Crème de la crème : Spring 2013

Creme de la Creme

Oh, the beauty that comes with spring – colorful, blooming flowers, thick, velvet green grass, cornflower blue skies, and a new batch of warm weather designs. I’ve handpicked my most favorite items from a select list of inspiring, thoughtful designers. Snag one of these bold and expressive pieces for an effortless and stylish transition into spring and on out to summer.

1.Heidi Merrick: Heidi Merrick translates the feeling of spending a day at the seaside into the chicest outfit possible. Flowing chiffon dresses and embroidered tops meet structured leather pants and water paint colored jackets. What more could you want?

2. Emerson Fry: Clean and simple yet smartly sophisticated, Emerson Fry’s designs evoke a feeling of confidence and power as a woman in the world. Timeless and well made down to the last thread, Emerson Fry’s pieces are investments you’ll wear for a lifetime. But be prepared to make new friends—people will forever be asking you who the amazing designer you’re wearing is.

3. Nonoo: Luxe fabrics, subtle details, and delicate tailoring form the basis for all of Misha Nonoo’s designs. Saturated colors meet crisp white lines while perfectly balanced florals take various shapes. It’s vintage Miami meets socialite L.A. with a strong dose of uptown New York. It’s perfectly wonderful.

4. Suno: The pinnacle of print mixing, Suno’s designs have a free and worldly feel to them. There is no fear or hesitation in these bold, blended designs that evoke just a hint of European countryside. With each item, you feel like you’ve traveled to another place, or another time, that you just can’t put your finger on.

5. Lauren Moffat: Lauren Moffatt has an unrivaled ability to take details from every decade (think 60’s mod dresses, 70’s chevron stripes, and 80’s snap buttons) and turn them into the most wearable, fun pieces around. Each item is modern, bright, light-hearted, and utterly lovable.

6. Mara Hoffman: Channel your inner bohemian beach goddess and slip into some Mara Hoffman wear. Tribal patterns, beads upon beads, and neon splashes are embedded in all of her tropical, aloha filled designs. It’s vacation in a garment.

This post can also be found at The Penny Rose.

Kim’s Kustom Dress

This darling lil dress is made with 100% cotton Ikat print designed by Amy Butler. The lining is a cotton-silk blend. Exposed brass zipper in back and hidden pockets on sides. Enjoy Kim!

The oldest new dress

Zippy

Side pockets!

Pleated Pleats

BRASS

Photography by Kristin Jones Heitzler

Put the izzy in busy

Jeesh life’s been nonstop this summer/spring/ALL THE TIME. Luckily much of that recent busyness has been filled with camping trips, city adventures, thrift store bouts, long beach days, and many mai tais. Unfortunately, it’s also been filled with intense work obligations and not enough sewing time. Sigh.

Somehow, I did manage to get one item done (and about six dresses half way done).

Introducing….the Koala Shirt!

Koala Shirt Front

Koala Shirt Back

Koala close up

The front is a vintage (never used) tea towel, 100% linen from Ireland. The back is an organic off-white cotton with a vintage blue zipper.

Waist: 30″
Hips: 42″
From Neck to Waist: 15″

I think this shirt would look great with a pencil skirt or fitted shorts. Out of all the stuff I’ve made, this one seems to me the most like something you’d find in an Anthropologie catalogue.

However, unlike Anthropologie, this item is truly one-of-a-kind. Enjoy!

The Penny Rose

I recently was interviewed by writer Christa Martin. She’s awesome and her blog is really great for insight into beauty products, trends, and fashion. Her scope of coverage extends beyond Santa Cruz and includes San Francisco and New York, which is the perfect way for a local Santa Cruzian to feel connected to the bigger picture.

Check out the post here!

Also, two new dresses, yah!

The Dreamer’s Dress…

Silk Cotton Blend. Size 4.

Inside lining

Silk Cotton Blend. Fully Lined.

And yes, I’ve renamed it again. Introducing The Drafter’s Dress (brass zipper and all!)

Vintage Fabric with Cotton Lining. Size 6.

Inside lining

Sky blue lining with french blueprint detail.

Sailing along

The Dreamer's Dress

It’s the time of the season….

For my one woman sweatshop to get back in gear! Check out my first dress for spring. The material is one of a kind vintage. Super soft and lightweight. I love the bright blue/purple color. This dress strikes me as the perfect traveling companion. Easy to throw on, casual enough for day, but unique enough to dress up for dinner.

The bottom still needs to be hemmed but I thought I would share with all of you now!

Woodblock print art by Jen Lape