Category Archives: Fashion

May 2 2012

Two Cuties in Two Tunics

These two cuties are wearing my most recent custom tunics.  They both wanted something unique to their personality. Suzanne wanted fleur de lis’ on her tunic. Joanie had  a floral in mind with specific colors. When I work, I take the information from the client, process it in my designer head and paint a way. Well, sort of.  I do a little more planning than that.  I might do a sketch first for the idea, test a sample piece of silk and show the concept to the client.  I know these ladies would have been happy with just about anything but I think it’s important to grasp what’s inside their minds so they are thrilled with the end result.

The floral piece took a bit more planning because I wanted to make sure the rosette flower did not sit over her chi-chi but carefully placed above it and the other flower near the waist on the other side.  To add more magenta accents, I added rose ribbons on the arms.  On Suzanne’s blue top, I added rhinestone grommets and gold french crowns for the tassels.

If you know someone who needs something unique for a special day whether it’s an anniversary, wedding, party, or just for every day, I’d love to create that one-of-a-kind piece for them.  Maybe, it’s you!!

Mar 30 2012

Mother’s Day is almost here.

Spring has sprung.  Well, almost.  It’s still a bit cool in Long Beach, CA but it won’t be long when we will all be looking for something cool and lite to wear.  Or, maybe you will be searching for the perfect gift for Mother’s Day.  I don’t know a mom in the world that wouldn’t appreciate silk, especially if it’s wearable art.  It will be a very special gift!

 

 

Mar 22 2012

Power Ties

Power ties.  What are they?  One look at Michael Douglas, I’d say he had the power, wouldn’t you?  If looks could kill, he’s the winner in that department.  Of course, it helps when you are an actor.  But if you are not…how are you gonna get through that tough meeting with the board of directors, your boss, your first impression?  They say Red is the best power statement, then Yellow.  I think men are truly sexy in ties.  They may be uncomfortable to wear but not much worse than a women wearing stockings.  Fashion trends come and go and there seems to be a move away from ties but not so much in the corporate world.  The ties I create would be pretty intense for corporate. Maybe, maybe not.  I could deliver a sophisticated tie with bold colors and make a heck of a statement.  The cool thing about one-of-a-kind clothing it stands out among the crowd. Hence you get noticed and it opens a door, a conversation, a deal.  So, the next time you think, “I don’t want to wear a tie.”  Think again.  Would it be appropriate to or not to?  Would it be so cool to do so?  Would you look incredible and sexy?  You betcha!

If you’re looking for something unique.  I’d love to create it for you!  You handsome devil, you!

Mar 17 2012

No Wedding Blues Here.

There won’t be any wedding blues at this wedding.  Nope, in fact… it will be all in accents of deep russet to the palest of peach.  Why?  Because the bride is getting married in Sedona, Arizona and she wanted her floor length dress to be inspired by the mountains there.

I painted fabric til the cows came home.  I’m exhausted but I’m thrilled at the result after painting almost twelve yards. The dress pattern is a vintage style, much like the old prom dresses with a beautiful halter top.  It required a tremendous amount of yardage.  I added a couple extra sheets because I wanted to make sure all the values would match up at the seams.   The tones were blended softly and that was a task of it’s own due to my normal abstract behavior when painting.   This was new to my crazy hand.  I had to get in to a calm state of mind and take my time on each sheet of crepe de chine. I did not want to waste my time or fabric.  I’ll be shipping it all out this next week and will be anxiously waiting for her reply after she unfolds the soft array of texture.  I don’t think she’ll be needing a blue garter…. well, maybe that would be a nice hidden accent underneath it all.

Feb 28 2012

I Hate Plaid

I take that back.  I use to hate plaid until I got in the world of interior design.  Your influences change.  I also hated window coverings because I thought you should let the outdoors in.  I love bare glass.  That’s all fine and good but living in a fish bowl doesn’t work for everyone especially if you like privacy.

Plaid was the same way for me.  I like it in small doses myself.  I like the Pendleton plaid my son wears or the baggy shorts you see on guys.  I have to be honest, I like black and white plaid most of all.  In fact, I had a couch back in the 70′s that was pretty cool.  Things always come back around.

