INSPIRATION | Eileen Fisher and Sustainability

Image and logo credit: Eileen Fisher Website, http://www.eileenfisher.com

Eileen Fisher is one of my inspirations. Her company and fashion brand makes and sells simple, classic clothing that is sophisticated and beautiful. She tauts the use of sustainable fabrics not just for the "fad" of it but because integrates with the vision of her company.

I remember when Eileen Fisher introduced her brand in 1984. She started with only $350 and a dream of doing simple, Japanese style clothing for women. I saw her early collection of Japanese kimono like tops and wide legged pants in black, burnt umber, white and gray. The collection was too expensive for me at the time but when I became a professional, I purchased some of her iconic pieces. The simplicity of her pieces reminds me of Donna Karan's brand. Simple and classic.

Years ago, when I started FabricWorks Studio in 2004, I wanted to emulate the simplicity and timelessness of Eileen Fisher. I don't quite think I'm there yet but I feel like FabricWorks' pieces are clean, simple and contemporary. It is an aesthetic that I aim for each time I produce a piece.

Sustainability at Eileen Fisher

As a company, Eileen Fisher has always aimed to create pieces in the USA and use organic fabrics like cottons, linens and silks. Nowadays, the pieces are not only made with organic fabrics, but are dyed using BlueSign technologies. Eileen Fisher is one of few fashion houses to use textile dyehouses that use the certified BlueSign technologies. According to the Eileen Fisher website, they use a dyehouse in China and one in Barcelona, Spain. (http://www.eileenfisher.com/certified-dyeing/bluesign-certified-color-without-compromise/)

Image and credit: Eileen Fisher Website, http://www.eileenfisher.com

Fabrics and dyeing are just a few ways that Eileen Fisher (EF) promotes sustainability. EF is the only fashion brand that accepts lightly used clothing from its customers. Yes, that's right! You can basically recycle your EF clothings for $5 and the company will sell the clothes and donate the promote to causes for women, girls and the environment.

(http://www.eileenfisher.com/green-eileen/green-eileen-overview/)

Eileen Fisher is a globally-oriented company that believes in businesses making a positive change in the world. They have made being socially conscientious a business practice and not just a hip thing to preach. I also love that years ago Eileen actually sold the company to her employees and maintains a position as the head creative director. It shows her long-term commitment to empowering others around the world. Read about the company's "Vision 2020" at: http://www.eileenfisher.com/vision-2020/.

Here are some good resources on Eileen Fisher and her company.

How I Did It : Eileen Fisher, Inc Magazine

http://www.inc.com/magazine/20101101/how-i-did-it-eileen-fisher.html

Be a 'Don't Knower': One of Eileen Fisher's Keys to Success, Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-tenney/be-a-dont-knower-one-of-e_b_7242468.html

BOOK | Acrylic Illuminations by Nancy Reyner

Acrylic Illuminations: Reflective and Luminous Acrylic  Painting Techniques
by Nancy Reyner

I just picked up this book by Nancy Reyner (visual artist) this past weekend. It is a great read on acrylic painting techniques. I thought that this book presented some interesting techniques on pouring, metallic effects, and creating optical and luminous effects.

INSPIRATION | Norman Lewis PAFA Exhibit Catalog

Last week I received the exhibition catalog from the PAFA (Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts) show of Norman Lewis. It is a wonderfully detailed, well-written book that is a whopping 288 pages. The art pieces are in full color and many cover a full page.

I'm still in the process of reading and researching the wonderful tidbits from it. So far, I've learned that Norman Lewis actually had an estimated 2,500 works. In addition to paintings, sculpture and drawings, I also saw some quilts! Impressive. He was a true artistic spirit...willing to experiment with many different mediums. More to come.


You can check out this beautiful catalog here at the PAFA website, HERE.

INSPIRATION | Abstract Expressionism - Norman Lewis

Norman Lewis (1909 - 1979) was technically the first African-American abstract expressionist painter and teacher.

He lived in Harlem all of his life and was born to Bermudian parents.

He maintained studio space at the Harlem Art Center and participated (along with Jackson Pollock) in  art projects for the Works Progress Administration or WPA. The WPA was a massive effort in the 1930's under FDR's New Deal agency to put unemployed people back to work.

DESIGN | INSPIRATION: Missoni "Chic Chevrons"

I LOVE Missoni prints. This chevron design is so simple and elegant. It could be a rug, a bedspread, a poncho, etc. This timeless design crosses many product categories. Here are my favorite categories for Chevron:

DESIGN | INSPIRATION: Cherry Blossoms

While late March is technically the beginning of Spring, April is the beginning of blooming season for many flowers. In my cul-de-sac, I have several cherry blossom trees that start to reveal their beautiful white and pink colors.

DESIGN | INSPIRATION: The MOMA

Back in the days when I was a photography student in New York, I was honored and privileged to take photos of the Metropolitan Museum of Art or MOMA. The front lobby is by far one of the most exquisitely designed I've ever experienced. For some reason, I've always felt most at peace in The Met. The architectural design of this place truly moves my spirit.

FRIDAY PHOTO | SEEING BROWN

I love brown...chocolate brown or espresso (a bit darker) are my favorites. Most of my fabric projects are contemporary pieces so the brown and its tones actually fit right in.  If you think about it, brown goes with just about everything! 

FRIDAY PHOTO | Japanese Kimono Fabric

In my fabric closet, I have this lovely piece of fabric is a yard of vintage hand-dyed indigo cotton that was used as an kimono obi. A kimono is a traditional T-shaped garment worn by Japanese people. The word kimono in Japanese translates to "thing to wear" – "ki" (wear) and "mono" (thing). The garment is full length and falls below the ankles. It crosses the body from left to right and is held in place by a sash or "obi".

I am greatly inspired by fabrics from previous eras and also by fabrics from different cultures. Like many other pieces of ethnic fabric, this piece of fabric holds the culture of another land and thus is a learning experience.

DESIGN | INSPIRATION: Vera Neumann (1907 - 1993)

I love Vera Neumann!!!!!

Vera Neumann (1907-1993) was an American-born artist who started a design company from her kitchen table in 1947. She is best known for her extensive, prolific designs for home décor, fine art and industrial products. Her designs are full of rich, vibrant colors and expressive symbols. Her logo is recognized all over the world for its simply "Vera" title next to the distinctive, colorful ladybug.