Plaid Is Rad

Plaid and I have not always had the best relationship.  In fact, we started off on the wrong foot back when I was in grade school, but shortly thereafter, I came to appreciate it's beauty.  I think the main problem all those years ago was that my plaids had also been my sister's plaids at one point.  Like most families, we passed down clothes that were in good condition to the younger siblings when the older outgrew them.  In our case, the younger sibling was (and still is!) me. However, my sister and I did dress my little brother in a pilgrim outfit that had belonged to me for Halloween one year!  But, that was an exception.  

me (left) and my big sister, Kim (right)

my expression clearly says, "Aren't her pants ridiculous?  And aren't my favorite buckle shoes fabulous?"

I remember a particular pair of red plaid pants that my sister wore; I was really bothered by the flared silhouette.  I don't know any other four year old who thinks this way, but I've always been odd unique.  So, when the famous plaid pantalones were passed down to me a few years later, I resented them.  I tried everything to get out of wearing them. I puffed out my gut to pretend they were too tight, pulled them up to my armpits to try to make them into high waters -- but my mom wasn't buying what I was selling, and these pants ended up in my life for way too long.

I call this picture "THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PLAID PANTS"

A few years later... that's me again on the left, but this time I'm "wearing the pants."  I was already mixing stripe and plaid patterns-- so ahead of my time.

It took me quite a while to warm up to plaid, but thanks to my interest in punk music as a teen, I not only warmed up, I fell in love.  Plaid suddenly looked cool, edgy and dare I say... sexy!  In fact, I've been wanting to recreate and modernize (of course!) a pair of those old red tartans for a long time!  And now, all of a sudden, plaid is all the rage in fashion -- largely due to Dries Van Noten's  influence in the industry. The King of Print and Pattern showed a grunge-inspired collection for Spring 2013, and plaid never looked so fresh. Shortly thereafter, The MET embraced a punk theme for its annual gala in May, and plaid spread like wildfire.  Even Spaceball One has "gone to plaid."  See for yourself... 

 

"They've gone to plaid!"

As a designer and an individual, I never follow trend.  I always allow my personal style and taste level dictate what I design and wear.  I strive to create flattering, innovative, high quality items and if they happen to be "on trend" well, that's just fine.  This is exactly the case with my Fall 2013 Edwardian/Goth-inspired collection.  I was lucky enough to work with the famous Harris Tweed mill whose incomparable fabrics come in so many beautiful patterns.  When I saw a swatch of their purple/navy/green plaid, I had to have it.  

STACY LOMMAN : FALL 2013

I've been getting such a great reaction to my tartan and leather trimmed suit that I decided to make a corset in the same pattern.  The new piece will debut on the runway next week at the Chicago Gold Coast Fashion Award Show where I will be presenting my Fall 2013 collection along with seven other up-and-coming designers.  Stay tuned...

Harris Tweed Gets Feminine

 

STACY LOMMAN : FALL 2013

Harris Tweed plaid blazer with leather trim and pant

They call themselves the "Guardians of The Orb."  Established in 1993 through an act of Parliament, The Harris Tweed Authority is an organization responsible for promoting and maintaining the authenticity, standard and reputation of the world famous Harris Tweed cloth which can only be defined as: 

"Handwoven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the Outer Hebrides, and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides."   

STACY LOMMAN : FALL 2013

Harris Tweed navy jacket with feather sleeves and pant

In the early 1900's Harris Tweed was highly sought after among the upper class of the Outer Hebrides and, over the decades, it has been embraced by the world.  To say that this fabric is special would be an understatement -- it is exceptional.  In today's world of mass manufacturing, it is extremely rare and most definitely refreshing to encounter such integrity, attention to quality and unwavering standards.  I consider my garments held to the same standards, so Harris Tweed seemed like the perfect fit and I felt quite fortunate to be able to work with this world famous cloth.

STACY LOMMAN : FALL 2013

Harris Tweed houndstooth coat with silver lizard buckle closure

Harris Tweed is typically used in menswear but, when styled the right way, it crosses over nicely into the women's arena.  I have always appreciated the structure of a men's jacket and the strength associated with men's suiting -- it definitely influences me as a designer.  So, when I started working with Harris Tweed last season, I was thrilled.  

