One of my favorite things about traveling is getting to explore fashion in a new place. I always seek out fashion museums or exhibitions to see and new places to shop.
My summer trip to London, also know as the Potter Pilgrimage, was no different. I planned a day to go to Kensington Palace for a morning of Queen Victoria, english gardens and some of Princess Diana's dresses and an afternoon of shopping at Liberty, the iconic department store famous for their delicate floral prints.
Liberty has been giving the fashion world stunning prints since 1875, when the department store first opened on Regent Street in London. The prints quickly put the store on the map as instant classics and defined "avant-garde" design at the time. These iconic prints can be spotted on bags, pajamas, scarves, kitchen wear, ties and more throughout the store, each one more amazing than the next.
This fabric shopping trip was definitely a highlight of my vacation. I was so excited, I even forgot to snap a picture of the beautiful Tudor style exterior! I took a brief spin around one of the clothing departments, but then headed right up to the Fabrics. I was on a mission! The fabric floor really is beautiful, there are bolts upon bolts of those beautiful little prints lining the walls. To my pleasant surprise, there was an amazing sale on remnant pieces (some of which were 3 meters, Liberty is really a magical place!) so I was able to pick out a print for each of my family members. Making the final decisions was no easy task! I easily could have brought home the whole store, but alas, I only had so much room in my carry-on suitcase.
Once I arrived home, the designer wheels in my head really started turning. Dreaming of those perfect days in London and all of the beautiful prints, I created this collection. The inspiration really did come directly from the prints, I let the fabrics speak for themselves. I wanted to create a clean canvas, or a frame to really feature the beauty of the textiles and let them stand on their own. So, I mixed these classic textiles with modern trends I saw happening in fashion is this moment. It created a nice contrast between classic elements and modern clothes, which reflected one of my favorite things about London. The city has that perfect blend of old and new, making it completely unique and totally unforgettable.
Plenty of ruffles, off the shoulder silhouettes and wrap shapes filled up the collection. The mix of the prints and these details emphasize a sense of fun, while still remaining sophisticated and feminine. Since I had purchased this fabric, I wanted to pieces to be very accessible and realistic, something I could make for myself or my family and have the garments become a fun and classic staple in their wardrobe. Designing with such amazing prints was truly so much fun!
A dream vacation, a dream shopping trip and a design project later, my next mission is to make some of the pieces. I have plenty of fabric! And I have already started, check out "Dressing a Family" to see the dress I made for my sister and the tie I made for my dad.
Keep designing, keep traveling and thanks for reading!