My intention for this piece of silk was to create the most unique fabric that anyone would wear.  I let my brush take me where it wanted to go.  I started painting stripes in various shades of purple and green. It was cool but it just wasn’t doing it for me yet.  So, I kept going and low and behold, I created a huge plaid design.  It’s crazy looking.  The more I looked at it, I thought it should be one big piece of art.  I can see it over a very modern black or gray sofa.

That is the best part of painting textiles.  You have no limitations.  I have a new brainstorm brewing that will be very interesting.  I’m going to need a lot of silk but if I can pull it off, it will be a very nice story.

Jan 16 2012

My Lunch with Sharon

How many people have friends for 40 to 60  years?  I do and I feel pretty special.  I have friends I’ve stayed in touch with since Kindergarten.  I think that’s amazing!

Today I had lunch with  Sharon. She and were models at Cole of California Swimwear in the 70′s.  In an earlier blog,  I talked about how we had to walk around half naked.  Sharon and I worked in different design rooms but we shared some of the same embarrassments.  After a few days, you got used to everyone tugging on you, sticking pins in you and gawking over you.  We found humor in all of it and became good friends right from the start. 

Today, she came over to meet my little grandson, Aidan and to catch up with me.   Little Aidan swept her away with all his flirting.  I’m a bit prejudice but I happen to think he’s pretty darn cute and very smart.  She recalled how adorable my own son was was back in the day when we were young kids ourselves.

What’s interesting to me is how we’ve stayed friends over so many years.  We even lost touch for awhile but low and behold!  Ten years later, we were both sitting in front of a large mirror, waiting for the aerobics instructor to arrive.  All of a sudden, both of us shrieked loud enough to break the glass.  You know how girls are?  They sound nutty when they haven’t seen each other for awhile. We picked right up where we left off.   We know more about each other than our Mom’s ever did.  That’s probably a good thing.  I think the reason for our long relationship is because we have so much in common.  The first thing that brought us together was our job as models.   Along with that, we’ve always taken the best care of ourselves and we’re holding up better than most.  We also love food although she’s a much better cook than I.  We do find that it is very artistic and self gratifying.  You can make a whole lot of people very happy with food.

Sharon and I also share the interior design talent.  It comes natural for us.  We like similar design themes although I’m the crazier one bending more on contemporary.  Sharon twists up her traditional side with a mix of Asian art and accessories which suggests a playful elegance.  I’m not Lady Gaga but I would love to create a very wild side of me in my own home.  I’m married to a very traditional man so I’ve got to keep it eclectic instead which satisfies my wild side.  Sharon and I  also have that crafty talent.  If we see something we like or we don’t want to pay full price for it, we’ll try and make it ourselves first.

The thing that I like best about my friend, is she is an incredible mother, possibly to a fault.  She’s spoiled her three boys although, she or I would never let our kids sit on their laurels as they all turned out great.  Sharon is also an amazing wife.  I’m sure her husband, Tom will agree with me on that one.  She spoils him more… as it should be.  We have the same ethics about family and our position.  We are soft around the edges but don’t pull too many punches on us or watch out!  We know what we want although we won’t let anyone walk all over us (any longer).  And, we love life and people.

When I think of the best buddies that have stuck with me through thick and thin, you really can count your best friends on one hand. I hope most of you out there have true blue friends and soul mates like I.  If so, you are a very lucky soul!  I certainly am.

Dec 7 2011

Silk Painting in a Nutshell

Most people love silk painting but when I tell them about the procedure, they are amazed at the time and mess involved.   If you want to have beautiful fingernails and hands, this art style  is not for you.  Even though I have good intentions of putting one to two layers of plastic gloves on, I have to take them off to grab hold of tape and such.  In just a few seconds,  I’m scarred with dye for a couple of days.  Here’s a little video of two scarves that I painted showing part of the process.

Aug 3 2011

Color Cop

 

Have you ever wondered why people over 50 should not dress themselves?  I saw a woman today that made me want to call out the color cops.  You see, it is very hard for me to sit still on this subject because I’m an artist and have my own wearable art and  color consulting business.   I’m not a snob but I can’t resist this story.  Hear me out.

The woman I saw today was HAPPY!  She must have been wearing her favorite colors.  I watched her as she glimmered across the crosswalk with her “I’m dressed up and I’ve got it goin’ on!” attitude on.  She had on bright and I mean bright pink jeans with a turquoise t-shirt and tennis shoes to match.  Ok, she could have gotten away with that but what took me over the edge was the Disneyland shopping bag with Cinderella in Pink, Blue and Turquoise.  Aaaaaagh!

