DDR DESIGN HISTORY: UNEXPECTED IMAGE ‘IGNITES’ INSPIRATION

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a dozen times: when it comes to Cheryl McMullen, inspiration is everywhere. From colors to patterns to prints, she is constantly cataloging images that make an impression on her. She can glean influence from the most unexpected places, even the tiniest of objects can ‘spark’ a design inspiration.

“It was a matchbook, if you can believe it,” Cheryl laughed. “Isn’t that wild? Somethingthat small can make that big of an impression, and now it’s been interpreted into a handful of things throughout this collection. It’s on that beautiful poncho, and a scarf. We put it on one of the signature socks from Maria. We even loved it enough to put it on a boot! You just never know what’s going to ignite an idea – no pun intended.”

All of the Ay! Ay! Ay! garments (poncho, scarf, and sock) feature a bold colorful interpretation of the original image, a Southwestern desert scene complete with a horseback cowboy con sombrero. The same image, in more muted tones, shows up on the shaft of the El Paso Boot, embellished with floral leather accents affixed by metallic studs. The image is a two-dimensional illustration, focusing more on shapes and silhouettes than intricate details.

“I could’ve sworn it was from an old Paint-by-Number,” Audrey said. “Doesn’t it look like it could’ve been? I think I could’ve painted that. With instructions. Maybe. It’s probably best I leave it to the design team. I love the way it turned out; they really amplified the colors. I’m getting both the poncho and the scarf. I already have the socks.”