ALL EYES ON...LOLA HATS

Lola SS14 "Pineapple Cap" {my personal favorite!}

Lola creating pom poms in the studio

Left to Right//Sweetheart Cocktail Hat and Mouse Ears from the personal archive

A view of the beautiful studio

SS13 "Horchata" {in progress, not finished}

Lola SS14 "Soap Bubble"

John SS12 "Graffiti News"

Left to Right//John SS14 "Front Door Two" and "Plasterboard"

Personal Archives

Lola FW13 'Pieced Brioche"

Lola FW13 "Pieced Brioche" made of recycled felts

Lola hats on display on beautiful, sculptural hat trees

Left to Right//Lola FW13 "Ricochet", Lola FW13 "School Ring"{top} and Lola FW13 "Upholstered"{bottom}

Lola SS14 "Willy Nilly"

Lola FW13 "Catty'

The SS14 collection is inspired by laundry. One of the things I found most interesting about Lola and her creative process is it's very organic.  She doesn't start with a singular theme for a collection, rather she creates pieces first and then develops a concept based on what she creates.

Left to Right//Lola SS14 "Flip a Coin", "Matrix", "Sunroom", and "Flip a Coin"

John SS12 'Broadsheet"

Each Lola hat is adorned with a lovely label

A few of the pieces featured in various fashion publications

I few weeks ago while I was in NYC for NYFW, I had the pleasure of visiting the Lola Hats/John studio in Bushwick. I have been an admirer of Lola's creations for several years and was elated to not only see her creative space but to meet her as well.  What started in 1989 as a small storefront has now progressed to a beautiful studio space overlooking the Manhattan skyline.  You may recognize her work as it has been featured in fashion publications such as Vogue, W, Elle, The New York Times Magazine, Marie Claire, to name a a few, and boasts an impressive client list which includes Kate Spade, Ralph Lauren, Phillip Lim and Tommy Hilfiger among others.  What I love about her designs is the beautiful craftsmenship and cool factor each piece radiates.  You can view more of Lola's pieces here!

Special thanks to Lola and Liz for graciously letting me visit the lovely studio

Photos by Stacy Suvino

ALL EYES ON...TIM WALKER

The image that started it all for me...

Mulberry Fall 2012 Ad Campaign

Valentino Spring/Summer 2013 Ad Campaign

In my life, I have a handful of people who inspire me daily and have guided me on my creative path.  They include my mentor and former BG boss David Hoey, photographer Norman Parkinson, set designer Jack Fisk and the brilliant Tim Walker.  

I remember the exact moment I first laid eyes on Tim's work.  It was six years ago.  I walked over to Rizzoli Books on 57th street in New York City with my best friend Cindy.  I began to peruse the aisles and came across a table with several foreign magazine publications. I was immediately drawn to a magazine called Fotografia with one of the most beautiful photos I had ever seen on a cover.  The image depicted Lily Cole on an iron staircase with a cascading train of fabric tumbling to the ground.  With each page turn, my eyes were exposed to a collection of beautiful, whimsical, humorous and enchanting photos.  I felt an immediate connection and had a sort of a ha moment...this is what I wanted to work towards and be a part of.  Bergdorf Goodman had already been giving me the opportunity to create similar fantastical worlds in the windows but I wanted to apply that knowledge to sets in editorial and film.   

There are many great fashion photographers out there now but what sets Tim apart is his ability to not only capture a beautiful image of fashion, but also create a fairy tale-like world on the highest level of imagination.  Along with his set designer, Shona Heath, they have created beautiful work with no boundaries on imagination.  I wouldn't just classify Tim as a gifted photographer but a story teller as well. In fact, that's the name of his newest book.  It's a captivating collection of images that I would highly recommend to anyone. 

I hope you enjoy his work pictured above as much as I do and feel inspired today!

Photos via Tim Walker and Vogue