Spring '14 on ModCloth!

WOW! It has been way too long since I have written a post, but that just means I have been working like crazy these last few months, and boy do I have some goodies to share! Within the next few weeks I will be writing about all my projects but for now I thought I would start with an exciting announcement.

Textile designs by Shifra Whiteman. Garments by Mata Traders. Sold through ModCloth. 

ModCloth is, once again, selling garments with my textile designs! I designed these fabrics for Mata Traders and ModCloth ordered these garments to start Spring '14. On the far left, is the Perennial Picking Top, in the same floral print I designed for the Fall '13 Meet Me in the Meadow Dress. The cascading roses make this top look so sweet. Next to it we have the An Enchanted Evening Dress. This dress was designed specifically for ModCloth but the same fabric can be found on other dresses in Mata Traders' Spring '14 collection (available on their website in April). The following dress is the Give You a Print Dress in Hexagons. I designed this print for Mata Traders' Spring '13 collection but it was so cute that we decided to use it again! On our far right we have the Carry On With Confidence Top in Sailboats. This was a fun collaboration textile which I will write about in the next few weeks. I love how nautical the top looks with that tie in front. 

This is literally just the tip of the iceberg! Each of these designs has a story behind it, which I will write about and cannot wait to share so stay tuned! 

Closer Look: Mara Hoffman

Fashion week has been all the buzz on social media, the news and on many people's minds. After combing through photos and runway videos online, I can't help but realize I am drawn to very specific designers.

Mara Hoffman. From her 2013 & 2014 collections.

Let's talk about one of my favorite designers, Mara Hoffman. As you can probably tell by the photos, Mara Hoffman's pieces and collections focus on patterns, and not just any patterns. We are talking about intricate geometric designs with nods to traditional tribal patterns but with a contemporary twist (sound familiar? ) . The juxtaposition of the edgy, detailed lines in her prints against the soft, floating cuts and material of her garments, are her signature. 

Mara Hoffman is a NYC based designer, born in Buffalo, NY. She studied at Parsons School of Design in NY as well as Central Saint Martins in London. Her ready-to-wear line, Circle (2000-2005) was all one of a kind pieces focusing on dying techniques, batik and traditional elements. Circle then evolved into a more brand and sales oriented line and then in 2008 she launched her first swimsuit collection. This is where I learned of Hoffman and began to obsess over her designs and style. 

Mara Hoffman. From her 2013 & 2014 collections.

What I find most interesting about her collections are that they doesn't quite fit a trend cycle. She manages to create clothing that are just unique as a whole and while each collection has a specific theme with nature or travel, her work becomes more of a genre than of a seasonal collection. It's funny to say these pieces are "timeless" when really they are of this decade, but that is fashion. We take what we know and what we like, and try to twist it a bit, create a hybrid with other styles, borrow from other cultures or contexts and be creative. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't but these are the types of patterns that inspire me, drive me to keep creating, pushing the envelope and design design design.  

And we are back!

Sorry friends for the month long break. This past month has been filled with moving into a new space, adding a new roommate, new work and new designs (not to mention a birthday) In these next few weeks, I will share bits and pieces of my exciting changes (so stay tuned!) 

Let us begin with a bang! ModCloth is, yet again, selling a dress with my print on it. Say hello to the Toast to Coast dress! I designed this print for Mata Traders, and while they have a dress very similar to this one for their Fall '13 collection, the Toast to Coast dress is a ModCloth exclusive. 

Toast To Coast Dress

This retro cocktail design was actually a collaboration between myself and 2 interns who worked at Mata Traders last summer. We each illustrated a few bottles and glasses, only to combine them all to create this snazzy pattern. There are a few more dresses with this print this season, so get excited to see it in more styles!

Walking Pieces of Art

For years, my roommates and I have had conversations about personal fashion style. It is clear to me and everyone that Yonit has her own flair. She is a costume designer and while she may dress others in monochromatic clothing for a show, she will almost never wear black. Yonit is a magnet for vintage dresses, mostly from the 1970’s, and will always flaunt pattern like a second layer of skin. On the other end of the spectrum, Rebecca sticks to the world of solid teals, cerulean blues, emeralds and black, black, black. After living with me and Yonit, she finally broke down and purchased 2 patterned shirts and one patterned dress (Which I designed the textiles for! Check it out!). She has also gotten herself into the habit of trying on at least one patterned garment when going shopping, though she rarely buys it. I am in the middle. Prints and patterns always on my mind, I either wear solids from head to toe with a bold, bright colored obviously, patterned scarf, or I flaunt a printed dress adding funky jewelry and a super saturated pair of sun glasses.

As a textile designer, I have noticed a trend in patterns these last few months and the boom in repeats has got me giddy. I am often mistaken for checking girls out, when in reality I am analyzing the back of their skirts, racing against the clock to find the repeat before they walk too far away. Some males have finally learned how awkward it is to have a conversation with someone’s eyes on their chest, when I come over and investigate the repeat on their ties. I am never shy to praise a stranger on their bold print choice and I am even better at commenting to friend about how a pattern would tie their whole outfit together.

I really do believe patterns enhance one’s personal fashion style. Stripes can narrow or widen someone’s frame, polka dots can add sophisticated or playful pops of color, a floral print can give a nod to tradition, while geometric shapes bring out someone’s edge. Abstract brushstrokes on a blouse can make a formal statement, while little sailboats across a skirt can relax and ease your outfit. In a way, when incorporating pattern into your wardrobe, big or small, you transform into a walking piece of art.

Our holiday card for 2012. ​Clearly, Rebecca, Yonit and I are sporting our finest patterns! 

Closer Look: Polina Soloveichik's murals

This week, I came across these gorgeous murals here which are located in Beelitz, Germany. The artist is Polina Soloveichik and unfortunately I can't find anything about her! The most I could find is her website which includes more murals, etchings, prints, paintings and lots of collaborative work. 

HOWEVER, these murals caught my heartstrings. The beautiful cobalt blue, white and gold combinations remind me a lot of ancient chinese and dutch pottery. The scale of these murals and how they make that one building stand out amongst the rest, really make these murals so magical! The patterns cascading down the building and around the entryways and along the balconies feels like this building belongs in another world.  New goal: somehow make it to Beelitz and really take it all in!