stargarten

mickey on my mind

2012-01-20T12:10:00.001-08:00

Lately I've kind of been obsessed with finding references to Mickey and Minnie in art and fashion. I love seeing symbols from my childhood translated by people.

john copeland

adam batchelor

Etsy

gade

lasse aberg

Jazzy pumpkin

2011-11-10T17:15:00.000-08:00

I forgot to post these last year but since it's pumpkin season all over again I thought I'd make some new ones this year. Here's what I made for last year's Mexican theme work holiday party!

i scream for ice cream

2011-10-30T23:38:00.000-07:00

Why did I decide to be an ice cream cone for Halloween? Because ice cream is so my color scheme. Tan with pastels and pops of neon. So much fun!

Organic Strawberry Balsamic is what I think I ended up deciding what flavor I was. SF foodie talking here.

Bias tape wrapped cotton cording

Finished sprinkles

blue, so blue!

2011-08-22T23:50:00.001-07:00

Into wearing blue not being blue this fall.

So-En March 2011

facehunter Shanghai

Bless pants (a la Creatures of Comfort)

A Detacher Fall 2010

wabi-sabi lit

2011-08-18T23:53:00.000-07:00

I found this book at the Japanese bookstore in Seattle while I was wandering about the town last week. Wabi Sabi! No, it's not the newest dance craze that's hitting your town. It's been around for centuries but it's totally current and fresh! Wabi Sabi, as I have been learning more and more about is a Japanese design aesthetic that embodies the ideas of impermanence, irregularity, incompleteness, and imperfection. Stuff I can relate to. I've decided it is not only a philosophy I want to hold in mind when I design but also in my everyday life. It IS life. It's the sort of thing that I am drawn to because it's a little rough around the edges. In other words, it's kind of sad and depressing. It's like the sad Leonard Cohen song or the sad Mandy Moore film you can't help but love!

(ah...reading philosophical art books in the backyard of my parent's house...so quaint)

Just today my massage therapist recommended another book to me that reminded me about my
quest for wabi sabi. It's called Women Who Run with the Wolves. I guess it's essentially a bunch of myths and fairy tales that explore the idea of the"wild woman archetype". This "wild woman" is similar to a wolf mother in that she is in touch with her primitive side and makes decisions based on her instincts. What most sparks my interest is the idea of fairy tales representing strong, powerful women! That's totally my jam! Just watch my next collection be totally wild and crazy! Ariel gets her legs and runs with wolves! Belle falls for Teenwolf!

it doesn't get better than this

2011-07-27T17:13:00.001-07:00

jessie lily adams

little paintings

2011-07-15T16:11:00.001-07:00

Katy from DaughterEarth and I are making sure we get some painting time in every so often. Here's what I worked on last weekend with her! The last one is still in progress...

*stargarten collaboration w/Daughter Earth Spring 10

2011-07-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

Finally got these up!

Prints done by Katy from Daughter Earth/ Photos by Heath Orchard
Also, there are some teacups left on our Etsy shop from our collabo as well.

ignite the light...

2011-07-05T23:20:00.000-07:00

It's my birfday. I'm turning 30 and what better way to celebrate than with yarn fireworks. Boom boom boom! Even brighter than the moon moon moon. I've been obsessed with Katy Perry these days if you couldn't tell! This year's theme is the Celestial Garden...aka Fireworks. I am hoping 30 is one firecracker of a year! My birthday weekend has been more than dreamy and I hope to carry the theme along for the next 12 months at least. I'm super excited!!!

swim fast diet

2011-05-26T17:14:00.000-07:00

So the other idea I had brewing around in my head for a long time has been to create a body of work that was inspired by the act of swimming. I have always been scared of the water and never really learned how to swim. In the last few years I have been slowly learning how to swim and gaining my confidence in the water in general. I am obsessed with swimmer artwork and have decided I need to make my own...Here are some inspirational images.

jazmin berakha

lauren nassef

Amanda Marie

pastels are always in season to me

2011-05-11T01:24:00.000-07:00

rug purchase for my new apartment!

