Put a Bow on it

Tuesday, 8 March 2016

And The Award Goes To....

I know, I'm a little late with this but I need to talk about the Oscars. I've learned that being a mom means I'm not always on time in most situations lol and this is one of them. I liked so many of the gowns but will just give my top five.

My favourite thing to design and create, is dresses. From a young age I was always fascinated by beautiful gowns making their way down red carpets and runways. Princess Diana was one of my favourite style icons and I wanted to dress just as beautifully as her when I grew up...and maybe be a princess ;) . It is possible that's where my love of dresses came from; the wanting to be a princess.

So, let's start.....

Olivia Munn in Stella McCartney
I love the asymmetrical look and a sleek basic design. This to me, was just gorgeous and it fit her so well. Another thing I love about dresses is how it accentuates the female body. How it can hug every curve and celebrate a woman shape. This dress did just that. It was stunning.

Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture
That plunging neckline was gorgeous! She is so statuesque and that dress couldn't have been more perfect for her. The colour...the silhouette.... the amazing long necklace that hung into the deep "V"....Beautiful!

Saoirse Ronan in Calvin Klein Collection
I was surprised to see her in this dress and doubly surprised at how much I liked it! She usually wears something with a little more...coverage. This looked amazing on her. The emerald green was gorgeous against her skin fair skin tone and bright eyes. The cut of the dress, sexy yet sophisticated. And to see the work put into it (there is something on Vogue about it)...wow.

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture
I knew that she would be in Dior but I was surprised with the style and colour she chose. I think I liked this dress for that very fact. She surprised me! It, as usual, looked amazing on her. I loved the feather detail and felt that it had a bit of a vintage vibe. I've also got a special place in my heart for lace. Lovely!

Olivia Wilde in Valentino Haute Couture
Hands down, my favourite look of the night. A lot of people were on the fence about it but when I saw it, it took my breath away! I knew right away it was Valentino. That's important to me, to be able to distinguish designers based on their designs. It really means they have a look people can identify. Plus, Valentino is one of my favourites! This dress just reminded me of a Roman goddess. Her jewellery and her hair were a perfect with this dress. She was flawless.

I know I said I would give my top five and I did...however....I have to mention Lady Gaga wearing Brandon Maxwell. I totally loved it. It wasn't really a dress, nor simply a pantsuit. It was an amazing combo of both! I loved the tailoring of the entire piece and how it represented her style without going over board. It was a simplified version of her over the top looks from the past...and I liked it...most likely because it was closer to my own taste.

Hope you enjoyed my picks!!! All photos via www.vogue.com.

Fashionably yours,

Adrienne :)

Wednesday, 17 February 2016

Keeping Up

Keeping up with blogging is already more difficult than I thought! I just realized it's been about two weeks since my last post (in a long time!). Being a mom is definitely more challenging than I imagined...managing time is interesting. My son seems to be the boss! I told myself that when he was born I would be right back to doing things...yeah not as easy at it sounds! He is perfect, it's the fatigue and deciding what I want to do with time when not sleeping or feeding. And no I don't do what nearly every person has told me, "Sleep when baby sleeps". If one more person tells me that I will scream (Not out loud of course, inside..lol ). When baby sleeps, mommy designs and sews. Woo! That is one thing that keeps me grounded and happy.

Photo by my sister Patti!

I mentioned in my last post that I had worked with a surface designer, Dee Wilkie, on several projects and we even had a line together called ADRARA. We are currently working on a new project for a photo shoot that my sister will be shooting! I'm so excited to do this. Dee made some gorgeous fabrics last year and some were featured in Atlantic Fashion Week. I was a little sad that I couldn't make it there but I had a pretty good reason....I gave birth about a month before. Although, the thought did cross my mind to put a line in! It took a lot to talk myself out of it lol but I did have to be reasonable. This year however, I've already started thinking of my line ;) I have never felt as creative as I have since the birth of my son. I am constantly sketching while I feed him and sewing while he naps. I have an amazing family that helps out too. I have soooo many designs, I don't know where to start! Well, I did start with a couple for this upcoming shoot. My sister is not a professional photographer (I think she totally could be!) but loves loves loves to take photos and so Dee and I thought she might want to give fashion photography a shot. We are all excited to do this and have a great idea for it!

In progress!

Stay tuned!

My sister took this photo of my husband and I for a little preggo shoot this past summer. I think it turned out really nice! We wanted something fun that represents us. He loves his motorcycles and I made my top. And yes I made it checkered to stick with the motorcycle theme!

