Artist's fabrics

Love is in the Air

The weather is dismal, news unrelenting, flus and colds persist . .and yet. . .

wax print Pierrot dress sz 4-6

As you can probably tell if you’ve looked at my website or blog, I love working with patterns. When a client brought a scarf back from Indonesia with the request that it inspire an outfit, we were off and running.

I gave the scarf to my collaborator, artist Eve Vaterlaus, to come up with some ideas. After some back and forth she painted a motif of roses and apples that the client loved.

Hand-painted cotton blouse with cotton piping and etched bone buttons - cotton, wool and silk skirt

Client likes a coordinated vest for the warm weather in Indonesia rather than a jacket

we designed the blouse in an Asian style to better show off the fabric print and I went against sartorial rules for a women’s garment and fastened the blouse from left to right for the same reason..

The piped edges and facing gave a weight to the garment - I love the minimal back

Still loving and having fun with the wax prints and my new dress form from Andy’s dress forms that fits me perfectly! I now want all the sizes from Andy’s!! They are made by hand in NYC

A Happy Belated Valentines Day to All❣️

Flowers from my darling husband❤️

Artists Choose Designer- from the Archives

On Dec 12, 1986- January 4 1987 - Almost exactly 30 years ago- I did a show at the E. M. Donahue Gallery called "Artists Choose Designer" .  It was a cheeky title, because I actually chose 13 artists to design fabric for me rather than the other way around.  

cotton fabric designed with potato prints by Mary Boochever.       photo: Warren Mantooth

cotton fabric designed with potato prints by Mary Boochever.       photo: Warren Mantooth

show  invitation

show  invitation

Garments were displayed on plaster cast dress forms and tension suspended from top and bottom with technical help from Diane Lewis and lighting design by Taro Suzuki

Installation shot

Installation shot

Pouf-skirt dress made of cotton velvet and cotton painted by Dike Blair   photo-  Warren Mantooth

Pouf-skirt dress made of cotton velvet and cotton painted by Dike Blair   photo-  Warren Mantooth

Cotton velvet coat with day-glo dots by Taro Suzuki and dress on form painted by Dike Blair-  photo- Janette Beckman from Prêt Magazine

Cotton velvet coat with day-glo dots by Taro Suzuki and dress on form painted by Dike Blair-  photo- Janette Beckman from Prêt Magazine

Cotton 2-piece dress from silk screen print by Joseph Nechvatel

Cotton 2-piece dress from silk screen print by Joseph Nechvatel

cotton fish dress painted by Eve Vaterlaus.                                                  photo- Warren Mantooth

cotton fish dress painted by Eve Vaterlaus.                                                  photo- Warren Mantooth

Silk Shantung halter dress with cotton underskirt and button corset belt painted by Tommy Trosch            photo- Warren Mantooth

Silk Shantung halter dress with cotton underskirt and button corset belt painted by Tommy Trosch            photo- Warren Mantooth

Baby blue leather coat painted in silver marker ink by Jo Shane from Cocteau drawings

Baby blue leather coat painted in silver marker ink by Jo Shane from Cocteau drawings

Plaster custom dress form 

Plaster custom dress form