My Fashion Forecast for 2010!

Now is the time that most of us in the horse show industy start thinking about show goals, dreams, points and planning our show-season schedule. For many of you that means the enduring question of what to wear. What's in this year? Well ladies, the good news is that this season for AQHA, APHA and most breed shows the style is much the same where one thing is concerned.............

That one thing is BLING!!!!!

That old saying "Less is More" defiinitely does not apply to show clothes. When it comes to ladies western show clothes (guys are off the hook on this one!) the big trend for 2010 is "More is More," and I mean more BLING!!! More is better is the current mood displayed by competitors at the world level and we know it all trickles down from there. In fact, even for the youth clothing, we're seeing completely encrusted outfits, with crystals covering entire garments.

This may be a bit over the top to some...... but I've gotta admit I've always been into things that
sparkle! It's almost like it's genetic. I simply can't help it and I've been like this as long as I can remember. So if you can relate to loving all things that glitter, and secretly wish that wearing sequins was a part of your daily life like back in the 80's, then 2010 could be your chance to express your love for over-the-top disco ball BLING!

It's crazy how much I still enjoy sparkly things, even after countless hours of tedious "stoning" AKA torture to some who have dabbled in the art of hand emeblishing a shirt or even repairing old show clothes. Call me crazy, but I love the self-induced pain of hand applying thousands of crystals to a creation and watching it literally come to life. Sometimes it's a little addicting and can be hard to stop. There's always the question of what's one more stone? I guess it's true that when making these clothes (or as I call them costumes) it's a labor of love. You wouldn't believe the time that goes into making a sketch or idea for a design come to life. In the end stages I feel like I'm choosing the jewelry for the outfit. It's amazing how crystals seem to magicly transform a design from pretty to spectacular, just like the right jewelry.

I wanted to show you all a little something we're working on. I thought it would be fun for you to see a design come to life from the sketch to fabric and finally embillished with crystals in final form. This design just happens to combine sequined fabric with large and small Swarovski crystals in multple sizes and shapes. What could be a better example of the SUPER BLINGY looks that are hot for 2010?

CONCEPT SKETCH INSPIRED BY FABRIC
CONSTRUCTION PROCESS                

Even if your tastes tend to lean on the more consertive side, or the elegantly understated rather than bold and flashy, I think it's safe to say that when it comes to show ring style, being an individual and wearing the looks that most suit your personality will in the end be the best bet. Standing out in front of the judges is everyone's goal, but how you do that means knowing what gives you the confidence to shine!

Heather Farry