Fashion – So So Into Academy

5 Things You Need to Know About The American Jean Empire

Sanel Van Staden — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 07:41:18 +0000

5 Things You Need to Know About The American Jean Empire

Date Published: December 2, 2020

Blue jeans are a fashion staple in both America and worldwide. This key outfit element was born in the 1800s and grew into a lucrative empire.

Here are 5 things you need to know about the American Jean Empire.

The Jean Staple

Jeans came into fashion in America in the 1800s and have since become one of the most fundamental pieces in American Fashion. Around about 450 million pairs of jeans are sold every year in the United States of America and act as one of their booming businesses.

Originally, jeans were created by Bavarian immigrant Loeb Strauss whose family sold cloth, linens and clothing. Later, Strauss changed his name. From now on he would be known as Levi Strauss.

Blue Jeans, War and James Dean

The start of the war had soldiers going to war in jeans which influenced many people at home to start the fashion trend. It was indeed Marilyn Monroe’s jeans in Clash By Night that started the fashion trend. Later, James Dean’s jeans gave rise to the bad boy look that grabbed the attention of many young consumers.

The 70’s and Bell Bottoms

The larger flair at the ankle was the defining outfit of the 70’s thanks to Elvis Presley. This was also the era that the denim-on-denim trend began with denim jackets and bell-bottom jeans.

This 70’s trend went on to influence the 80’s jean fashion stable of tapered or rolled up ankle jeans.

Britney’s Jean Outfits and the 90’s

The ’90s came with denim packed fashion infusion. Not only did we see Britney Spears rocking entire denim outfits, but there were a few other trends that dawned in the ’90s:

Colour patched jeans
Carpenter Jeans
Jean Shorts
Embroidered Jeans

Modern Day Jeans

Today, the world of jeans is a fashion empire. Even though skinny jeans are still the cut of choice, looks like flared bottoms and bootlegs are making their way back into the international closet.

New jeans have also come into play, this includes jeggings which are a rather comfortable mix of jeans and leggings.

The American Jean Empire has come a long way from its start in the 1800s, but where on earth would we be without blue jeans?

Want to learn how to make your own jeans? Why not start one of our courses today?

Author: Andrea Frisby

5 Things Only a Seamstress Could Understand

Sanel Van Staden — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 09:11:14 +0000

5 Things Only a Seamstress Could Understand

Date Published: October 26, 2020

When it comes to being a seamstress, there are a few things that only you could understand. Often, these actions or topics will mean nothing or very little to somebody else but at a seamstress, they push your buttons! Pun intended.

Here is a list of 5 things only a seamstress could understand.

Using Fabric Scissors for well...NOT FABRIC

This one happens too often for comfort. Somebody in the house is looking for a pair of scissors and you’ve just opened up your sewing kit, ready to get working.

The phone rings and you disappear for a few seconds. You come back to find somebody using your fabric cutting scissors to open their takeout delivery box or to cut out some pictures, maybe they’re one of those people that slice pizza with scissors. The horror of it all.

They don’t understand why you’re so upset. Only you can understand the gravity of the situation and go off to mourn a good pair of fabric scissors.

The Feeling of Getting a New Sewing Machine

To everybody else, it’s just a machine. You come home with a brand new machine and nobody bats an eye, again all you do is sew.

At last, you unwrap the beauty and dive into the manual because yes the manual is important. You fire it up and understand what Aladin meant when he sang A Whole New World. You have a whole new machine, countless new feature and a new way to complete all of your designs.

HOW EXCITING?! Your friends and family slowly start changing the subject because this is only something a seamstress could understand.

Somebody Compliments Your Work. No…Your Art

You’ve made somebody a garment, a blanket, a piece of clothing…a work of art and now their face is lighting up in awe. For any seamstress, this moment is priceless.

Your heart starts pounding with joy, you feel like you could just jump up and dance the night away. Hours, days spent on perfecting this artwork and they love it. Could there be a better feeling? Not to a seamstress.

The Case of The Messy Thread

As a seamstress, you know that your threat is about as equivalent as having a shedding dog. The thread ends up almost everywhere.

You’ve got a meeting? Rushing out has never been this easy. Coffee is done, hair styled, you’re ready to take on the day! Only to realise that when you get to your meeting, you’ve covered in bits of thread. A rainbow of thread decorates the back of your stylish blazer.

You quickly brush it away before your colleagues get there, just to find more in your hair. BUT HOW? It’s only something a seamstress could understand.

The Fabric Store is Your Toy Store

When you’re out shopping and see a fabric store, you’re like a child in a toy store, a kid in a candy store. It. Is. Heaven.