STACY LOMMAN : FALL 2013

Harris Tweed herringbone vest and pant

I had an Edwardian theme in mind for Fall 2013 before putting pen to paper.  I looked through the Harris Tweed patterns, made my selections and started sketching.  This is, hands down, the most fun part of the design process for me!  I incorporated additional fabrics from other mills in the mix along with Harris Tweed and, as I sketched and played with the swatches, the initial Edwardian inspiration morphed into a slightly Gothic collection -- which I love.  The result is a group of mysterious, luxurious and strong pieces that straddle the line between masculine and feminine.

STACY LOMMAN: FALL 2013

wool check corset and wool plaid skirt

STACY LOMMAN : FALL 2013

brocade corset and silk/cashmere "bustle" skirt

STACY LOMMAN : FALL 2013

cotton moiré tuxedo jacket and satin pant

The 90's

What comes to mind when you think of the nineties?  Flannel shirts?  Pearl Jam and Nirvana?  Bill Clinton?  Desert Storm?  The tragic losses of Princess Diana and JFK Jr.?  Perhaps you're reminded of a white Bronco racing down the highway ("the glove doesn't fit!"), or Jack Kevorkian or the Columbine massacre or the Oklahoma City bombing.  And on a lighter note there is, of course, Seinfeld, Friends, The Spice Girls, Baywatch (the "Hoff!") and Britney Spears. 

Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder in plaid

Well, this was a nice little walk down memory lane, but I'm talking about a different kind of nineties.  You know, nineties as an age not a decade.  If you're lucky enough to live that long I don't suppose trivia or pop culture really matters at that point.  What's important is family, friends and living each day to the fullest -- actually, that's the trifecta of importance at any age!

my dapper Granddad -- looking good at 90!

A couple of weeks ago, my Grandfather celebrated the big Nine-O and I headed to Florida to join in the festivities.  My Granddad still rides his bike every day (or so he claims) and he has managed to maintain his girlish figure as well as a good bit of hair on his head.  That's pretty good, I think! 

me with my Great Aunt Alice and her "Great Ball of China!"

I was surprised and ecstatic to see that my 93 year old great Aunt was able to make it to the soirée.  She walked in, accessorized perfectly down to her bright red nails that she manicured and painted herself.  Always the party gal, my Aunt Alice wore a simple black tee bedazzled with a few little martini glasses across the chest.  Perfect!  As if that wasn't cool enough, she whispered to me that she was wearing her "sexy lingerie" that day and pushed a sleeve off a shoulder to reveal a leopard printed bra strap.  Divine!  But, perhaps my favorite part of the outfit was her ring.  She told me that she got it years ago in China when the wall was still up.  Since the ring is a large gold sphere, she cleverly dubbed it "the great BALL of China!"

Me Likey...

The last thing I need is a pair of shoes! But, I'm quite taken with these... ah, what's a girl to do?

Roger Vivier plaid rosette stiletto

Mad For Plaid

1977: Dan Aykroyd & Steve Martin as two "wild and crazy guys" (left)

Fall 2008: Dolce & Gabbana channel their inner Georg & Yortuk Festrunk (right)

Photo Credit (right): Firstview

What a versatile pattern plaid is. It can be classic, it can evoke nerdy, preppy or even punk. Plaid can be masculine or feminine and when worn as a kilt, sans skivvies, tartan can be traditional.

Fall 2006: McQueen tweaks traditional tartan

Photo Credits: Firstview

Craig Ferguson dons a kilt...

I am not preppy or very classic, so I prefer my plaid with a bit of edge. I also like to see it utilized in unexpected ways, whether it be in styling or in the fabric. After all, part of what makes up good design is the ability to creatively interpret things in ways that others have not.

always classic, Burberry

Fall 2009: Ralph Lauren's "Americana" plaids

Photo Credits: Firstview

UPDATE 5-12-10: "Spaceballs I has gone to PLAID!"