Jamie Lau Textile Exhibition at the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Jamie

Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art

I am excited to announce that my hand dyed, handwoven, and handsewn textile art will be on display at the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art (京都市美術館 Kyōto-shi Bijutsukan) in Japan this month from January 14-18, 2015. Last spring and summer, I spent two months living in the mountains of Kyoto dyeing and weaving and learning the traditional Japanese art of kasuri (ikat) as one of four international students accepted into the Kawashima Textile School (川島テキスタイルスクール) weaving program.

For the graduate textile exhibition, I have created unique fashion wearables in the Jamie Lau Designs aesthetic, taking an even deeper, holistic approach to design with these handwoven garments. I am honored to have my work on display in one of the oldest art museums in Japan and look forward to seeing you all there and reconnecting with my Japanese colleagues. (For a sneak peek of what I’ve been working on, check out my Instagram feed.)

Kawashima Textile School Graduate Exhibition
January 14-18, 2015
Wednesday-Sunday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM (Admission until 4:30 PM)
Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art – Annex (Kyōto-shi Bijutsukan Bekkan)
Okazaki Kōen, Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, 606-8344
Free admission
Access information

Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art Map

Pop-Up Shop at gather

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Jamie

Join us for a special artist reception on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at Gather from 2-6 PM

Join us in San Francisco for the opening of the Jamie Lau Designs Pop-Up Shop at gather in Hayes Valley. Shop a selection of our handmade dresses and tops, each cut and sewn in our Brooklyn design studio one stitch at a time. Treat yourself to a unique party dress, or pick out a thoughtful holiday gift for that special someone. We’ll have a mix of fit and flare dresses, shifts, sheaths, and easy-to-wear tops.

We’re kicking things off with a special artist reception on Saturday, December 20, 2014. Join us for a designer meet-and-greet, festive treats, and champagne while you shop.

Saturday, December 20, 2014
Artist Reception
gather
541 Octavia Street (b/w Grove + Ivy)
San Francisco, CA 94102
2-6 PM

December 17, 2014-January 18, 2015
Pop-Up Shop
Store Hours:
Monday-Saturday 11-7 PM
Sunday 12-6 PM

Aubergine Scalloped Wool A-line Dress x Britex Fabrics Guest Blogging

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Jamie

Jamie Lau Designs Aubergine Scalloped Wool A-line Dress

Catching an unusually sunny day in Brooklyn this time of year

With winter approaching and temperatures dropping, I wanted to create a wool dress to keep warm for the season as an alternative to just wearing sweaters. I was partially inspired by the geometric cuts and stark tunic shapes of 1960s Pierre Cardin.

Jamie Lau Designs Pierre Cardin Inspiration 1

The Cosmocorps collection in double-face wool jersey, 1967. Photo by Yoshi Takata.

As Cardin once said, he “wanted to give women […] a chance to work, to sit, to take the car and drive in [his] dresses.” As a person constantly on the go and working long hours, I appreciate that sentiment and always aim for comfort and functionality in my designs.

For this design, I chose an aubergine wool blend with embroidered scallops. I wanted a looser fit with some sleeve coverage, so I decided on an A-line dress silhouette with a boat neckline and set-in sleeves.

Jamie Lau Designs Aubergine Scalloped Wool A-line Dress 2

Embroidered scallop detail

Visit the Britex blog for my full article and get inspired!

Pleated Wool Dress x Britex Fabrics Guest Blogging

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Jamie

The subtle blue and green coloration of teal is perfect for fall

With fall upon us, I thought that a dress in a midweight wool with some sleeve coverage would be a good transition piece. The teal color has a warm, vintage feel to it and the skirt features inverted box pleats for a little bit of fullness.

This designer wool fabric has a nice drape to it and works great for a fuller skirt

A great transition piece for fall

Jamie Lau Designs Pleated Tombo Dress Photo Shoot

A sneak peek from our latest photo shoot featuring our Pleated Tombo Dress with cap sleeves in a Japanese fabric – follow us on Instagram for more behind the scenes footage

Visit the Britex blog for my full article, featuring this pleated wool dress, which includes tips on working with wool!

