My Tumblr

So, I finally caved in and made a Tumblr to complement the blog.
Although this site will be my main priority, the Tumblr account does make it easier to re-blog images, and I'll probably have different content on there, as well.

Here is the link if you'd like to follow me: http://knits-and-prettythings.tumblr.com/

I'll also put a link for it on the right side navbar soon!

:-)

Flashback

 "Ralph Lauren Collection poncho and jacket as Featured in Elle France’s Special Fashion Issue, February 2013"

I was very excited to find this image featured in the official RL Tumblr, and with good reason! This past summer I had the amazing opportunity to intern for their Sweaters department, and this was one of the designs we were working on. Unfortunately, my internship reached its end before I could see the finished product, so I was really happy to see that it made the cut for the show and that it ended up being successful.

This poncho was particularly tricky; it was supposed to reflect the exact colors and designs of one of the vintage serapes that served as inspiration for the season. Sourcing the dozens of matching hues that made up the different ombre stripes in the right yarn count and quality was not an easy task! And don't even get me started on what it took to get the correct repeat for the layout... Overall, it was a very eye-opening experience. Sometimes designs look simple and straightforward when they are anything but!

First Sketchbook addition...

As I mentioned before, I'd like to document parts of my design process through this blog. As part of that, here is my first Sketchbook addition!


These (unfinished) sketches are part of a collection I did while I studied abroad at Nottingham Trent University, in Nottingham, England. Later on, I'll post my inspiration for the collection (called Electro Memento), and some design/knit developments I did for it. I'll also post pictures I took while I was over there, of course! :-)

Collection Spotlight: Tess Giberson F/W 13

I'm a bit ashamed to admit that this is the first collection I've ever seen from American designer Tess Giberson. Since I knew nothing about her - or the brand - I decided a bit of research was in order. It turns out Giberson began her career as a sweater designer for the Men's Collection at Calvin Klein; by 2005, she was the Design Director at TSE (a high-end knitwear brand).

Truthfully, I wasn't surprised by her knitwear background - the attention to detail, and overall successful combination of color and texture, were proof enough of her skills. I've been immersed in knit design for a while now, and every season it gets easier to distinguish the designers that add knit pieces as an afterthought, and the ones who truly know what they are doing. I also love how almost every look in the collection looks comfortable, and completely wearable; it's an excellent mix of function and aesthetic. It's safe to say I'll be following her collections from now on!

The collection images are from www.style.com.

It's about time..

Hello, there! My name is Olga Santiago, and I am about to graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology (located in the Big Apple) with a BFA in Fashion Design. My specialization is Knitwear, and I absolutely love what I do.

 I had been wanting to make a blog for a long time but had never gotten around to it, mostly due to lack of time. It's not like I have any more time right now (specially with so many deadlines looming!), but I think now it's a good time (haha) to start documenting my work and inspiration, as well as keep track of the progress I make with my senior collection.

In addition to "scrapbooking" bits and pieces of my projects, my blog will be an outlet for all of my obsessions: fashion, art, design, and beautiful things! (With a focus on knitwear, of course)

Warning: I tend to ramble like a crazy person when excited...

Enjoy! 

-Olga Santiago :-)