The final production challenge for the signature bag included designing the signature bag with a new constraint of using a striped fabric for the base of the bag.

The decision to incorporate the stripes with the raw silk was one that had to be edited with the scale of the other design features in the bag.

I cut the stripes and moved them around on the bag until the editing and placement was in proportion to the other design elements.

In addition to the layout of the stripes, the scale and design elements of the zipper had to be considered to make the bag cohesive.

The retail price for the bag is $98.10, respectively including production and labor costs. Signature Bag Production Costs

Would you pay $98.10 for this signature bag?

The inspiration of a signature bag resulted from a photo of random objects that grabbed my attention and were gathered for this photo. The rich colors and textures of the objects inspired a bag that would reflect the balance of lush textures and vivid colors.

After reflecting for five minutes on what came to mind about the story the objects, power and sophistication left a lasting impression. So, I wanted to design a bag that made a powerful statement and lends itself to transcend time with a sophisticated style.

The next step in the process involved creating a a pattern and sewing a mockup of the bag to determine the labor, materials, profit, and retail price of the bag. The mockup was made out of muslin.

After the mockup was complete, adjustments to the paper pattern were made to refine the design and shape of the bag.

The next phase, involved calculating the production costs of the bag based on locally sourced fabrics and creating a production cost grid. The retail price will vary between $86.10 and $104.10, respectively, depending on the fabric choice. Production Costs Grid

Clothing sizes are a sensitive subject for most people. Trying on clothing can be both the most frustrating and gratifying experience. After trying on jeans in five different stores, you finally find the pair of jeans or shirt that fit perfect. Excited and with enthusiasm, you gather all of the jeans of that same style and size and dash to the cashier make your purchase. You are left feeling like a million bucks because you have found three pair of perfect jeans.

But, the struggle is not over yet. You take them home and try on another pair, only to discover the fit of the other pair are not as complimentary as the first pair you tried on in the store. Now, you are left asking yourself what happened?

This happened to me as I tried on various brands of clothing in a major retail department store. The size variances between brands left me with no idea of what size would fit properly between the brands. The pants that fit among the brands tried varied by a total of three sizes. It was trial and error and a daunting process.

Then, I finally found a pair of pants that fit perfectly. So, I tried on all of the pants in that size and discovered that each of the three pair fit differently. In some instances, the differences were obvious when holding the pants next to the identical pair.

The standards of which clothing sizes are developed will vary depending on the designer and clothing brand. Clothing sizes are standard sizes based on research that are developed to fit a wide range of people.  Thus, a size eight in one brand may fit the same as a size ten in another. Its all relative to the set of standards the brand developed to based their clothing sizes.

In addition to the varying size standards, the production factors incorporate another caveat. The production process can have a tolerance up to one-half of an inch. This means that two pair of the exact same pants in the exact same size can vary in fit up to one-half inch. The production standards allow for this variation to accommodate the variances in production due to machine tolerances and human aspects in the production process.

I now realize that sizing is a complex matrix of variables. The only way to ensure your clothing fits properly is to try on each garment.

The project scope was to design an accessory using unconventional materials inspired by a mood board previously developed from random objects.

The inspiration for the design of the glasses was gathered from the contours and gold accents that appears in a photo of a red vintage leather clutch with a gold bar that can be found on a Pinterest board titled Boundless

 

The materials considered for the design of the unconventional accessory project initially included leather, denim, glass beads, wooden beads, silver beads, ceramic beads, brass wire, and silver wire. After spending time mulling over what to design, the next day the concept to design a pair of glasses popped in my head.

After an hour of labor the prototype design for the Assembled Dopeness Frames was completed.

The production cost includes the materials and labor associated with manufacturing the glasses. However, once you add the the twenty percent profit margin the estimated retail costs is $25.75per pair. Assembled Dopness Frames Costs

The design features include a drape of beads that can be wrapped to embellish the hair or tied behind the neck or head providing interest to the back.

COMMENT and tell us your thoughts and if you WOULD YOU PAY $25.75 for a PAIR OF “ASSEMBLED DOPENESS GLASSES?”

 

 

 

 

The inspiration for the 2017 Summer Collection is 1980’s Graffiti Art. The mixture of colors, shapes and textures coupled with the uniqueness of each brush stroke of paint makes a powerful statement of individuality, confidence and power.

This mood board tells the story of uniqueness and strength. The interpretation of color and free forms in art gives each design a voice and point of view of it’s own.

