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Hike the Weaverton Cliff Trail and Enjoy Breathtaking Views of the Potomac River

11/30/2015

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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!​
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Testing an Idea Is Essential to Successful Fashion Design 

11/25/2015

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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. 
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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. 
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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. 
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Tuesday Dose of Joy

11/24/2015

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Dramatic sunset. Prague, Czech Republic. 

Photo taken in November 2015. Credit: Alena Sestakova.
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Kunzang Palyul Choling Is a Washington D.C. Area's Buddhist Icon

11/23/2015

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The Washington D.C. area has so many interesting places to visit and, as I love traveling, I keep exploring the area. Not too long ago, on a sunny afternoon, I drove to a nearby Buddhist temple. This temple, called the Kunzang Palyul Choling, is located in Poolesville, Maryland. It is open to all people, no matter what their spiritual background. It is well worth visiting. Read on to find out why!

There are two interesting aspects about this institution. First, the Temple has a prayer room that is open for meditation at any time, night or day. You can come in when you need a moment of quiet and comfortably position yourself on a cushion. Furthermore, the room is also used for a 24 hour prayer vigil for world peace. This effort started in 1985 and continues unbroken to this day. 
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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!
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Fashion #tbt: Beatriz Canedo Patiño

11/19/2015

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Outfit by Beatriz Canedo Patiño for her 2009 collection. 
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The Museum at FIT Gives us a Glimpse of the Fashionable Life of Susanne Bartsch

11/18/2015

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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. 
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Swiss-born Susanne Bartsch moved to New York City in 1981 and since then she has become renowned for throwing outstanding parties where everybody is encouraged to dress up in their own versions of high fashion, street style, and drag. The photos I took at the exhibition will give you a glimpse of the "It was about seeing and being seen" attitude of Bartsch. 
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Bartsch is, however, more than just a fashion icon who believes that "you can be whatever you want to be." She is a muse to fashion designers and also one of the first retailers to import Vivienne Westwood in the 1980s. The turbulent years, affected by the AIDS epidemic, prompted Bartsch to became a fundraiser. The Love Ball of 1989, one of the first AIDS benefits, is one of Bartsch's notable achievements. Over the next few years, she raised a total of $2.5 million for AIDS research and advocacy.
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As I strolled through the exhibitions halls, I took in the sights of the most wonderful and imaginative designs I have ever seen. So many influential fashion designers are on display: Rachel Auburn, The Blonds, Leigh Bowery, John Galliano, Jean Paul Gaultier, Pam Hogg, Stephen Jones, Alexander McQueen, Thierry Mugler, Rick Owens, Vivienne Westwood, and Zaldy. There are about 80 looks to admire. 

You will also learn through videos and photographs. These document about 30 years of Susanne Bartsch's quest of self-expression. Go see the exhibition and discover for yourself this wonderful world of truly creative fashion!
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"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. 
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Tuesday Dose of Joy

11/17/2015

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Celebrating life with a delicious cake. Prague, Czech Republic. 

Photo taken in November 2015. Credit: Jana Hola. 
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Anti-Fit Theory: How I Turned a Flat Piece of Fabric Into a 3D Blouse

11/16/2015

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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.
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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! 
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Fashion #tbt: Ann Demeulemeester

11/12/2015

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Dress by Ann Demeulemeester for her Fall 2009 collection. 
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My Experience with Prismacolor Markers in Fashion Illustration

11/11/2015

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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. 
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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!
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Tuesday dose of Joy

11/10/2015

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Magical path in the woods. Prague, Czech Republic. 

Photo taken in October 2015. Credit: Alena Sestakova. 
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Rent a Cabin and Step Back in Time and into Nature

11/9/2015

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Some of us may think that with cooler temperatures our outside activities become more limited. Not so! Though it was cold, I recently spent a weekend at a rented cabin maintained by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC). The cabin, called Lambert Cabin, is in Shaver Hollow, close to the Shenandoah National Park. 

With temperatures dipping down into the 30s the weekend I spent at the cabin, I knew to be prepared for the elements. I bundled up! No surprise I was able to enjoy the history of the PATC cabin network and to spend tons of time outside. 

The PATC cabins range from primitive, with no plumbing or electricity, to modern. You may need to hike into some; others have an adjacent parking spot. The cabins have rich histories. Lambert Cabin, for instance, was the home of Darwin Lambert, author of “The Undying Past of the Shenandoah National Park,” “Herbert Hoover’s Hideaway,” and “The Earth-Man Story.” Darwin was the first employee of Shenandoah National Park, hired March 1, 1936.  
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Once the fireplace warmed up the picturesque cabin, it was time to explore the adjacent woods and mountains. There are a lot of things to see along the Appalachian Trail. One can easily lose track of time while watching a small waterfall. The foliage this time of year is breath-taking - you can come across leaves with wonderful coloring. Nature, as it prepares for winter hibernation, surely puts on a great show in the Fall!
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Don't let shorter days and cooler temperatures curb your love of the outside! Check out PATC's site for additional information and be ready to take in the beauty of nature. 
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Fashion #tbt: Kate Spade

11/5/2015

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Fashion designer Kate Spade. 
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Medieval Armor Inspires Modern Dresses

11/4/2015

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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.
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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. 
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Tuesday Dose of Joy

11/3/2015

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

Photo taken in August 2015. Credit: Martina Sestakova. 
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The Palace of Holyroodhouse: See Where the Royal Family Spends Their Summers

11/2/2015

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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. 
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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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