WORKS IN PROGRESS

HATS on the way!

I have been quiet the past few weeks, as I am working on one of my favorite collections...The WITCHES.  I am also in the process of designing my first costume, inspired by the GOBLINS BEND collection.

The witches hats, are made in whats called, flat pattern.  They are made from both straw and material and in some cases I combine both.

The witches of 2012, are influenced by my collection called GOBLINS BEND, and  by the witches in the Harry Potter stories and witches yet to be seen!  I love that witches are both scary and lovely!  This season, my designs for the witches are quite different.  I have given them a "Fantasy" quality without a literal translation.  What am I talking about?  This year the hats are large, dark and wonderful!  If you love structure you will want one for sure.  If you like dark...get ready!

Here is a few shots from the work table.
Sewing parisisol straw for me is preferable by hand.  I turn up the edges and create the hem or I hand sew the wire into the design to sustain the shape.  Either way, they are done by hand.

A BJD BIRTHDAY HAT FOR CHANEL!

"Coco 129",  A Tribute to Chanel

This month has been a lot of fun for me.  I have been working on "The WITCHES" , finishing up a new collection and even wanted to take time to make a hat in honor of what would have been Chanel's 129 birthday.

So, I moved myself from one section of my work area, over to a different space, picked up some pink straw, black ribbons, feather and yarn and created a BJD design in honor of Coco!

I wanted to make a hat that suggested Chanel's sense of masculine relaxed look, with a definite twist of femininity.
The hat fits close to the head, has a spot of focus in the front where the interest brings attention to the face...of course!  I was very inspired to do this hat by the wonderful shade of pink parisisol straw that was sitting on my table.  I had just finished reading an article that was about her on the vogue site, and I wanted to share in celebrating her impact on women's clothes and hats!

I love designing headwear for BJD dolls and this little hat was one of my favorite to make....Happy Birthday Chanel!

Susan Lake Designs: "Shades of Dark"

Susan Lake Designs: "Shades of Dark"

"Shades of Dark"

Let The Season Begin!

This is the start of my favorite Season!  In the dance world, my choreography's have  been recognized for there "Shades of Dark!".  I love the drama, anticipation and sense of the "Forbidden" in story lines. I have associated large movements, small details and color in not only my choreography's but my designs as well.

So at the moment I am bathing in a cauldron of ideas for my most beloved girls! My BJD dolls and their Hats!

I thought I would start off by "easing" into September and then bring out the full parade in October.  This first piece, is on a headband.  The headband is a milliners wire covered with black felt.  It is adorned with some of my favorite  findings from the forest floor.  It has pods, tiny acorns and acorn shells, pieces of cracked walnuts, feathers and ribbons.  All the wonderful gems that perhaps your little troll or dark fairy wood adore?  It is hand sewn and yes, the little nuts etc. are glued on.  It fits easily on the dolls head for sizes 8-9.

What I liked about making this headband was seeing all the little nuts and shells etc., and thinking..."This little pretty could be dressed for a variety of special FOREST happenings!".

Right now my design table is covered in black, green purple and other colors associated with "creatures of the Night".  It is my favorite time to design and bring to life all the fantasy's  of the Dark!
www.susanlakedesigns.com

RAG HATS/ Hat #2 SILVIE

"RAG HATS"/ HAT #2, SILVIE

If you like Boho, Hippie, Fantasy hats, I think you will love this one.  I have sewn the beautiful silk yarns and ribbons into the head band of the hat and NO WIG is needed.  It has a great look for those of you who love fairy looks as well!  I am very excited with this design, it has a great look and I love pushing the possibilities for BJD hats.  Check them out and then visit my website, www.susanlakedesigns.com to link to etsy or flickr to see more photos.  If you enjoy looking at albums of doll hats I have completed throughout this year, please visit my facebook page at www.facebook.com/susanlakeheadwear

So just enjoy this design and let me know what you think!

"RAG HATS!"...NO WIG NEEDED!

BRAND NEW DESIGN...RAG HATS!
I am so excited to share this design with you.  I wanted to design a hat that had a great Boho, hippie appeal AND had the dreadlocks sewn in the head band!  The hat is so charming that you just can't help but smile when you see it. It's made out of silk shantung (my favorite material to sewn on) and is a magical collection of pieces of "raw" pieces of materials, hand created flowers, ribbons and silk yarns!  So charming.  Then I added the silk yarn dreads and fake fuchsia hair which goes down below the knees!  It's so wonderful to see.  You can see the complete album on my facebook page at www.facebook.com/susanlakeheadwear .

I am always inspired by color and fabric and I was sitting at my design table with all these remnants, pieces of silk, ribbons and yarns.  I just knew it had to be fun and I wanted to create a hat where you DID NOT NEED A WIG.  I hope you like this one and the next is on its way!

Blu Ice, New Hat!

Greetings!

This week I have been finishing up on several hats that I will be showing this and next week.  Today's hat is a new addition from the collection call, "The Lady from Shanghai".  I love this collection.

I have always been fascinated with Asian culture, and  especially the beauty of the Asian women. From their porcelain skin to their delicate mannerisms, I wanted to create a line with a sense of modern architecture and old world design.  In this collection, I usually choose to mix different textiles and combine vibrant colors and delicate adornments.  In the last two hats however, I have focused on the movement and shape.  In this months hat, "Blu Ice",  I chose a blue organza and hand cut and folded it into a shape that reminds me of the sea.  Twisting the material, pinning it and then sewing it into shape, I wanted to once again create drama around the face and then continue the sweeping design moving out and away from the face.

Below are several photos of the hat and you can view the photo album on my facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/susanlakeheadweardesigns
This hat will also be for sale in my Etsy store at:  www.etsy.com/susanlake1

Enjoy!