Bleached and Lasered

February 9, 2017 Jill Lawrence

White can also start black! In denim we can make anything happen.

Black denim, pigment coated white followed by a heavy scrape to reveal the black inside. Scraping simply as a worn effect or crackled to create a pattern. The laundry is the place for artistry be it by traditional drum tumbling or laser creation.

Bleached out white coveralls started life as a utility garment which has morphed into daily fashion. In this case for a guy but it is a look which is totally gender neutral. We wore denim overalls, now boiler suits, in the 60's which resembled old flying jackets. We do so again today. Worker and painter coveralls are likewise on trend for both genders.

Trend Direction: SOFT FOCUS

September 19, 2016 Jill Lawrence

Close Up - Blurred Lines

Spraying, brushing, and layering replace heavy decay and destruction.

Soft acid wash effects and marbled wax resist patterns add a soft halo to bleached out indigos.

Marbled dye resist patterns swim across the garment which is lighter than light - swirling lightness creates must have effects.

Acid print bleaches away the indigo in patterns resembling random splashes, acid wash and even tie dye. The whole is heavily bleach washed for a sunshine beachy look.

These blurred patterns are completed by heavy scraping and spraying to achieve a super worn out light blue look with the softest hand.

Trend Direction: NANTUCKET

August 4, 2016 Jill Lawrence

Close up - Lovin' America on holiday

©American Family Style, Viking Studio Books 1988

Stars and stripes combine with Breton stripes and ripped whites from Mother jeans.

Matelot stripes and weathered wooden fishing boats go hand in hand in Martha's Vineyard.

Fine dobby stripes from Kuroki Denim Japan.

Patches and pieces of contrast denim and stripes in this oversized shirt from Egome denim, Jakarta.

And I love the colour. Wish you were here!

Trend Direction: FESTIVAL

June 30, 2016 Jill Lawrence

Close Up - Bleached

Shibori hand dyed MiH overshirt in vibrant indigo. Smock style wears as a mini dress or painters overall shirt.

acrylic and resin cracked aged T shirt.jpg

Tie dyes; crackle finishes; splash dye effects and resist dyeing. All in high contrast starting with extreme dark indigo bleached out to almost white.

To achieve dip dye at home simply dip the bottom into a bowl of bleach, let it dwell for a time emerging further up the garment for a shorter time to get a graduated look. Then splash and flick more bleach liberally with a paintbrush to get the splattered look.

Wild dye effects where extreme contrast is achieved by stitching in pleats, white spray bleaching, releasing when the garment is dry. Before the pleats are released this garment has been acid washed as well. The acid wash is achieved by soaking the pumice stones in a strong solution of bleach and tumbling them together with the garment in a dry drum. Acid wash must not be attempted at home.