Birds Chirping

2011-05-03T19:33:00.000-07:00

Ahhh...I'm finally in my new apartment and it feels great to hear birds chirping outside my bedroom window right now. It's not the typical pigeon poo coo you might think one would hear in the heart of San Francisco. They're the kind of birds that I'd like to think would fluff my pillows in the morning or give me a sponge bath or something.Here's to daydreaming...

Moving!

2011-03-25T18:11:00.000-07:00

I've been busy looking for a new place to live the past month or so and have finally signed a lease today. I'm excited! This process is always so stressful for me but this time I want to try to make it as chill as possible. I think it will be good that I signed a lease for April 1st and don't have to be out of my place till May 1st. So I have the ability to move at my leisure. Hope to get crackin on sewing once I get my stuff organized again. Can't wait to be inspired by a new beginning...

lovely rugs

2011-03-16T17:57:00.000-07:00

I found these randomly at home decorators outlet. So beautiful. I want to knit a dress in these patterns.

nourishment

2011-01-27T13:00:00.000-08:00

In two months I caught two different viruses. It's been a pain not being able to be productive! But I managed today to be inspired and cook myself something nutritious and delicious. I'm calling it Izzy Udon. It's about taking whatever is in my fridge and turning it into a soup.

Soup ingredients: Spring onions, ginger, star anise, carrots, cauliflower, veggie bouillon, 2 tbs Miso, a splash of toasted sesame oil, a couple splashes of fish sauce for extra umami flavor, and of course Japanese seasoning mix (bonito, sesame seeds, seaweed).

To top it off I added a soft boiled egg. Add a runny egg to anything and it makes my day!

Babe-ushka!

2011-01-18T22:01:00.000-08:00

Gosh, it's taken me too long to get these things documented. Though it's been some time (Fall 09) since I made them I'm still obsessed with folkloric inspiration. This collection was inspired by Russian dolls specifically. Thank you Laura for taking time out on Sunday to help me with this. Isn't she a Babe-ushka!

ruffled dress using vintage ivory silk organza and printed cotton

hand quilted cotton patchwork top and vintage lace took from an old blouse

knitted faux bangs bonnet using 100% wool Caramel and dk. brown yarn

printed calico cotton smock w/beaded arms

redecorating

2011-01-04T23:10:00.000-08:00

New year, new art, new clutter free bedroom. Here, I've gathered some inspiration images for my boudoir. Most of them are the artworks of Lauren Nassef. There is a sparseness and earthy but delicate quality to her drawings that I want to capture in my bedroom.

nursery

rope

afghan

wood vases I got from Etsy

branches photo

ikat kimono fabric

turfing

2010-12-04T12:26:00.000-08:00

this is beauty...

Etsy Find of the Month

2010-11-29T22:06:00.001-08:00

oh cocoon of my dreams!

floor length cardi

Christine Nguyen pt.1 tiny drawings

2010-11-15T17:45:00.000-08:00

I just discovered Christine Nguyen through Kearny Street Workshop emails I get periodically. I immediately fell in love with her work. She will be participating in an artist talk this Saturday if anyone can make it. The show is called Beyond Surface. Details here.

wondrous wonderland

2010-11-10T18:58:00.000-08:00

Oh what a wonderful world! husmann/tschani has created another visual wonderland for one to dream about. They are my heroes!

gotta love this city

2010-11-02T16:51:00.000-07:00

GO GIANTS!!!! WORLD CHAMPS 2010!!!

Dream dress

2010-10-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

one of my fave NY designers: A Detacher via Creatures of Comfort

Polka Love

2010-09-28T22:43:00.001-07:00

Henrik Vibskov

TBA

MOTEL

Fall Inspiration: Geology 101

2010-09-25T06:50:00.000-07:00

Ye Rin Mok

Victoria Wagner

2010-09-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

Musubi

Tailoring 101

2010-09-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

I start my Tailoring class next week at Apparel Arts. They want me to have a first draft of a jacket made by the first class so I've been doing a lot of research on coats and blazers as of late. I absolutely love coats and jackets and can't wait to make one perfectly tailored to me. I'm thinking of doing some sort of two toned jacket. I'm still in search of the right fabrics.

Light Vision Look

2010-09-21T21:41:00.000-07:00

I like this fake fur top Rosenmunns that I found at Light Vision Store. It's kind of weird but I think the texture is neat. I really like the color too. It's a good neutral.

