Wardrobe Architect Week 2: Defining a Core Style

It’s Week 2!

How did your answers shake out from Week 1? I’m currently working through Sarai Mitnick’s Wardrobe Architect series, and am really loving what’s happening here. I’ve decided to keep it fun and loose for myself, ultimately coming out with the why behind my choices, as well as a well-edited collection.

This week’s worksheet uncovers the looks that make you feel your best, those that don’t, and the words associated with your personal story from Week 1.

Sarai suggests we each have aspects of our style that are closer to who we are and to our own personal realities. Much like hundreds of other women, I’m a blue jean girl. A natural girl. I let my curls loose. When I leave the house, I reach for something simple. And though I love makeup, (so much; I get a natural high walking through Sephora), I don’t wear much.

More personal realities: I run. I sweat. Pet fur is REAL around here. The temperatures in Michigan swing year-round like a pendulum and you’ve gotta be READY.  

So this week, I’ve filtered myself down to five core style words pulled from my personal history, philosophy, culture, community, activities, location, and body:

Timeless

Transitional

Undemanding

Alluring

At ease 

I collected images that represented these words—not just a straightforward representation, but also the moods and feelings these words conjure up. Even places. Next week we'll move from these general ideas to examining the actual elements that make up a consistent style, like color, construction, textiles, and details.

So go get it, girl! 

Read this week's prompt and define your core style over at Colette here.

Wardrobe Architect Week 1

Have you heard of it? It’s the brain child of Colette’s Sarai Mitnick. Fueled by the rush of adding a new linen piece to my repertoire (the Wiksten dress above), I mad googled for my next pattern and discovered Colette and the Wardrobe Architect series. Ultimately, the series guides us in refining our choices and creating wardrobes we love. This summer I’m taking it on as a way to refresh my closet and create a stronger and deeper connection to the things I choose to have in my life. To sew more and buy less. To not only build a wardrobe, but to architect one with planning and clear thinking. Not minimal, mind you… a collection.

Sarai’s series runs over 13 weeks, each week focusing on a new topic of wardrobe planning. I’ve begun this week and will finish just before the Fall Equinox. This week is about individuality and putting to paper how our personal story influences the way we dress. Touching on our personal history, culture, philosophy, body image, climate, and the day-to-day, this week’s worksheet looks at how we’re all different, and lays a groundwork for the exercises to come.

Doesn’t that sound amazing!? Let’s do this together!! Read Sarai’s introduction to the series here, and then head over to Week 1! If you blog your own progress I’d love to see it (give me your link below!). Here’s to a carefully curated wardrobe that’s uniquely ours. Clink.

Quilting with Haptic Lab

I started quilting three months ago. It was my last winter break so I made the very conscious decision to tuck myself into the house, lay the quilt out over our table, get cocoa on the stove, and with Youtube's help alongside, I began.

The template was a birthday gift from my mother the year I returned from Paris. I’ve always been turned on by contemporary quilters and Haptic Lab’s city quilts were my first introduction. I knew right then the first quilt I’d ever make would be a wholecloth city map—and that was years ago. High ten! It’s actually happening! 

Unexpectedly, the process has been just as satisfying as seeing the streets take shape on the backside. With each block, different memories surface and I love running my fingers over my neighborhood, favorite spots and restaurants… and before you know it I'm spending more time gazing over the map than working on it! I’ve gone back and forth deciding if I want to mark my places and moments in a contrasting color. There’s something provocative about the subtlety in Emily Fischer’s original city quilts which is what attracted me to them.

And I have to mention the texture. MY GOD the texture. I cannot wait to see it finished, and I’m sure it will spend equal time in my arms as it will up on the wall.

Posted in celebration of National Quilting Day. What’s your quilting origin story?

512 Hours

Here's a short little something I put together in December. The project was to create a mock title sequence of a memorable experience with a cast of those who were involved. I chose to recreate the figurations, mood, and feeling of being chosen as a participant in Marina Abramović's performance piece in London. I know, right?! Dance break! 

The type treatment and music choice is very subtle and delicate, so the sequence is best viewed in a dark room and don't be afraid to turn that volume up!

the second line art parade

MSU's College of Arts and Letters is celebrating it's 50th Anniversary this year. To commemorate the occasion, the art department is putting on a dazzling Second Line parade, New Orleans style. Those involved are to create show-stopping costumes with their hands. I've been pulling inspiration for my festive number from haute couture, Kate Spade, and Ban.do.

I'll be wearing a paper headpiece I made last semester (think Chanel 2009), possibly with a pop of fun color and some shimmer. (And of course eyes à la Brigitte Bardot.)

clockwise from top left: 1  2  3  4  5  6 from my email inbox

gallery 114

If you follow my instagram, you already know my work was placed in a gallery! Eeee! One of my classes last semester had us participating in a localized version of The Sketchbook Project. There were so many beautiful & fun entries... and mine was chosen to be on display inside the gallery of the university's art center! Feels stupendous.