Red Leather Corset Belt with Black Floor Length Wrap Skirt

So happy about my newest work. After lots of trouble starting from a broken sewing machine, to .., to..., to... , I finally finished it!!

Red leather corset belt with top stitching zipper embellishments shown with a long wrap skirt with open front

ANOTHER DESIGN in ANOTHER CONFINEMENT - Creativity is not stoppable!

My newest re-confinement design. Good to be in the creative world. Chalet green Silk Gazar Bustier. Never thought about creating a bustier in gazar. It always seemed to me as if the two would belong to two different worlds. Not anymore . I think it came out really nice. Only taking photos of it was quite challenging as the shades of green changed, seriously, every second. 

The bustier is also available in black and in multiple sizes in my online boutique "BrigitteSParis" on Etsy.com

This is the link to it:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/BrigitteSParis

LET THE BEAUTY AND THE SECRECY OF THE DETAIL SPEAK FOR ITSELF

My newest work, lace embellished face masks in silk taffeta and silk satin shown on a beautiful, more than ten years old blood red silk charmeuse, a fabric I love and a color with lots of memories for many of us.

The masks are available in my boutique BrigitteSParis.

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/BrigitteSParis

WKRC Cincinnati mentions my mask in a story

WKRC Cincinnati brought a fabulous story about face masks with the title "Expressing yourself through masks: A Poem". In the story, David Winter, the journalist who wrote the story, chose to, among others, also show a photo of the pale pink cotton / black lace face mask I make and sell in my store BrigitteSParis on ETSY https://www.etsy.com/shop/BrigitteSParis
So nice, thank you!

https://local12.com/news/coronavirus/expressing-yourself-through-masks-a-poem-cincinnati

Quote of David Winter's story:

"CINCINNATI (WKRC) - With all the talk about wearing masks these days, Local 12 decided to look into how you can express your thoughts, without expressing your breath. So, we turned to the crafty website, Etsy, and we no longer have to pass each other expressionless on the street:

You can find masks there, whether you love OU, UK or are okay with UC.

If you’re into birds or bikes or beers.

If you want pink and plastic, or delicate and daisy’ed to save your ears.

There are masks for those who love coffee -- though you must give most masks the slip when you take a sip.

A little flappy ingenuity fixes that affliction to remain masked while feeding your addiction.

Some prefer leather, some prefer lace, some prefer snakeskin to cover their face.

They say to avoid religion and politics while you’re at work, but some people can’t mask their feelings.

Especially when it comes to the president. Some don’t like Mr. Trump, some agree with Mr. Trump, some want to be Mr. Trump.

Some want to show they back Black Lives Matter. AC/DC fans just want to be Back in Black.

Let’s face it, most of us are just dog-tired of wearing masks and looking at each other’s expressionless faces.

So, whether you’re feeling sexy or silly or smiley or sad these days,

Give people a little window into your demeanor, if you choose.

Express your feelings with a mask.

And do it on the news."

CREATIVE CONFINEMENT - Going Stylish in masks!

Using my fabrics to get stylish in creating face masks. All fabrics are washed before and masks after creation to ensure safety and durability - just to make sure!  

All masks shown in the photo are already washed in the washing machine 

Couture at its best!!!
Love to see us go stylish and safe! The masks are currently available in my boutique BrigitteSParis on Etsy.com.

Online Classes and Support in Fashion Design and Creation

Hi guys, I hope all of you are well and will stay well.

While the virus is spreading through contact, we will adjust our way of living to – in the end – save many lives.

I am offering my Fashion Design/Concept/Technical Design/Pattern making/Construction/Fitting classes online, and will support you through whatever social media platform is available to you, if you are, for example, working on a project and feel lost or just need an okay or some advice, I am here for you.

With my extensive knowledge in design and teaching, (see below)I am more than happy if I can help you out.

