e - Spotlight Promotions

sew trends •
SIMPLICITY, defined ...
While in the USA recently Spotlight’s Sew team met
with Judy Raymond, the senior vice president of brand
management and licensing for the Simplicity Creative Group.
Blown away by the remarkable trend-setting standards now
found within Simplicity patterns, and inspired by Judy’s
passion about the future of home sewing, we asked her to
explain something of the Simplicity philosophy...
Film Noir is the well dressed villain
in the autumn winter fashion story. All the “Our approach is essentially
sewers who hated the maxi dress and to offer designs that attract the
the free-flowing and billowy silhouettes fashion forward gals (of all ages)
of recent summers will be rubbing their who really respond to trends, while
hands together with glee over this trend. keeping our long term customer on
Spotlight loves ‘killer’ fashion too so
board, satisfying her fashion needs
the Sew department is presenting the and raising her sewing skill level,”
colour palette – silver, black, ash and says Judy. “For our design team
charcoal – plus the trims – faux leather, it’s a constant, massive editing job
houndstooth – to bring this look to life. to understand the trends and their
“Classic patterns, conservative but with a evolution from season to season
subversive twist, is how I would describe (or decade to decade). The trends
this trend,” says Tim. “I’d love to see
are everywhere and accessible to
confident sewers trying their hand at stab everyone so it’s important to be in
stitch jackets that shape and flatter, as sync with our shoppers.
well as the androgynous suits and so
“Our ‘Inspired by Project
forth that will be dominant. “Wait til you
see our blown out hounds tooth patterns.
Once again a lot of these fabrics can be
used in garments but would make great
bags and soft furnishings.” •
Please note: Due to varied buying patterns throughout Australia and New
Zealand some stock may vary between stores or sell out. Ask a Spotlight
employee at your nearest store for the best alternative.
Runway’ collection has really
pushed the pattern envelope (so
to speak), enabling us to provide
the latest and greatest looks with
some intricate fashion details
that make each item special. Our
‘Suede Says’ collection (as seen
in issue four of GCQ) is super cool,
young and hip ... and Suede is
out there, meeting, greeting and
teaching, so he’s been a terrific
partner. And – news flash - we’ve
just signed the season five Project
Runway winner, Leanne Marshall,
to design for Simplicity! Leanne’s
looks will be featured in our spring
2012 collection with an emphasis
on the prettiest party dresses with
a couture touch.”
Judy says that another important
activity for Simplicity is sewing
education. “We really must enable
and empower more people to sew,
especially teens,” she explains.
“Sewing does so much for self
esteem so we are very involved
with sewing camps and classes -
getting the word and techniques
out there.”
Judy thinks the next five
years will bring home sewing
to even greater levels. ‘Apps’
(downloadable applications for
phones, laptops and more) related
to sewing will grow and sewing
machines will be more fun than
ever, featuring touch pads and
maybe even voice activation.
“Creativity will remain the
number one reason to sew,” she
says. “Economics will become
more important, not in the sense
of ‘saving by sewing’ but in the
sense of having more stuff through
sewing and being a force for self
expression.” •
Get Creative Quarterly Autumn 2012 57