“DESIGNING PRINTS”
………………….”PRINTS”……….for my Anne Klein Couture Collection came from a few different print manufactures in Italy. Some prints I bought from their existing line, and the prints became exclusive to me….Some prints were developed from scratch from ideas I had. Most of my custom prints were done with two print mills….the main one being ETRO out of Milan, Italy……..The print in these photos I designed myself……I had huge sheets of white paper that I actually painted the design upon. I did about 8 versions of the print, and then hung them on my studio wall to see which I liked the best. I did the paintings in black on white, and sent the final art work to ETRO. They then created the “repeat” of the print so they could print the design on their machines. Some of the prints were done with automatic print machines, and some were done on “hand screen panels” depending on the design itself. This print was able to be done on automatic print machines that was always more cost efficient. Of course the price was also determined by the quality of fabric used to print on. These prints were done on a silk crepe. The fabric was weighty enough that I was also able to make the shoes with it. The fabric was sent to my shoe manufacturer. I did about four different styles of shoes using the print. Besides the pump with the sharp angled heel….I recall we did a wide banded flat sandal with a solid black halter leather back strap, and a banded high heel sandal with a criss cross ankle strap also in the print. Once ETRO finished the art work which I approved….I gave them background colors that I wanted the print done in. They would send me the final art work in the different colors for approval, and then they would make small samples of the print in each color combination again for my approval. Once this was done and approved they printed sample pieces of each color which was approx. 50 yards per color…..an expensive proposition, but the fabric was later used for production….Sometimes there was sample yardage of a color that I didn’t use on the collection, and we would offer it to one store as an exclusive color…….As the fabrics were being made I started developing the accessories I wanted to show with the prints. I developed a group of different sized Baroque pearls and different sized faced glass jet black beads that I used in combinations for different style earrings, bracelets and necklaces…..The TORSADE necklace worn here on Gayle Elliot was a massive beautiful piece……There were about 5 or 6 different styles in the print. I did two dresses, two different skirt styles [the sarong, and a simple pencil skirt], a long cardigan jacket with pockets, and a tank top….all to mix and match……….The abstract suedo animal print was a HIT, and sold very well!
