Collaboration and proposal

“original” pieces, indie features, Outfit development

Now that the outfit for the wedding is just about finished, its time to gear up to work on the pieces for an art show proposal.

Here is the fabric I will be working with.

Here is a sketch of the outfit. A plaid spencer jacket with leg of mutton sleeves and alligator print leather back panel. I may use the stainless steel washers as some sort of fastener. Hand dyed maroon denim covered with hand dyed gray lace for skinny jeans. And a vintage fascinator to top it all off. There will be more, but that’s a start.

A couple quick sketches of clothes that came to mind on my morning jogs.

Seeds are being sown for a possible artist collaboration between myself and Lesia Socher, the creator of the above multimedia paintings. Last night, that proposal was delivered and met with enthusiasm, and she took photos of some of my work that she would like to paint. Something is evolving, and I’m very excited!

Mid-Summer Exploration

inspiration, Outfit development

Corset gifts and a new slip dress in leather and a poly/rayon blend.

My mother used to tell me you can tell a good artist or a quality piece when the unseen details are as beautiful as the seen details.

Working on samples of an art piece in non traditional materials, and be fully functional. A top knit out of VHS tape, trimmed in dog hair, (donated by my corgi mix and spun into yarn by me). A wrap skirt from inner tube rubber, embellished with staples.

Jolene’s fashion faux pas

Disclaimer:

These rules only apply to myself!! Use them if you wish or make up your own.

  • No pajamas. I despise pajamas, loungewear, and sweatpants. Wear lingerie or nothing to bed. And NEVER in public!
  • Proper posture. Back straight, shoulders slightly back, head up. Engage you core, stop making your back do everything. Want to look like you lost 20 pounds and have flatter abs? Posture.
  • No smoking or excessive drinking. I’ve given up both entirely. Show the world you are a classy lady.
  • All I wear for jewelry are earrings. Metallic only, no stones. I have sensory issues wear I don’t like anything that “circles” any part of my body. I don’t even wear my wedding ring. I agree with the opinion that you shouldn’t wear a necklace with earrings or rings with bracelets and vise versa. Too much in one area. I also won’t wear mascara and lipstick together.

“Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.” CoCo Chanel

  • Wear clothes that flatter your body type. It takes a long time to figure out what works for your unique build. Once you do, go with it! Don’t be influenced by trends that won’t work for you.

“If you don’t feel comfortable in a plunging sweater, skin-tight jeans, and killer heels, go home and change.” Ines de la Fressange

  • I don’t like the “cold shoulder” “thing” going on right now.
  • I don’t generally like any part of a bra to show. Unless it is a design element for the entire piece.

“Ripped jeans? …… Insanity!” Iris Apfel

  • Black and brown CAN be worn together.
  • Red and pink CAN be worn together.
  • Blue and black CAN be worn together.

An afternoon at the beach

indie features, Outfit development

Pemaquid beach, Maine

Swimsuit by Aniela Parys

A new dress.

Made of repurposed fabric. The process.

Detail of the various seams. Really neat. The secret? Ironing, ironing and more ironing.

Before and after.

Finished leather “corset”

Summer projects and the birth of a label

“original” pieces, Knit wear, Outfit development, Uncategorized

Here’s a partial line up of this summer’s projects. Complete with knitted camisole, my recycled strip jeans, and custom dyed red skinny jeans.

I also picked up some freebies on the side of the road! I’m thinking of transforming the plaid blazer into a Spencer jacket with leg of mutton sleeves and some gold or copper metallic embellishments.

Imagine this dress as a slip dress worn with the little spencer jacket 🤩

I started working with leather. This corset is being made from leather salvaged from 2 used pair of leather pants. It will have fresh water pearl embellished trim. Not easy, but extremely satisfying. Not sure what method of attachment I will go with: lacing, a zipper, or other, on one side.

More experiments with leather: machine sewn this time and top “stitched” with staples. Kinda cool!

Working on a special event outfit. A high-low hemmed, sequined, princess seamed, navy blue trimmed tank dress. With a matching dove gray leather, cap-sleeved bolero; a navy blue felted boat cap and peacock blue nubuck, cross over, high-heeled clogs.

It is all basted together with my new clothing tag design located inside the “train” back. Visible when I walk (I hope).

Embroidered leather clothing tags. I’m contemplating maybe, just maybe, creating a few pieces to sell 😬😳😨

Greta’s eyelash top and up cycled denim art.

“original” pieces, inspiration, Outfit development

Lost in my thoughts one day, trying to figure out some sort of mission statement for all this clothes, fashion, and the blog that goes along with it business. I was perusing the internet, planning a New York City trip next Spring. I happened across a trailer for a documentary called The True Cost , a film about the fast fashion industry, textile waste, exploitation of third world garment workers (where 95% of all our clothes comes from) and the true cost of a 4$ tee shirt from Walmart, H&M, or Old Navy, and etc. I knew then I had found my mission, and how to fine tune my passion.

I’m going to wean myself off of commercially purchased fabric and re-purpose old clothes into new, beautiful clothes. I’m striving to be an inspiration by example. To be a conscious and careful consumer. And try to bring more awareness to the fact that every dollar you spend is a vote for what you believe in.

I took all my cheap, made-overseas-pants and pieced them together to form the fabric for these new jeans. Sometimes I used the original seams but I zigzagged them together initially then tightly zigzagged the raw edges THEN top stitched the seams down with a straight stitch.

In the works: I am designing an art exhibit showcasing 4 outfits made from repurposed or organic material complete with framed journal entries documenting the inspiration behind each. I have come up with 2 out of the 4. One is a Japanese inspired piece and the other is a Victorian/steampunk piece.

Everything I feel drawn to in life seems to all connect together. From my minimalistic lifestyle to sustainable, zero waste fashion, it’s all cohesive. A Greek-like ideal to always be striving for perfection in all facets of life.

Abbe Museum Indian Market and Fashion Show

indie features, Outfit development

Photo credits: Downeast Magazine and Decontie and Brown

One of my favorite jewelers also makes clothing and is having a fashion show this Saturday. I, myself will not be in the show, but am debuting my latest creation to attend. (Photo credits: Downeast Magazine and Decontie + Brown)

Notice the princess seam detailing! No more boxy shirts for me!

Another dream in it’s infancy.