Besides having my own Evening/Bridal Couture Studio ( www.sievering.us ), I taught classes in Fashion Design at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in NYC, the High School of Fashion Industries in NYC and at ParsonsParis.

Classes I taught included: Women’s Wear Draping, Patternmaking, Body Contour Design incl. Corsetry, Design Room Techniques/Construction/Sewing, Active Sportswear incl. Street Wear, Textile Lace & Technology, Design Studio, Theses, Creative Technical Studio, Introduction to Fashion Design, Men’s Wear Patternmaking and Construction,

pre-college, college and continuing-education.

You can email me at brigitte.schwenner@gmail.com, find me under Brigitte Schwenner on WhatsApp or text me on Instagram.

THE SKETCH

I am always excited when going through boxes I didn't open for a while. Cannot believe that I just found this sketch. I made it a few years ago of an outfit that I created in an off-white leather combined with an amazing off-white/burgundy burnout silk chiffon.

Work in Progress

This picture shows work in progress. I really don't know if I shall add embellishments or not.
If you want to help in decision making please go to my Instagram page @gittesch and let me know what you think. Thanks a lot!!! B.

Design Workshop for all in Paris or close by!!!

Design Workshop for all in Paris or close by!!!

This Saturday, October 26, I am offering a FREE 3 hour Workshop in Garment Construction, Pattern Making, Draping, Sewing and all other Fashion Design related matters. It will be a Group Workshop in Romainville, in the Paris' suburbs, easily accessible by Metro 11.
If interested, email me at schwenner.b@gmail.com.
Spaces will be assigned on first come first serve basis.

If you want, you can bring your own project.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Brigitte

First, I did not know how this project would work out, but now, I am really excited about it! : )

I am very happy about my latest project the black Leather Corset Belt with silvery eyelets and lacing as embellishments and top stitching in black on outside and pink on the inside lining. The pinked edges clearly add to the beautiful and cool style. It doesn't have any boning and is therefore, very comfortable to wear.
Availability:https://www.etsy.com/shop/BrigitteSParis

Tribute to my former Professor at FIT

Just found this nice tribute to my former professor at FIT,  Rosario Rizzo.
The Museum at FIT, NYC honored the lifetime work of the couturier in a multiple weeks long exhibition of some of his couture gowns.

He was a teacher, who taught his students magnificent knowledge, who everybody loved and admired but also a teacher who students were afraid of - at least to a degree - because of his strict rules and harsh criticism. I am convinced that all, who ever had a class with him, will agree that nobody else could have ever taught us more.

https://tearntanfiles.com/2013/02/25/a-tribute-to-rosario-and-rose-rizzo-at-fit-nyc/

MY NEWEST WORK

After moving from NYC to Paris, I started to concentrate more on the design and creation of corsets/bustiers. Over the years, I already created many bustiers and taught multiple classes in Body Contour Design.  I always liked to work with metal, wood and leather as much as I like to work with delicate fabrics.  I also certainly enjoy clipping the metal wires of the boning and to make the ends smoother by filing them with a metal file as much as creating the perfect fit and applying beautiful couture finishes.

Maybe, I started to concentrate more on this as a result of my move? Maybe, because a corset is  easier to carry around than a gown? I don't know the answer, but I know that I always loved doing it and the more I do it, the more I love it.

Here are the three most recent examples of my work.

The first one is an over-bust corset/bustier in embroidered silk with a decorative lace embellishment around the neckline, a busk front closure and lacing in the back.

The second shows the over-bust corset/bustier in leather with a front zipper and lacing in the back.

The third one is an under-bust corset in black/gold silk taffeta embellished with re-embroidered laser cut lace. It has a bust in the front and lacing in the back.

I really like the support they give without putting too much emphasis on a super tight waist.
Btw., the back lacing only has to be adjusted once in a while. The corset/bustier will regularly be closed in the front, which makes it much easier to put it on or off.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BrigitteSParis

At The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Nicole Kidman talks about Fashion in Film. A special event during the MET's China through the Looking Glass exhibition

          A special thank you to Nicole Kidman for this great  memory! Her, my students, and me.

