5th Ave

or was it Madison Avenue, NYC? Doesn't matter if it was Cartier, Winston or Tiffany or another all together...what's inside doesn't appeal to me in any way! Though i do like the peacock graphic and the exterior makes a nice photograph.

Adili eco fashion handed out peacock feather printed bags at the Sustainable Style Summit. One bird representing very diverse concepts and agendas.

ps. I just looked it up and my photo is of the exterior of the House of Harry Winston.

Finish Line in Sight

I am very close to having this video ready for its soundtrack. Now comes the process of asking fresh eyes to view it and gather advice from Bridgett, Cynthia and a few others. It can be hard to hear criticism but i know i need it....and i know i don't have to agree; however in the art of communicating for broad appeal one must disable the defensive ego attack back button and listen from a higher plane. OK its a model to go for....i am trying!

I do believe that this ego defense thing is a big part of why we have gotten trapped in our current model. Learning when to hold firm and when to alter the self is tricky. Experiment and it may shake up the ready made responses we all carry around! and that is a good thing.

Life in DeLays

It looked so easy in my head! When this project was launched i was thinking a few months of work....tops, after the dresses were made. But head sets and tangly lives, the dances of becoming aware and all the strings that need following when communication is the art- its path was/is full of surprise. Finding the magic mix before baby goes public, well it isn't linear, nor simple until it hits that space....then it is beautifully simple.

Time is finding its own rhythm in this journey....the best i have ever had.

I call fashionRIP my baby, but its livelihood depends on an extended family of volunteers, teachers, doting godparents etc. I am ready to find other stakeholders, for the RIP provokes discussions of change in a compelling manner; and deserves a wide audience.

I think as the human population overdose is recognized for the killer it is, there will be more creative parents, parents who partner for the creative thrill, the nurturing, and the graduation of their "spirit children".

Now ain't that evolution style!

New to View

Anais Nin quote in upper left from banner hanging at NSCC on Earth Day, the Niagara Bar and daffodils are in NYC

The photo slideshow of the Species on the Verge is a good visual overview for anyone new to this site.

I am working on the final edit of the loosely scripted video and then Jaime Robert Johnson will set the score to it. I have learned how important the soundtrack is after being in the backseat of the "Making of the Species on the Verge" video that Bridgett Barker edited for her SCAN producers eligibility. Bridgett was putting another feather on her hat; which is but one of the many hats she wears with talent and joie de vivre.

Music is that which charms the savage beast....i heard that
somewhere, anyway it can also turn that lil beastie on- in the bad way.

Thanks Mr J. for taking on that audio animal.

Success is in the air, like Spring!

The Set at NSCC

LIVEtextiles for interiors

when being bad is good

plants used for fabrics

GRRRRRRilla Marketing or is it GIRLilla ?

Ethical Fashion stood its ground against corporate vending machines on Earth Day.

Think about it.
Plastic bottled beverages (plastic issues are multiple) single serving packaging (packaging is resource greedy and makes for garbage mountains) not to mention that these machines are often refrigerated units and/or always on (gobbling energy) -what are we doing here folks? These machines are full of products that are designated for human consumption but what is the nutritive value? A pointless oral and tummy fix and then....i just had to use that wall of readymade props.

I was asked by a school employee if i wanted an easel for my illustrations and i told him no, that the point was better made using the vending machines. He spluttered back about having to make money and i countered with "its Earth Day, really what is the harm in one day from 10-4 and besides isn't it time to shake awake and see the real ...this ( i point to machines) is a part of the problem after all. He backed off with a statement about getting orders from higher up. Yeah, how high...?

Anyway, a sign disappeared. As it was the one getting the most delightful comments, well i just made a new one to replace it. This happened 3 times until i caught the culprit; "aha, so its you ripping down my signs,"i said in a non offending, jovial manner. It was a silly little game after all!

That third time he took down all of the signs (after 3pm) while i was talking with someone about sewing classes or mercury in immunizations or Peruvian villages (i meet the greatest people)

The point of this is why he couldn't just ask me to please stop ...i guess he was afraid he might lose a possible argument as olde school grounds are sinking fast!

If i see him again, i will tell him he could have just asked me to remove the signs because he tore a few of them and that wasn't nice. The point of this is that sometimes disrupting status quo is necessary to move things forward. Think first and then act...but do act.

It was fun!

Earth Day at NSCC

notice the Making of the species on the Verge on monitor

Not as busy as last year, fewer lectures, tables and a day off the official day, twas curious. No mind though as i had a wonderful time meeting people and seeing that the fashionRIP Project has an audience..and people want to learn to sew and join the reFashion culture, a satisfying day.

Thank you Warren for organizing this event, LIVEtextiles and Pacific Fabrics for samples and David for the video set up and NSCC for the indoor table!

And that audience runs a wide gamut...that was one of the best things i found out, that little niche market is becoming a virtual chasm of underground revisioning and blooming. What a thrill! and people are liking the Verge look and..

Neo Estate Sales

repurpose a great early 60's desk into a vanity

We're refashioning the estate sale model to raise money for fashionRIP and get the show and yours truly, on the road. (interactive presentation lectures are in the works...the first one will be at Seattle Central Community College on October 28th)

Mom and dad's house is big enough to dedicate a few rooms for sales space and it makes for a nicer than norm shopping environment that customers and "staff" appreciate. Staff being mom, neighbors, dad and me.

Last week was the retro/vintage sale, later on vintage clothing, linens and textiles will go to new caretakers and even further on books, records and cds. The signs say "this weeks special" in hopes that people realize this is something new and not just a tricky dealer or leftovers.

I wish we could come up with a good new name for it. Ideas?

Amisha

Not sure if this is Water or farm. Skirt has scrap weave thru detailing, top is from vintage fabric. The eyelet blouse was from a project my mother started then lost enthusiasm for; so i reclaimed and finished it.
This morning (3 am) i saw the PBS show-Salt of the Earth, hosted by Paul Rodriguez- on salt accumulation destroying California agriculture lands; irrigation evaporation leaves killer deposits and is what destroyed the gardens of the Middle East (Iraq).

Water Lillie

70s top, remnants, old drapery sample and a little new tulle with old silk flower ready made appliques and beads.

Starting Water chapter 2 of fashionRIP.

For Earth Day (the 23rd) i will be at NSCC, please drop by. I will have some designer info from London as well as interior and fabric swatches by the locals.

Dior NYC near 5th Ave

the next day

the first day

Had to point out the drag lines across the bust, this top looks uncomfortable even on a mannequin! The gathers (fullness) aren't where they're useful! I took the photo to add to my "famous designer delusions" file. Funny thing is that the next day i walked by and the window had been changed ....spy cams are everywhere in NYC, but there? Anyway it goes to show that we all can add to positive changes; so the next step is to slow the fashion cycle and develop sustainable economies that don't waste resources or need growth to survive- ideas welcome!

YouTube Success

looks pretty, but evaporation isn't so good!
Water rip is chapter 2

Back from NYC and will put up some more photos very soon. Most will go to the Fashion Ethos site as more pertinent to those pesky ethical design issues.
However, the latest YouTube upload was deemed successful so the "Making of the Species on the Verge" should be available to view very soon and the link will go Here!

Bridgett and i thank you for your patience. djb