sun sets

an image of the sun setting on 18th street from the little porch of workshop


Fall time... it's a time of reflection and the time of year I prepare for spring production as well. Classes are over in 5 weeks, and then it is winter break for my students. No break for me, I am looking forward to uninterrupted studio time. So much to do, and as it seems that I will be bogged down with work, I am also grateful to have orders to produce.

But my head is not in spring mode, but really I am filled with thoughts of fall 2010. Sun setting, romantic fabrications, shades of raisin- brownish- red, hand-dyed colors. As the days get shorter and the evening darkens more quickly- all I can think about is the hibernation. Chicago is a cold place in the winter. People in other parts of the country think that Chicagoans are masochists for enduring the long winter.... and I understand their reasoning, but I disagree. You see, this is the time of year where us cold- dwellers put our heads down and get it done.

Summer is for playing- we break out of the darkness and relish the sun.... but our vibe in winter is getting from door to door quickly and with purpose. And once inside- we put our task masks on and endure. We are a bi-polar city with lawn mowers and snow-blowers co-existing in the same garage. We can sit in the park in the summer and make snow-angels in the winter. In fact, we have it all- warm woolen coats and short little dresses. It is just a fact that we all feel collectively in tune with mother nature.
As the days turn cooler we instinctively pull out the winter clothes box, folding neatly the filmy light cottons of summer. And we reflect, we turn inward, we grow quieter.

Here's to winter, for without the darkness the light would never seem so bright.

so long spring 2010, hello autumn 2010....

just returned home from the nyc market d&a..
it was a hectic time running around, i helped my friend Leslie move from
Park Slope to Williamsburg while I was at it- but it was good to say hello
to the big city for a hot minute.

I think spring 2010 is going to do well- people seem to be responding really
positively to the collection. I keep telling people that the design process
is a lot like having many words, sentences, and punctuation jumbled up together
in your head, and eventually it comes together to form a cohesive story. I feel
like once that story is told, and out of my head, the process begins again- the
search for the characters, the setting, the details. Once again, it is now time to
start all over again- it is time to start designing autumn 2010.
you know what? i'm really excited.
I have a bunch of little ideas banging around in my head, and little by little, some sketches are coming outon paper, little thoughts turning into big ones- a dark and romantic story- mixed with deep textures and colors- it's going to be interesting to see how it all comes together, it always is. I feel like a spectator just like everyone else, in fact I think i am always the most surprised to see the final results.

Gathering fabric swatches is always one of the most wonderful parts for me- I am such
a fabric whore. I met with Smita, who I get most of my silks from- they are hand twisted Khadi and hand loomed as well. This element of humanity makes everything richer not to mention the smaller footprint. I believe she is working to design a
textile specifically for me- I will be the only one to have it! It is really amazing to have the ability to work with artisans and get a unique product. Well, more on fall
2010 later, right now, as of the equinox, it looks like fall 09 has arrived.

stop

take a deep breath.

renew purpose. renew spirit.

be calm and be present.

it is all too much, find yourself a place in the middle.

take it easy.

breath, again.

close your eyes.

now open them.

here it comes.

taking flight....

here is a sneak preview of the spring 2010 collection about to go to market in Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles...




this is the flight top- the collar is cotton organdy- folded and stitched to mimick paper airplanes




as usual the lovely and talented Jason Robinette took these photos- and the gorgeous colleen o'sullivan did the hair
while the always dreamy Tania Bowers did makeup (colleen did both hair and makeup for the editorial shots in the parachute)
and last but never least- the celestial Delana Motter over at Ford lent her stunning image in order to make the clothing come to life. What a super team- I feel beyond fortunate to work with talented souls who happen to be my friends!



mixed stripe tank and cloud skirt in Japanese organic cotton


the swing dress in hand woven fair trade silk from India- that has been batiked by hand as well- I think it looks like the reverse of sky and clouds...



swing tunic- back view....

o.k. that's it- just a sneak as spring 2010 is a little ways away-
Right now it is time to think about fall fashion!

big love

Workshop is open for Biznass!!



an image of workshop- set up and ready to go!




Beeswax candles and local honey from the Chicago Honey Co-op!!!




a great close-up of the jewelry from Peggy Skemp's trapeze art collection of 'empty hive' copper and enameled pieces




the amazing cheese that I got from The Great American Cheese Collection
it was delicious!





party people




a detail of the window designed by the lovely ladies of INDO Linnsey and Crystal!




Best interns ever! Thanks for all your help Adrienne and Lisa!




friends!




more friends!!



a great shot of the outside at dusk- this building is beautiful!


The opening party was a blast- I feel the love- thank you to everyone who came by with well wishes, champagne, kisses, and spending money! I thank you all for making the event fun and successful... workshop is definitely alot warmer now...

It was a great deal of work getting the space ready from painting and building (Rob)
to cleaning and organizing (Mom) and general tagging and creating of merchandise!
Thank you to all who had a hand in this- I could not have done it without you!
xx- much love!

a party!!

Hand- woven silk batiked billow sleeve blouse with Russian pantaloons of hemp/ tencel blend twill

Wrap Vest made from fair trade, hand- woven, silk/ cotton paisley with hemp/ tencel blend twill pencil skirt

**** photos by Jason Robinette ****

here it comes!

This Friday, August 14th from 6-9 I will be hosting a space- warming event at workshop (818 west 18th street chicago, il 60608).... I am beyond excited and tired is the understatement of all time. In two months time, I taught an early college seminar in fashion design and construction (monday through friday from 9-4!!!) moved my entire studio, began fall production, pushed out spring 2010 samples, had a photo shoot, and put together a brand spanking new shop. I feel like the octo-mom right now.... so many babies I don't even know which one to nurture. I am proud of them all, but mommy needs a vacation! I suppose they say there will be time to sleep when you are dead. I have to say that these million projects/ jobs/ careers did not all come to fruition with my efforts alone. There were so many supportive hands from friends, family, and lovers. Thank you to all- I am beyond grateful- and could not have gotten anything done without your physical and mental support. So really, it is all of you that this party is for- let's kick back and have some bubbly from the lovelies who run Lush Wine and Spirits (it's organic!) and some cheeses from the kindest cheese people ever over at the Great American Cheese Collection... i think it will be a lovely event- and I hope to see the chicago peeps for sure! Sorry i don't have a shnazzy flyer to throw up here- but I do have some images from the fall collection to wet your appetite- Oh I almost forgot to mention that I will be offering a 20% discount on all new fall frei pieces the night of the party! I truly hope to see all of your beautiful faces- stay tuned for more images soon....

at last....

so, it is finally coming together- the little shop in pilsen. I am calling it workshop for several reasons, you see my studio is in the back, sort of like a see-through kitchen where you can watch the chefs prepare your food. The "work" and the "shop" are separated by a high desk/ counter for checking out purposes. I also plan on having workshop classes at the space in the studio area, everything from sewing 101 which will include hemming trousers, and basic sewing techniques, to rubbing patterns, wrap skirt forum, and learning to make your own farmers market tote bag. I am really excited about all the possibilities this new space will afford me! The coolest thing is that I am right off of the second friday gallery walk area- and I plan on having events that coincide once a month. Here are a few images but there are many more to come. I will keep posted about new developments. Currently the new space is slotted to open on August 14th with a big party. I can get it together in 2 weeks, right?