ATC #1278 Mary Katrantzou 3

Title: Mary Katrantzou 3
Size: 2.5″ x 3.5″
Status: Not Available

After I scanned this collage I went back through this years’ work to see what number this was in the Mary Katrantzou series. I was utterly shocked that I hadn’t made a Katrantzou collage since 2011! It was made very late in 2011 too, which means it has pretty much been an entire year since I last worked with one of her designs in a collage. I guess I’m so surprised because I’d rank her right behind McQueen on my list of favorite fashion designers; maybe she doesn’t get as much press coverage?

This piece is from her Fall 2011 ready-to-wear collection, which seems to be the only collection that fashion editors will admit existed. Don’t get me wrong, it’s gorgeous, and her most recent stamp collection was not my speed, but I would love to see more of her work printed in the glossies. The only reason that I don’t have more Katrantzou collages in my collection than McQueen is only because she doesn’t show up as often. Still, when she does, I’m delighted.

The ATC background is from Marie Claire December 2012, an article on aging I believe, and the jewels are amethyst, Le Vian “cotton candy” amethyst or some other nonsense name, taken from an advert in the same issue. Look Le Vian, just because the color is off doesn’t make it more specialer.

~ Brigitte

ATC #1277 Alexander McQueen Fall 2012 II

Title: Alexander McQueen Fall 2012 II
Size: 2.5″ x 3.5″
Status: Not Available

I had this page sitting on my desk for too long – so long that it somehow became an accidental coaster and the corner got puckered. I was relieved when it was soothed by the glue stick into some semblance of flatness. I had been waiting to make this ATC forever, when something is so perfect (the unaltered McQueen Fall 2012 RTW look on a light gray page) it’s hard to think of what else you can do with it.

I think that must be the issue that fashion editors have with it, the piece (which you can see above, image via Style.com) is so wonderful and perfectly styled that most editorials that feature it keep the styling exactly the same. Of course the few editorials I’ve seen that try to restyle it feel awkward so maybe there’s something to be said for leaving well enough alone. I’m almost out of 2012 collages to post, I really need to make some new ones.

~ Brigitte

ATC #1276 Well That’s Just Dandy

Title: Well That’s Just Dandy
Size: 2.5″ x 3.5″
Status: Adopted

One of the things I always grouse about is losing the little snippets (usually literally) of information about sources for my collages; this is one of those times. I had a little snippet cutout of the designer’s name for this look and it seems to have wandered off, probably into the trash. I thought it was Burberry Prorsum, but shows what I know, I can’t find any evidence of that at all. The extra disappointing part of that is that I would wear this look in a heartbeat. It’s amazing! I also believe that it came in solidly before the menswear phenomenon really took off, but who knows.

The gold chains were used heavily in “Erdem” and the cream-and-brown pattern was used for “Turquoise.” You know I’ve love to re-use my scraps. This ATC was a part of my Dad’s Xmas present this year, my biggest fan, aww. If you happen to know who designed it, be a peach and leave a comment please.

~ Brigitte

Collage Retrospective 2012: Alexander McQueen

Yesterday I mentioned that I really ought to do a McQueen collage retrospective for this year and I ended up deciding to go for it. Dior, Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana, and Armani all deserve honorable mentions, but Alexander McQueen was easily my most-used fashion icon this year. One piece (“Back in the Forest”) features McQueen-era work, while all the rest are from Sarah Burton’s amazing run at the helm. I think she’s done wonders with the house and can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

The last collage in the series (bottom right corner) hasn’t been posted about yet, I made it so recently I still need to write it up in its own post, but I didn’t want to delay the retrospectives. Like ever year, 2013 will start with me finishing up lingering threads from the past year. Still, if it means I’m getting collages done, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

~ Brigitte