Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Le nonne... the first fitting!





Le nonne... veramente sono belle!

Everytime they come, they light up the room! Our draping class becomes so much more than just making clothes--- it is an emotional rollercoaster! We try to speak italian, we share/exchange cultures, they advice us,  pass on their wiseness and their experiences; they tell us about the "glory days"-as if those were not these, and about their adventures (las más pícaras). We are so impressed- they are full of life- and the ones who are not-who long for the days gone by-are there to show us that we are living on EASY times....

One of them is ninety something and always leaves teary-eyed. She says she is so fortunate to be alive to see this happen! Youth and "old" together, enhancing each other, embracing, admiring!

We meet up with the italian ladies every 2 weeks, while we work on this evergrowing project. It is incredible how it has gained importance-Now the Comune di Firenze wants to make the sfilate all about us... They want us(the "american" students) to  go down the catwalk with the grandmas! Can you believe it? too much attention-can we handle it? I hope so- We better really impress them. What an honor and a great opportunity!

 

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Sportswear Collection. AllJapan competition and SoFia Maldonado


design development.
sportswear.
mass market.
fine art inspiration.
reconstruction.
jeans+tshirts











The 50's, Le nonne, e la Comune di Firenze

So... about three classes into the semester, our draping professor got a phone call from and ex-student(i believe) and he asked her if she had anyone who was interested in participating in a fashion show"thing" for some elder ladies... She briefly explained and we all said YES! I mean, we are in ITALIA- lets take advantage of it all... some research-this is my desk!

So...Now we are all being part of a Fashion Show organized by the Comune di Firenze-that celebrates the 50'S, and the beauty of women. In Italy-when a woman has children-she stops being a woman-and becomes JUST a mother, just a wife, a cleaner... etc.. so THIS show will give them...a remembrance of their "plumper" years- but will make a point that women never stop being women... its just that some-forget!A vintage boutique will lend some dresses so that young models-model- with the older women- who will be wearing OUR 50's inspired, NEW creations... IRONIC! ENCHANTING!
...JUST sketching SOME IDEAS
It has been such a touching experience- We met the nonnas last Wednesday and I am telling you-almost all of us cried! These women have so much energy! One of them-93- said that she was blessed to be alive to see this happening-Youth and Old... together!
the measurements of my "nona"-

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Fashion Past+Present Collection 2...

We went on a "school"trip to Milano two weeks ago and were asked to make up a collection for our Past +Present class... I selected as historical reference the Armour at ones of the museums we attended... Poldi Pezzoli










Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Draping... my new adventures?





Ciao a tutti!(practicing my italian here!)
 
(at Baldovinetti-Draping Lab...Jessica Velez and I...partners in crime)
Draping is one of my favorite stages of the design process... sometimes by just playing around with the fabric I can come up with the most unimaginable ideas. By listening to the fabric, letting it guide me, show me the way... I pin, touch, feel... the way into a new design.

I can't sketch what I will drape-I feel as if in some way-that sketch will limit me and I won't  let my imagination run.. or the fabric surprise me .

This semester we have only one draping class a week, and it runs from 8:30 AM until 2:30 p.m.. As much as I love this class, it is so exhausting and mentally/emotionally draining. In those hours we have to take the lesson, get an idea, develop the idea, drape the piece, and construct it. It is a lot of work-especially when i am used to coming to the lab in the after hours and taking my sweet time to play around. Now.. its more of a challenge-not necessarily more fun-but great training. it is getting better, I am getting used to it! My professor this year is Therese Schoenholzer-she is amazing and supposedly a world expert in lace!

I never take pictures of me working or me with my work-but here are some that my classmates took.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Couture/Luxury Jackets and Suits-Fashion Art

Funnels, Lee Bontecou, Rick Owens... development


Here are some pictures of my first Fashion Art project for IFD 2(International Fashion Design year 2)...
My professor is Sass Brown-the program director, and I am loving it this year!

The project was supposed to be inspired by a design detail from a luxury or couture designer collection for Fall 2008. I chose Rick Owen's funnels!
Owen's inspiration-AND MINE.... Sculptress Lee Bontecou! Marvelous!
Customer Profile???


customer lifestyle








Design Development!
_______________________________________

Now... The Presentation... The project I handed in for Fashion Art!
I will edit the pictures later,and add detailed ones,  but for now.. this is a sneak peak!

Enjoy!