Fashion Finds

Friday's Beyond Fashion show at RIT brought out the textile lovers. The after 'party', held to honor one of the designers, left no one shy about demanding what, how, where garments were all about. I love this gathering, one for enthusiasts who care about garment history, and show it with what they're wearing. 

Beyond Fashion at RIT

After being part of this event the last two years, I was able to take it all in from a relaxing seat in the audience this time. Held as a fundraiser for the Vignelli Center for Design Studies, the RIT Beyond Fashion has both alumni and student work that pushed boundaries of traditional garment norms. 
 

Harry Bertoia Night

As a student in design and a woodworking course, we studied chairs. Harry Bertoia made an iconic and beautiful one around 1952, and it remains forever part of our vocabulary. Tonight RIT showcased his work with a film and the celebration of 7 sculptures 'Dandelions' seen at the 1964 World's Fair. What a night! see old photo:    https://www.rit.edu/vignellicenter/sites/rit.edu.vignellicenter/files/images/paragraph/banner-item/header%20image.png
 

Side Show

While on my way to see a photographic show this afternoon, I happened upon a metals exhibit at RIT and the Bevier Gallery. Most of the work's rationale went over my head, but the objects compelled. Suzanne Peck's piece made of metal and glass, each about 1 1/2" in circumference. About relationships. 
 

Gallery of Friends

I caught the exhibit at Rochester Institute of Technology today where all the exhibitors were connected to the Anderson Arts Building where I have my studio 301. The scope and depth of the works is wonderful. This rug hooker, Diane Philips, has always been a favorite of mine Here is a close up.

 

Off It Goes

In the state of  'disperse the wealth' I gave away a printed vest I'd made for the RIT fashion show this past winter. It looked perfect for her, and that it might see daylight more than in my workspace, was bonus. I still want to put together a "Printing for Wearables" class, someday someday.
 

While I Was Dyeing

Since I spent most of yesterday cleaning gutters, and no photos of any progress, let's revisit another item I dyed. The shirt dress is a Brooks Brothers linen color that when overdyed with sun yellow yielded this marvelous acid yellow, almost a chartreuse. Perfect match for the under  quilted vest. 
 

Simple Transformation

A friend offered this pinkish coat for the revamp that I did for the Beyond Fashion show. I dyed it red, then printed in a few simple graphics. When I mailed it back today I realized that the buttons stayed on through the process -- which included very hot 140 degree washout. 

 

The Coat Pattern

Last year for the Beyond Fashion show was long quilted coat. This year was shorter time, so, shorter coat. At my lecture some asked for the pattern. Many coat patterns wait to be used, and of the half dozen, this Vogue 8430 was the one. I've also made it in boiled wool purchased in lovely Oregon.

 

Payback

The producer/organizer/major force behind the RIT Beyond Fashion visited me during open studio today. She promised to grab one of my scarves, which became a gift from her mom. But I had the most fun doing the collection, forgetting the 2 1/2 week turnaround I had. Hey, who doesn't love a deadline? 
 

Great Success

 

The collection was a hit! I could not have asked for a nicer and more creative group of women to work with as my models. They put LIFE into these outfits, and brought things lacking (shoes, makeup, shirts) a well as great patience to wait till it was our time to walk the runway. Thank you all! Here's out last walker mugging for us all.

Dry Run

Yes, I've been engrossed in this fashion project, but it is making me pay attention to what and how I print. These two quick scenes give you an idea of how large this sound stage is and the need to overdo the impact of the works. No small jewelry, no sweet small prints. We've still to work out the details. 
 

That Hunk of Silk

The gifted silk organza became a 'skirt' and attachable sleeves. The skirt has a 3' opening at the front, and a modest train behind. I don't think I've ever used organza before, and can't say I'd be eager to again. But the effect is nice. Thursday is our dress rehearsal for Friday's show. I'm a buttonhole away from finished.
 

Fork It

I'm putting banding on the sleeve for this simple vest. I've even added a fork patch on the front to match the skirt that will be with it. Bonus, I got to sew while watching 'Grand Design' on my gifted Britbox channel. So, life is good.
 

Are We Having Fun Yet?

It's my third week of making these garments. Thankful to have some help from a friend, I'm still woefully behind. And I don't have the talent to do the finish work well, so I have to say, I'm looking forward to bedtime and a fresh start tomorrow. Here's the scene I've left in the studio. Might talk behind my back.

 

Yards of Dots

The dots are supposed to represent PLATES, so I do hope that comes across. I've soda-soaked, printed, washed, and ironed this one length -- maybe 6 yards -- of silk organza. It'll be a 'skirt' that ties in front and two puffy sleeves worn without a bodice. Yes, a shirt underneath. Oh, maybe a train, too. 

 

Progress on Short Jacket

Yesterday was a day to construct the short jacket. I knew that the inside of the quilted fabric would show up in the collar, so I placed the top of the front where I knew it would catch the patterning underneath. I've got a pocket located with a yellow patch and a split cuff. There was a lot of edge finishing work to do.
 

Quilting , Mindless Quilting

Most of yesterday was spent quilting fabric to make a coat. I've great hopes for this one, and I've prepared about 100" of 43" wide fabric. Went fairly smoothly after I ripped out the part that wasn't threaded properly, and opted for one thread color. Then it was mindless.
 

Table Ware

Here's part of the motif frenzy for printing textiles for garments. These are the service set that Vignelli designed. I may use this in a dress or pants. It's cotton sateen and has a nice weight. 
 

Let's Polka

I was gifted yards of silk organza. I will try not to put a value on this, other than 'use it' and so I've soda soaked it and printed it. There might be about 6 yards in this cut. It will take me several passes to get it printed. And those who've met me know how hard it is to print CLEAN. Stay tuned.