inspiration: i dream of byzantine

One of the more difficult aspects of creating a new collection of jewelry is deciding on color.

I begin building the framework for an upcoming season far in advance.  You'll find me working on sketches for a summer necklace while there is snow on the ground.  As of late I've been putting the finishing touches on our Winter/Holiday collection in 70-degree weather.  

Rich jewel tones and metallics reign for Winter/Holiday.  We're pairing forest green with gunmetal, gilded bronze with gold, and plum with antiqued brass.  These colors nestle right in with the lush velvets and embroidered dresses we've seen for the cooler weather.

Always a fan of Chanel, I found the pre-fall collection to be quite inspiring, and surprisingly in line with our chosen color palette.

Karl Lagerfeld's designs for Chanel were rich in Byzantine references, inspired heavily by Empress Theodora and imperial Roman dress.  Decorative collars, bejeweled stoles, and silk headpieces played dominant roles in Chanel's Paris-Byzance Collection:

CHANEL Paris-Byzance Sandal 

CHANEL Paris-Byzance Ring

CHANEL Paris-Byzance handbag

A look from CHANEL's pre-fall 2011 ad campaign

A look from CHANEL's pre-fall 2011 ad campaign

Limperatrice Theodora Au Colisee by Benjamin Constant

I personally adore the satin dress with the embroidered gold details.  What's your favorite? 

View the rest of Paris-Byzance here.  

Sweet dreams.

-Katy

images 1-5, www.chanel.com

image 6 www.wikipedia.com

happenings: STS open studio, part deux

Subject to Season
an Autumnal Open Studio Event
- at the Ford Building -
2505 SE 11th Ave. Portland, OR, No.106
Saturday, October 23

7pm until 10pm

For more info, check out my previous posts on Subject to Season.

the makings of a booth

I am working on the concept of my booth for the upcoming CRAVE party, on December 9th. I'm shooting for a rustic feel - these bundles of reclaimed wood will fit in nicely...

fashion show at bubble boutique

Last week was crazy. I spent the majority of my time preparing Holiday orders and generally feeling overwhelmed.

By the time Thursday rolled around I was ready for a break. Lucky for me, my friend Jessica was having a fashion show at her boutique, Bubble.

I arrived long before the show began, which left me time to stroll around and browse. I had fun drooling over the selection of knock-out dresses and knits from Kyumi and Rodika Zanian.

I also had no problem pretending a black clutch from Moyna was mine:

A highlight of the evening was the jewelry from Luc Kieffer, of Paris, which Bubble stocks extensively. The bangles and necklaces with rhinestones set in resin were out of this world.

The models were channeling 1960's style in silky sheaths and pencil skirts. I adored one dress in particular from Susana Monaco. It's no surprise really - I'm a sucker for gray.

The best part of any fashion show, besides the fashion show itself, is always the people-watching. The crowd at Bubble was certainly fashionable, to say the least.

What fun. Thanks, Jess.

all photos by me.

content 09

35 (thirty five!!) of Portland’s finest independent clothing and accessory designers will inhabit 28 rooms on the 2nd floor of the Ace Hotel in Portland, OR.

Attendees will explore at their leisure while enjoying live music, libations, art installations and more, extending into the adjacent Cleaners event space.

This event is designed, in its curation of talent and selection of venue, to harness and highlight the individuality stemming from the independent fashion community. CONTENT will feature local darlings Hazel Cox, Janeane Marie, Emily Katz, Elizabeth Dye, and Sarah Wizemann... plus thirty more.

Yours truly will be ushering you in the door upon your arrival! And while my involvement is limited this go-round, I do hope I will be part of the exhibits next year. (hint, hint)

CONTENT09:

Sunday, October 18th, 2009

From five to ten o'clock in the evening

@ the Ace Hotel 1022 SW Stark Street

In lovely Portland Oregon

http://www.content-portland.com/

the procession

Masters of hat radness, Pinkham Millinery, will host an assemblage of some of Portland's most-loved independent designers tonight during The Procession.

The secret event location was held close to the chest for several weeks, and now the mysterious address has been revealed: 639 SE 26th street (which is near a cemetery, perhaps in one, if I am not mistaken)...