Bita Rad

As a fashion student at Otis, my general education courses were all very nontraditional. I was introduced to TED Talks, by one of my Digital Media teachers, as a requirement for study content for one of my papers. Ever since, it’s been one of my favorite sites to check on. For those of you who don’t know, it is a website of interesting and really random lectures by experts.

Here is a video I found today about fashion copyright, knock-offs, “inspiration” etc. by professor Johanna Blakley at USC.

Here are photos of some amazing work from Afghanistan that I took at a street market. The 5-yard long hand embroidered blankets blew my mind…

Insense…

Every now and then, while researching designs at the office, I come across a designer whose unfamiliar name or work leaves a lasting impression on me. Newcomer Alice McColm is one of those names. Her first collection, which premiered at Graduate Fashion Week in June 2009 (Middlesex University alum), should be recognized by new and aspiring runway designers everywhere. While she doesn’t stray far from practicality and current trend, her approach to fabric and fur medium is rather new and extremely refreshing. It could effortlessly fit on the runways of New York Fashion Week (right alongside Rodarte). McColm has done an excellent job of finding the balance between what is familiar and what is new, while applying big statements to each look. I, for one, am excited to see what she comes up with next.

I’ve used this spread probably a hundred times since its release in the July 2006 issue of W Magazine. It will forever be one of my favorite references for texture and silhouettes. And I’m sure it is on the inspiration boards of fashion houses across the World. Brilliant!

EDITORIAL: Relax

MAGAZINE: W magazine July 2006

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Thompson