Shoemix… an interesting way to get inspired…

I recently found this website called Y trends.  They are a trend forecasting company based in the Netherlands that specializes in product design and footwear. I looked at their website and was quite impressed with their trend services and how they deliver their services. I would check them out at  www.ytrends.com.

Y trends has a very interesting product that I thought as a shoe designer could be quite helpful and playful. Isn’t that what designing is about…having fun :)   Shoemix is a game that promotes creative brainstorming. I am enclosing the you tube video for you to check out. At first, I was a bit skeptical but as I kept watching the video, and as it pertained to me as a working designer, I found it to be clever and kind of fun. It’s true, their are times as a designer where you are stuck. Even taking a walk or a break is not enough on those days that creativity almost seems impossible.  This could be a fun  game to get those creative juices going! I think I just might have to order it!!!

watch?v=xGtcsxxqor0&feature=player_embedded

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More Holiday Shoe Inspiration….

This year I was able to design my own Holiday cards. I didn’t have too much time to spend on it, but enough that I was able to send out something I was proud to send to my clients, fellow shoe colleagues, family and friends. Something that gave a personal touch.  The final card design is in the previous post on December 24th. I did two shoe designs based on the holiday spirit. One that was most obvious with mistletoe on the vamp and the other with more of a holiday/special occasion feel with the  sequins wrapped on platform and glittery pom poms at the end of the laces… Here is the original inspiration and sketches…

Mistletoe Inspiration

Mistletoe Inspiration

Marker rendered sketch

Marker rendered sketch

Glittery pom pom ornament

Glittery pom pom ornament

Self sequins on platform with glitter fabric straps mixed in with leather. Half t-strap with ankle tie and pom poms. And of course a heel high enough to make you feel sexy!

Self colored sequins on platform with glitter fabric straps mixed in with leather. Half t-strap with ankle tie and pom poms. And of course a heel high enough to make you feel sexy!

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Happy Shoemas!

Mistletoe-pump-card

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Shoe details.

Part of being a designer is collecting ideas. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t look at something and think, “Uhmm, that could be a shoe idea.”  Magazine tear outs, sketchbook thumbnails, camera shots, online research…it’s all part of the process. Anything can be an idea for whatever you are working on, whether it be shoes, apparel, or accessories.

Here are some details that I recently saw, that I felt could be translated well into a shoe detail or design.

Chains have been a key trend the last few seasons. However, I like the idea of adding a fresh twist and adding some stones or some other kind of hardware that stands out from the usual chain look.

Chains have been a key trend the last few seasons. However, I like the idea of adding a fresh twist and adding some stones or some other kind of hardware that stands out from the usual chain look.

I really like how the chain goes thru the hardware pieces. Definitely something could be explored here on a shoe level. Doesn't necessarily have to be taken literally either.

I really like how the chain goes thru the hardware pieces. Definitely something could be explored here on a shoe level. Doesn't necessarily have to be taken literally either.

I really love how the hardware wraps around the strap. I  think this could be a nice detail on a shoe.

I really love how the hardware wraps around the strap. I think this could be a nice component to a shoe.

I have seen a similar detail on a shoe with this closure. However, I really like the addition of the rhinestone and the leather knotted at the ends.  Another nice closure or strap idea from a ballerina to a boot!

I have seen a similar accessory on a shoe with this closure. However, I really like the addition of the rhinestone and the leather knots at the ends. Another nice closure or strap idea from a ballerina to a boot!

I love this magnetic closure. Again, it has been done before but the detail with the braid or even stack of leather straps in different sizes, treatments, and closures can be very hot!

I love this magnetic closure. Again, it has been done before but the detail with the braid or even stack of leather straps in different sizes, treatments, and closures can be very hot!

Nice closure. Maybe not in the shiny nickel but gunmetal or even black!

Nice closure. Maybe not in the shiny nickel but gunmetal or even black!

I have seen knit details on uppers. More of a sock look. I love the idea of just a stack of knits around a pump or sandal with some hardware Maybe a little too crazy? But could be fun!

I have seen knit details on uppers., however, more of a sock look. I love the idea of just a stack of knits around a pump or sandal with some hardware Maybe a little too crazy? But could be fun!

Studs are overkill. I have been searching for new ways to do studs. I like the idea of them being rounded and more organic. I kind of like the white too. I think this could definitely be explored!

Studs are overkill. I have been searching for new ways to do studs. I like the idea of them being rounded and more organic. I kind of like the white too. I think this could definitely be explored!

