Manic Pop F/W 2017 Collection

Ta daaaaa!

I cannot remember the last time I did a mini fashion collection, illustrated it, and "released" it.

Generally, I have an inspiration board for these types of things but this time I just went with fabric inspiration first and played with sketching silhouettes, using the same color palette throughout.

The fabric on the right here is my "soundwave" repeat that I drew out with Prismacolor marker initially and then played with a repeat. I used this print in the "collection" here.

And below are the flats (no, I did not draw out the back - haha) and colorways of the collection. I like how it came out!

I realize that technically, I should use Illustrator for all my flats, but I tend to be a rebel. I am Illustrator capable (and have posted flats with Illustrator prior) but I have much more fun when I can draw, ink, and then scan them in for coloring in Photoshop.

But nearly 10 years out of fashion design school, I have given up on ever entering the "industry". I would much rather keep playing, making one-off crazy creations of whatever I want, and perhaps eventually trickling some things out at some point with a small-batch manufacturer or design/sell PDF patterns since I also know how to make those.

I know how to do a lot, but the Industry is fickle.

I know this sounds like a call for sympathy, but it's not. It's just coming to the realization that I have the most fun when I am playing, testing, creating, and goofing off with whatever I want. I love hand-sketching, I love playing with prints, I even love working out the puzzle that is pattern making and then sewing it up. I also love 3D Roomstyler and non-fashion design related creative things! I've been fighting my natural tendency and what I truly want for years.

So don't fight yourself! Let your creativity do its thang and be happy. Keep playing!

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