Ying and Yang - Finding Our Balance

This week we finally began a project that I've been excited about for a while.  This is a Custom By Heather Rail Jacket that goes with our newest CBH Horsemanship top for sale on the site.  It seems that the moment we found this striking sequined black and white check print fabric we had tons of ideas about how we could make into an awesome ensemble set!  My design for the jacket was inspired by my Mom's (Lois, my Partner) design for the HMS top.  You may remember the sketch she did, I posted it a little while back.  I really loved her design and have been itching to get this jacket going to complete the matching set!

This ensemble is truly the a joint project, each of us contributing by designing half of the two piece set.  I think of this project as "The Ying-Yang" set, partly because we always give each project our own silly name like "The Butterfly" or "The Cheerleader" or "The Rainbow Bright."  To me this set represents Ying-Yang.  The overall esthetic feels very balanced because of color blocking and the simple black and white pallet. Instead of looking split in half or like two ideas in the same fabric, I wanted the designs to feel inter-locking, each half strengthening the other to make a whole cohesive set.  I think this creates a more put-together look for wearing in multiple classes.

The fact that it is a two-piece set and each of us literally designed half makes this Ying-Yang theme come full circle, a first for us!  Every project is a joint effort but.... never before have we each come up with half of a complete set.  I guess we really do make a great team!  I think both designs work so well together and no one would ever guess they were designed by two different people.   Here's a look at my design sketch for the jacket.
Both pieces are made to our size six (our sizes tend to run small) so if you're an xs or a small or a size four in other brands you may fit our six.  I wish I could squeeze into this set!  I always try everything on when it's finished, just for fun!  I just love the sharp contrasts and angles that make these designs really stand out in the arena.  I can imagine myself on the rail in a pleasure class in this one for sure.  Oh, I guess if I had the clothes I would just need the matching horse....... maybe a black and white tobanio or a big black AQHA gelding with a white star and maybe some bright white socks too!  lol!  I guess a girl can dream!!  For now dreaming up new designs is tons of fun and keeps me WAY TOO BUSY!  I just hope in the balancing act of completing custom orders and meeting deadlines we are able to find time to get some more fun stuff made for our March 11th show. Yikes!  That's right the corner!

Keep a look out for the finished jacket coming soon!

Thanks,
Heather