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Week 1: Inspiration and Concepts

Week 1: Inspiration and Concepts

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Designer Dossier
October 20071808Views

Week 1: Inspiration and Concepts

The first stages of the design process are gathering all sources of inspirations that may strike my fancy. This could be anything from a postcard, flower to a building or a person. I enjoy anchoring collections around a historical female icon that could influence the modern chic women (i.e. the Tori Nichel customer).
Then there’s the fabrics. I started my career as a fabric researcher at Dana Buchman and part of Michigan State Design Degree was in textiles, so I have a natural obsession with fabrics.

French Kimono Mini Dress

My initial sources of fabric inspiration come to life after numerous trips to my favorite place in the garment district, Mood Fabrics. They have an amazing range to choose from and if that’s not enough for you, they recently added novelty trims and buttons to their offering making them one of the only one-stop shops in the New York garment district, the nerve of them right! Once I’ve identified my fabric direction I start pairing my domestically sourced fabrics with my European selection.

Then I design. I design into my fabrics. Some designers prefer to design their garments first. There are no rules. The best and worst thing about this often fickle industry is that everything is subjective.

Thanks to Elle magazine, my jumpsuits have been my signature piece of the collection so each season I give my customer a new take. This season, you will find my “Militant Jumper” in eggshell white stretch cotton faille.

French Militant Jumper

The parisian paisley silk jersey dress fabric is an evolution of the best selling spring dress/fabric in Spring 2007, featured in Lucky magazine’s November issue. The fabric is soft to the touch, with amazing drape. The new colors were inspired by La Baker’s famous banana dance.

Parisian Paisley Enya Dress

Stay tuned for fittings and a trip to the sample room, where the concept begins to be executed and brought to life. ~ Tori Nichel

The Chic Spy

The Chic Spy

Hello Agents of Chic, I'm your source for chic style and entertainment intel on fashion, film, and pop culture. From fashion trends and beauty products to movie reviews and celebrity interviews, I'm on a mission to uncover the chicest. A few faves on my radar include whimsical clutches, embellished flats, and gourmet macarons.

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