LA feature of the week…The Travel Almanac

Nalini Arora — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:35:40 +0000

I wanted to share with you this beautiful magazine called The Travel Almanac. This magazine covers travel topics, photography, fashion, music, film, etc in a very creative, informative, and rich way that I cannot even begin to explain. The pages are beautiful, photography is artistic & playful, the reading is fun and informative, and the topics are so varied that it gives you that feeling of…what’s next?

You will have to check it out on your own, and tell me what you think? Or if you have a copy, share your thoughts. You can find the Travel Almanac here.

Cheers!

Masking tape inspired art

Nalini Arora — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:20:57 +0000

Found this amazing art work by Kees Goudzwaard on Design for Mankind. Love the masking tape mixed with oil paint…. Its fantastic how you can take something so basic, like tape, and create works of art. I have been working on some print graphics lately and this is great inspiration. I love being inspired by small little details such as this…enjoy!

Inspired In The Moment . . . .

Nalini Arora — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:04:09 +0000

The last few weeks, I’ve been very, very, and very busy with several deadlines. It’s so exciting to be working on fantastic projects collaborating with dream clients.

During this time of juggling deadlines, it’s important to stay inspired, motivated, and stocked with fresh ideas at all times. There’s no room for mental blocks. My creative process varies from day to day but I definitely engage in different mental activities to keep ideas flowing fluidly.

My days may consist of shopping for inspiration or market, looking through international periodicals, fashion, architecture, and furniture books, going to the museum (or even the Aquarium) or simply surfing the net. I’m looking at everything possible to keep me creatively charged! I know what works for me, and keeping it fresh is key!

The following is a sample of what I’m looking at right now . . . . How do you stay inspired?

Image Source: Katja Rahlwes for Vogue Japan October 2011 via here, Summer 2012 Campaign via Wildfox Couture, Spring 2012 Accessory collection by Melody Eshani

Eiffel tower photo taken by RB, Images from Reece Hudson

Stingray photo, Color pods via Klas Ernflo, I want to do it all balloon via here, Polk a dot cutlery Via Alley

Shining Armor…Not just for Knights

Nalini Arora — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:46:10 +0000

This past fall, there was an array of glitter, sequins, and sparkle from apparel, footwear, to ipad and iphone cases in the marketplace. Cities were shimmering everywhere! Spring and summer are approaching and I don’t see this trend ending any time soon.

In fact, I’ve been observing the glitz & glam evolve in a new direction. No longer are materials limited to sequin overlays, glitter packed textiles, or metallic leathers. Shiny textiles are moving in strong. Collection themes are unveiling to new highs with romantic sport looks and basics with lustrous twists.

In reviewing recent arrivals of updated materials books from a few suppliers, I came across some lovely textiles by Spinner that could serve as alternatives to metallic leathers or glitter/sequin textiles. The possibilities are endless…a metallic fiber paneled with leathers, open weave meshes backed with iridescent textiles, canvas with glitter details . . . . It’s an open field to explore, play, and push the envelope.

I hope you find these textiles as fun and playful as I did.

Happy Detailing!

Image Source 1.) All materials from Spinner Taiwan. 2.) Metallic sneakers by Pierre Hardy. 3.) Image from Jill Stuart from Fashion Gone Rogue 4.) Sneakers from Converse 5.) Sneakers from Lanvin 6.) Image from Alexander Wang from style.com 7.) Bag from Valextra via Harpers Bazzar. 8.) Image via Armin Morbach

LA Shoe of the Week

Nalini Arora — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:27:20 +0000

I can’t stop thinking about the Isabel Marant willow high tops. The willow high tops look fab styled here. They are very cool, amazing, and I bet deliciously comfy! I have these and these by Isabel Marant and I can’t stop wearing them. Perfectly simple but stylish and comfortable. .

I’m not sure I can stomach $700 for a pair of sneakers. So, I may have to stick to my chuck taylor’s that I recently purchased.

What do you think? Would you pay $700 for sneakers?

Have a lovely day!

The Shearling Truth . . .

Nalini Arora — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:07:18 +0000

A few months ago, I was in search of some cool weather gear. I found a fur vest that I added to my collection that made me feel like a little Eskimo. This vest got me thinking about fur, shearling, and anything fuzzy. I started my next sketching frenzy of boots inspired by Nordic and Native American influences.

I have always been curious of Nordic countries and cultures. I envision beautiful landscapes, extreme cold weather, long dark nights, hearty food, strong cocktails, and lots of layered clothing.