You have to go in. Even if they haven’t got anything new since the last time you were there which we all know was yesterday. You just like the smell and feel of all the fabrics. Some people like to hear the sea. You? You prefer the phrase, how many meters of fabric would you like?

Again, nobody gets it. They all wait outside or call you 2 hours later from home because they’ve left you behind. It’s only something a seamstress could understand.

Why not join one of our courses here? After all, the joy of harnessing your sewing skills is only something a seamstress could understand.

Author: Andrea Frisby

Face Masks: The latest fashion trend

Sanel Van Staden — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 09:55:27 +0000

Face Masks: The latest fashion trend

Date Published: October 14, 2020

COVID-19 came quickly and took the world by storm. With it, it brought tight lockdown regulations, levels of isolation and most of all fear. These are all factors that could naturally be predicted in a pandemic type situation.

What we didn’t predict, however, was that face masks would turn into the latest fashion trend. In no time at all, masks morphed from disease blockers to fashion stoppers.

The Fashion Staple

Masks are now a fundamental part of your outfit. Do they match my outfit? Are they unique? Is this enough of a statement? These are the kinds of questions that have sprung up from the rubble of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whatever your outfit, there is a mask to match it.

Fashion Giants

Fashion giants like Prada, Louis Vuitton and Dior are all jumping into the mask fashion game. Not only are they designing and manufacturing masks for public appeal, but also for medical workers who indeed need them the most.

Cotton on, Woolworths and other clothing giants are examples of other companies that are also creating desirable masks and helping this new fashion item become a part of everybody’s outfit.

Face masks have so easily and thoughtless become a collection item that fit into our day-to-day outfit collaborations. Fashion markets have somehow found a way to monopolise on a pandemic, and the public is here for it!

Social Media

One way to track and copy trends is on social media. Instagram, Facebook and twitter are bombarded with mask-fashion every day. This way, people start to want in and buy themselves fashionable masks to fit into the new masking madness.

Anywhere you go you can find a trendy mask. Instagram, Facebook groups, the mall, the garage, they’re everywhere! It begs the question, is it safety first or fashion first?

Luxury Street Apparel

Not only have masks taken the posh brands by storm but the streetwear brands are also in line with the latest fashion trend.

Long before the COVID-19 pandemic came into fruition, face masks, neck gaiters and balaclavas were a staple part of the streetwear scene. Only now, this fashion staple has been amplified.

Types of masks

Now that COVID-19 has been with us for a while, fashion designers have found a way to create more than one type of mask! Here a few of the most popular options:

Cloth masks: Probably the most popular ones at the moment, cloth masks are simple shields against viral particles. They are also a great fashion statement and often sport different patterns or designs,
Bandanas: This triangular piece of cloth gives a much-needed break from the usual shape of cloth or surgical masks. Old style cowboy, new style millennial!
Neck gaiters: A staple of the streetwear scene, neck gaiters are worn around the neck and can be pulled up over the mouth and nose.
Surgical masks: The disease of the fashion industry are plain, boring surgical masks. Surgical masks are where it all started and now, fashion doesn’t want anything to do with them!

Make your own

With masks becoming a highly sought after fashion item, their price point is also rising. What was meant to be a safety measure has grown into a money-making empire.

So why not make your own masks?

If you’re interested in making your own face masks have a look at this tutorial and start your own fashion trends!

Or, join one of our sewing courses to learn about sewing, design and more!

Author: Andrea Frisby

So So Into It Academy- Who are we?

Sanel Van Staden — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 11:53:49 +0000

So So Into It Academy- Who are we?

Date Published: October 9, 2020

So So Into It Academy is the dream school for any budding fashion designers, pattern makers and sewists. Whether you’re looking to refine your skills or start from scratch, So So Into It Academy is the place for you!

With short courses in sewing, patternmaking and comprehensive clothing design, there is something for every fashion enthusiast.

The So So framework

All courses are sourced and run by fashion extraordinaire, Amanda Badenhorst, who has years of fashion and sewing professionalism behind her name.

With a passion for teaching those who also love the art of fashion, Amanda turned a hobby into a fashion school and full-time career.

Currently, Amanda Badenhorst is working with VIA, channel 147 on DSTV, partaking in the new fashion and sewing show “Stik Stik So”.

Courses

This fast-growing fashion school has an array of reputable courses to choose from. Here is a list of everything So So Into It Academy has to offer:

Are we right for you?

