Category Archives: Guest Blogging

California Dreamin’ in Abstract Floral Cotton

Posted on by
Reply

California Dreamin’ in Abstract Floral Cotton 1

We’ve been experiencing quite the heatwave in California these last few days, which means perfect weather for wearing dresses! I selected this vibrant, textured cotton shantung to make a classic fit and flare dress for my trip to Los Angeles over Labor Day weekend. This designer fabric by Milly features an abstract floral print with bright persimmon and chocolate brown notes.
California Dreamin’ in Abstract Floral Cotton 2I photographed this look against one of the many Instagrammable walls and street art in LA. I came across this black and white photorealistic mural of palm trees by Noah Abrams Studio while strolling along Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice.
California Dreamin’ in Abstract Floral Cotton 2This gathered-waist silhouette features flattering cap sleeves, a square neckline, and center back zipper. I added inseam pockets versus sewing patch pockets so I would not distract from the flow of the print.California Dreamin’ in Abstract Floral Cotton 3Follow me on Instagram for more scenes from this trip. If you are interested in placing an order for this dress in this fabric or another cotton option, email us at jamielaudesigns [at] gmail [dot] com.

Ultramarine Blue Motion Jumpsuit

Posted on by
Reply

Ultramarine Blue Motion Jumpsuit 1

Hei from Helsinki! For my vacation, I created a few travel outfits for my Scandinavian summer adventure. Working with some core JLD silhouettes, I updated my wardrobe, including the addition of a new Motion Jumpsuit design. I love designing with textured solids and selected this ultramarine blue linen, wool, and silk blend from Italy.

The bodice features relaxed short kimono sleeves and a center back zipper. This easy-to-wear pleated jumpsuit also incorporates deep hip yoke pockets, perfect for travel. The fabric blend is drapey and soft, and the subtle sheen adds textured interest to the movement of the silhouette.

Ultramarine Blue Motion Jumpsuit 2

Ultramarine Blue Motion Jumpsuit 3

For contrast, I styled the look with semi-sheer polka dot socks and wore the jumpsuit in Helsinki during my visit to the Iittala & Arabia Design Centre.

Ultramarine Blue Motion Jumpsuit 4

I am very inspired by color and offer my core silhouettes to customers in a variety of colors and prints. I love finding design inspiration while traveling. On this trip, I learned about Iittala’s color development process. Iittala is one of Finland’s most celebrated design and lifestyle brands. With over 100 active production colors, each color recipe is cast to a “stair model” to see how the material thickness affects the color. Iittala has over 10,000 different color recipes in the archives!

Ultramarine Blue Motion Jumpsuit 5

Follow me on Instagram for more scenes from this trip. If you are interested in placing an order for this jumpsuit in this fabric or another cotton option, email us at jamielaudesigns [at] gmail [dot] com. For those of you in San Francisco who would like to shop in person, I will be vending at the Renegade Craft Fair at Fort Mason the weekend of July 15-16, 2017. The event is free and open to the public.

Ultramarine Blue Motion Jumpsuit 6

This new design is also featured on the Britex Fabrics blog.

Metallic Ikat Striped Geometry Dress

Posted on by
Reply

Metallic Ikat Striped Geometry Dress 1

I love working with stripes just as much as I love textured ikat fabric. When I saw this striped Italian ikat blend with copper accents, I knew it would make for a great party dress version of the JLD Striped Geometry Dress silhouette. The metallic threads add a luxury feel and I thought it would be fun to play with the direction of the “blurry” stripes that are characteristic of ikat weaving.

Much of the inspiration for my designs comes from my environment and looking beyond literal fashion references. Here are some artworks I was drawn to, mainly because of the intersection of stripes.

