Tyvek

As part of my environmental impact inventory, I was wondering about Tyvek - specifically, the USPS mailers that I use to ship SERA. I did a little light googling and found that the USPS mailing system has received cradle to cradle certification. This means, roughly, that if dealt with correctly, the material can continue to be reused and cycled without end or "grave". Tyvek is not traditionally recyclable in the same sense as paper or cardboard; it is only recyclable via Dupont who manufacturers Tyvek and Tyvek products (if I knew how to make a trademark symbol, it would be all over this!). Besides this, I was interested in other possible uses of Tyvek. It has a really unique combination of material properties: it feels like paper, but will not rip, and it becomes softer and more fabric-like over time. It also takes printing very well.

Looking further, L. asked about the possibilities of making clothing with Tyvek. Guess what? Lots of people do already! Primarily coveralls for lab work and other "disposable" type garments. There are also several designers working in this medium:

Mau

Mia Cullen

more ideas to come...

two exciting things waiting for me at home today

My necklace trade from Odette arrived + the first candy corn of the season :)
photos in situ (ie. me wearing the necklace, possibly while eating candy corn) are on the way.

and also this ...

Just thought I'd try using the same technique for some bracelets. This one is made from an old street-purchased one that I don't wear anymore. I think it would be a much better effect with a thin ring, more similar in proportion to the hanger .... I'll see what I can dig up.

thinking about merchandising

I'm thinking about doing trunk shows and the Designer's Market or maybe a Christmas market in NYC. So, I'll obviously need some hangers and these popped into mind. Something colorful and crafty-looking to contrast the minimalist style of SERA. I did a search and found these images online:

Inspired, I started playing around and realized this would be a great way to use some of leftover bits of fabric from samples and production. In just a hour last night I made 3 of these!

I really like the fuzzy and irregular appearance. It's also functional because the wrapping keeps slippery fabrics from falling off the hangers. And surprisingly, those loose thread ends pretty much stay attached as they are wound up in the twisting as I wrapped the metal.

What do you think?

My one fashion week post

Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein

Fantasy Customer - Zaha Hadid

I was passing the time on Erica's genius clothing swap website Laws of General Economy, when I came across neckwear for sale that caught my eye from this designer.

It's felt! And it immediately made me think of Pritzker Prize winning architect and all-round badass lady: I give you, Zaha Hadid!

In case that you're not familiar with her work, here are some examples:

Maxxi Museum, Rome

Middle East Centre of St.Antony's College

You may also be familiar with her collaboration with Brazilian shoe brand Melissa

Hadid definitely fits the term "starchitect"; she's as famous for her persona and place in the architecture scene as she is for her built work. Notably, she first came to prominence as a paper architect, for imagining worlds in drawing that had never been realized before. Now her swooping kinetic forms can be seen in the flesh/concrete all around the world.

She also inspires me as I think about the "woman" that I aim to design for: strong, modern, she needs clothing that supports not conflicts with who she is. Clothing design has potential beyond what could be descibed as the "postmodern" referencing of previous eras that is basically the dead end that fashion has been driving toward. Clothing is about the body in space, same as architecture. It does not need to be about the size of one's waist or one's age or being ironic. It can be about form, proportion, color, texture, positive/negative space, gravity, and many other things.

pic of the day

Noted environmentalist, Prince Charles, learns how to operate one of these sewing machine thingies (he apparently made a tote bag from recycled fabric). My middle school Home Ec teacher* would be proud.

*just kidding, I was in band instead!

Fashion's Night Out - in photos

the scene at the Textile Arts Center panel discussion



thread cones are so pretty en masse



Shabd for sale



enjoying the refreshments
(that's a tiny cupcake with the TAC logo
printed on fondant!)



what I wore: (bloomer pants - made by me,
sueded silk top - Gap, shoes - Worishofer,
bag - SERA)



tight shot of the SLING BAG
showing how the fabric distresses over time





off tonight to my "office party"!

Fashion's Night Out

I was going to pass on the hoopla until I saw this on Jenny's Wikstenmade blog. Excited for the panel discussion and shopping around :)

Mailing List

By popular request, I've just added a mailing list button at the sidebar.
Please join if you would like to receive occasional updates on collection releases, events, and sales.

thanks!
Sarah

Environmental Impact Statement

So, I recently applied for a job to be a fashion industry liaison for the National Resources Defense Council. They apparently don't have it so together because they said they wanted to interview me and then went on vacation / never returned my email regarding my availability. Anyhoo, I don't think I would have been that "right" for the job because it sounded like it involved a lot of networking and public speaking (boo), and I took on another freelance job that is keeping me busy.

But I am very interested in promoting the defense of our natural resources! So.... I thought today I could write a little about my resource usage in designing and manufacturing SERA.

1. I work from home, so commuting costs are minimal (mainly coffee).

2. I've been sourcing fabric from a number of jobbers, so I am making use of small amounts of fabric that already exist and are otherwise waste.


3. All my manufacturing is done in the Garment District here in NYC. Most clothes you own are probably made all around the world - primarily China. There are significant costs to the lax environmental and labor regulations these factories work under, as well as the impact of shipping back and forth across the globe. It's amazing what you can find between 40th and 35th streets!





I actually know the people that are sewing these clothes and the conditions they are working in.





4. Recycle. I am committed to recycling the bulk of paper waste created in the design and production process (primarily this is from pattern revision and cutting garments).



5. Reduce. In designing, I am always thinking about the fabric usage - how the pattern will be laid out to minimize waste. I am also working on developing uses for the small amount that is leftover.

all photos from here and here

a Wedding Dress story (cue TLC)

As much as I dislike posting pictures of myself, there's no way around it this time because I wanted to share with you my wedding dress. If anyone's interested, email me for more info.

I was never the kind of girl who grew up imagining my wedding; I never really thought about it. So, when we decided to do the deed, there was a lot to figure out. Without getting too personal, I'll tell you that my husband and I had been together for 10 years already, and were already very involved with each others families and friends. We wanted the wedding to be a celebration of bringing our lives officially together and we wanted it to be genuine and humble without veering into a crafty wedding blog inspired extravaganza of DIY.

But it was really important to me to make my own dress, to feel completely myself and present. I approached the design like I would any other piece of clothing (I hate wedding dresses that are costumes) - so I started by draping rectangles and playing with how the body gave shape to the fabric. I wanted a classical feel, something draped and statuesque, and as a late addition a very small train at back. The dress is sewn out of only 3 pieces.

The final version of the dress was finished on a Wednesday night (we married that Sunday). The fabric is a heavy silk with a very subtle stripe of raw silk woven through it, and is lined in silk charmeuse. It is rather low cut, but there is a nude organza at the bust to preserve my modesty. The only closure is the tie at back. At 98 degrees that day, I will say I was surprisingly comfortable and now I want to work with silks more. I especially love the "hand"/drape of this fabric.

the front


the side




and the back (and L. reacting to seeing my dress for the first time)






quite happily married!


photos by Natalie Bell

The first time only happens once

Thanks Marissa! I hope you enjoy your Vee Dress! (And thanks to the befuddled mailman who let us take this picture!)