A Favorite

This is one of those dresses that you can't help but love. With it's simple fitted silhouette with plunging neckline, and fitted waist. This dress is simple it that way, but when it comes to details it is the furthest thing from simple. The horizontal strips of both lace and chiffon purple fabric  meeting at the cent of  both sides. Adding a semetrical balance. The sheer fabric underneath the layers of chiffon add a sensuality while the romantic twists of the on the top give an elegance which we can associate with a romanesque goddess. The lavender shade allows for this garment to feel young, which further highlights the romantic feel rather than the sensuality of the dress. Each element coupled together to produce a romantic ethereal elegance.

How I Did It

Well to be honest i did it with much difficulty. The funny thing is that as I sit her and process the steps in my mind it seems like such an easy process, but the fact is it's easier to say something than produce it.

Step1: Cutting out a pattern
Using drawing paper, tracing paper, and my handy micron pens I made a panel going down the center of the dress. This piece allowed me to get a flat form.

Step2: Cutting 2' strips of paper painted a dark phalo blue.

Step3: Attaching each individual strip to the front panel, allow the pieces to easily wrap around figure allowing the pieces to mold directly to the mannequinne.

Step4: Using same materials as step1 I made a pattern  for the top. Which I then fit with the same blue paper.

Step5: Embellishments. Gold fabric is used to accentuate the waist and is glued to attach the skirt and top. Now making it a dress.

Step6: Weaving gold paper. Four rectangular sheets of paper where cut at equal width and length about 6". Each sheet was then cut vertically almost to the end of paper but not quite enough to separate the strip from original sheet. Then weave.

Step7: Attach the golden weaving to shoulders of top.

Step8: Add Velcro.

Step9: Touch up paint, remove glue stings and anything else visually unappealing.

Step10: Store safely.

Step11: Get it safely to class.(hardest part walking around New York with a paper dress in hand isn't the easiest task.

Thank you and hope you enjoyed!!!

The Results Are In

IT'S FINISHED

Yes it looks nothing like what my original post was intended. But thats the beauty of this industry from one sketch you can interpret, and use certain pieces and aspects to make something beautiful and completely different. Although the exact layout is quite different it still holds the same symbolic elements as my original design.

Event reminder

In order to understand all elements of my piece let me remind you of some key components. My event is based on my friend's sister who recently died from cancer. This piece is analyzing the strength of the family through this situation. And what armor could metaphorically aid them in protection from their scenario.

 Symbols

The gold metallic paper in itself had a symbolic quality it represents the beauty which can be acquired through strength. I thought gold as the actually physical element rather than the color.


The silhouette was meant to be a form fitting almost cast of the body. Representing the needed support which holding such a weight on your shoulders weakens your body and mind. 


This brings me back to the shoulder pieces. These larger pieces help carry the burden of the weight of the world almost seeming to collapse on you. And the feeling that you need to carry that person and everyone else falling around you. Thus extra protection is needed.

My thoughts

I think everything was successful considering time and resources.Although my vision was a lot larger i think that my finished did exactly what I wanted to and that was symbolically capture my event. I would not change one aspect of my product. However my technique needs to be cleaned up quite a bit. My lines were uneven, and my glue gun seemed to blow up on my garment. I wish the waist line was better emphasized and the lines were cleaner. And i plan on making these adjustments. Not only so that I get the "A"but so that I feel like i deserved one.  My work will be cleaner for the exhibition. SO COME AND SEE. 

The Impossible Conversation

Talking to Elizabeth Keckley

Born a slave in Virginia Elizabeth Keckley worked her way up the social ladder, and became one of the most sot after dressmakers. This is due in part because of her close relationship with the First Lady ,Mary Lincoln, as well as being her personal dressmaker. Her designs although beautiful, elegant, and colorful, have meaning behind the fashionable fabrics. 

Her work not only influences me but her story as well. How does someone who came from so little able to become so big. How was she able to work for the people that in a way labeled her as a slave. She did this with no second thought, and only produced the best. 

It just shows you how everyone no matter how small can make themselves whomever they choose to be. The only thing is that we need to be able to see past the scabs which have occurred along the journey, and not let them fester into resent. Resent of the one who caused it, or of who chose to open it back up.

I respect this women because she is unlike those who were given everything. Nothing came easy,  She slaved away to provide for herself and her family the life that she wanted to be associated with. And she was able to accomplish that and so much more. 

Her garments represented her life path from slave, free women, favorite dressmaker, to confidant of one's of the world's most  prominent women. Her dresses are held in museums, and her name is recognized in history books.  Someone being able to create garments for royalty without having any clue how it feels to be in that shoe. She was able to embodie herself in her clients needs, wants, and even wants which they didn't even know they wanted. She was able to read minds, trends, and that is why she was able to do her job not only well, but successfully.

Design

We have officially started the project that I have been waiting for. 

PAPER DRESSES

 Being that my intended major is fashion design I was more than excited about this project. Super difficult, but exactly what I wanted to do.  Here are a couple designs I have been playing with. But I believe I have come to the conclusion that I will be doing the last one. Which is perfect since its one of my favorites. Wish me luck. This is going to be one tough, stressful sleep deprived, yet exhilarating weekend.

So much has been happening yet, so much is still to come.

My Favorite Drawing Unit

Figure Drawing

This is so far my favorite unit in Drawing. I love the ability to completely communicate emotion without even putting a mouth, nose, or even eyes on a face.  But for the persons emotions to be completely communicable by the folds in their body, the tension in the neck, or even the limpness of a foot.

I can't say I'm very good. But I know I've made a great progression. You can see for yourself.

Sumi Ink

Sumi Ink is definately very difficult to work with especially for the first time. Not my favorite medium so far, but it definitely can produce some beautiful color differentiation which blend nicely. Very difficult, but i think with one more practice i'll love it.


Charcoals(my favorite):

This is my favorite piece as of this moment. Although it is incomplete at this moment I am so proud of this work. Especially when i was given 10 minutes and some more materials that I am unfamiliar with. However i believe this material was the easiest, and quickest to catch on to. Love, love, love this piece.

When I complete it I will post it again, but with her hand not just a mere shape.

My Summer Focus

Life between Death

My summer at Parsons has just began and there is already so much work to show for it. 

First project:  Persecution

This represents the different paths that all people take; no matter who we are persecution finds a way to twist our path. Either we stop in our track, or continue even stronger.

 Second project: Destination...


This piece was inspired by a picture taken in a subway that i modified and made a flat painting. The light at the end of the tunnel represents the possibility of life although encompassed in darkness, which represents death.

Most recent: Book cover

The cover was by far the most diffucult mostly because my relationship with computers isn't strong. However it turned out wonderful the contrast between the yellow and black combined with the blue was inspired from my painting. It like most of my other pieces has a relates to a type of path.

It's crazy that one event can be portrayed in so many to lights and can be interpreted differently to so many. Our life although never exactly alike are connected to some instance which gives ever painting, drawing, and sketch its own meaning.