Designing again

...and feeling great about it.

I was in a slump for a while, not sure which direction to turn, and then something good happened.

I watched Iris- the documentary about Iris Apfel, the octogenarian New York fashionista. I fell in love with not only her fabulous personal style but her sharp wit and dry humor. Here is a woman who follows the beat of her own drummer and continues to enjoy the idea of fashion and dressing up on a daily basis. I was also quite taken with her husband, Carl, who just seemed to enjoy the ride. He lived to be over 100 years old, and I believe their relationship is what helped to sustain them both.

Her comments about contemporary designers who don't even know how to sew or drape made me laugh. How can a designer not know how to sew? I guess it's not uncommon. I was inspired to take the cover off of my 1955 Bernina and sort through my collection of textiles. And then I just started sewing.

The first two pieces were designed from vintage tablecloths. I'd been saving them for something but I wasn't sure what. I guess their time had come. Those led to several more tops and tunics that I designed from a mix of vintage textiles.  A friend commented on my Instagram post that they looked like "vintage Lorimarsha." She was right! I feel like I've come full circle and have returned to the style of clothing that I started with eight years ago.

We all go through different phases with our work and I love trying new ideas and working with different kinds of fabrics. But my heart belongs with vibrant vintage graphics and designing these new pieces brought a lot of joy.

I've also been working on new jewelry designs- still loving the natural gems but in larger size stones. I abandoned the sterling clasps for a stretchy slide-on style that is so easy to put on and take off.  The bracelets are of lapis lazuli, malachite, onyx, moonstones, African trade beads, jasper, carnelian and one of a kind Tibetan findings. They have a nice feel on the wrist.

I haven't decided yet whether to plan a trunk show or sell the pieces online. That's down the road. In the meantime, I am so happy to be back in the studio!