There Will Always Be Creeps!

creep·er

 [kree-per] 

noun

1.

a person or thing that creeps.

2.

Botany - a plant that grows upon or just beneath the surface of the ground, or upon any other surface, sending out rootlets from the stem, as ivy and couch grass.

3.

Often, a one-piece garment for an infant, the lower portion resembling briefs and having snaps or buttons across the crotch for convenience in diapering.

4.

Chiefly Northeastern U.S. a spiked iron plate worn on the shoe to prevent slipping on ice, rock, etc.

5.

Also called cradle Automotive - a flat framework on casters, on which a mechanic lies while workingunder an automobile or the like.

STACY LOMMAN : SPRING 2013

So, that's what Dictionary.com has to say.  But, they are forgetting about something... SHOES!  The "brothel creeper," as they are technically known, has been around since the early 1950's and showed up again in the mid/late seventies on some of the coolest musicians of our time (i.e. Clash, Pistols...).  I wrote about Creepers a few years ago and it seems as though, suddenly, they are everywhere nowadays.  I kind of like seeing them on teens who have no idea of their heritage, but I worry that it's just a matter of time before  the "trickle down effect" happens and we start to see them in Target or WalMart.  God forbid!!

July 2013: me -- wearing the same outfit as above photo

In any case, I am not concerned if they are "all the rage" or super obscure, I wear them and have worn them for years.  I even used a personal pair in the photo shoot for my Spring 2013 Rockabilly-inspired collection.  Creepers are not new to high fashion or the catwalks -- designers like Nathan Jenden and Galliano have used them in their shows.  And if they're good enough for Dior...

...and once again wearing them in 2009

Jacket: Belstaff

Sunnies: Ferre

Shoes: Creeps!

Tina Fey & Amy Poehler Save The Globes!

For all of the fashionistas who tuned in last night to see starlets turn heads in gorgeous gowns, I apologize on behalf of the Golden Globes.  If not for the dynamic comedy duo of Fey & Poehler, the Globes wouldn't have been worth watching. 

Photo: Paul Drinkwater

They stole the show, the fashion was a supporting role at best.  And former SNL castmates, Will Ferrell and Kristin Wiig should have been allowed to present every award.  Who cares if Tommy Lee Jones got upset!

found this gem on the hilarious site, Cheezburger

Back to the dresses -- I thought many of the actresses looked pretty, but I didn't see anybody really "going for it."  In a few weeks, nobody will be memorable, but we still remember (whether good or bad) the women who took risks, right?  Who could forget Cher's 1986 Oscar moment?  Nearly three decades later and we're still talking about it!

Cher in Bob Mackie, 1986

So, since I don't have a lot to say about last night's fashion, or lack thereof, I will just share my tweets which were a lot more entertaining!

Fun Stuff

Just another day in NYC's Garment Center...

From Sketch To Runway

 

Left: original sketch / Right: on the runway (photo: Randy Brooke)

Lots of people have asked me about my design process and how I get from concept to runway.  Well, it's a long and often challenging road with bumps (and sometimes giant pot holes) along the way.  But, in facing challenges and solving problems, designers come up with some pretty great stuff. What happens at 3.30 am when you realize you've underestimated the yardage you had left of a certain fabric?  Get creative.  Think outside the box and work with what you have because buying more fabric at 3.30 in the morning is not an option and finishing the piece tomorrow, when stores are open, would be too late.

 

original sketch

Left: houndstooth trench on the runway (model: Danielle, photo: Randy Brooke) / Right: coat on WendyB 

So, quite often, we (designers) change our original ideas, if only just slightly, to either solve a problem or just because we thought of something a little bit cooler along the way.  For me, I find one of the advantages to doing all of my own fabric research, draping and sewing is that I have total control over the entire design process.  Absolute freedom -- such is not the case when working under another company's corporate structure.

 

 original sketch

 

bouclé cape on the runway (model: Que / photo: Randy Brooke)  

   

backstage... (model: Que / photo: Randy Brooke)

I am an extremely visual person, but I tend to work better three dimensionally rather than through a sketch, so some of the creativity happens on the figure during the draping process.  Draping is dimensional, it's "hands on," tangible.  Things can happen on the form that can't always happen in a sketch.  Proportion becomes more distinguishable, volume is gauged better, shape is more discernible. Therefore, adjustments, additions and enhancements take place and I deviate from the original sketch a little bit. 

original sketch

Left: long coat, houndstooth shorts and handknit scarf on the runway (model: Alexandra, photo: Randy Brooke)

Right: back view of same coat in lookbook shoot (model: Caitlin Sloat, photo: Shane LaVancher)

Sometimes, I don't bother to give much detail or color to a sketch at all. I just have a general idea of what I want, in my mind's eye, and I wait until I can refine the piece -- psychically, on the mannequin.  I've whipped up fabulous ideas on airport napkins, receipts or the back of a business card just to quickly get a concept recorded before I forget.  I guess it's kind of like being a comedian who quickly jots down a 'bit' before it escapes their mind.  Even when they wake up in the middle of the night...

BIOHAZARD VIDEO!!

It's here, it's finally here!  Hope you guys enjoy it... feel free to share!  Isn't it incredible what a little crowdsourcing/fundraising can accomplish?  Thank you to everyone who contributed, supported, participated and rooted for me!!!  I'm so happy with the result and so grateful that you guys all helped make it happen!

STACY LOMMAN : NEW YORK

SPRING 2012 : BIOHAZARD COLLECTION

Vanishing Models... it's not what you think

I recently visited my local Barnes & Noble one dreary, cold and lazy day and as per usual, I made my way over to the magazine section. How very literary of me. I looked for something to inspire me when suddenly, I gasped with horror. Staring right at me with a vacant look was Britney Spears with her two “mini K-Feds” on the January cover of ELLE. “Ugh” I thought to myself, “how repulsive.” And with that, I decided not to purchase the magazine. I glanced at the rest of the covers and noticed that actresses graced every single publication available. What the hell? Are the models on strike?

when Supermodels ruled the world!

Herb Ritts' famous photo: "Stephanie, Cindy, Christy, Tatjana, Naomi - Hollywood 1989"

The overexposed and overrated Kate Hudson not only appeared on January’s HARPER'S BAZAAR, she also turned up on the cover of ELLE UK’s December ’09 issue. The list continues… SJP on January GLAMOUR (and she was just on ELLE’s December cover); Cate Blanchett on December VOGUE; Rachel McAdams on January VOGUE; Natalie Portman on January MARIE CLAIRE and Kirsten Dunst on December ALLURE. I found it strange that COSMO, the floozy of fashion magazines, selected the prepubescent Amanda Bynes for its January cover. But, the award for the most ridiculous belongs to WOMEN’S HEALTH for featuring Ashley Simpson on its December issue. Yeah, she’s the epitome of good health.

I started to get really frustrated. There HAD to be an actual MODEL on one of these publications. Oprah is an exception – it’s HER magazine, she has the right to be a cover model. I kept scanning the shelves. W Magazine -Jennifer Garner. LUCKY Magazine – Olivia Wilde. December/January NYLON – Hillary Duff! Christ, what’s a model gotta do these days? Poor Giselle only popped up on the September cover of Indian VOGUE! I know, I know “poor” Giselle – not.

Supermodel, Giselle on Indian VOGUE - Sept. '09

So, I ended up buying the holiday issue of ZINK which has been one of my favorites for a few years now. Oh, and there is a FASHION model on the cover. Victory!