"This season's show was a passport to the American Arts and Crafts movement of the late nineteenth century, bleeding into the Art Nouveau that has been Sui's default position for years." -Tim Blanks via Style.com

One of my favorite art movements is Arts & Crafts. Anna Sui has such a specific, signature look that evolves with each new season. This collection was one of the highlights of New York Fashion Week for me. Anna took her inspiration from furniture designers of the Arts & Crafts movement (Roycroft and Rolhfs) and applied it to the clothing and the accessories. It presented a great opportunity for layering intricate textures and patterns.

I've always been a huge fan of Cedric Rivrain. I love the delicate quality of his illustrations and the subtle use of chalk/pastel. He brings a classical sensibility to contemporary fashion design. Bottom 2 images via Scout Holiday.

THE GOOD OLD DAYS




It's pretty remarkable that pencils used to be important enough to warrant a full-page magazine advertisement. This particular ad is from the April 1939 issue of Pencil Points, an architecture magazine from which this blog derives its name.