So So Into It Academy is a home for creative individuals. If you’re wondering why this institution would be a good idea for you, here are some reasons:

Upon completion, you will get a So So into certificate: When you’re finished with your chosen course, you’ll get a special certificate that can prove your knowledge and experience in your chosen field!
Encounter a fully equipped studio to aid your learning experience: The classroom is fully equipped with all you can possibly need to become an A-Class sewist, patternmaker or fashion designer.

Work with a fashion expert: Amanda Badenhorst has years of fashion experience behind her name and grew her own business from her hobby. You could too!
You can improve on your certificates: There are multiple certificates to do in each line of work. That means that you can always do more!

Your future

If you dream of going into a career in fashion, or just want to refine your skills and learn something new, So So Into It Academy is the place for you!

It’s never too late to live your dream career! So why not start now?

Where do I sign up?

For all creative individuals who are looking to make So So Into It Academy their new creative home, click here to contact us!

Or view our full website here.

Author: Andrea Frisby

Clothing Designers Every Sewist Should Know

Carli — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 08:24:34 +0000

Whether you are just sewing for fun or an extra income. Every sewist should have at least some understanding of clothing design and fashion. Besides the fact that it has influenced us for generations, it can also be used as a source of inspirations for sewing.

Here are some of the most influential designers and what they are celebrated for in fashion. But first, let’s take a look at why fashion is important at all.

Why Is Fashion Design Important

Whether you like it or not every season there are clothes inspired by a trend. This is the basis of fashion itself. If it was not for these brands who have the talent to see a certain style gaining popularity and then replicating them in stores; you would not have that favourite pair of jeans or jacket.

Clothing designers are unique in their ability to design garments that people love and also design pieces that people are going to love. These individuals keep pushing the boundary and innovating new things season after season. Yes, we also do not like fast fashion and what it stands for, but that does not mean the creativity of fashion has to be bad for the environment.

Inspirational clothing designers:

1860

Roland Barthes:

This French philosopher investigated the only known ‘fashion’ text of the day available in journals. He then compiled the first linguistic code for fashion. Through this analysis he compiled the largest system for fashion of the day.

1825

Charles Frederick Worth:

Charles was not only the first male dressmaker of his time. But he was also the first to gain a notable reputation, at the time only matched by woman dress makers like his counterpart Rose Bertin. Rose Bertin was a famous dressmaker for Marie Antoinette.

Back then designers were not renowned. Worth was also one of the first designers to make a collection pre-season. These styles stayed in circulation for at least 5 years before the next trend took over. He also established modern couture until the rise of ready-to-wear took over in the 1960s

1879

Paul Poiret:

In 1911 Paul Poiret was more than just a fashion designer. He also created the Rosine House Of Perfume. One of the first lines of perfumes. Then he also had a school of decorative arts and a fabric printing factory. As a designer, he also excelled by becoming a central figure in the artistic and creative development in Paris.

1867

Jeanne Lanvin:

Lanvin was the founder of one of the oldest surviving couture houses. She was also one of the most successful couturiers in Paris. In her day she made clothes that celebrated traditional concepts of femininity. Of all her achievement the most noteworthy was her ability to run her business like a modern-day designer. She researched her designs in museums and art galleries for inspiration.

1883

Barielle Chanel:

Also known as COCO Chanel is still idealised today for her timeless designs. In 1910 she opened her first shop in Paris selling hats and only later on moved to clothes. She became renowned by chance when she designed a dress from an old coat for a cold day in Deauville. Women saw the dress and asked her to make one for them, creating a trend.

1905

Christian Dior:

Dior, like Chanel, was a French designer. He created a design in 1947 called “the new look”. The tiny waisted dresses became extremely popular. This was a luxury for women’s fashion after WW1 because the design aspired to free women through “radical femininity”. It was a breath of fresh air from the “utilitarian attires” of the day. And brought back the concept that woman’s wear could be extravagant rather than just functional.

1922

Pierre Cardin:

Like most fathers of the time, Cardin’s father wanted him to become an architect. But Pierre had an interest in dressmaking from early childhood. In 1950 he opened a shop for men’s suits and gradually grew in popularity. In the 1960’s he launched the so-called Space Age look with goggles and helmets. And then grew more in stature for licensing his name to sunglasses and other products.

1949

Miuccia Prada

She is an Italian clothing designer and head of the Prada powerhouse. She took over the family’s luggage business in 1978 and was an unlikely entrepreneur. But her unique vision for the company turned it into a billion-dollar company. What we personally love about Prada is her seeming disregard for the rest of the fashion world. She is not afraid to take risks and spearhead new ideas.

