Elaine Pedlar's Couture Paper Dolls

 Many people who work in the fashion industry have dreams of busting out to follow their passion.  For Elaine Pedlar, she succeeded in the triple threat of fashion illustration, opening her own boutique and paper dolls.

A designer by trade, Ms. Pedlar debuted her pop-up boutique, Dumbelle in Dumbo, Brooklyn with a mix of her fashion illustration paper dolls, cushions and coloring books.

You never have to worry about your dolls being out of fashion.  The designer will be creating new collections for the girls every season.  

Dumbelle is located at 145 Front Street in Brooklyn and will be open until September 1, 2011.

Photos courtesy of Geoffry Gertz at Sparked.biz

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Fratelli Rossetti 2011 Illustrated by Rebecca Moses

MsFABulous was invited for an intimate preview of the Fratelli Rosetti's 2011 Autumn/Winter collection, hosted by  the renowned designer and illustrator, Rebecca Moses.   Rebecca told us the theme for her illustrations for the shoe collection was the "old mother goose who lived in a shoe" a classic English nursery tale. Rebecca's illustrated girls are gorgeous, leap tall buildings in boots, play and well, do it all.

Ms. Moses' created her world illustrations by associating a footwear piece with each city.  The fur boot was perfect for the cold mountains of China.  The green shoe was developed in her honor by the brand and represents her home city of New York...

Our sneak peek into the Fall season made us covet everything from soft fur high heel boots to the classic equestrian style riding boots with practical convertible pieces.  You can wear the same pair of boots as short ankle boots and add the calf piece to make it into classic riding boots. I loved this idea especially when shoe closet space is at a premium in tiny New York  apartments.

Fratelli Rossetti shoes are statement pieces that are made in Italy right outside of Milano.  The shoes stay on the shoe lasts ( the 'dressform' for shoes) for up to 4 days and are made from beautifully pebbled calf, suede and box calf leathers. The tanning produces rich, natural colors such as tan and chocolate browns but also, for the season, there are shots of burgundy, hunter green and teal added to the mix both for the girls and for the well groomed man in your life or at least, within your sight.

The men's collection is equally luxe and fabulous. Soft, sumptuous leathers in pebbled grain calfs with washed skins range in shapes from the classic Oxford and Derby to the more rugged Balmoral boot. When I inquired about the craftsmanship of pieces, I found out that  each piece takes many hours to make depending on the style and complexity with sewing the uppers, stitching the linings, and adding welted details to the shoes.  The bottom soles come with classic leather soles to a mix of rubber and leather soles with an array of treatments to give it a flash of color or weathering.  

As a shoe aficionado, I can definitely say these shoes are well made and will stand the test of time with tough New York  City pavements.

So, go on, be that fabulous woman from Rebecca's chic illustrations with beautiful and well edited shoes who can stylishly  travel to Paris, New York, Hong Kong and beyond.

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Fashion Illustration: Visual Poetry Exhibit

Does fashion illustration get the respect it deserves?  It is such a diverse art that elevates another craft, fashion design.  This Thursday, the Gallery Hanahou opens their exhibit, Fashion Illustration: Visual Poetry.  

The exhibit is a collaboration of 13 contemporary fashion illustrators and is curated by renowned artist and educator, Bil Donovan.  Donovan's work has a  fluid, watercolor look.  Laura Laine's work plays with scale and illustrates with fine lines.  Samantha Hahn favors a whimsical candy-colored palette.  Tobie Giddio, with a few simple slashes is able to convey glamor and drama.  Other artists include Carlos Aponte, Cecilia Carlstedt, Daniel Egneus, Eveline Tarunadjaja, Jeffrey Fulvimari, John Jay Cabuay, Sarah Singh. Stina Persson and Tina Berning.

The exhibit opens with a reception on Thursday, January 20, 2011 and runs through February 25, 2011.

Gallery Hanahou

611 Broadway, Suite 730, New York NY 10012

7th Floor of the Cable Building, NW corner of Broadway + Houston

Mon-Fri noon-6 pm, Sat by appt only

646-486-658

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Kate Middleton's Wedding Gown Designer

Forget Project Runway, this is the fiercest fashion designer competition in years...Who will be the chosen designer for the most anticipated Royal wedding in decades?

Why so much global interest?  Kate Middleton is attractive, has a distinct style and was one of us...(Fashion industry professional).  We know she has a more educated sense of fashion than the average socialite, so whatever her choice is, it will be one not made lightly.

It was speculated that Ms. Middleton would choose British Royal favorite, Bruce Oldfield.  However, with her background and democratic taste, she could surprise everyone... Women's Wear Daily just ran a great spread of International designers and their interpretation of what Kate should wear. 

I'm posting my favorite sketches just because I love fashion illustration...

The Red Carpet ringers:  Vera Wang, Monique Lhuiller, Badgley Mischka...

The New Guard:  Doori Chung, Chris Benz, Prabal Gurung, Jason Wu...

The Italians: Alberta Feretti, Valentino, Gucci, Missoni...

The Couturiers:  Christian Lacroix, Karl Lagerfeld, Nina Ricci...

Sketches via WWD

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