the exclusive "los angeles" print
by charlotte, hartford graphic designer
presentation
My name is Charlotte, and I've been working at Hartford - the chic and casual ready-to-wear brand - for over ten years. I'm a Stylist-Graphic Designer, or you could also call me a Graphic Designer/Textile Designer, and I work closely with the stylists on the menswear and womenswear collections. From the beginning, with the creation of our various inspirations and desires... to the creation of designs, the choice of colors, and the development samples...
What do you appreciate about your job?
I love drawing more than anything, I love illustration and graphic novels and I particularly like looking for vintage gems to find new inspiration to expand our collections of printed shirts, sweatshirts or even accessories for example.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF CREATING AN EXCLUSIVE PRINT?
After discussions with the stylistic team, we choose together intentions, creative paths for the clothes of the future collection and then, I do research on graphics, techniques, colors… During the collection and after it, I work with the product technicians, to ensure the smooth running of the technical sheets, and readjustments before production when necessary.
The design is printed a first time to create a "Strike Off" / "First Sample" on a women's sweatshirt or a men's t-shirt, for example. This allows for the colors and design to be checked and any adjustments made before the final launch. Then, if necessary, further modifications (positioning, intensity, etc.) can be made between collection and production.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE "LOS ANGELES" PRINT?
The "Los Angeles" print is one of the prints used this season for the creation of a women's sweatshirt and bandanas . It's a totally multi-colored and joyful print! The palette was inspired by the colors of motel signs in the American West, and the colors of LA
It's a mix of graphic elements that symbolize Los Angeles and Hollywood! I represented some emblematic elements: The Hollywood Sign, the entrance to Venice, a Motel, Palm trees, the Beverly Hills sign...
It was inspired by my trip to California last year. I had the pleasure of realizing my “American dream” by going to meet my best friend, an expat in LA. And thus finally discovering these much-fantasized landscapes…
It is made on a cotton Baby Fleece, that is to say a very light fleece, perfect for spring-summer! And it has also been declined in “Bandana Souvenir”, taking up the main elements of the design and declining several border colors.