Teresita Fernández’s Stacked Waters 1

Teresita Fernández’s Stacked Waters created for the entrance space of the Blanton Museum of Art

Teresita Fernández’s Stacked Waters 2

A site-specific installation consisting of 3,100 square feet of custom-cast acrylic that covers the walls in a striped pattern

Monir Farmanfarmaian’s Hexagon

Monir Farmanfarmaian’s Hexagon (2010), shown by the Haines Gallery at The Armory Show in 2013

If you are interested in placing an order for a dress in this new fabric (or another option), email us at jamielaudesigns [at] gmail [dot] com.Metallic Ikat Striped Geometry Dress 2

This new design is also featured on the Britex Fabrics blog.

Metallic Linen Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit

Posted on by
1

Metallic Linen Palazzo Pan Jumpsuit MainThe JLD Linen Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit silhouette has been a customer favorite. We’ve decided to update this look in new fabrics for 2017, starting with a luxurious linen with a silvery sheen. The metallic finish adds visual interest and elevates the material, yet still meets the functionality criteria since it is a linen.

The inspiration for this design came after a trip to Palm Springs earlier this year. (And yes, I brought along another version of this jumpsuit to wear during my trip!) In Palm Springs, I was surrounded by Old Hollywood glamour—Mid-century modern architecture, poolside bungalows, and vintage shopping—as well as the city’s modern makeover. I visited several art museums and dined at stylish restaurants around town. What I noticed when looking back at my phone was the number of photos I took of lighting fixtures. They all happened to be my favorite images from the camera roll and themed around the bright, shiny, and geometric.

Similar to the intersection of old and new that I observed in the desert, I wanted to update this vintage-inspired silhouette in a modern fabric. Here are some of the lighting design pieces that caught my eye.

Lindsey Adelman’s Branching Bubbles at L’Horizon Palm Springs

Lindsey Adelman’s Branching Bubbles at L’Horizon Palm Springs

Marjorie Edris Chandelier with its 365 bulbs at the Palm Springs Art Museum

Marjorie Edris Chandelier with its 365 bulbs at the Palm Springs Art Museum

Jim Campbell’s low-res light art experiment in perceptual cognition on view at the Palm Springs Art Museum, based on the digital pixel and the information it carries

Jim Campbell’s low-res light art experiment in perceptual cognition on view at the Palm Springs Art Museum, based on the digital pixel and the information it carries

To break up the shininess, I decided to cut and sew the necktie in black using the wrong side of the fabric for some contrast. I added side seam pockets—just like in the original version—and used woven flat non-roll elastic for the waistband to help resist rolling or twisting.

Linen Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit 2

Left: Our Blue Cotton-Linen Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit; Right: Our new Metallic Linen Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit

Linen Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit 3

The elastic waistband on this garment carries the weight of the linen pant legs, creating an effortless feel when worn

I styled this wide leg silhouette with my No. 6 Crowley Tassel Slingback Clogs for some elevation. And in case you were wondering, we shot this look in the Moon Viewing Garden, quite appropriate for this silver metallic jumpsuit. If you are interested in placing an order for a jumpsuit in this new fabric (or another option), email us at jamielaudesigns [at] gmail [dot] com.

Linen Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit 4

This new design is also featured on the Britex Fabrics blog.

Colorblock Polka Dot Shirt Dress

Posted on by
1

JLD Colorblock Polka Dot Shirt Dress 1My favorite part of the design process is fabric selection. For this new spring shirt dress design, I paired a crisp, luxury cotton shirting fabric by Burberry with a contrasting hand-dyed blue cotton for the outer cuff layer. To further add interest to the overall design, I chose glazed marine blue buttons to highlight the polka dot print.

JLD Colorblock Polka Dot Shirt Dress 2

I styled the look with a mix of longtime accessory finds that have been sitting in my closet (and that have also moved back and forth with me across the country), including a vintage black leather Coach handbag and (possibly vintage) powder coated white floral earrings from Steven Alan.

