While looking for inspiration to fulfill the March Mood Sewing Network challenge of creating a look inspired by a fashion designer, I:
- Became obsessed with all things Anna Wintour resulting in a haircut my family loathed on me. (It lasted one week.)
- Discovered Barbara Tfank, the LA designer popularized by Michelle Obama.
- Renewed my love of Ralph Lauren.
Anna Wintour’s feminine flared skirts and dresses captivated me. Ralph Lauren’s cheerful black and white floral clothes dominated much of his Spring RTW runway show, and Barbara Tfank spelled it out with beautiful embroidered black and white linen garments(click here). As a result I departed from the predictable slim silhouettes I generally sew and added a little flare (as opposed to flair).
I paired Mood Fabric’s black and white embroidered floral linen
with Burda Style 6904 View B to get the look I was after.
Views B and C are fitted through the hips. The lower portion of the skirt is not gathered, allowing for a nice drape. The skirt fit without a single alteration and the substantial linen is dreamy. The dense embroidery prevents excessive wrinkling – even after washing and sitting. I lined the entire piece rather than just the lower skirt as instructed.
My top is an 2007 RTW linen top refashioned with black organza.
White and black organza are to sewing what salt and pepper are to cooking – I’m never without!
The sides of the linen shell top were carefully split. After tying a knot with the organza, I tucked the raw edges into the open seam and stitched it back together.
The lightweight organza dressed up the aging top without adding bulk. How easy it that?
(I also noticed and read Anna Wintour almost always wears a neutral shoe to extend the leg and because they go with everything.)
On the one hand I found the runway scene intimidating….. Why can’t I think up these creations? But reading up on the fashion designers is a tremendous resource for any sewist seeking inspiration and you just never know how the slightest change such as a new hemline, a new sleeve, or new color might affect your overall style :)
Best wishes!