9/27 San Francisco Sewing Workshop at Britex Fabrics

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Jamie

Featuring our exclusive Swing Top sewing pattern available only in this workshop

Join me in San Francisco on Saturday, September 27, 2014 for a 4-hour sewing workshop at Britex Fabrics. In this hands-on course, students will learn how to sew a relaxed Swing Top using one of my original pattern designs. I will discuss pattern and fabric layout and demonstrate various garment construction techniques including: sewing gathers, applying neckline and armhole bias binding, and hemming. This fun top features a front and back yoke and is a great canvas for color blocking or mixing solids with prints. This easy-to-wear style slips on effortlessly without the hassle of a zipper and is great for layering or wearing as-is. This sewing pattern will be made available only in this San Francisco sewing workshop, so sign up today!

Sew A Swing Top
Saturday, September 27, 2014 from 10:30 am-2:30 pm
Britex Fabrics
146 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
Register Now
$45.00

Britex Fabrics is offering a 20% off discount on regularly priced fabrics to students purchasing supplies for this class. Sewing machines provided by Ray’s Sewing Machine Center.

The top features a front and back yoke and is a great canvas for color blocking or mixing solids with prints

Fashion Travelogue: Linen Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Jamie

Jamie Lau Designs Linen Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit 1

Photo shoot near the waterfront this past weekend

As a follow-up to my last post, I’ve whipped up another jumpsuit design, this time using linen and going for a much bolder look – a colorblock palazzo pant style with short kimono sleeves. Silhouette-wise, I was inspired by a variety of sources, including 1940s high-waisted wide leg women’s trousers, a style which reemerged in the late 1960s/early 1970s as palazzo pants. I was also loosely inspired by the hakama trousers worn by samurai, as well as the silhouette of hanbok (traditional Korean dress).

Jamie Lau Designs Linen Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit 2

Inspiration from my visit to the Portland Art Museum last winter; (Right) Hakama trousers from 18th century Japan – divided trousers worn under armor for ceremonial occasions

For the yoke and necktie, I chose a lightweight linen that is a cross between hunter green and teal green. And for the volume-heavy part of the garment, I used a midweight linen that is a lovely mix of warm copper and terracotta tones.

Jamie Lau Designs Linen Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit 3

A mix of lightweight and midweight linen

I’ve worked with this earthy color combination before, including my Colorblock Wool Cross Front Dress design from a few years ago, and decided to revisit this duo again for spring.

Jamie Lau Designs Linen Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit 4

Colorblock Wool Cross Front Dress

Linen is a great option for warmer months and has a nice, natural luster to it. As for the pants, I felt that the natural creasing properties of the linen added to the natural flow of the intended blousey, boxy design.

Jamie Lau Designs Linen Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit 5

Pockets are a must

Jamie Lau Designs Linen Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit 6

Totally hooked on jumpsuits – be on the lookout for other versions coming to the web shop in the future

We had a lovely shoot this past weekend and I have to say, the garment is quite comfy, breathable, and billows nicely in the wind. This is definitely on the pack list for my upcoming trip! Stay tuned for the next installment of Fashion Travelogue!

P.S. This jumpsuit is also featured in my latest guest blog post for Britex Fabrics, where I sourced these beautiful linens. Hop over to their site to check it out!

Fashion Travelogue: Cornflower Blue Drawstring Jumpsuit

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Jamie

Playing hair model for the day for Norwegian stylists during their visit to New York

Sunny days are here in New York, though layering is still needed. I’ve been working on a few jumpsuit designs in the studio, starting with this first version that features a simple drawstring waist. This style is cut from Japanese cotton which I sourced in Tokyo last spring. The embroidered windowpane checks are cut on the diagonal at the top, followed by meticulously aligned checks from the waist down.

Embroidered gridded fabric detail

A great development from doing this Fashion Travelogue series is that I’ve been inspired to dig into my wardrobe archives from the past 10+ years for some styling options, including this speckled A.P.C. cotton blend tee (reminiscent of sprinkled Momofuku rainbow cake crumble B’day Truffles and candy gumballs).

Jamie Lau Designs Drawstring Jumpsuit Styled

Digging deep into my wardrobe archives and rediscovering some old gems

I styled the rest of the outfit with my go-to Rachey Comey braided leather wooden platform clogs and a bright red Cynthia Rowley handbag with (what I think are) a duo of bluebirds on the front.

A sunny (but windy) afternoon in Bryant Park

Jumpsuits will definitely be making it to the Jamie Lau Designs web shop later this year. Stay tuned for the next installment of Fashion Travelogue!

