Saturday, February 19, 2011

Versace Inspired - The Idea

While I was at the airport headed to The DR, I picked up the latest issue of InStyle Magazine (March 2011).  Of course  they are touting all of the new spring pieces but this Versace dress caught my eye and touched a creative nerve:

(courtesy of www.Versace.com)

When I first looked at it...I mean became obsessed with it, I thought that I would corporatize it for a new spring/summer dress using a navy blue eyelet and linen that are in the fabric collection.  But as I continued to obsess over the dress, I realized that I have an awesome navy blue lacy wool knit that I got from Elliott Berman and some navy blue wool crepe that would work for a dress that's wearable right now!  At this point I started to get really excited...which resulted in the three hour digging fest described in the last post.

Now let me stop right here to explain my obsession...it's the details in this dress...not so much the shape.
  • the circle cutout at the side waistline
  • the half belt also at the waistline
  • the play of lace against the solid fabric
  • the freshness of the look
  • the fact that corporatized this will be something different and original yet it will make an interesting dress for work.
I never planned on making an exact copy of this dress.  Seriously, this dress has no lining and hugs the model's curves (curves that have gone missing from my body lately!) *LOL*  It's important that you realize this before I share the final reveal...and don't go looking for pictures of a finished dress yet because this is the first of four posts about the journey.

(courtesy of www.Versace.com)

It was interesting that while I was waiting, I could see the revised "corporatized" version of the dress in my mind...because it's the details (yes, I've said it again!) that are intriguing me and how those details could be added to my TNT dress pattern.  I know I'm headed back to TNT Land to make this dress.

I've watched the dress "walk" several times on Style.com and on the Versace site so that I could see the back views.  After all of this watching, I've made a few rough drawings of how I'm going to "interpret" the front:


and back views:


So this is what I'm working on during this three day weekend.  I will start the pattern work this morning because it's going to take some creative cutting to get the details worked out on my TNT pattern. 

If I finish the dress before the weekend is over, I will try to complete the straight skirt and coordinating cardigan from the Anna Sui knit I just acquired from Fabric Mart.  If I don't, well there's always next weekend because this weekend I've chosen to sew something I'm really excited about instead of something that's laying on the cutting table waiting to be completed.  I know I will get back to it...but this...this is special!

...more later!

30 comments:

  1. Are you going to include the half belt? I think it would look really nice in your design too :)

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  2. I can really feel your excitement! Looking forward to what will be created from that. Happy sewing!

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  3. I love the way that you share your journey from inspiration to finished dress. Your enthusiasm for this one is truly palpable!

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  4. Oh, yes, another journey to follow. :-)

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  5. Your enthousiasm goes over the ocean! Have a good sewing weekend. I'm sure looking forward to what you come up with.

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  6. That inspiration dress is Fiyah.. and so looking forward to your version. You have inspired me with this.... I am working on another crochet sweater and thinking of incorporating the half belt.
    . Thanks

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  7. You're so clever! I can't wait to see how you turn this into reality! Have a happy sewing weekend!

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  8. Can't wait! Thanks for letting us inside your process.

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  9. I love how you have such a great eye for picking out wonderful high fashion design details and adapting them to your own fabulous style.

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  10. This is truly intriguing. Can't wait to see the progress/results!

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  11. Clothes with holes! Cool!

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  12. Sounds so cool. I can't wait to see the progress and finished dress!

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  13. Your enthusiasm for sewing is one of the things I really love about your blog. Thanks for sharing that! You are so excited about this dress--can't wait to see your posts about it.

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  14. This is exciting!!! I like your sketches....can't wait to see the finished product!!!

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  15. wow, that is a stunning dress, I can't WAIT to see how you make it your on

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  16. I am excited to see your interpretation of that dress. I have only don't it twice, but making your own versions of things you seen in photos is so much fun to do and is really creative in ways that sewing from patterns is not.

    Good luck and I cannot wait to see it!
    Jacki

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  17. I find these posts so inspiring - how you ferret out the details that grab your attention, how you see the possibilities and then you how you execute. I want to get here. Please keep up the inspiration.

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  18. Oh, this will be fun! This is a great project, can't wait to see how it turns out. Love the inspiration.

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  19. I enjoy your posts so much. How you can just look at a picture of a dress and than this whole creative process starts in your head. And before we know it you take us on your journey to make it all real (and lovely) for all of us to see.
    Just wanna thank you for that.

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  20. Wow, what an inspiration! I can see why you were smitten with this dress and will enjoy watching you interpret.

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  21. First - I'm so glad you found the fabric. Second - I'm always inspired how you see details know how you can make them work for you. And finally - I was going to ask if you sketched it out and there was the answer! Looking forward to seeing this one play out. Enjoy the process. g

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  22. I gotta take my hat off to you, 'cause when I look at that picture_ that nude colored dress on that nude colored girl with nothing on underneath and the lacy bits reaching to her lady bits---- I don't know--- and those shirtless boys? I'm impressed because the photographer has staged something here that makes the dress entirely secondary. So now I know, understanding fashion photos is a skill in itself. Looking forward to seeing what you make of it.

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  23. I turned down the corner of that page in my copy of In Style magazine the minute I saw it, so I share your excitement. Stash Management can be tough, but isn't it wonderful to have appropriate fabrics when inspirtion strikes. I love your interpretion of the design, can't wait to see it.

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  24. Looking forward to seeing your interpretation of this dress. I know it will look fabulous.

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  25. I love this dress, too. I was recently given some lace that looks very much like the overlays in the dress. Now I can't wait to use it.

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  26. What a cool inspiration dress. I hadn't seen it. I can see why you fell in love. Your drawings are looking promising. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

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  27. Wow, this will be exciting to see.

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  28. WOW! Great dress, can't wait to see your finished project. You are so talented.

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  29. I'm excited to see your interpretation. I ripped the picture out of Elle magazine for my spring inspiration. Can't wait to see it.

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  30. I love these posts where you explain your creative process in detail -- how you liked this bit at the waist, didn't care about something else, etc., etc. Thank you for helping us see how your mind works!

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