Tag Archives: Fashion

Renegade Craft Fair Brooklyn September Market

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Renegade Craft Fair 2014 Brooklyn September Market

See the full list of vendors here

Join us in Brooklyn this month for the 2014 Renegade Craft Fair September Market. Jamie Lau Designs will be setting up shop in Williamsburg at 50 Kent – dressing room in tow – alongside 250+ curated makers and independent designers. Shop our new collection of handmade dresses, easy-to-wear tops, and totes sewn from traditional Japanese prints, handwoven ikats, and our signature textile designs.

Renegade Craft Fair Brooklyn September Market
September 13-14, 2014
Saturday & Sunday, 11-6pm
50 Kent Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11249
(Between N. 11th and N. 12th Streets)
Booth #75

And in case you missed it, Jamie Lau Designs was featured on the Renegade Craft Fair blog earlier this summer. Check out our Maker Spotlight feature to learn more about our design process.

We hope to see you in Williamsburg next weekend! In the meantime, visit our web shop to peruse our designs and follow us on Instagram for a behind the scenes peek of our most recent photo shoot.

Renegade Craft Fair San Francisco and Los Angeles Summer Markets 2014

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RenegadeCraftFairJulyMarket2014LASFRoster

Image courtesy of Renegade Craft Fair

It’s that time of year again! Jamie Lau Designs will be heading to the West Coast this summer for the 2014 Renegade Craft Fair July Markets in both Northern and Southern California. Check out the official event details below for our retail and wholesale dates. All retail events have free admission and are open to the public.

San Francisco July Market Wholesale Soiree
July 18, 2014
Friday, 6-8pm
Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion
2 Marina Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94123
Booth #20B
Free admission for store buyers with RSVP.

As a store buyer, you will be able to peruse handcrafted wares, meet the makers, and have the opportunity to place wholesale orders while enjoying cocktails and food fare without the crowd! Over 175 makers will be showcasing a variety of crafts featuring products ranging from cutting-edge fashion and jewelry design to sophisticated ceramics and housewares, contemporary furniture and lighting, bath and body products, screen printed art, paper goods, artisanal food and more!

San Francisco July Market
July 19-20, 2014
Saturday & Sunday, 11-6pm
Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion
2 Marina Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94123
Booth #20B

Renegade Craft Fair 2014 San Francisco July Market

See the full list of vendors here

Los Angeles July Market
July 26-27, 2014
Saturday & Sunday, 11-6pm
Grand Park
200 N. Grand Park Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Booth #62

Renegade Craft Fair 2014 Los Angeles July Market

See the full list of vendors here

In the meantime, visit our web shop to peruse our designs!

Fashion Travelogue: Linen Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit

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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

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Jamie Lau Designs Drawstring Jumpsuit 1

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.

Jamie Lau Designs Drawstring Jumpsuit 2

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.

Jamie Lau Designs Drawstring Jumpsuit 3

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

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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).

Jamie Lau Designs La Chinoise 1

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

Jamie Lau Designs La Chinoise 2

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.

Jamie Lau Designs NYBG 1

Prayer plant – lush green and full of textural inspiration

Jamie Lau Designs NYBG 2

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

Jamie Lau Designs NYBG 3

Neoregelia “Jampa” – some intensely colored leaves

Jamie Lau Designs NYBG 4

Afternoon sunlight hitting the Wicked “Red Head” orchids

Jamie Lau Designs NYBG 5

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

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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).

Jamie Lau Designs Noguchi Museum 1

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

Jamie Lau Designs Noguchi Museum 2

The sculpture garden

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

Jamie Lau Designs Noguchi Museum 3

The afternoon light hitting the marble room

Jamie Lau Designs Noguchi Museum 4

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

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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.

Jamie Lau Designs Aubergine Floral Kimono Sleeve Top

Photo courtesy of Madesmith Photo by Garry Waller

Jamie Lau Designs Aubergine Floral Kimono Sleeve Top

Photo courtesy of Madesmith Photo by Garry Waller

Photo by Jamie Lau

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 my interview on Madesmith

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

Fashion Travelogue: Spring Floral Linen-Cotton Gathered-Waist Dress

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Jamie Lau Designs Spring Floral Linen-Cotton Gathered-Waist Dress 1

Ready for spring in a Japanese linen-cotton blend Photo by Liz Clayman

Things have been quite busy at the Jamie Lau Designs studio. We kicked off the new year with a photo shoot featuring our new textile designs inspired by the natural environment, travel, and art, with prints based on my photographs. We designed a few custom bridal dresses and also celebrated the opening of our month-long pop-up shop at Makeshift Society in San Francisco, open until the end of this month on March 31, 2014.

