Sunday, July 6, 2014

38: PATRICK KELLY EXHIBIT

 
Patrick Kelly: Runway of Love is a MUST SEE fashion exhibit, now showing in the Special Exhibitions Gallery, first floor, Perelman Building April 27, 2014 - December 7, 2014.















In this post I am presenting some of Patrick Kelly’s innovative clothing. To learn more about the designer, visit http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/799.html which begins: “I want my clothes to make you smile”—that was the goal of late African American designer Patrick Kelly in creating his bold, bright, and joyful creations.


The show was curated by Dilys Blum, The Jack M. and Annette Y. Friedland Senior Curator of Costume and Textiles.

While on that website, http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/799.html be sure to scroll down and read where Exhibition Assistant Laura Camerlengo  talks about presenting Patrick Kelly’s designs at the museum.  And watch the attached video. It’s really good.

Laura Camerlengo also curated the Gerlan Jeans Loves Patrick Kelly exhibition showing in the Special Exhibitions Gallery, first floor, Perelman Building.

Presented here are some of the pictures my husband and I took of the collection. Enjoy!


One really has to take a second look at each of these designs to realize their genius. I missed the button placements' statements when I looked at the black and red dresses on the left in the Museum. Now I look again and can't help but laugh. What a great sense of humor the designer had. Who else would do this but someone completely at ease with his craft?







 


 
      

 The show also exhibits Patrick's doll collection.

 
Laurel
 

www.Laurelhoffmann.com- published books


 P: 215 884 7065


Tuesday, July 1, 2014

37: JENNA IS BACK FROM INDIA


Post 28 - FABRIC INTERNSHIP IN INDIA featured Jena Laska
Designer and Contemporary Fashion Education student

Here is her update:



I'm Back from India

The Nomad Artisan Collection
Some designers attend textile trade shows to find their fabrics. As a treasure hunter, I tend to take the more adventurous route. This past January, I crossed an ocean to India, an unfamiliar land. I dared to get into rickshaw vehicles whose drivers took me speeding down twisting, narrow streets to the secret spots in ancient Indian cities where the prized fabric was hidden.

Nothing could have prepared me for this journey to India, where rules of the road aren't enforced and crossing a street is an epic endeavor. I often got lost, almost wrecked, felt frustrated, faced dead ends. I sweated, I cried, I got sick. I wanted to quit. But I didn't give up.

The Nomad Artisan Collection is the tangible result of my sourcing adventure. I selected only the finest pieces of luxurious tie and dye and block printed silks, along with hand loomed cottons. I worked with each piece of cloth and allowed it to tell me what it wanted to become. The process was very time intensive. It took about two weeks to make just 10 pieces. This collection features all one-of -a-kind garments.  Wherever possible I sought to simplify design and highlight the fabric's story. You may visit my Etsy shop here to see all listed items from the collection.


Here is a coupon code for 15% off any piece in the collection: NOMADARTISAN

 
 

While in Jaipur, Rajasthan, I volunteered with fair trade fashion company and private label manufacturer, Mehera Shaw. I had the unique opportunity to work on an up cycled accessory project using the company's scrap fabric. The project targets women who live in the slum area near the facility who have little opportunity for employment outside of the home. I trained this woman, Manjuji, how to make flowers which will be used for necklaces and hair accessories. She is now qualified to train women who are interested in the work.



At the Anokhi Museum in Jaipur, I participated in block printing which is a renowned fabric printing process in the Indian state of Rajasthan.  The method uses hand carved wooden blocks to print a design on fabric. Each color layer is applied separately with a uniquely carved block. The block designs are meticulously chiseled by master craftsman employing very basic tools.  
 


I'll be available for custom orders from July 1st-July 14th. If you would like something made for you from my previous designs in jersey fabric (feel free to browse the "sales" section for ideas) please contact me at oohlajena@yahoo.com

Copyright © 2014 Ooh La Jena, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up for my mailing list at a craft show or you bought something at my Etsy shop


Our mailing address is:
Ooh La Jena
PO Box 34581
Philadelphia, PA 19143
Add us to your address book oohlajena@yahoo.com


Thanks, Jena, for posting on my blog.

Laurel
 
www.Laurelhoffmann.com- published books


 P: 215 884 7065
 ©Laurel Hoffmann, 2014, all rights reserved.