Meeting Dee has really changed me as a creative person. It has pushed me to think outside the box but stay true to myself and my style. I had never worked with silk prior to meeting her but would not back out of a challenge. At times I may have wanted to cry because it can be a finicky fabric but now I am more comfortable and make it work for me. I always look forward to seeing her new creations! We met for the first time two years ago after two people recommended we work together. It was meant to be. I wanted unique fabric and she needed a designer. We started with a photo shoot with a young model who is now sort of like our muse, Athenaïs. Her and her mother are the kindest, sweetest people and Athenaïs looooves modelling and is so very professional (She's also amazing at it!). We also worked with a photographer, Lance Kenneth Blakney, whose photography is fantastic! It was a great collaboration for sure.

Collaboration with Dee Wilkie, Lance Kenneth Blakney and Ahtenaïs
Surface design: Dee, Fashion design: Me Photo: Lance

Surface Design: Dee, Draping: me and photo by Lance

Some of the designs from our ADRARA collection. I will talk more about this in another post otherwise this one will be uber long!

I so look forward to the next time we work together. I couldn't be happier with all the people I have been meeting who share a passion for their art!

Fashionably Yours,

Adrienne :)

Friday, 29 January 2016

Pantone Colours of the year 2016

Hello fellow fashion people!
It has been a fairly long time since I've made a post (nearly two years, ahh!) and a lot has happened since then. I started this blog to keep in touch with my love for fashion and the desire to do what I love; design and create garments. Since my last post I feel I have grown so much as a designer and as a person. I have tried new things and pushed myself outside of my comfort zone. I've done pieces for an artist, Matt Leblanc; ball gowns and a costume for him for an amazing show he puts on every year featuring costumes with his painted art on the fabric. I've also had the pleasure of making a jacket, something I had never done before, for the talented and wonderful singer, Serena Ryder, as part of Red Dress show. Lastly, I did a collaboration with a local surface designer, Dee Wilkie. Meeting was sort of meant to be. I was a seeking unique fabric and she needed a designer. She hand dyes beautiful silk creations. We both have this passion for our art and motivate each other. We called our line "ADRARA", a combo of both our names. I also worked with her and other local talent on a show called "SEVEN", something I will cover in a later post. We are currently working on a project, so stay tuned!

On top of all that, I'm a mother! This new little person in my life has changed everything, especially how I feel towards my love of fashion and designing. When I look at him I want to work harder and show him what it is to have a dream and to give it all you've got. The best part is I think he could be a little fashion fella himself! He loves watching fashion shows with me...at least I think he does. He usually stares at the television with a mesmerized look on his face. We also "dance" to runway music at times!

These past couple years I've learned that if I believe in myself, I can do it! Yes I was exhausted, especially since I was working full time and only had evenings and weekends but it was worth it. It helped me realize that with the right dedication and passion, anything can be accomplished. Someone once told me "The only thing standing in your way, is you".

On to my first post in a long time. I wanted to start off with something nice and easy. New year, new Pantone colours!

Every year Pantone puts out its colour of the year. This colour is found on the runways, usually more prominent than most, as well as in home decor and accessories. This year however, they have not one, but two; Rose Quartz and Serenity.

These colours are a perfect balance of warm and cool. Rose Quartz is warm like rosy cheeks and Serenity is cool like a tranquil blue sky. With a world full of every day stresses, these two colours bring some kind of peaceful feeling. They look great alone, paired together or even with another colour that would compliment.

With Rose Quartz and Serenity available in everything from clothing to nail polish, how will you utilize the colours of the year to best represent you?

Happy weekend everyone and don't forget to bring your own style to the table!

Yours Fashionably,

Adrienne :)

Pantone Colours of the year 2016 by adriwell featuring leaf throw pillows

Christopher Kane satin dress
1,165 CAD - matchesfashion.com

Rose quartz necklace
32 CAD - zazzle.com

Leaf throw pillow
52 CAD - zazzle.com

Oakley Forehand rose quartz
145 CAD - blue-tomato.com

Monday, 3 March 2014

Feeling Nautical

Feeling Nautical by adriwell featuring nautical shorts

Iska dress
$50 - debenhams.com

American Apparel anchor sweatshirt
etsy.com

Yumi red blazer
$110 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Nautical shorts
delias.com

Keds slip on deck shoes
keds.com

Oasis blue ballet flat
$59 - oasis-stores.com

Michael Kors striped tote
macys.com

Gabriela Artigas star jewelry
shopbop.com

Kate Spade knot charm
macys.com

Kate Spade post earrings
saksfifthavenue.com

Gold anchor jewelry
tnuck.com

Wednesday, 26 February 2014

When I grow up...

This little girl is adorable! Only 4 years old, she replicates designer dressers using her craft box. She reminds me of myself except I made clothes for my Barbie dolls with whatever I could find in my Mom's sewing box…she had a lot of buttons lol. I knew when I was about 5 years old that I loved fashion and would do something in that field. I was obsessed with fashion shows even though my Mom felt I was too young to watch it due to the at times, somewhat nude models. Little did she know all I was doing was imagining being a fashion designer when I grow up. You can find your passion at any age!

Check out more here