An exceptionally great resource is Patternbank.... they aim to keep you up to speed with the rapidly evolving world of print, pattern and apparel graphics. Their global research brings you essential inspiration ideas for graphics, prints and patterns, making Patternbank a valuable resource and intelligence tool for any business, designer or buyer.


With over 20 years in the print, graphics and fashion industry the team has a creative and focused eye to aid you in your seasonal design developments.  The Patternbank team have expert knowledge of the print and graphic industry with specialized skills in spotting directional visual inspiration, as well as keeping you up to date on apparel print and graphic developments.

As posted on their site,  06/11/2012 -  go here


[ Inspiration for Autumn/Winter 2013 ] - Prints inspired by Burnished Looks . Distressed Tapestry . Rich Oil Colours. Ornate Imagery . Historical and Decorative Pattern . Textured Marbled Effects

PRINT TRENDS
   SPRING/SUMMER 2013 PART 1- PREMIERE VISION + INDIGO   

As posted on their site,  02/29/2012 -  go here

[ Vivid Jungle ] - Tropical vegetation focus - Photo real jungle scenes - Micro and large scale tropical flower studies - Watercolour textural effects - Symmetrical prints - Fern leaf overlap pattern forms - Engineered tropical placements - Distorted jungle prints

[ Garden Crop ] - Fresh colour use - Garden life illustrations - Flowers and vegetable mixes - Botanical spring floral blooms - Traditional country garden flowers - White ground patterns - Stylized linear looks - Playful pattern

   SPRING/SUMMER 2013 PART 2- PRMIERE VISION + INDIGO   





As posted on their site,  03/7/2012 -  go here


[ Digitally Enhanced ] - Pop Art inspired half-tone dots - Futuristic florals hidden amongst complex geometry - Textural and photographic overlays - Painterly abstract multicolor imagery - Photoshop blurred zig zags - Photoshop filters create complex fading in and out of colour


[ Summer Tribe ] - Abstract Ikat Designs - Simplified Ikat - Optical Patterns - Vibrant Colour Enhanced Ethnic Compsitions - Mixed Stripes and Pattern Forms - Blurred Felt-tip Pen Visuals - Multi-coloured traditional Ikat Motifs


© 2012 by Patternbank. All rights reserved.   Layouts may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, or otherwise, without prior written permission from Patternbank. 

Here is a great source.......The Slow Textiles Group,  a non-profit social enterprise and their purpose is to promote the creation of textiles through exhibition, education, innovation, application and debate. You can expand your creative skills through their workshops, lectures and seminars. To learn more about them, go here and to view their lookbook of awespiring layouts as a few are shown below are the projects from specific sessions and designers, go here. 

I recently discovered a great new site, LOOKK. Have you heard of it? It's fast becoming a leading online destination to DISCOVER, FOLLOW and SHOP contemporary fashion worldwide. You can directly connect with the designers and by becoming a follower, you can shop their special offers, promotions and win exclusive pieces.

Also be on the lookout for future "100 Designers" competition where you can upload your look book and grow your fanbase to make it into THE LIST OF 100 DESIGNERS. Go here to learn more.

You'll also enjoy LOOKK's informative online magazine for great editorials, trends and visuals.

  Lookk x Edited - S/S 12 Trend Report   by Jennifer Hore go  here to view the rest  .

SnapFashun is the #1 sketch library software program of its kind in the fashion industry. It works along with Adobe Illustrator to provide an interactive reference library as well as browser to store sketches. All SnapFashun Libraries include both details and items that can be “snapped” together, manipulated, altered and resized, so designers and students can develop their own designs and portfolios. I own this software and I love it!


To learn more and to purchase SnapFashun, go here and receive a 20% discount using the code "fashionvignette".

TESTIMONIAL

SnapFashun is truly a forward thinking, innovative system that records the history of fashion and trends of our lifetime in a digital format. While using Adobe Illustrator to sketch fashion, SnapFashun makes the drawings available to fashion designers and stylists. Its digital sketches are very cool in that the style components break apart and can be mixed and rearranged from one style to another mixing bodies and collars and buttons and zippers and bows and cuffs with just a snap of a mouse. The easy ability to digitally change proportions of these components makes fashion design a snap if you have a good eye for design." 

Kristine Gloviak,  Apparel production & computerized time study consultant.

Here is a great resource for all your one stop shop for all your flat sketching needs. A time consuming task to create CAD flat sketches, they just made it easier for you so you can tackle other projects. Check out SKETCH-FOLIO.com.  This online resource provides current available library of trend sketches that's updated on a weekly basis, swatches, brushstrokes and many more..... They also offer custom sketches based on your needs.


What you receive in a download:

• Time saved
• Current silhouettes so you can customize them quickly with YOUR brand and YOUR colors, prints etc.
• A zip file with: Adobe illustrator file in CS3 with the necessary brushes and swatches, a “thumbnail”.png file (250 pixels x 250 pixels)

System Requirements:
Adobe Illustrator CS3 or higher for Macintosh or Windows operating systems.  You can also contact them if you have other custom format requirements.

ILLUSTRATION is a freelance illustrator portal widely used around the world.  They provide expertise and resources to help you find the perfect illustrator to match your needs, go here to learn more. 


Featured here is Miminne an illustrator with a Fashion & Graphic design background based in Italy. She graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London. She completed internships at a number of fashion houses including Alexander McQueen and Brioni. She uses a mix medium of watercolor, pen and ink, Tria markers and more..... I love her illustration style.

Have you heard of PATTERN PUNCH, a surface design marketplace where you can submit your portfolio and be connected with potential buyers? You can also connect with other surface design professionals to be engaged and inspired.... To list your work/studio and to be a member of the surface design community is free to the designer.

Here is one of Pattern Punch's featured Surface Designer, Cheryl Warrick with Cheryl Warrick Design.  To learn more about her and to see her wide range of work, go here.

Do you want to be in the front row seat at influential fashion runway shows in major cities as their happening?  Check out STYLESIGHT'S DAILY CHRONICLES blog, to be in the know of a designer's inspirations for the season in key fabrics, items, colors and design details.  Runways are as Stylesight perfectly defines it, "a hotbed of new ideas". For your daily dose of runway ideas, go.....here.


ASHISH - S/S 2012   >> GARDEN GIRLS

JULIAN LOUIE - S/S 2012  >>ARCHITECT'S DREAM


REED KRAKOFF - S/S 2012  >>URBAN AGENDA

A must to bookmark is DAZED DIGITAL, a relatively new but not too new site that brings you the cutting-edge editorial of fashion, photography, illustration, music and film and headline events globally.

Check out their recent post from their Arts & Culture section featuring TRANSITION GALLERY showcasing the work of both undergraduates and established artists "PULP FICTIONS" which takes place next month.  To read the article and their interview with curator Cathy Lomax and to learn more about the exhibition, which will be held in London, Sept 3-25, go here...Dazed Digital - Arts and Culture - Pulp Fiction. I'm in London next week, so I hope I'll have the time to stop in after my busy day of trend spotting and shopping.


Here are some pieces that I love that she selected for the exhibition and that I'm truly inspired by:

Are you a designer, crafter, artist who wants to design, print and sell your own fabric designs or need someone to print your textile prints so you can produce your own collection of clothes, bags, home decor and many more... You'll have to check out SPOONFLOWER if you haven't already heard of this great resource.