Haul me in if I ever dress this way!  I’m serious.  I know that there is a tendency to not care what you wear after a certain age if you are just going to the grocery store and such but this woman was struttin’.  I’m guilty too and I’ve taken a look in the mirror at times and said to myself, “No, Michele. You can’t go out looking like that.  You’re bound to run into someone you know when you least expect it.”

Ok, now that I’ve got your attention.  I want to give you my solution to this crazy wardrobe with one simple change.  I liked the pink jeans!  I just think if she had a white,  or gray t-shirt on, she could have pulled the rest of it off.  My next change would be to ditch that Disney bag.  I might not have paid so much attention to this happy gal if the colors weren’t blaring at me.

Bright colors are great together.  I love them. The colors she chose would be best in an home interior setting, not a walking color chart.   Here is one rule for all color schemes that works over and over and over.  This goes for clothing, art, interiors, exteriors, product design.  Add both warm and cool tones together to make it the most pleasing to the eye and mental state of mind.  If you have too many cool tones, you’ll feel cold or it will look too sweet.  A bit of warmth goes a long way.  Tans, Whites, blacks and Grays will give a break to the eye and you can get away with an array of vivid color.

But, who am I to determine what a happy person should wear?  She was having a good time.

I’m all for that!

 

Apr 27 2011

My Lunch with Sharon

How many people have friends for 40 to 60  years?  I do and I feel pretty special.  I have friends I’ve stayed in touch with since Kindergarten.  I think that’s amazing!

Today I had lunch with  Sharon. She and were models at Cole of California Swimwear in the 70′s.  In an earlier blog,  I talked about how we had to walk around half naked.  Sharon and I worked in different design rooms but we shared some of the same embarrassments.  After a few days, you got used to everyone tugging on you, sticking pins in you and gawking over you.  We found humor in all of it and became good friends right from the start.  Sharon Today

Today, she came over to meet my little grandson, Aidan and to catch up with me.   Little Aidan swept her away with all his flirting.  I’m a bit prejudice but I happen to think he’s pretty darn cute and very smart.  She recalled how adorable my own son was was back in the day when we were young kids ourselves.

What’s interesting to me is how we’ve stayed friends over so many years.  We even lost touch for awhile but low and behold!  Ten years later, we were both sitting in front of a large mirror, waiting for the aerobics instructor to arrive.  All of a sudden, both of us shrieked loud enough to break the glass.  You know how girls are?  They sound nutty when they haven’t seen each other for awhile. We picked right up where we left off.   We know more about each other than our Mom’s ever did.  That’s probably a good thing.  I think the reason for our long relationship is because we have so much in common.  The first thing that brought us together was our job as models.   Along with that, we’ve always taken the best care of ourselves and we’re holding up better than most.  We also love food although she’s a much better cook than I.  We do find that it is very artistic and self gratifying.  You can make a whole lot of people very happy with food.

Sharon and I also share the interior design talent.  It comes natural for us.  We like similar design themes although I’m the crazier one bending more on contemporary.  Sharon twists up her traditional side with a mix of Asian art and accessories which suggests a playful elegance.  I’m not Lady Gaga but I would love to create a very wild side of me in my own home.  I’m married to a very traditional man so I’ve got to keep it eclectic instead which satisfies my wild side.  Sharon and I  also have that crafty talent.  If we see something we like or we don’t want to pay full price for it, we’ll try and make it ourselves first.

The thing that I like best about my friend, is she is an incredible mother, possibly to a fault.  She’s spoiled her three boys although, she or I would never let our kids sit on their laurels as they all turned out great.  Sharon is also an amazing wife.  I’m sure her husband, Tom will agree with me on that one.  She spoils him more… as it should be.  We have the same ethics about family and our position.  We are soft around the edges but don’t pull too many punches on us or watch out!  We know what we want although we won’t let anyone walk all over us (any longer).  And, we love life and people.

When I think of the best buddies that have stuck with me through thick and thin, you really can count your best friends on one hand. I hope most of you out there have true blue friends and soul mates like I.  If so, you are a very lucky soul!  I certainly am.