The August Vogue Magazine arrived over the weekend and although, I have generally been less than thrilled with Vogue lately, I was eager to curl up with it hoping for some fall inspiration. Mostly I was disappointed.
Since I am mostly interested in Vogue, and other fashion magazines for inspiration and design ideas, which I still collect even though I am in a fallow period sewing-wise, I found very little here that captured my imagination. Even the editiorial pages, which were filled with classic clothes that should thrill me, left me cold. It is not that the individual garments were not nice, some of them were lovely, but the choices and the way they were presented seemed to detract from the product, at least to my eyes.
Upon first reading, I thought "bah" and cast the magazine aside. Upon perusal though, I did find a very few small things that captured my imagination.
This ad for Derek Lamb really appeals to me. Actually I am only interested in the skirt, but the styling does not detract from that. I like the combination of leather and the soft fabric which I envision as a soft wool. I like the firm yoke, the front zipper, the "tough" look of the topstitched pocket combined with the soft pleats of the fabric which end with the leather band at the bottom of the skirt, also pleated. It is an appealing blend of masculine and feminine and I although I would not cut a skirt exactly like this, I think some combination of these elements in a slightly longer length, has the potential for becoming a favorite skirt.
This was my big inspiration for this issue, so Vogue certainly isn't inspiring me to go shopping, either for actual RTW or to the fabric shops.
I was intrigued by this dress, which was a very tiny photo on ALT's page. I dislike the actual dress intensely. It would make anyone but the slimmest youngest sylph look like some heavy-hipped hausfrau. But what intrigues me is the combination of the stripes with the lace or embroidery overlay on the skirt. I also like the way the stripes are pieced on the diagonal in that center front inset. I didn't notice that detail until I scanned and enlarged the picture and now it has captured my imagination.
Don't expect any kind of literal copying of this dress, but for pure inspiration factor it my head is reeling.
Then there was this photo of Stacy Goodman. I clipped it for the top. It is a very basic top, and yet not so basic at all. I could find a lovely stripe, or even piece the stripes. I see this as a very structured tunic, well and close-fitted at the shoulders and even through the bust line, perhaps narrowing a bit below the bust, not close-fitting but skimming with a hint of shape, before flaring in a bit of an a-line inspired shape. I realize that the top shown does not narrow, but I think that for this top to work it must be fitted to the shape of the wearer. For me, fullness off the bust will look very bulky and I do think there is room for interpretation here, adapting the attitude but not the exact style. This will definitely take some muslin fitting to get exactly the look I want, but I think it would be fabulous just as shown here, with narrow pants. In some ways it is a difficult look to pull off as fit is everything. But then, isn't that one reason we sew?
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14 responses to “August Vogue — a few ideas”
OK, I just got this issue yesterday and I’m reading it now. I am so sick of Vogue (though I read it monthly), but this is the best issue they’ve had in a while. Of course it’s the age issue (secretly one of my faves). I love Ms. Goodman’s outfit there – and on the editor’s page. And the Kristen McMenamy shoot is fantastic, IMO. I love her hair. I love how – don’t get me wrong – old she looks. She’s like a real person who’s lived a real life! And yet she’s gorgeous (even with the wan hair colour and no colour on her lips). You know you are fantastic when…
OK, I just got this issue yesterday and I’m reading it now. I am so sick of Vogue (though I read it monthly), but this is the best issue they’ve had in a while. Of course it’s the age issue (secretly one of my faves). I love Ms. Goodman’s outfit there – and on the editor’s page. And the Kristen McMenamy shoot is fantastic, IMO. I love her hair. I love how – don’t get me wrong – old she looks. She’s like a real person who’s lived a real life! And yet she’s gorgeous (even with the wan hair colour and no colour on her lips). You know you are fantastic when…
K-line, Well, yes, I love the Kristen McMenamy shoot because I love the subject, but inspiration wise, it is filled with lovely clothes, but perhaps that is just it, they are so classic that I dont need to be inspired. any one of them would work for me. I usually love the age issue, but this one seemed less inspiring that past versions.
And I did leave out a page that does inspire me. Ill put it up later or tomorrow.
K-line, Well, yes, I love the Kristen McMenamy shoot because I love the subject, but inspiration wise, it is filled with lovely clothes, but perhaps that is just it, they are so classic that I dont need to be inspired. any one of them would work for me. I usually love the age issue, but this one seemed less inspiring that past versions.
And I did leave out a page that does inspire me. Ill put it up later or tomorrow.
That leather skirt is fantastic. And good luck finding a cleaner, then open your wallet. (But I’d love it, cut longer.) I had a fine wool shirt with a leather collar and placket, cleaning it cost a fortune.
The taupe-black top is a marvel, you can’t really peg the era, from ’40s, to ’60s to now. And the stripe matched straight to the sleeve strip, whooo! I adore this ‘strict’ chic.
That leather skirt is fantastic. And good luck finding a cleaner, then open your wallet. (But I’d love it, cut longer.) I had a fine wool shirt with a leather collar and placket, cleaning it cost a fortune.
The taupe-black top is a marvel, you can’t really peg the era, from ’40s, to ’60s to now. And the stripe matched straight to the sleeve strip, whooo! I adore this ‘strict’ chic.
Yes Duchesse, cleaning that skirt would be a problem. I have a pale yellow wool suit with white leather trim that does not get worn often because of the expense of cleaning it. I tend to forget these things. It is just so lovely.
I love the taupe and black top too, and am thinking less fit at the bust. Well it is all dependent on the fabric and the cut. But the picture looks fabulous. I would love something like that which looked that fabulous on me. It may just be wishful thinking.
Yes Duchesse, cleaning that skirt would be a problem. I have a pale yellow wool suit with white leather trim that does not get worn often because of the expense of cleaning it. I tend to forget these things. It is just so lovely.
I love the taupe and black top too, and am thinking less fit at the bust. Well it is all dependent on the fabric and the cut. But the picture looks fabulous. I would love something like that which looked that fabulous on me. It may just be wishful thinking.
Vogue has been leaving me cold lately, too. I love the striped top, and I agree that pieced fabric may be the way to go. Elliot Berman has a very wide stripe knit (Ungaro?) that is not similar, but could be something you’d like. (That sounds nutty, doesn’t it?) I like the lace and stripe. I have a Marfy pattern that shows lace around the edge of a jacket in a similar fashion, and I have the lace, just not the perfect base fabric. Maybe a stripe is an idea, they had shown a floral print.
Vogue has been leaving me cold lately, too. I love the striped top, and I agree that pieced fabric may be the way to go. Elliot Berman has a very wide stripe knit (Ungaro?) that is not similar, but could be something you’d like. (That sounds nutty, doesn’t it?) I like the lace and stripe. I have a Marfy pattern that shows lace around the edge of a jacket in a similar fashion, and I have the lace, just not the perfect base fabric. Maybe a stripe is an idea, they had shown a floral print.
I love that striped top…I keep seeing these stripes and wondering how I can interpret them into a dress!
I love that striped top…I keep seeing these stripes and wondering how I can interpret them into a dress!
Carolyn, that could be fabulous.
Carolyn, that could be fabulous.