I was inspired by the idea of a Nordic girl who is feminine, edgy, and stylish. She likes her hiking and snow boots but would like to find a variety of interpretations of these looks. My idea was to keep the hiker and snow boot elements, but add fashion details such as fur, shearling, rusching, buckles, wide shafts, color blocking, etc. . .

During the sketch process, it occurred to me that we always assume shearling as a possible lining. I thought it interesting to use shearling material as part of the upper, especially as a nice alternative to fur.

I am also inspired by Native American footwear. I especially love moccasins with hand crafted details. Being inspired by both Nordic and Native American arts, I thought it might be interesting to combine both of these cultural elements. I saw a common thread of survival and basic necessities. In these sketches, I combined some hiker concepts with shearling lining and added the use of stitch details, bead work, and moccasin influences for an interesting and different look.

Photo Source: 1.) Editorial Images from Jean Francois Campos 2.) Black Picket Fences Tumbler 3.) Native American photos

Fur swatch: Pistolesi SRL

Products: Shearling Bag, Pete & Greta fur vest

All sketches & marker renderings by me.

Criss cross & go under the bridge

Nalini Arora — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:15:21 +0000

Over the last two weeks, a few books have been added to our library. I wrote a post here about the latest illustration book added to the collection. Since that posting, I have come across another book that has been unexpectedly fun and informative called “The Man’s Book” by Thomas Fink. This book is an essential guide for the modern man. Yes, this book was not meant for me. During a shopping trip to Ralph Lauren, my fiancé selected this book as part of his Christmas present. I am quite grateful because this book contains many fun facts and topics with everyday essentials that may apply to both sexes. One of fun topics discussed is fashion, and one of the fun facts; a diagram depicting eight ways to lace your shoes!

I selected two of my favorites and laced the latest addition to my shoe collection, an all-black leather Converse.

Happy Lacing…..

Happy New Year!

Nalini Arora — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 10:06:44 +0000

It’s amazing that very shortly we will be approaching a new year! Wow, this year went by so fast! 2011 was a year of change for me with lots of new experiences and lessons! I am excited of the possibilities, new projects I will be working on, and utilizing what I learned this year and bringing great things with that knowledge into the new year. I hope you have a wonderful new year! I am looking forward to sharing my new adventures in 2012, and hearing about yours! Cheers!

Illustration Inspiration

Nalini Arora — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 23:08:38 +0000

I know New Years resolutions can be kind of cliche and high pressure, so I am going to call mine New Year Goals. Two goals I created for myself for 2012 are to read more and work on more illustrations both shoes and fashion. I love to sketch and marker render but I really want to work with different mediums.

My fiance loves giving me books. He knows I truly appreciate and cherish any addition to my library. This Christmas I received my newest addition, Masters of Fashion Illustration by David Downton. This gorgeous book shows lavish works of great Illustrators from the twentieth century such as Andy Warhol and Antonio Lopez. A great book to have for reference and inspiration. This book will definitely be a fantastic resource while building my own illustration style.

Here are some of my favorite illustrations from the book…

Here are some other books I “go to” regularly.

Looking forward to showing you my journey of illustrations in 2012!

Cheers!

{ The Age of Feminine Drawing , Nine Heads by Nancy Reigelman, Colors of Modern Fashion by Nancy Rigelman, Manolo Blahnik Drawings, Manolo Blahnik New Shoes}

A shoe holiday card for the shoe vivant!

Nalini Arora — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:44:51 +0000

Earlier this week, I posted The makings of a shoe holiday card where I showed you my inspiration for the 2011 holiday card. I envisioned taking ornament ideas and incorporating them into shoes with the idea that they too can be hung on a Christmas tree.

I promised to show you the actual card and voila, here you go!

: The first image here is the actual artwork put together in photoshop.

: As you can see, I added some glitter to a few of the ornaments.

: I also added a few different ornaments that you did not see in the inspiration sketches. I realized its a must to add a round shiny bulb, so that was a last minute addition. It’s amazing how you can get inspired anytime and anywhere. I was driving thru Beverly Hills and peeked at the Ralph Lauren windows. I saw a beautiful tartan plaid window and thought, wow, a tartan plaid ballet could be an amazing addition to the card! Of course, I had to add a garland/tinsel strap.

: Hope you have a wonderful holiday! Let it shoe, Let it shoe, Let it shoe!