More ways to do studs! I like the color contrasts and the shapes! More three dimensional.

More ways to do studs! I like the color contrasts and the shapes! More three dimensional.

Another stud alternative with shape and contrast of placement.

Another stud alternative with shape and contrast of placement.

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In the spirit of Christmas!

I am feeling the holidays coming up with all of the lights, trees,  and cold weather. I have been searching for some ornaments for my Christmas tree…and found this nice modern piece, but I also thought it could be nice on a shoe!

Christmas tree ornament

Christmas tree ornament

Platform pump with ornament

Platform pump with ornament

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Things to do to inspire you this holiday season! It’s not just about shoes….well maybe!

While everyone is out having holiday drinks after work, shopping in advance for holiday gifts, attending work parties and potlucks, or taking extended vacations, whether it be shoe designers or apparel designers, we are slammed with work. During the holidays, we are rushing to get sketches, trend boards, trade show revisions or tech packs submitted before the new year.

I decided this year, I will do my best to participate in these holiday activities. I am going to re-charge my battery by attending events that will nourish my creativity and inspire me the next day to work, and possibly get some holiday shopping done!  Here are some events going on the next few weeks that I hope get my creativity energies going, and maybe you will to. If not these events but others!

Famous still life Spanish painter, Luis Melendez, beautiful paintings from the 1700’s, is at LACMA and will be there until January 3, 2010. The colors, textures, and style is fantastic! Some color palette inspiration possibly??

Painting by Luis Melendez

The MOCA is celebrating it’s First Thirty Years and is exhibiting over 100 works of art dating back from 1940 until now. This exhibit will go until May 3, 2010. Oh yes, and you can’t resist going into the MOCA store to do some holiday shopping!

Painting by Matthias Weischer

Painting by Matthias Weischer

Giant Robot is hosting an event called the Post it Show. This show will feature 2000 works, (does it mean 2000 Post Its?) at GR2 this Saturday, December 5th, from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Post it Exhibit

I love seeing what other designers are doing, new ideas, new product launches, and supporting new designers. This weekend Unique L.A. is hosting an event in downtown, where independent designers are able to display and sell their work. It’s a way to get inspired, find new ideas, and also do a little Christmas shopping! Unique L.A. is this weekend, December 5th and 6th.

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Flea marketing is one of my hobbies. One of my favorites is the Rose Bowl which is the second Sunday of the month. Next one is December 13th.

Rose Bowl flea market

Art, Giving, and Holiday cheer. This is the best combination. The Pop Gallery in  Culver City is having a Holiday Charity Exhibition on December 11th -January 30th. The exhibit is called, Shameless, Nameless, & Recycled. A hundred international artists, designers, and craftsmen/women, donated their work and one hundred percent of the proceeds will go directly to the charities. You can check out their website at www.thepopstudio.com for more details!

Shamless, Nameless, and Recycled

Royal/T  Café is also having a colorful exhibition called In Bed Together. It’s curated by Jane Glassman featuring 50 works by 50 different artisits.  This will run thru January.  They also have a fabulous store and café!

Art piece from exhibit

Last but not least is the Naples Christimas Boat Parade in Long Beach sounds like it will keep me in the holiday spirit.  I definitely want to check this out. A boat ride, hot chocolate,  christmas carols, and nice architecture with lights…what more can I ask for!

highres_12074831

Although I may not be able to attend all of these events but I know for sure I will be inspired somehow this holiday season. I won’t just be thinking about shoes! Well, maybe just a little :)

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Clean Press Pleat please…

I am a little ruffled out this season. Don’t get me wrong, I like the ruffles but it’s on everything and everywhere…can we do something different? How about some pleating? Yeah, it’s similar but how about some clean press pleats. I was looking at my favorite magazine Surface and saw this cool pleat detail on a fashion photo. So, I thought hey, why not?  Could be an update to the ruffle. Here are my sketches done in blue pencil. Love my blue pencil.

Cheers.

Inspirtion picture of pleat. Taken from Surface magazine. I like the overlayers on shirt as well.

Inspiration picture of pleat. Taken from Surface magazine. I like the overlays of material on shirt as well.

Pleat on vamp...snake skin maybe...would u dare?

Pleat on vamp...snake skin maybe...would u dare? I like the heel detail.

Top view..different lengths of pleat possibly...

Top view..different lengths of pleat possibly...

Pleat on vamp...

Pleat on vamp of sandal.

