7.20.2010

Fly Away!

I've finally finished that project I couldn't keep my mouth shut about yesterday, and I'm soo soo soo excited to share it with you guys! Ever since starting my inspiration blog I've been spending a lot less time online and a lot more time creating (sorry for any unanswered emails). Due to all that added inspiration, I decided I wanted to try something different with the shop update. Instead of photographing all my pieces on the new white background, I wanted to build a collection that really carried it's own distinct point of view. I wanted to create a feeling and a story as if I were an independent designer showing off my creations for the season.  So, without further adieu, hold on the your hats because I'm about to make up for that lack of posting I've been doing with one mega post.


Before you can understand my point of view for this collection, I think you'll need to take a look at my inspiration. I've been drawn to really pretty pastels and soft, delicate textures this summer, and I can't get over some of the pieces from the Twenty Seven Names lookbook. They're done in the very best colors with just the right amount of details, and I love that everything is styled with really tough, almost boyish boots. It reminds me of old country looks typical of the 1930's.

I've also been loving really well designed sets with rough concrete floors and less then perfect model poses. I'm going to have to pass on the concrete floor for now, but I was able to build a very simple set based around my favorite colors of the moment. The Fischer fall lookbook has been a great source of inspiration for set design, and again, the Twenty Seven Names lookbook is great for the effortless model poses. 

My final piece of inspiration was this beautiful painting of Queen Guinevre done by John Collier in the early 1900's. I was really intrigued by all the colors and flowers in the piece, and they just seemed to resonate with all the romantic things we're seeing this season: floral crowns, pastels, and braids.






After looking around my apartment and finding things that really tied in with what I was trying to create, I decided to title this collection 'Fly Away!' based off of a piece I made last winter. Building the set around this theme wasn't really tough seeing as my home is already filled with tons of soft, muted colors. 

Styling the collection was really quite fun too! I scored tons of great pieces at Goodwill the day before I styled it and was able to come up with some outfits that I really fell in love with. I used lots of silk and rayon, and of course, nothing but the softest, most beautiful pastel colors. I even made a couple of  floral crowns to go with the collection too! I only have two in the shop now, but I liked making them so much that I plan to add a bunch more. Just let me know if you'd like to go ahead and place an order, and I'll get it ready.

I think that's about all I have to say, so I'll shut up now and let you have a look for yourself.










That's not it though. 

I also decided to make a video! I feel like I need to preface it with an apology for my inability to stop a video properly, so forgive me for the abrupt stop. I didn't get a whole lot of footage, and I'm still learning how it all works. I set it to Future Islands "Swept Away", and if you know anything about Dan Deacon and the Wham City guys you'll know that this video is not typically what they would place their songs too. They use some really wacky edits in their stuff, and it makes for a good laugh if you ever have the extra time to watch some of it. I only hope they wouldn't mind me setting my girlie mush to their beats. Feedback is much appreciated!

Enjoy and don't forget to visit the shop!

36 comments:

Idée Géniale said...

Oh Starr! This is absolutely amazing! I can only imagine all the work it took to pull together. Congrats! I can't wait to persue the shop! So many things have caught my eye!

Myriam said...

Oh wow, oh wow. You've really outdone yourself this time, Starr! What a lovely post to stumble upon right before I drift off to sleep (it's 1am here). Hopefully I will dream of lovely dresses and divine shorts and silk shirts and how much I miss Southern thrifting!

Lara said...

Good job! I'm totally impressed. You go girl!!! :)

Unknown said...

this is freaking amazing starr! you should really do this for a living!!! well i guess you sort of are, but i mean you should REALLY pursue a career in this!

Arielle said...

These are wonderful!! And I love the styling with each outfit as well. If I wasn't trying to save money I would definitely be making a couple of purchases...it's still very tempting though! hmmm...

Kyra said...

Oh my...you never cease to stun me, dear. Completely and utterly brilliant. Genius. Just wow...

Anonymous said...

Oh my!! I love this!!! very creative Starr!! the little video is so cute ^.^

Catherine said...

I love this! It's perfect. I love how you put so much effort into the photo shoot, something that isn't it looks professional. You don't see alot of that on etsy. I love the green dress. Everything is so unbelieveably perfect. And the video is adorable! You should really be doing this as a career.