JLD Colorblock Polka Dot Shirt Dress 3

I also styled the look with three of my favorite go-to accessories:
1. Large red hair barrette by Sylvain Le Hen, made in France and inspired by sensual organic forms,
2. Whimsical multicolored ikat socks by Bonne Maison, made with high quality Egyptian cotton spun in Italy, and
3. Dieppa Restrepo black leather Dandy flats from Totokaelo.

JLD Colorblock Polka Dot Shirt Dress 4

As for design details, I oftentimes find button cuffs to be a little restrictive, especially when I want to roll up my sleeves. Thus, I decided to draft a three-quarter sleeve with a full slit cuff for more freedom and less fuss. (Plus, you can still see a peek of the polka dot fabric sewn as the inner cuff layer.)

JLD Colorblock Polka Dot Shirt Dress 5

This dress was recently featured in my latest article for Britex Fabrics, which includes a button placket pattern drafting tutorial written by yours truly. For order inquiries of this new dress style, please contact us at jamielaudesigns@gmail.com.

Indigo Basketweave Raw Silk Cap Sleeve Pleated Dress x Britex Fabrics Guest Blogging

Posted on by
3
JLD Indigo Basketweave Raw Silk Cap Sleeve Pleated Dress 1

A sunny morning in Golden Gate Park

One of our top-selling dress styles is the fit and flare silhouette, available with a gathered or pleated skirt, square or rounded neckline. In this latest version, I used an indigo basketweave raw silk. Its beautiful texture works great with this tailored silhouette, originally designed using a Japanese dragonfly print.

JLD Navy Pleated Tonbo Dress

Our form flattering Navy Pleated Tonbo Dress in a textured Japanese cotton.

I love the beauty of raw silk and its natural, subtle luster.

JLD Indigo Basketweave Raw Silk Cap Sleeve Pleated Dress 2

I styled the look with my Rachel Comey trompe l’oeil wood wedge platforms and colorful ikat Bonne Maison socks. For order inquiries of this new dress style, please contact us at jamielaudesigns@gmail.com.

JLD Bonne Maison Socks

Colorful chaussettes for styling

Silk Linen Curved Seam Midi Dress x Britex Fabrics Guest Blogging

Posted on by
Reply
JLD Silk Linen Curved Seam Midi Dress 1

This minimal silhouette is a great palette for accessorizing, styling, and personalization for year-round wear.

One of our top-selling dresses is a relaxed fit ikat midi dress with short kimono sleeves. I wanted to create a new midi style with three-quarter sleeves in a slightly heavier weight fabric.

JLD Silk Linen Curved Seam Midi Dress 2

This new style is sewn from a slubby textured silk linen blend made in Scotland and features curved seam detailing at the bustline.

JLD Silk Linen Curved Seam Midi Dress 3

JLD Silk Linen Curved Seam Midi Dress 4

This style of dress would not be complete without pockets, and I added them at the side seams.

JLD Silk Linen Curved Seam Midi Dress 5

Given the minimal nature of the fabric in this silhouette, the dress makes a great palette for accessorizing, styling, and personalization for year-round wear. For spring, I chose to style it with a statement ceramic textile necklace, polka dot socks for a pop of color and pattern, and my go-to clogs.

JLD Silk Linen Curved Seam Midi Dress 6

Jamie Lau Designs dress styled with Object & Totem ceramic necklace, Bonne Maison socks, and Rachel Comey clogs.

What I love most about this fabric are the subtle specks of blue yarn woven in with the overall grey and white.

JLD Silk Linen Curved Seam Midi Dress 7

This silhouette is loosely inspired by choir robes and religious clothing.

Visit the Britex blog for my latest article on how to make and sew bias tape using this dress as an example in my tutorial.

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

Posted on by
Reply
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 by
Reply
Jamie Lau Designs Pleated Wool Dress 1

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.

Jamie Lau Designs Pleated Wool Dress 2

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

Jamie Lau Designs Pleated Wool Dress 3

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!

Fashion Travelogue: Linen Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit

Posted on by
2
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!