Working with the Chado Ralph Rucci Fabric - Part 1

First for those who haven't been around long, you should know that if I had to name my top three designers they would be Michael Kors, Carolina Herrara and Ralph Rucci and not necessarily in that order.  So to be working with a piece of fabric that Ralph Rucci ordered for his use is not only inspiring but wonderous.  Bold adjectives I know but I'm a girl that likes fashion and fabric...so combine the two and I'm in heaven!

After searching through several of Rucci's collections, I found this dress in his Fall 2013 RTW collection that appears to use the black & purple double knit fabric:

I went through a few ideas before seeing this picture and finally decided to color block a dress, make a straight skirt and use the leftover fabric to cut out a simple jacket.  

I've cut the dress first using the pattern pieces from my Whitney Dress. It's perfect for color blocking and I feel it would use the fabric to it's best advantage.

I've been wanting to make another version of this dress and this fabric is perfect for it.  However, for this latest version I've added long sleeves.  I want to wear this dress alone and not cover up any of the design features.

The jacket was cut using a pattern I haven't sewn in several years which is now out of print. I was actually looking for another one when I touched this pattern.  I pulled the instruction sheet out of the folder and realized that I remembered how much I liked wearing this jacket and how easily it went together. It's unlined which is what I also want for the jacket in this grouping. I've made two versions of this Vogue pattern before, here and here.

The skirt pieces were cut using my TNT straight skirt pattern.  They were the easiest pieces to cut from the fabric because I wasn't adventurous with the cutting.  The skirt will be lined as will the dress.

I know this is an ambitious plan but I've managed to get all three garments out of the 4 3/4 yards using quite a bit of creative cutting!

Here is the pile of scraps that are left after all of the pieces were cut out...

So this is where I am now. Future posts will be about the construction of and decisions that need to be made for the garments.  I have a few ideas swirling around that need to be handled during the construction phase that will affect the look of the finished garments.  Boy doesn't that sound mysterious! *LOL*

...as always more later!

So I peeked...

I didn't mean to...I really meant to mind my own business and keep it movin' but somehow during the great fabric changeover I ventured onto Style.com and all was lost...just lost I tell ya!

I did restrain myself enough that I only looked at a couple of of the spring collections, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrara, Chado Ralph Rucci and Michael Kors - you know all my go-to, would love to own my own personal piece of designers!

Of the ones that I did peek at I have to tell you that I loved the Spring 2011 Chado Ralph Rucci collection...loved, loved, loved it!

There's this dress which was my all time favorite!  I will find a way to do that type of embellishment on the front of one of my fall/winter dresses!

Love the kimono sleeves and sheer embellishment on this one!

What a different silhouette for a work suit!

A new way to do a safari pantsuit!

The detail on the jacket is beautiful and it's done in classic black & white colors!

If I was going out...this would be on the top of my list!

And this is red carpet at it's best! 

Style.com had this to say about Ralph's collection:

"Ralph Rucci skipped a proper show this season in favor of one-on-one appointments. That meant there was no Martha Stewart or Whoopi Goldberg to gawk at, but there was something better: the opportunity to examine the couture-quality workmanship that is this designer's calling card. Rucci admitted that despite his wealth of blue-chip clients, the recession has been difficult for his business. For Spring, he's made adjustments, turning out more pieces in less precious fabrications, including an on-trend cotton jumpsuit and an easy cotton and suede sleeveless shift with blousonlike volume on top.  On the other hand, Rucci has also kicked up the exquisite touches."

Peeking was so worth it to experience the awesomeness of the Chado Ralph Rucci line!  BTW, I also went back and looked at all my favs Fall 2010 collections for additional inspiration ideas...and I've got quite a few!  Look for them in some of my future fall/winter garments!

...as always, more later!

The Workings of a Fanatical Mind

So I'm on my iTouch perusing the Resort 2010 collection of Chado Ralph Rucci on Style.com...I really like this dress by the way:

...and I come across these words...

"The MO at Chado is the careful refining and evolution of Ralph Rucci's now signature techniques like suspension and slot seams. His customers like it that way (and so, apparently, do aficionados of Vogue Patterns. Rucci's are the number one seller in all categories—who knew?). Loyal clients and sew-it-yourself types won't be disappointed with Rucci's Resort collection, but he might win some new fans with his uncharacteristically sunny palette."

Isn't that like the kewlest! It's been going round in round in my head since I read it!

Then I made this to keep from buying a piece of fabric:

I have one more dress to add to the pic...but I'm feeling good about this entire Gelato collection now that's it almost done...and Nan to answer your question...orange is up next! I already have two orange pieces in my summer wardrobe but orange is a good transition color for summer into fall. I don't plan on making as many pieces for the "Orangina Collection" as I've made for the Gelato Collection. I'm also still playing with some of the fabric and pattern choices in my mind...so I don't have anything on paper yet...I don't want to torture myself because I need to finish the last pieces of Gelato.

Finally, after a rough day yesterday...I came home to find these in the mailbox:

These are from my wonderful sewing friend Sharon...who must know where to find any vintage pattern on earth! This is what really sent me whirling...

I've always wanted a Vogue American Designer pattern and even though I search religiously I've never found an affordable plus size one. The awesomely amazing Sharon found me this Oscar de la Renta pattern in a size 20.5!!! Somehow I will have to incorporate this into my fall sewing! Thanks Sharon!

Lastly, I've spent today struggling with my fabric demons...they want me to place an order for more of the silk/cotton blends from Fabric Mart...that's down to two pages worth, btw...but I held strong and resisted...for now *sigh*

More later!

Inspired by Ralph Rucci

I love Ralph Rucci designs...I've loved Ralph Rucci for quite some time...last year I even got to see the Ralph Rucci exhibit at FIT! Talk about a day of sheer joy...

So what do I like about his designs...they are artistic & creative, unusual & unique but infinitely wearable.

I especially loved this one from the Kent State exhibit:

Black double-faced wool crepe "Trellis" dress

with printed silk chiffon lining and stole

Chado Ralph Rucci, Haute Couture fall/winter,

2004 Collection of Ralph Rucci

And at one point, I had planned to felt some wool crepe strips and attempt my own version of it...but then I found this brown lacy knit fabric from Lucy's Fabrics - paired it with this green apple silk print from Fabric Mart...and I had my own version of a Ralph Rucci design...

Yeah, I'm a copier from way back, lol! I made this dress in 2006 (I think) found it during the great closet clean-out. It was shoved waaayyyy in the back of the closet and I had forgotten how cute it looks. So I've dusted it off and brought it back...will wear it to work this week with a brown cardigan and a killer necklace!

And Summerset, I'm borrowing your parting shot ~ how I wore the argyle cardigan to work today:

p.p.s: Sherrill, thanks for your comment on the Dior Dress! You've sent my mind whirling and in the words of Tim Gunn, I've got to "make it work!" Thanks!