In keeping up with the momentum, I’ll be embarking on an exciting textile-filled journey to Japan later this spring and summer (more details coming soon!). In preparation for my two-month trip, I’m starting a new series entitled Fashion Travelogue, with the goal of designing and sewing the bulk of my wardrobe and accessories for my travel abroad (yes, even pajamas!). I’ll be sharing snapshots of my designs on the blog throughout the next few months, starting with this Spring Floral Linen-Cotton Gathered-Waist Dress. (For similar styles, check out my Yabane Gathered-Waist Dress, Electric Cranes Gathered-Waist Dress, and other items in my web shop.)

Jamie Lau Designs Anatomy Of A Dress

Anatomy of a dress

As you may have gathered, I love dresses and design, sew, and wear, well, mostly dresses. For this classic Jamie Lau Designs fit and flare silhouette, I chose a Japanese linen-cotton blend featuring a gridded background with a pink, orange, and lush green floral print overlay. And of course, you definitely can’t forget the pockets!

Jamie Lau Designs Spring Floral Linen-Cotton Gathered-Waist Dress Styled

Styled with accessories from two of my favorite designers

This dress is perfect for impromptu picnics and I would totally style it with my Rachel Comey wood wedge sandals and A.P.C. tortoise shell chain shoulder strap purse. Stay tuned for more Fashion Travelogue and hop over to the Hart’s Fabric blog for my latest article on how to sew a blind hem stitch using this dress as an example in my tutorial.

Pop-Up Shop at Makeshift Society

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Jamie Lau Designs Makeshift Society Pop-Up Shop

Join us at our opening night party on Friday, February 28, 2014 at Makeshift Society from 5-7 PM

Join us in San Francisco for the opening of the Jamie Lau Designs Pop-Up Shop at Makeshift Society in Hayes Valley. Shop our new collection of dresses featuring our latest textile designs and prints inspired by the natural environment, travel, and art. We’ll have a mix of fit and flare dresses featuring volume with color, minimal cuts (shifts, sheaths, and A-line silhouettes), pleated shorts, and some of our classic styles cut and sewn from Japanese fabrics!

Our month-long pop-up kicks off with an opening night party on Friday, February 28th from 5-7 PM. Meet the designer and enjoy some sweet treats and drinks while you get your shop on. For one night only, we are offering a special 20% discount to our loyal customers who come in wearing a Jamie Lau Designs dress.

Friday, February 28, 2014
Opening Night Party
Makeshift Society
235 Gough Street (b/w Fell + Oak)
San Francisco, CA 94102
5-7 PM
RSVP to jamielaudesigns@gmail.com

March 1-31, 2014
Pop-Up Shop
Store Hours: Monday-Friday, 9-6 PM

Jamie Lau Designs would like to thank our hosts at Makeshift Society and Britex Fabrics for providing the dress forms for opening night. Makeshift Society is a coworking space and clubhouse for creative entrepreneurs. Britex Fabrics is a San Francisco landmark and a must-visit for designers, sewers, DIYers and anyone seeking creative inspiration.

Windowpane Pleated Top and Wool Shorts Duo x Britex Fabrics Guest Blogging

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Jamie Lau Designs Windowpane Pleated Duo 1

I selected a cream windowpane check black and carmine wool crepe for my checked ensemble

For my first Britex Fabrics guest blogger post of the new year, I decided to branch out from dresses and into the world of separates. I designed a pair of pleated shorts in one of my prints a few months ago (coming to the web shop soon!) and wanted to make the same cut, but in a nice, pebbly wool crepe.

For the overall look, I was partially inspired by the geometric designs of André Courrèges and the playful, mod aesthetic of Foale and Tuffin and decided to make a windowpane pleated top and wool shorts combo.

60s Inspiration

(Left) Dress by André Courrèges, 1968; (Right) Marion Foale at the sewing machine, 1963

For the top, I designed and sewed an easy-to-wear pleated neckline top with relaxed short kimono sleeves, similar to my Pleated Tunic Dress, styled here with my A.P.C. cat brooch that I picked up in Belgium back in 2007 at their Antwerp store.

Jamie Lau Designs Windowpane Pleated Top 1

Front neckline pleating detail

Jamie Lau Designs Windowpane Pleated Top 2

Fully lined and easy to slip on without the hassle of a zipper

And for the shorts, I added front pleating and hip yoke pockets.

Jamie Lau Designs Windowpane Pleated Duo Details

The devil’s in the details – checks meticulously aligned

We shot this look with photographer Liz Clayman the same weekend as the photo shoot for my new textile designs. Check out my Instagram for more behind the scenes glimpses of other looks from this shoot, including new Jamie Lau Designs prints which are coming to the web shop at the end of this week!

Jamie Lau Designs Windowpane Pleated Duo Behind the Scenes

Thanks to my model Ming for the behind the scenes snapshot!

Visit the Britex blog for my full article which includes a tutorial with tips on sewing shorts (and naturally, can be applied to sewing pants as well)!