands or thread before dyeing. . TIE DYE INSTRUCTIONS ICE DYE Ice dyeing can be done with resists or without. It is similar to tie-dye but uses powdered dyes sprinkled over melting ice on cloth rather than dipping fabric in vats of color. It uses less water and creates a more blended watercolor look. ICE DYE INSTRUCTIONS SHIBORI Shibori is similar to tie-dye with a few signature characteristics. Typically done in indigo, you can bind, stitch, fold, twist, or compress the cloth before dyeing it to make smaller, intricate, typically repeating, patterns. SHIBORI INSTRUCTIONS BATIK Batik uses a wax resist where wax is drawn on cloth, often in dots or lines, or printed with a stamp. The wax then resists dyes and can be removed with boiling water so the cloth can be dyed again to allow for multiple colors. BATIK INSTRUCTIONS IKAT While other techniques apply the resist to the cloth, in ikat the resist is applied to the yarns before they are woven into a fabric. The technique involves binding individual yarns or yarn bundles with a tight wrapping in a pattern before dyeing. You can then change up the bindings to make a new pattern and dye the yarns another color, again and again if you want to create multicolored, elaborate patterns. The yarns are then woven into cloth. IKAT READING BIO DYEING Designers Laura Luchtman and Ilfa Siebenhaard developed a process of biodyeing with bacteria that produces a biodegradable dye requiring little water and low dyeing temperatures. They also run fascinating experiments such as exploring the possibilities of growing bacteria in patterns by exposing them to sound frequencies. Some start-ups are trying to swap out the chemistry of dyeing and replace it with biology, exploring engineered microbes to reduce the use of chemicals in textile dyes. Companies like Colorifix and Pili think microbes can use fermentation tanks and sugar to produce high-performance, renewable dyes that meet mainstream industry needs. LIVING COLOR Pre-Covid, IFD held hands on workshops and we cant wait to get together again!  One workshop was held during Portland Textile Month and titled Wine and Dye, featuring Kerry Cotter from Belmont Blankets.  Check out our recap along with an instructional PDF for fabric dying with items found in nature….thank you again to Kerry for his lesson and instructions!  Download your fee copy here:  Wine and Dye Fabric dyes from Nature Wine and Dye IFD Workshop We want to know — What dye techniques do you use in your work? What is one of our favorite dyes?  Rit Proline powder dye. The ProLine formula features an advanced mix of dyes that’s applicable to natural and synthetic fibers and is ideal for scaling dye projects, no matter the size. and TOXIC FREE too!  Check out their color offering below (the fun dots). To shop for your own dyes, visit this link here Let us know if you try any of these- we would love to see your work! design@insidefashiondesign.net Images and inspiration from Ritdye.com