60's and 70's Wrapping Paper Pattern Showcase

When I am researching for logo or web designs, especially for children's or "girly" type stores or brands, I often refer to the past for inspiration. Sometimes, shapes, colours or elements can be useful as a springboard for ideas. I hope you enjoy this collection, and I can't remember where I got all of these, so please forgive me if I am missing a credit and let me know so I can add the information.

Victorian Corsetry Inspiration

Le corset dans l'art et les moeurs du XIIIe au XXe siècle.

from farthingales.on.ca

Illustration from the Ladies Home Journal, October 1900, contrasting the old Victorian corseted silhouette with the new Edwardian "S-bend" corseted silhouette.

from agelesspatterns.com 1891 Corset Cover
Multi-Size - 28-50 Bust - 20-42 Waist

I know that the Victorian corsets did horrendous things to the female body, but the actual hour glass shape is quite beautiful, I guess a little like the craziness of the sky high heels we love now. Painful and dangerous beauty. I am physically happier in more comfortable garments, but I love the look of the corset in imagery and fashion, so thought I do a post for victorian corset references.

Give Your Customer Free Advice Online and In Print

If you have a beauty or fashion range, one of the best ways to create traffic or interest is to offer advice. Whether it is instore or online or in the form of an e-book, if you can write and have some pictures, you can easily offer this as a value added service to your customers. It just takes a little time.

Some examples are:

Benefit Cosmetics has a lovely "How To..." section on their website...

Absolutely Gorgeous also has a Blog with loads of information about natural skincare and beauty.

 

Mood Board Inspiration

A collection of my thoughts and inspiration for the day, as I put together proposals and concepts for clients. I need to take time out sometimes to collate my thoughts, inspire myself and get going.

Many people think designers can pull ideas out of the air, which, in a sense we do, but without input there is no output (a little like a recipe - no ingredients, no meal). I find if I immerse myself in gorgeous things, then everything I design reflects those things. That's why my environment, clothing, style is all related to what I do for a living. It's about living with authenticity and integrating all aspects of my life together, so that the design I create is a true reflection of my taste, passions and style. Luckily clients seem to like it!

I was researching images for flowers for a logo design, very gorgeous and here are some references I've used as a starting point...

 

 

Wedding Invitation Inspiration

I love old fashioned things, as it is probably evident. I really love letterpress because it is so far removed from technology and the largish digital print runs I normally do.

I found these on Etsy by Golden Rectangle Press, just delightful. Beautiful typography, single colour simplicity.

Coco Cocoon - Lily Allen

No self-respecting style or design blog would be complete without a mention of this simply tres chic campaign by Chanel. Lily Allen, in my opinion is perfectly suited to a modern day Holly Golightly, albeit a slightly more street-smart version. Truman Capote would approve.

Lily Allen is the face of Chanel’s “Coco Cocoon” Line: the stylish British singer has been chosen by Chanel to head the campaign with bags from their new line of cushioned bags.

Styles in this new range include a shopping bag, bowling bag, suit bag and a trolley bag, in fabrications of nylon or lambskin and colour options of black, beige, chocolate, burgundy, taupe, grey, gold and red!

Available now in CHANEL boutiques. 

Marie Antoinette Inspiration

 

Despite the knowledge of the gruesome events that took place or the inequality in the streets of Paris and the massive social change that took place, I love these laces, shapes, colours, girliness. I would have hated to live then but the "look" ofthe time in Versailles is so beautiful and opulent.