My concept began with a vintage cotton fabric that I stumbled upon that immediately spoke to me. The brush strokes of color and texture created by the print oozed with 1980’s graffiti art and I am excited about the evolution of the concept and the pieces.

The few of the fabrics in the collection consist of a denim with a gold sheen, a cream knit with a silver sheen, a silver sheen tissue linen, and a cotton lawn. The slight sparkly sheen of the fabrics creates a depth against the graphic and colors in the painted fabric.

The collection is coming together well. Here is a look at the progress of the first pieces.

A gold sheen denim top.

A vintage inspired short with vintage seam lace trim.

A stunning silver sheen tissue linen and dolman sleeves is in the works.

The French seams and dolman sleeves are lovely on this linen. The sheen is undeniable.

With the celebration of 2017’s arrival, I am excited to share my journey! Happy New Year!

As the final adjustments are nearing the end at NYAM Studio, the time has arrived for NYAM Modern Vintage clothing line to fill the air. During this process of gathering inspiration, concepts, and sketches, I decided to engage myself daily with something inspiring to stimulate my creativity as I solidify the story I want to convey with the clothing.

One magazine that inspires me is PoP’Africana. PoP’Africa is an independently published magazine created and edited by Oroma Elewa. I was inspired by Oroma Elewa’s fearlessness and definitiveness about her vision and point of view as it relates to fashion and art.

Now, let me share my two most inspiring and favorite articles in PoP’Africana, Issue 1. The photographs were absolutely stunning and the styling was impeccable.

The first article that inspired me is titled “NATIVE, Inspired by The Famished Road”.

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The second article that inspired me is titled “ATAUI DENG and Why We Love Her”.

Photo Copyright Omoro Elewa, PoP’Africana Issue 1

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Oroma Elewa published only two limited edition issues of the PoP’Africana magazine. Although the magazines were published a few years ago,Oroma Elewa’s work continues to be an inspiration.

 

 

 

After the all of the “elbow grease”, I think I need another elbow. In fact, I think I may need to purchase a few shares of stock in the local home improvement stores. I have spent more time in those stores than I care to discuss. But it was all worth it because I am in love with the fact that everything in the studio turned out exactly as I envisioned.

The primary sewing machine that I will use to sew clothing is the vintage Singer 201-2 model. This sewing machine is very popular and is built to last many lifetimes. It’s one of the best vintage machines available and produces beautiful stitches.

The stitches are a “true straight” and consistent at various stitch lengths.

The mid-century sewing cabinets were cleaned, refinished and waxed. The cabinets will house the 201-2  sewing machine. These are the original cabinets that contained the machines. The machine weigh a ton, so these cabinets are necessary to sew comfortably.

You guessed it! The sewing machine had a previous life which leaves a mess to clean up for its second life. I spent days cleaning, soldering and rewiring.  More often than not, the sewing machine has to be rewired to operate safely.

Before:

After:

 

The sewing machine and cabinet are ready for the challenge. Now, I can sew like a crazy lady. LoL. But, not too crazy!

 

 

 

 

 

NYAM Studio is progressing. It’s been six weeks and I’ve been working tirelessly everyday to get everything set up. Elbow grease and overthinking (oftentimes) along the journey, I feel accomplished and focused. I still can’t believe that NYAM Studio is alive but it is alive and well.

The latest update is complete. I am proud to say that it’s official! The sign is in the sky. Well, technically it’s on the building, LoL. Welcome to the NYAM Studio.

 

The studio is still under construction (thus the pieces on the ground) and is just about complete. The upgrade of a table for sewing lessons has arrived! This is the perfect place to unleash your sewing skills! New sewing lessons will be added soon. Be sure to follow the blog for the latest details on sewing lessons. NYAM Studio will see you soon.

NYAM STUDIO is now offering sewing lessons. The lessons are available weekly and new lessons will be added to the calendar. The purpose of the sewing lessons are to guide and teach the knowledge of basic sewing skills. The class size is kept small to keep the focus on learning new sewing skills. All available lessons and dates require a RSVP by paying the lesson fee (online) prior to attending the class. RSVP for sewing lessons by clicking on the Eventbrite link to pay lesson fee.

Basic details for the current lessons can be found below!

Basic Commercial Pattern Knowledge – During the lesson you will learn various skills including basic measurements, charting a size on a commercial pattern, reading pattern symbols and terms.

Basic Sewing Machine Knowledge – During this lesson you will learn how to thread a sewing machine, thread a bobbin, load a bobbin, basic sewing machine stitches, and basic troubleshooting.

New lessons will be added to the schedule. Be sure to follow the blog for the latest updates about NYAM Studio!