Paired with this skirt.

These necklaces would look great with it too!

Cosmic Wonder Light Source

2010-09-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

One of my fave Japanese design houses, Cosmic Wonder has a new clothing line for men and women out named Cosmic Wonder Light Source...
I covet so many pieces by them! Here's a peek at their Fall 10 Collection.

via Maryam Nassir Zadeh
I want both these pairs!

Etsy Finds: lilac, periwinkle, purple

2010-08-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

I sometimes find myself typing in a color on etsy and end up scouring 30 something pages of all things peach, periwinkle, or whatever color you could possibly want in your wardrobe. I seem to be attracted to the same things over and over again: lace and ombre. Here are some etsy finds for this month.

Erika Somogyi

2010-07-17T00:28:00.000-07:00

another inspiring artist

Erika Somogyi

painting again

2010-07-16T23:27:00.001-07:00

I recently decided after I finish being a fashion designer I want to become an artist, a dancer, and then lastly a baker when I grow up. This is one of those moments I imagine myself handwriting an essay about my aspirations and putting it in a time capsule I bury somewhere in Golden Gate Park in order to come back in 10 years and see if it actually happened. I've been thinking more about what creative projects I want to work on next and I've decided I want to take on painting again. I used to do more of it and it's very much a meditative and calming activity for me. And my mind, body, and soul really craves it. Watercolor especially. What has most recently inspired me lately is the work of Serena Mitnik Miller. She is a local artist I discovered recently while perusing The General Store out in the Outer Sunset. Turns out this adorable store is co-owned by Serena and her husband. There, I picked up an art magazine called Arkitip that focuses on her work in the issue I bought. She primarily paints in watercolor and much of her work is inspired by the ocean. Her work is so simple, graphic, elegant and just plain beautiful. I have been looking at every night before I go to bed because it makes me so happy! Here are some of her images.

a very merry birthday indeed

2010-07-05T21:31:00.000-07:00

My 'High Tea Under the Sea" Birthday party was a success! Thanks to all who helped to make it possible. It was a dream come true! Ariel finally meets Alice!
Unfortunately now I have a bad headache and chest cold. :( Too much fun I guess.

Food table

Raspberry Lemon Madeleines

"Starfish" Cheddar scones made by Jeremy

Onigiri Rice balls w/morel mushroom and bing cherry filling made by Ellen my talented roommate

Fruit scales

Cucumber, cream cheese, and dill Fishie sandwiches made by Greta my other talented roommate

Green Tea "Algae" cake

handpainted by Katy T

me and my roommies. The hostesses.

It ain't over

2010-06-04T09:48:00.000-07:00

It's not over for me just yet. I have another show next Friday at the Swedish American Music Hall. It's probably my favorite venue in the city which is why I am super excited to be apart of this event! I couldn't have asked for a better setting to show my clothes in the city. Have you ever been inside the Swedish American Hall? It's so quaint and homey. It feels really intimate even though it's not that small inside. There is dark wood molding all around the main hall with two big wooden thrones at east and west walls that make it the perfect venue to feature "music and fashion of the romantic and bizarre"! If you get the chance, please come next Friday, June 11th.

Seaweed Sway Presents:
LYRES & LACE: Music and Fashion of the Romantic and Bizarre
Friday, June 11th, 2010

Swedish American Hall
2174 Market St.
San Francisco, CA

Doors: 7pm
Showtime: 8pm
Price: $12 adv / $14 door
Ages: All Ages

Bands:
Mariee Sioux
Foxtails Brigade
Judgement Day & friends (acoustic)

Fashion Designers:
stargarten x Daughter Earth
Claire Wheat-Fong
Leticia Huerta
The Street Collective
Black Lotus
Yabette
Lecon de Vetement

Hosted By:
Mary Van Note

Fishing for Flowers

2010-05-31T22:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who came out on Saturday to see the premier of my latest collection! I was stoked to see you there! Summer Camp Crush was a successful event and we raised a good amount of cash for the future Sewing Kitchen. Here are some pics taken by Hanna Quevedo from the show. I couldn't be happier!!!