There are many other names, but these are the ones we found the most inspirational either because of their triumphant road to success or their ability to go against the norm. Whether you just love making clothes let these amazing names inspire you.

Want to learn how to design your own clothes? See our comprehensive course here.

Sources:

www.biography.com- fashion-designer/coco-chanel
www.britannica.com- biography/Pierre-Cardin
Fashion Designer By Don Rauf, Monique Vescia.
The Great Fashion Designers By Brenda Polan, Roger Tredre

What Is Fashion Design/ Clothing Design

Carli — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 07:16:11 +0000

“‘This… stuff’? Oh. Okay. I see. You think this has nothing to do with you. When in fact you are wearing a sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room” – Meryl Streep The Devil Wears Prada

Fashion is all around us. It has been like this for decades. Even though trends come and go, fashion will always influence what we wear when we wear and how we wear. Whether we like to admit it or not.

What is fashion?

Fashion comes from the Latin word ‘facere’ which means ‘to make’. It is the trend of design marked by rhythmic imitation and innovation. Fashion embodies the accepted style of the time. Once the style is copied, this is seen as a fashion trend.

To put this in plain terms. Winter is upon us here in South Africa. Next time you are shopping see how a new style of a sweater will be in every shop. Just in slight variations. Then take a look at what was trending during winter in America or Europe – and you will be able to see how fashion copies and becomes a trend.

In the old days, fashion was influenced by other countries only by the upper class who had access to travel. The lower class would then imitate their style and this is how trends spread. Today fashion is more fluent and spreads much faster.

Principles of design

Fashion design is an art form. And in any art form, there are certain principles that guide the art form application.

What are the principles of clothing design:

1.Balance:

“In clothing, this refers to the visual balance of weight.”There are 3 major types of balance in fashion design. Formal balance, which refers to the upper and lower sections of a garment. They should be in harmony. One section should not appear heavier on the bottom or top. Informal balance; this is where the design has a haphazard design type. Radial balance occurs when major parts of the design radiate from the central part.

2. Emphasis:

Emphasis refers to drawing attention to one specific part of a design. With the other sections not taking away the attention from the intended section. In other design types, it is also known as the ‘focal point’ of a design.

Different types of emphasis include; using contrast, leading lines, repairing detail and unusual shapes or textures.

3.Harmony:

This unity is created when all the elements of a design work together to create a successful visual effect. When the right balance is not found people usually refer to this as being unharmonious.

4.Proportion:

Scale refers to a basic shape within a design. This creates order within a design. Think for example how an oversized table can make a room look smaller. This is because it is not in proportion to the rest of the room. This same principle is used in fashion design.

Design Themes Used In Clothing Design

Themes and time periods are used to guide a designer through their process. Many times these periods are used to elevate a simple design into something that can hold the title of designer clothing. The designer also follows a pattern of design to ultimately decide how a design will be executed.

From themes to process in clothing designers:

Periods:

This is when a designer turns to a specific era for inspiration. For example when Victorian-era clothing elements are used (not replicated) to make a new design.

The Hollywood Pitch:

When a designer turns to well-established media to guide them in a design. For example, using teen shows to create a line for children’s wear. Or for example, use children in a school uniform as inspiration.

The Menu:

After the designer has established what type of theme they will use they now create a menu of items that will guide the design process. These will form the building blocks of the design and include things like pattern, textures, colours, and decorations.

Scale:

Now the scale can be decided. The designer uses the principles of design to decide which of the concepts work better. For example, if the theme is flowers they can try to use a flower as a central point on a garment or simply add flower patterns to one aspect of the piece.

Fashion terminology

Here are some interesting terminologies used in fashion design:

According pleats: folds in clothing.
Achromatic colours: a non-colour like black or white.
African print: this one you should know.
Apparel industry: the enterprise which manufactures clothing.
Art deco: the fine art movement of the 1920s. This is characterised by geometric patterns from yellow, green, gold, silver and black.
Asymmetry: where both sides of a garment look the same.
Blousing: gathering a blouse or dress at the waist.
Border print: a design that runs along the hem.
Chic: styling or sophisticated.
Classic: a style that is in trend for a long time.
Collection: a pre-seasoned showing of a designers line.
Contemporary: the in style of the day.
Cosmetic colour: the colour that relates to that of makeup.

Do you want to learn more about comprehensive clothing design? Why not try one of our more advanced classes and take your sewing skills to the next level.

Sources:

The Fashion Design Reference & Specification Book: Everything Fashion – By By Jay Calderin, Laura Volpintesta

Elements of Fashion and Apparel Design – By G. J. Sumathi