Fashion Travelogue: Vermilion Gathered Top

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Jamie

Jamie Lau Designs Vermilion Gathered Top 1

Dramatic sleeve with volume in cotton jacquard

Last weekend, I went to The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden. As you may know, I love color and it was the perfect weekend inspiration to kick off spring. The exhibition was beautifully designed and featured both classic and modern orchids.

It was the perfect day to wear my new Vermilion Gathered Top, which I designed in a textured Swiss cotton jacquard fabric. One of my favorite color combinations is a red with a little bit of orange in it mixed with a nice pop of blue (think the look and feel of Jean-Luc Godard’s La Chinoise).

Film still from Jean-Luc Godard’s La Chinoise, 1967

Guillaume and Véronique, played by Jean-Pierre Léaud and Anne Wiazemsky

When I first saw this fabric, I immediately thought “dramatic sleeve” given its nice texture and body. I styled the top with a pair of blue linen polka dot pants this past weekend (I will definitely be packing this outfit for Japan as well.)

Jamie Lau Designs Vermilion Gathered Top 2

Color everywhere in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory

Here are some snapshots of my favorite finds at the botanical garden.

Prayer plant – lush green and full of textural inspiration

Aechmea ‘Del Mar’ – this bromeliad is even more beautiful in person

Neoregelia “Jampa” – some intensely colored leaves

Afternoon sunlight hitting the Wicked “Red Head” orchids

I am in love with these orchid wall hangings

Hop over to the Britex blog for my latest article on how to sew set-in sleeves using this top as an example in my tutorial. Stay tuned for the next installment of Fashion Travelogue!

Fashion Travelogue: Black and White Dotted Ikat Midi Dress

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Jamie

Jamie Lau Designs Black and White Dotted Ikat Midi Dress 1

My favorite spot in the Noguchi Museum

Two weekends ago, I visited one of my favorite places in New York, the Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, which has both indoor and outdoor components. Spring has been such a tease this season and I was finally able to catch a sunny day break (and also wear my new Black and White Dotted Ikat Midi Dress while exploring the museum).

Light versus dark

I love Isamu Noguchi’s play on opposites, particularly the lighting in this former industrial space turned gallery. I also took part in an intimate, docent-led tour and learned more about the artist’s life and work. It was a great way to spend a Saturday morning/afternoon, full of inspiration.

Jamie Lau Designs Black and White Dotted Ikat Midi Dress 2

Under the birch trees

The sculpture garden

In addition to the beautiful sculptures, the space also has amazing natural light.

The afternoon light hitting the marble room

View of Long Island City from the second floor gallery through the birches

Jamie Lau Designs Black and White Dotted Ikat Midi Dress 3

My new favorite outfit

As for the outfit, I will definitely be taking this with me to Japan. This dress is a bit of a permutation of my Ikat Demi-Gathered Waist Dress and a great palette for accessorizing. I styled it with a pair of opaque purple tights, my ceramic bead necklace by Object & Totem, and my go-to black tassel loafers by Dieppa Restrepo from Totokaelo.

Jamie Lau Designs Dieppa Restrepo Gastons

My go-to leather tassel loafers by Dieppa Restrepo

Stay tuned for the next installment of Fashion Travelogue!

P.S. Check out Artsy’s Isamu Noguchi page for more info about the artist.

Jamie Lau Designs x Madesmith Product Launch

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Jamie

Jamie Lau Designs Aubergine Floral Kimono Sleeve Top

Photo courtesy of Madesmith Photo by Garry Waller

We’re excited to announce the launch of our exclusive product collaboration with Madesmith, a site that highlights stories of makers and designers and also brings you limited edition products from its featured artisans. (Check out the Jamie Lau Designs interview here.)

Our Aubergine Floral Kimono Sleeve Top is sewn in a textured ivory cotton dobby fabric from Japan that I picked out in Tokyo. This printed top features a minimal aubergine floral print, relaxed short kimono sleeves, and a pleated neckline.

Photo courtesy of Madesmith Photo by Garry Waller

Behind the scenes with Madesmith

Get your hands on this effortless top while it lasts – so perfect for spring and summer! Check out my full interview feature here and get a sneak peek into my design studio. Happy Spring Equinox!

Check out the full interview feature for a peek into my design studio Photo by Garry Waller

jamie lau designs

Fashion Designer | Sewing Instructor | Craft Author

Category Archives: Fashion