Photographing Fashion

2010-05-12T21:26:00.000-07:00

My goal is to make clothing that looks like it belongs somewhere in nature. Not that it's completely made entirely of raw, natural materials or anything. But that the clothing, somehow, can take on new life when it is photographed in nature. In doing so arises this duality of soft and hard, cold and warm, bold and muted, like taking a city dweller back to their mother country and rather than being scared or disgusted, but pleasantly surprised and delighted. I love that juxtaposition of artifice and earthiness. To me, that is just so pleasant visualize. Which is why I strive to make clothing that combines those two ideas. I've found some images, some recent and some old archived photos that I aspire to in photographing my own fashion.

i want pink hair

2010-04-22T20:15:00.000-07:00

can i look like a mermaid too?

Sally Scott

2010-04-01T10:27:00.000-07:00

Sally Scott is Akira Minagawa's (Mina Perhonen) other line of amazingly crafted clothing. Who is Sally Scott? I don't know but Minagawa has really managed to create a strong brand concept using that name. From the name, to the logo, to the prints and the imagery, it all works perfectly together to create the image of this charming, childlike, girl named Sally. I pretty much covet all things Minagawa! Check out the new Spring 10 collection video.

{Sally Scott}

Sailor Moon

2010-03-15T20:29:00.000-07:00

My Spring 11 collection is in the works. Currently I am obsessed with Japanese kimono fabric/prints, Japanese fishermen jackets, patchwork, space prints, kori sandals, knots, fishnet, and all things related to the sea and or space. I am not sure if I can truly combine all these inspirations into a small 6 outfit collection but I will try. Or not. Who knows? I may just end up making something totally tangential from these ideas. But for the most part. They are at the forefront of my inspiration right now.

{Mociun}

{Tsumori Chisato tights (SOLD OUT) SO SAD}

{APC coat}

Etsy finds February

2010-02-18T22:34:00.000-08:00

some inspiring finds in february on etsy!

Conservatory of Flowers

2010-02-18T22:19:00.001-08:00

I just came upon some old photos I took at the Conservatory of Flowers in GGP a while back that inspired me again.

Masquerade, Paper faces on Parade

2010-02-10T22:52:00.001-08:00

This past week I've been really inspired by masks or what one may call "face clothing". My friend Ania put on an awesome masquerade party in which many a person showed up with some sort of face ornament. I made the swan mask you see below.

Letty and Summer masking it up.
Laura McKellar is an illustrator for small magazine. I absolutely adore her work. I just discovered her via Oh Joy!
Flurry and Salk papercut masks. So amazing! Check out the link for the awesome hairpieces too.

lace knitting

2010-02-08T19:03:00.000-08:00

I recently became aware of Rodarte's collaboration with the Winter Olympics and wanted to share the beauty with you. Knitting in general is a love of mine though it may not seem like it seeing that I have not completed a knitting project in a year now. But I try to work on something knitted every year and love re-working old sweaters I find interesting. Since I don't have anything to offer to show you this year I might as well bring up some past work that came to the surface this week as I discovered Rodarte's knitted treasures.

My Senior collection (images below) was entitled "Collecting Dust". My inspiration was home, and the idea of dust collecting in my home collecting memories. Imagine dust bunnies and dryer lint. Here is the snippet I wrote describing my concept.

"Collecting Dust"

Our discarded skin cells eventually become dust, taking shape and accumulating inside our very own homes. They become our memories.
As the old adage says, “Home is where the heart is”. It is the idea of home, dust, nostalgia, and rebirth that my collection is based on. In this transitional period of my life, nothing is either black or white, but grey like the dust that is shed from skin. Crying has played a pivotal part in releasing the tension and confusion this “grey” causes. The mood of my collection is melancholy but hopeful at the same time. The idea of time, tristesse, and chaos are the essence shown in the irregularity of the fabrics I dyed. With a lighthearted approach, crying and questioning become something acceptable but more importantly beautiful. Collecting dust means collecting the tears and memories I’ve cast aside to create a new self.

Here is one of my favorite pieces from the collection. I'm a lover of texture on texture so it was most natural for me to combine elements that one may think twice to combine. This top is put together with a mohair wool blend yarn and a hand dyed silk organza.