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Fashion #tbt: Sonia Rykiel

10/27/2016

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A very fun textile print in a garment featured in Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Autumn/Winter 2014-2015 collection. 
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Rainy Days: Perfect Time to Capture the Beauty of Water Drops and Design a Modern Pillow Collection

10/26/2016

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I think we can all agree that sunny days are lovely. The warmth; the light. Yet, I will vouch for the beauty of rainy days, too. Water - on many different occasions - has been inspiration for my creative work and rain drops seems to do just that in my latest collection of throw pillows called Rain Drops.  

It was one of those later afternoons when a rain storm came through. It drove me out of the porch into the house. However, I noticed the rain drops on top of a table cover. When the rain stopped, I took my camera and took a close look at the drops. They varied in size and shape and created the loveliest of textures on the cover. I snapped many photos and reviewed them on my computer screen. And then my creative wheels started spinning ... 
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My photos captured the detail well but I was looking for more dimension. I played around in a variety of computer programs and altered the photo to achieve more of a 3-D feel. Take a look below. Have I achieved this 3-D feel? But I would not stop there ... I kept experimenting with computer-generated designs and ultimately selected one that flattened the photo and turned my rain drops into lovely irregular shapes in bright pink atop silver grey background. This version feels so different yet it honors the original idea. What do you think?  
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If you like what you see, hop over to my store and treat yourself to Rain Drops (Blue) or Rain Drops (Pink) pillow. Or both! 
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Tuesday Dose of Joy

10/25/2016

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Enjoying the warmth of this Fall's sunshine. Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. 

Photo taken in October 2016. Credit: Martina Sestakova.
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Fashion #tbt: Donna Karan

10/20/2016

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Fashion designer Donna Karan and one of her runway looks from her 2012 collection. I love the cut of the dress as well as the wonderful textile pattern!
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Lace Never Goes Out of Style!

10/19/2016

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The classics of fashion - lace, pearls, and denim - never go out of style. Well, at least in my opinion. As a textile designer I have been drawn to lace for a long time. Handmade lace requires incredible skill and patience. I definitely have respect for that. In my work I am always looking for innovative ways to incorporate the traditional or the classical and make it contemporary. My latest collection of textiles turned into infinity scarves looks just into that! 

Even a little swatch of lace can lead to great creative adventure! For this collection, called Vision in Lace, I took two pieces of lace - one with organically shaped pattern, one with geometrically precise sections. But the white of the lace was not appealing to me. So, I took to spray painting the swatches! You can see close up of the colored laces below. As the swatches were drying, I took a lot of photos from different angles to capture the sheen and texture and changing colors. These photos would become the base for my new textile designs. 
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I love combining hands-on work with computer magic. Indeed, there is a variety of programs one can use to alter imagery and to change its feel completely. After many tests and after reviewing many color combinations, my collections honors the popular colors of blue, green, and red. Aren't these just perfect for any occasion? As I say, lace, pearls, and denim ... They never go out of style. 
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If you like what you see and want to be Vision in Lace, check out my online store and treat yourself! 
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Tuesday Dose of Joy

10/18/2016

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Tenderness of a spider's web. Bethesda, Maryland. 

Photo taken in October 2016. Credit: Martina Sestakova.
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Fashion #tbt: Miuccia Prada

10/13/2016

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So much color! Loving textiles in this Spring/Summer 2014 Collection by Prada. 
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Back to School: Let's Use Glue in Textile Design!

10/11/2016

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Yes, school has been back in session for some time but always find that time of year exciting. All of the art supplies! I got inspired and got to work with a beloved medium of any school-aged child: glue!

It turns out glue is fantastic in creating quick patterns. There is only so much one can control with glue. Yes, it does come out of the tube when pressed but then it does its own thing on the paper. Some of the glue holds shape; some of it spreads out. As you can see below, I created three options. I wanted to see the visual impact in gluing in circles, in random lines, and in squares. The patterns are full of texture. But I did not stop there. I spray painted over the glue to add depth. A bit of the paint stuck to the glue itself but mostly it filled out areas around the medium. 
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Isn't that magical? I love the creative process: turning an idea into something tangible and at the same time allowing space for the process to take its own turns. Creativity is about letting inspiration take form, with guidance, yet on its own terms. So, as you can see below, glue is just a fantastic way to create an intriguing textile design! I used all three of my original art pieces and turned them into a collection of infinity scarves called Glue It! Scroll down to see the lovely variety of shapes and textures. 
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Like what you see? Want to add a bit of school magic into your life? Check out my shop and treat yourself to a Glue It! scarf. 
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Tuesday Dose of Joy

10/11/2016

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Textures of the Fall. Potomac, Maryland. 

Photo taken in October 2016. Credit: Martina Sestakova.
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Fashion #tbt: Stella McCartney

10/6/2016

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A lovely interplay of bold stripes and intricate prints in textiles used by Stella McCartney in her Spring/Summer Resort 2012 collection. Aren't these fun?
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Got Tons of Old T-shirts? Then, Think a New Pillow!

10/5/2016

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Let's be honest. By now, you know I am obsessed with pillows. I design pillows of all shapes and colors and textures and I very much enjoy custom orders. Today, let me tell you about the biggest pillow I have designed and sewn to date!
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​It turns out old t-shirts, when no longer worn, are still of value, of sentimental value. So, this recent custom project of mine is an emotional one. I took a set of jerseys and team/school t-shirts that used to be worn and turned them into a fantastic - BIG - pillow for a now college student. Isn't it the perfect addition to his dorm room? It's a fun reminder of the good in the past and the fun to be had at school and in the future. 
How did I create this pillow? Well, it was bit of a puzzle I tell you. I cut out the logos from the old t-shirts and lined them up to work well size- and color-wise. The pillow insert was 50" by 20" so I had tons of room to play with. I added stripes of blue fabric, the college colors, to the sides and to the back. The pillow cover can be taken off and washed easily. Et voila, proof is here! This pillow is BIG, bigger than me!
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What do you think? Interested in a custom pillow? Contact me. I would be excited to work with you!
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Tuesday Dose of Joy

10/4/2016

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Japanese garden at Hillwood Estate. Washington D.C. 

Photo taken in May 2014. Credit: Martina Sestakova.
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    RADOST™ BLOG

    Welcome! My textile/fashion design brand RADOST™ (Czech) is all about JOY (English). 

    In the blogs, I bring you thoughts on textile and fashion design, art, and travel.

    Check back often, as creativity never sleeps (well, almost never) and surround yourself with joy!  ​​

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