Nicole Kidman 

Harmish Bowles and Nicole Kidman during their conversation

http://wwd.com/eye/fashion/nicole-kidman-talks-costume-design-at-china-through-the-looking-glass-10190552/

http://www.vogue.com/13286569/nicole-kidman-hamish-bowles-met-gala-china-through-looking-glass/

http://www.vogue.com/13286257/nicole-kidman-metropolitan-museum-of-art-celebrity-summer-style/

http://fashionista.com/2015/07/nicole-kidman-hamish-bowles

SIEVERING DESIGNcollage

SIEVERING Showroom

Showroom

Last Day of Class

The five graduating students and me

Finally, the semester is over and so is my Active Sportswear Design class. Five of my students just graduated  (the others have one more year to go). The graduating students came from Istanbul to New York to finish their fashion design studies at FIT. The program was especially designed for the exchange students to build upon their previous studies in their home country. During the semester, all students  not only designed and created Active Sportswear outfits but also Active Sportswear inspired Street wear.
Well, this means we talked a lot about innovations in textiles and especially about the use of high tech fabrics in Active Sportswear, and we worked a lot on pants, pants, and again pants.  I loved it, we  had a great time even though ------ the class started at 8 am.
I wish the best of luck to all of my students and congratulations to those who graduated!!!!

Designing for Sarah Ioannides

So happy!! Working with the wonderful  Sarah Ioannides,  Music Director and Conductor of both, the Takoma Symphony Orchestra and the Spartanburg Philamonic Orchestra, on outfits for her upcoming Europe tour.
Here a link to her facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/sarahioannides.conductor
and her website
http://sarahioannides.net/

She is amazing, you will love her- I am sure!

Working with the production team on the Rob Garcia AW 2015 show

Rob Garcia's, GQ's chosen men's wear designer of the year 2014, first show under his own label.
Great production, great collection! Thanks for asking me being part of  the team!
Some pics

The Sweatshirt

Talking about High Tech fabrics and working with students on active sportswear designs, +++ is definitely inspiring. The faux leather was supposed to turn into an evening dress, but then everything changed.

My newest design

Square cut out black soft faux leather sweatshirt with industrial zipper detail in red and contrasting arrangement of faux leather face with brushed, suede like, soft, stretch knit backing.

The design combines a clean, elegant style with great comfort. With its kimono cut and attached sleeves, the extended back, and the large front pocket it is dressy but keeps its cool attitude.

The all over squared cut outs allow air to pass through the faux leather and provide great breathability.

Erika's and Mel's Wedding

What a day!

On June 21st, my dear friend Erika Rohrbach got married to her longtime partner Maryellen Hauslaib. 

It was so beautiful when these two amazing women, who said "yes" to each other many years ago, finally were able to make their bond official. It was very moving, when Erika said that she thought she would never be able to marry her love.

When Erika approached me a few months ago, telling me that she would like me to make both of their wedding outfits-except for Mel's pants, they for sure had to be white Levis- I felt so very pleased and happy.
One Saturday we met at their home. After having a delicious meal cooked by Erika,  they showed me their closet and the garments they liked the best. This way, I got an idea of their style and of what they would like to wear at their special day. When I showed my designs, Mel immediately liked the idea of including an industrial zipper into the designs.
After they chose their outfits from the sketches I made, we went shopping for fabric. Erika chose a silver leather laser cut lace for her top with a matching zipper as design detail and light grey heavy weight silk satin for her pants. Mel chose a blue hammered silk for her top. also with matching industrial zipper.
I am not sure anymore, but I think it was Mel who recognized that one design complements the other one.While the zipper on Erika's top starts in the front and ends at the back neckline, Mel's starts in the back and ends at the front neck like showing that the partners support and complement each other and that they work as a team what, I think, is the best foundation for a marriage,