Textiles, Art & Design

A subject close to my heart.  I love fabrics, not just any fabric, but fabrics that will allow me to experiment with colour and textures.  The kind of fabrics that will allow me to bring the best out of them, what an excitement!!!   I'm talking about printing, dyeing, weaving, manipulating, crotchet, knits, embellishment, and other surface design techniques; that is the excitement!!!  

Anna Luks Clothing 

Photo: Rob Sheppard

Models : In silk romper and chunky neck piece 

 Silk dress woven bodice.

  

Woven silk dress with graphite headpiece 

Photo:  Pavlito Vel Pablo

 Splashes of vibrant colours in beautifully designed fabrics bring uniqueness to a garment.  Nothing gives me pleasure than creating fabrics for my garments. A creation that starts with a spark of thought then builds that thought and eventually brings it to life, is so exciting. I love experimenting with different fabrics, yarns, colours, and techniques.   

Below are just a few images of the many great fashion and textile designers who inspire me.

Comme Des Garcons

Mary Katrantzou

Marc Jacobs chunky knit

Dolce & Gabana Eclectic Print

Shibori Techniques

Walter Van Beirendonck Woven Jacket & Prints

Walter Van Beirendonck Woven Jacket & Prints

Anslem Reyle Art Work

Anslem Reyle for Dior

Prada's Classic  Geometric Print 2012

The Etro Woman

Kenzo

Vintage Jerry Silverman Print (1960)

Vintage Pucci Print

Pucci for Vogue 1965

Vintage Louis Feraud Mexican Prints

1920's Flapper Style dress

Art Deco dresses made of a unique textured steel blue gray color sheer silk chiffon, voided cut velvet fabric.

I call flapper style dresses, effortless chic!  One can never go wrong with this style these dresses, you can wear them any day any time, in fashion or out, you are guaranteed to look sleek!

Source
http://patternbank.com/tag/rachel-feinstein/

http://www.secondcitystyle.com/tag/dior/
http://patternbank.com/comme-des-garcons-the-future-is-two-dimensional

http://catwalkthreads.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/louis-feraud-mexican-collection-1968/louis3/

http://nuevemusas.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/louis-feraud-2002/

http://www.blinkdecor.com/decoratorsdish/?p=283

The Unmistakable Voice!

"I knew I wanted to sing before people the rest of my life"

There is nothing I respect most like Identity.  Having an identity in other words being original I regard it as important, something one can take pride in. Identity defines; gives a clear understanding of what one is all about. We identify ourselves by culture mostly on how we carry ourselves in a nonpretentious way.  It is about being yourself regardless of who accepts or rejects you.  Standing firm in what one believes is right or if I may quote, it is about "having a collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which a thing is definitively recognizable or known:"

In this case,  I am talking about identity in music which in my own opinion, I feel it has come to be something of the past.  It is quite hard to identify originality in music and far more even the voices of singers.

Every era comes with good artists, but hey, gone are the days of signature eras where musician had their distinguished style of music and vocals.  One could with no doubt identify the group of singers, in almost any music.  Since the 1990s, I noticed that music and voices became very similar hard to identify the artist/band.  It almost seems like the originality in terms of creating is the thing of the past. The industry almost gets away with versions more than composing originals.   On rare occasions, I used to confuse Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, but these sisters of mine are just cool!  But the Jazz genre on the other hand still managed to keep its identity and I love it!!!
  Lately, I have been reminiscing in the old time Jazz music.  This music really inspires and gives me a good vibe as I go about my business in the house.

One of my favorite  Jazz singers is  Ella Fitzgerald also known as "The First Lady of Song".  Born April 25th 1917 in Newport News Virginia USA.  Her childhood was rather rough and very difficult after losing both her parents and sibling at a very young age of 15.  

The young Ella 'a fighter' at just 17 decided her mourning period was over and it was time to move on with life.   She attend the amateur nights at the historical  Apollo Theater as a dancer but was unsuccessful.  The loud booing of audiences each night after her dancing attempts did not deter her mind to change her life.  She then decided to go for singing instead.  Her choice of song was her mother's favourite tune that she knew so well "Judy" by Hoagy Carmichael backed by a band and the rest was history.  The Star was born, not sure who had the last laugh then????   I could just see jaws dropping, tears rolling just like what happened to our very own Britain's Got Talent  Susan Boyle who like the late Ella, had the last laugh!!!!  

Ella the disputable singer, performed with other remarkable stars such as Sarah Vaughan, Billy Holiday, Luis Armstrong 'a toxic combination', Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, and the list is endless.  It is actually very hard to believe that Ella was a shy person off stage and away from people she knew well as she was described.

....... and here is The Unmistakable Voice Of Ella Fitzgerald

Ella and Sarah Vaughan

With Billy Holiday and friends

I first heard her through the gramophone!

http://www.biography.com/people/billie-holiday-9341902/photos

http://www.theplace2.ru/photos/photo.php?id=251842