So I’ve been reading The Artist’s Way again this summer, and my goal is to actually get through all of it this time. One of the most exciting things about working my way through the book is re-examining how to start taking a few more creative breaks for myself. I’m using the “artist dates” as an opportunity to go out and really get inspired – the Carolina Herrera show “Refined Irreverence” at the SCAD Museum of Art was just the ticket!

It was so cool to read more information about all of the fabulous Carolina Herrera evening gowns in this exhibit, and to see the fabrics and surface pattern design close up.

That shorter black dress was made of neoprene for a really structured shape, and I loved the linear pattern that really creates a sense of movement all over the dress.

See that big statement shoulder bow on that dress in the background? Lady Gaga wore that dress.

I really loved the mix of print and solid on this cloud gown, and the old world glam style of the green satin gown with fur trim. The dress with the polka dot fabric next to it was a great reminder to mix scale in your repeat pattern design. When you create a standard pattern like a polka dot, mixing up the sizes of the dots (and even layering them with varying degrees of opacity!) is a great way to make it really special.

The hexagons dress next to it – I love the beaded pattern on the fabric because it was some full hexagon shapes mixed with hints of the shapes – maybe 1 or two sides would be missing. It didn’t look like a mistake; it added interest to the design. And the gradation of size from tiny hexagons at the top to larger ones that are more spaced out at the bottom – mix things up people! It adds so much to your design!

The tie die Carolina Herrera dress next to it – gorgeous color, and the geometric beads layered on top were a really nice contrast of hard next to soft. Another great gradation there, from really dense geo beads to more spaced out pieces scattered over the fabric.

The line work on that Carolina Herrera dress on the left. Is so rad.

I love how it moves your eye from place to place. You can’t help but follow it.

And the red one shoulder gown – it was made of this really great heavy textured fabric. That texture, along with the unexpected geo shapes in the seams, really take this from ho hum simple red dress to something special.

I’m sorry. But I like your sleeves. They’re real puffy.

One thing I took away from the Carolina Herrera show – in my own surface pattern design ideas, I’m going to try and incorporate at least one handpainted texture with each group. Really, a group of three or four would lend itself to more product design ideas I think. It’s such an easy way to add a coordinate to a group – it’s a “solid” because it’s one overall color, but it’s a coordinating pattern because it’s actually painted…

And omg with this showstopper staircase. The beading on this vintage inspired tulled gown is ridiculous, guys. It’s amazing. (And this dress is from Renee Zellweger’s personal collection!)

I kind of think it was totally my favorite.

Have you been to the Carolina Herrera exhibit yet?

Which was your favorite dress?