The pleat doesn't have to be taken literally. Look at the arms on the sleeve of the model. Pleated overlays?

The pleat doesn't have to be taken literally. Look at the arms on the sleeve of the model. Pleated overlays?

Pleated top bootie.

Pleated top bootie.

Side pleats with elaticized/rushed belt with d rings. I like the idea of a wrapped wedge with a super demi wood heel.

Side pleats with elaticized/rusched belt with d rings. I like the idea of a wrapped wedge with a super demi wood heel.

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Scandinavian Design…I can’t get enough of you.

One of the things I miss about living in Europe, is the accessibility to Scandanavian design. During my time living in Spain, people all over Europe were enamored with Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, Reykjavik, and the ever so close city, to the Scandanavian countries,…Berlin. These were destination cities. It was and still is a must to check out . Too bad I am no longer living in Spain as it was only a two hour flight away.

What was the interest about? Ideas that were yet so simple but unique at the same time. How could it be, I ask myself? Why do they come up with the freshest ideas and are able to make it so perfectly beautiful. Perhaps they are just pioneers? Perhaps they instinctively know less is more? Whatever it is, I can’t get enough of it and have to spend my research days finding out what is happening in these Nordic countries. A shopping trip is in plan to my beloved European countries.

Here are some of my favorite Scandinavian photos, fashion designers, furniture designers, and product designers.

Acne Jeans- They not only make the most amazing denim but their clothes are just unbelievably beautiful!

Acne Jeans- They not only make the most amazing denim but their clothes are just unbelievably beautiful!

Bootie with Architectural heel. Um, I can't stand it...Divine!

Bootie with Architectural heel. Um, I can't stand it...Divine! www.acnejeans.com

I love www.oslonights.no. Not only do they have beautiful photos of fashion in Oslo but they show some pretty cool shoe details.

I love www.oslonights.no. Not only do they have beautiful photos of fashion in Oslo but they show some pretty cool shoe details.

The Streehearts show fashion in Europe. Love them!

The Streehearts is a blog that photographs people and their fashions in several countries in Europe. This one is taken in Oslo. Love them! These shoes are great!

More www.streethearts.com . Love the leopard boots! Nice.

More www.thestreethearts.com . Taken in Oslo. Love the leopard boots! Nice.

The Ant Chair by Arne Jacobsen pic from hivemodern.com

The Ant Chair by Arne Jacobsen pic from hivemodern.com

Bookrest. Whoever thought u could have a book shelf that hangs from the walk and also book mark it..clever and fun!

Bookrest by Lars Nilsson. Whoever thought u could have a book shelf that hangs from the walk and also book mark it? Clever and fun! Just got a kids shoe idea from this! www.scandinaviandesigncenter.com

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Quick inspiration when you don’t have much time to create!

As a designer, whether it be fashion, shoes, accessories, companies think that you can create at a drop of a hat! Please design 10 shoes in one week…oh yeah, and we want original concepts…uh, hello, sure, I will just sit at my desk, and plug away, and you will have the most beautiful ideas in a few days.  No problem! It doesn’t work like that people. However, we must do what we have to do, right? It’s how we make our money.. by creating. Unfortunately, sometimes it has to be fast!

So, what do you do? Your feeling run down by the previous weeks designs you had to come up with? Or you just came back from China and now you have to add more concepts to the collection? Or your company just let go of other designers due to the economy and now you have to cover their work, right? Don’t sigh, okay sigh, but move on!

Here are a few things I do to keep the flow of my creativity going. Maybe this will help you!

1. You don’t have a lot of time to shop around or even go out to get inspired. Not to worry. Sit down and pick 5 stores you love, have interesting products ( it’s doesn’t have to be what you design. Sometimes, I don’t go looking at shoes because it disrupts my creativity.  Living in Los Angeles, gives me the opportunity to have an array of stores to check out. Some shops I like to check out when I have very little time are:

Ten Over Six, www.tenover6.com, is an awesome store. The interiors of the store are inspirational on it’s own. They also have cool products such as shoes, apparel, home accessories, bags, small leather goods, etc. It’s a great way to be inspired in all aspects.

American Rag, www.amrag.com, has been my favorite since I was a kid.They have a fantastic vintage department, denim bar, and the shoe department is small but they have brands or shoes I have not seen at many stores! Oh yeah, and a cute little cafe where you can bring your sketch pad and draw up some ideas! The location is great and if you can spare some time go by the other stores on La Brea.

