The last few weeks have been a mix of work in the studio, work on dance projects and lots of art. Here are some randomly ordered fragments of the paths I have been on-
camel cashmire jacket and Dutch Wax African print dress
cotton mini-check draped dress
Pots and drawings by Devin Dougherty
Black chiffon dress with beaded collar
I am very influenced by the seasons and generally try and keep pace with the season we are in , unlike designers who design a "line". Couture work has it's own tempo. I will, however, continue to work with the colorful African fabrics throughout the winter in advance of a summer trunk show.
"Key" Print Dress
Painting by my dear late friend Ellen Cantor at Participant inc. nyc
Gold Embossed Flower Organza jacket for client
Mary Jones painting at John Molloy Gallery NYC
in progress. . .
full length view of pinned dress in process
Ive been developing a dress directly from the fabric this time- using the motifs to suggest the lines of the dress- for example - the neck piece is a circle on the print- I have been draping the dress and then transcribing the lines back onto a flat pattern so that I can remake it.
trying the dress on
I am currently so inspired by transforming the pattern in a way that enhances the silhouette and leads to new discoveries. I like that it forms the illusion of a vest or jacket with the orange pattern flowing from the top to the bottom. . .
The dress is filled with pins at this point that I am trying it on to see how it works on the body. I usually have scratches on my arms and back from this process, but it is essential and I am my own fit model!
pot and drawing by Devin Dougherty
I went to Gowanus in Brooklyn to an open studio in a charming carriage house to view the work of one of my clients. This blue and orange pot reminded her of a dress she got at my sample sale last summer. We plan to do a photo shoot documenting her in the dress next to the pot and drawing.
sketch for a client for her daughter's bat- mitzvah including an embroidered connection between her daughter's birthplace in China and current home in the U.S. as well as travel patches from all the places they have visited together. I will also be designing her daughter's dress with a map-printed fabric.
Sails in rehearsal
I am working on a project for the Trisha Brown Dance Company. They have been re-staging some of their works to be performed in unconventional non-stage environments. I was engaged to redesign these sails for "Geometry of Quiet" which will be performed at the Getty Museum in March. We are working out downsized proportions as the sails have been transformed from stationary to hand-held. They are also making changes in the choreography to accommodate this.
Sails in rehearsal
elastic shirred back of "bandeau" for client out of lovely Italian print
summer flowers are still hanging on. . . .in the traffic meridian on my way to the studio. . . .