Fall is such a wonderful time of the year for hiking. The foliage is mesmerizing and the cooler temperatures make for a more comfortable time outside.

A great hiking opportunity awaits you near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The Weaverton Cliff Trail is a lovely hike - the section I hiked not too long ago is about 1.5 miles long (blue blazed). It is a steep climb with multiple switchbacks. 

The payoff? Beautiful views from the Weaverton Cliff of the Potomac with the Harpers Ferry area just visible at the very western point. To return, just retrace your steps. 

Take a look at the photos below. I hope they will inspire you to go for a hike!​

As a fashion designer, I have an abundance of ideas as the creative process never halts and I constantly think of inspiration for my designs. However, I find that the most successful ideas are the ones I test and take through to a garment sample. 

In a fashion design class at the Academy of Art University, I designed a collection of garments inspired by traditional African art. I was happy with the color scheme - a combination of beige and brown - and the selection of garments (dresses, tops, skirts, coats, and pants). The best aspect of the class was that I was required to make a few of the looks in test fabric. This has turned out to be truly informative and educational. 

See below for a sample look for the collection. It is a dress with box pleats in the skirt. The imagery will take you through the three steps of the process.

Step 1 - Drape sketched garment on the dress form: With my sketch nearby, I created a muslin sample on the dress form. Creating a muslin forced me to think in 3 dimensions - this is when the flat sketch becomes a garment a human being could wear. I made extensive notes on the fabric to remember how all of the pieces would come together later. 

Step 2 - Create pattern: I took the muslin fabric off the dress form and traced each section on pattern paper. I then added seam allowances and labeled each piece. 

Step 3 - Sew sample garment: Finally, I cut the pattern pieces out of my fabric and sewed the garment together. Et voila! 

Taking the idea all the way to the finished garment allowed me to reassess the proportion and silhouette of the dress. It was a great learning experience. And it demonstrates how testing an idea can support my original inspiration. 

Dramatic sunset. Prague, Czech Republic. 

Photo taken in November 2015. Credit: Alena Sestakova.

Second, there are lovely hiking trails in the adjacent park. It houses many a Buddhist stupa (a sacred symbol of meditation). You can take a seat on a bench and listen to the chirping of birds and rustling of leaves. 

​I recommend you visit Kunzang Palyul Choling. You will learn about the tradition the temple promotes and spend a fun afternoon in a lovely and well-maintained park. Let me know if you go!

New York City is known as one of the most influential fashion cities of the world. Fashion Week draws thousands of people every year. And while internationally-known fashion houses occupy storefronts on the city's most prominent streets, there are certain individuals who make this city a fashion haven by using fashion as a means of self-expression.

On a recent trip to NYC, I stopped by the Museum at FIT. Their latest exhibition features the colorful and fashionable life of one of the most interesting personalities of the fashion world: Susanne Bartsch. The show is called "Fashion Underground: The World of Susanne Bartsch". Speaking of self-expression, this exhibition will take you on a visual journey of joy, humor, and freedom. 

"Fashion Underground: The World of Susanne Bartsch" is on display at the Special Exhibitions Gallery at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (Seventh Avenue at 27 Street, New York City 10001-5992) until December 5, 2015. 

Understanding the relationship between fabric and how it behaves on the human body is crucial to my work as a fashion designer. I enjoy working with fabrics of different weights and textures as they drape differently on the body and in the final sewn garment. I also like to explore cuts to arrive at visually appealing silhouettes.  

One of the most exciting ways to learn about fabrics and the body is to study anti-fit theory. In this approach, a piece of fabric is manipulated in a way that feels 'unnatural' to the 3D form of the human body.

The image below demonstrates how I took a rectangular piece of fabric, introduced armholes (off the traditional shoulder line), and sewed the sides. The mis-alligned armholes force the fabric to be contorted. To be able to sew the sides I had to add 2" box pleats to match the side seams. The top has a wonderfully draped aspect to it - it takes the eyes all around the garment, from top to bottom.

I am planning on experimenting with the anti-fit theory further. It offers a great variety of options on how to manipulate fabric and achieve innovative silhouettes. 

What do you think of the top? Would you wear it? If so, why or why not? Let me know! 

Dress by Ann Demeulemeester for her Fall 2009 collection. 

As a fashion designer, I need to be able to communicate my ideas visually. Hence, fashion illustration is a great part of my skill set; something I have been focusing on daily. I challenge myself to design a dress every day and to use a variety of illustration media to advance my skills. 

Lately, I have been using the Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Markers. They are a very popular brand. I have a set of 50 markers which allows me to experiment with many different colors. Each marker has a thin hard tip and a thick softer tip. The double ends allow for a multitude of finishes. 

Below you can see four examples of my work. It is clear that each tip of the marker gives me an opportunity to express my ideas in a different manner. For instance, the thin tip is great for details, while the thick tip adds volume and movement to the sketch. Furthermore, I enjoy layering the colors to get new shades and hues. The possibilities are endless!

Do you use markers for drawing? If so, what is your experience? Any lessons learned? Let me know!

Magical path in the woods. Prague, Czech Republic. 

Photo taken in October 2015. Credit: Alena Sestakova. 

Fashion designer Kate Spade. 

Inspiration for fashion design is everywhere! Most of my work is inspired by nature, architecture, and travel. This time let's take a look at dresses I sketched based on a piece of medieval armor I stumbled upon at the Edinburgh Castle in Scotland.

There are several aspects of this armor that I reference as inspiration for my dress designs. One, the armor has a great deal of detail that beautifully translate into intricate fabric treatment. Second, the silhouette is a universally flattering one with the fitted top and the looser bottom. Furthermore, I like the symmetry in the armor - balance never goes out of style. 

Scroll down to check out my ideas! What do you think? Let me know. 

Peaceful spot at the Vrtba Garden. Prague, Czech Republic.

Photo taken in August 2015. Credit: Martina Sestakova. 

During my August trip to Scotland, I spent an afternoon at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. I grew up in Europe and have had a chance to see many palaces and castles but to this day it intrigues me to walk through houses of note—palaces where history meets current events. And the Palace of Holyroodhouse is just the palace.  

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. The Queen is in residence during Holyrood week, which usually takes place from the end of June to the beginning of July. The palace is open to the public for self-guided tours. This neoclassical treasure, built in 1854, draws many a visitor from all over the world.  

I enjoyed touring the palace - it dons beautiful chambers, chapel remains, and expansive gardens. History aficionados will appreciate the Historic Apartments that were the home of Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary married Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, at Holyroodhouse in 1565 and the following year witnessed the brutal murder of her Italian secretary, David Rizzio, by her husband.

As you scroll down, you will see photos of the remains of a chapel. This was my favorite place at Holyrood Palace. There is something nostalgic about a fallen-apart church. As I walked through, I imagined it in its glory days. The visit ends in beautifully maintained gardens where meticulously mowed lawns are adorned with colorful flower arrangements. 

As you can imagine, a visit to Holyrood House is one of interesting historic facts and leisurely strolls. If you make it to Edinburgh, definitely put this palace on your list of places to visit.