Barney’s is great way to see what everyone is doing in one spot. It’s great to see what all the high end designers are doing and what trends are dominating that season.

Fred Segal/Madison Santa Monica is my personal favorite. I love going into Madison and the sneaker shop across the way. In general, I just like going to all the little shops inside Fred Segal to get inspired. It’s kind of a one stop shop to see well designed products.

Opening Ceremony- I am not really all that impressed with their shoe department. However, I love seeing their clothing selection and accessories. Their designer selection is divine! I always leave their wanting to cry! I want it all!

Oh yeah, and I try to find one vintage shop. Right now, I love Lemon Frog Shop in Echo Park. They have an amazing assortment of shoes, apparel, and accessories.

2. Online inspiration- Sometimes going out is hard. Especially when you work In-house, there can be red tape as to getting out or your so swamped that getting out is not possible. So, online is your only option. Sites I like to check out:

Shopstyle.com is a fantastic site. You can type in any thing you want and it could possibly be there. I also like their style boards featured by their followers.

Shopbop.com is another favorite. I love their designer selection and how organized it is. They also have great trend boards.

Style.com is great. However, it can take up some time. I try to look at designers I love or I consider my client and then look at brands that may resemble my clients brand.

I don’t always look at women’s apparel sites.  I really like going to www.highsnobeity.com. They have men’s inspired products, sneakers, accessories. There is definitely some great stuff here! Oh, and I love going to www.colette.fr to check out their fun website, products, and their nice music selection that they play on their site. Great ideas to add to your music library.

3. Blogs- This is an addiction of mine and many others I am sure. I go to bloglovin’ and look thru their blog list and create a personal list and I can look thru them whenever I have the time. However, sometimes, one blog can lead to another and then another. So, if your pressed for time, maybe don’t go there. However, I do get inspired sometimes or confused! Ha!

4. Fashion periodicals- There are a million of them. I have loads of magazines and never can really get thru them all. So, I pick my favorites which are Jalouse, Surface, Dwell, W Magazine, and some type European fashion mag like UK Vogue, or German Vogue, etc. I tend to like these types for inspiration. The others are more for research and see what’s going in trends so I limit those for when I have more time to peruse.

5. Go outside and take a moment for yourself.  Being on deadline can be very stressful. Sometimes, it causes burn out cause your just going and going. I try to go out, get a coffee, walk my dog or just do something for me. That little break goes a long way. Go and do something for yourself. One thing I did once was go  to Kid Robot and buy a surprise key chain. They are so fun and can give you that push to finish your project!

Do you have something that inspires you? Want to share it? Here are some things that are inspiring me!

Garland Chandelier by Tord Boontje

Garland Chandelier by Tord Boontje

I am so inspired by the website oaknyc.com. I love the designers they carry and the photography is very cool.

I am so inspired by the website oaknyc.com. I love the designers they carry and the photography is very cool.

Painting by New York based designer Matt Sohl

Pic provided by Matt Sohl

Hello Kitty Exhibit at Royal T

Hello Kitty Exhibit at Royal T

Office Plugs..it's never ending!

Office Plugs..it's never ending!

I love furniture...

I love furniture...

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Whimsical Winter

Winter is coming…well not really in Los Angeles, but in other parts of the world. However, a part of me is excited for the light and short cold months that arrive our Palm tree, filled town. It’s fun to pull out scarves, gloves, and any accessory that keeps you looking fashionable in your winter gear.

While living in Europe the last few years, I really wanted the opportunity to design some accessories. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a shoe designer, but I really wanted to experience designing other types of products. So, after some persistence, I had the opportunity to design Men’s and Women’s accessories for Modern Amusement. For some of you who don’t know Modern Amusement, it’s a Southern California contemporary lifestyle brand with a lot of whimsical and fun quirks to the collection. They also have a logo that I love, a crow…yes, the crow! You might want to check them out at www.modernamusement.com.

Here are some women’s accessories I did for them. Unfortunately, due to price and production factors, they did not make the collection. But I do love them, and wish I had the glove samples to sport them! Bummer.

Fingerless glove with crow intarsia on wrist. Inspired by wrist tattoos.

Fingerless glove with crow intarsia on wrist. Inspired by wrist tattoos.

Cashmere wrist warmer

Cashmere wrist warmer

Leather driver with perfing and snap details from collection

Leather driver with perfing and snap details from collection

Cashmere scarf with crow intarsia slit

Cashmere scarf with crow intarsia slit

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