The Girl in the Paper Dress

bonfire of my vanity said...

starr, i love your blog, but i never comment, because i have two small kids climbing all over me and no hands. but today i had to! you should be so proud of yourself! the pictures are amazing. i have been reading your blog for a few months and i have seen how much you've just really been going for it, and it's exciting to watch. keep up the good work!
http://bellisimama.blogspot.com/

jamilah said...

hi, found your blog via lululetty =) I just had to comment on the great collection you put together... very impressive... & as a photographer, I especially enjoyed the images & the well put together backdrop... and cool video =)

~jamilah~
http://www.jamilahscreativetouch.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

All I could think after watching your video and looking at your photos was: HELL YEAH. I love the Wham City label. I love that you keep cycling through the same five actions in your video, it was so clever and suited the music wonderfully and I love the play between the beautiful and the nerdily charming things like reading a book and spinning the globe. The pictures are absolutely clever and wonderful as well!

xo Jenny

E said...

so amazing and beautiful! you are one creative genius :)



heyfancypants.blogspot.com

Casie Jean said...

this is absolutely lovely. for me fashion is an overall aesthetic creation, and this represents this beautifully.. the video is just darling!

Sidewalk Chic said...

This is over and beyond what's expected for online etsys. I'm stunned by your creativity, and everything looks just so beautiful and professionally created. Amazing, simply amazing.

Shelby said...

This is truly amazing! It really does look like a collection's look book. You should do this professionally!

Unknown said...

This is amazing!! This kind of work isn't put together by anyone - you're very talented and should pursue this.

Bruklyn Belle said...

Beautiful collection! You've done such an amazing job with this :)

Manja said...

This is amazing!!! I love the pictures, the video - everything!
It sucks to be broke and poor all the time but if I ever have a little more money than I do now, I will definitely purchase something from your lovely shop :)

Rebecca said...

This is amazing! I love the whole concept behind it, everything looks really professional too. Great job!

Bea said...

I am so beyond impressed. Everything looks so professional and amazing. I can see the fusion of all your inspirations. The pretty pastels contrast so well with the tough leather accents.

You should be very proud of yourself. I wouldn't be surprised if your 'lookbook' starts circulating the blogosphere.

B from A plus B

Rosie said...

You seriously just blew me away! You put so much creativity, passion, and effort into everything you do and man does it show!! You're truly inspirational for me!

kate said...

Wow, no wonder you've been busy. It looks great! I really liked the video. Your so creative and talented.

Unknown said...

I love your video! fantastic creation!

Nico said...

omgg I can't get over how amazing this is!!! You're such an artist, I seriously love it! It looks just like a professional lookbook, and the video is just incredible :) such an inspiration!

Victoria / Justice Pirate said...

I'm left in shock and nothing to say (because it is that incredible)!

CHRISTI JAY said...

These look amazing! what a beautiful house you've curated.

Jen Hsieh said...

all i can say is that these are genius and beyond gorgeous. you've got talent <3

Sarah Louise said...

Fantastic! I can tell how hard you worked on this and it really paid off.

Sarah Louise
http://www.tzipporit.blogspot.com

alya said...

This is beautiful; really well done. I loved getting the inspiration/explanation behind what you were doing, too. The hard work definitely paid off!

Anna G said...

Your work is simply breathe-taking. You did such a great job editing the all the elements.

moonshinejunkyard said...

oh starr, i haven't got a chance to comment yet because my internet was broken all day (sucks how much i rely on it! i was frantic) anyway this is amazing and soooo inspirng. i particularly loved hearing about and taking a look at your three main inspirations for your collection. what i love about your blog and your whole approach is that not only is it creative and beautiful, you are INSTRUCTIONAL on a diy approach to fashion and styling. that is one in a million and so wonderful and kind of you and just lovely to find and peruse. seriously. in my own tiny way i want to style my own "collection" now for my next etsy shoot. i had already noticed a violet/moody/ethnic/plum/twilight theme developing in the new things i've got to add to my shop. and you are truly inspiring me to put them together in a unique way even if it simply means something or tells a story to ME (and my girls). thank you for being such a grand indie designer and fashion lady and for making the online world a refreshing and dazzling place.

Hannah said...

These are incredible! Your presentation is impeccable, I can't stop looking at these!

Little Garcon said...

Starr these are seriously amazing! It totally fits your style and I'm definitely digging it.

Also I love the video, you make me want to go out and do my own photo shoots. Now if only I could sucker some friends into coming along!

Also I think a great ending would have been her just closing the book and smiling at the camera.

Can't wait to see more!

Rosalie said...

Wow, this whole post is so inspiring! I also can't get over how beautiful your model is!

Anonymous said...

wow, starr! i'm so impressed with your creativity! this must've taken a lot of time and elbow grease. ;) i only wish i could devote this much time to my shop. great job and good luck to you!

paige

Brittany said...

I just bought that purple dress.. I had been lusting over it but didn't realize it was my size until Annie did the post where it was featured & even though I'm broke I HAD to have it. It's actually my first Etsy vintage purchase since I started my shop in February.. can you believe that? I always tell myself I will find something similar, but it is such a special & unique & romantic dress! Gosh, you really blew me away with this shoot.