U N journal

Friday, October 31st, 2008

palette

Color Story I - hand dyed, wool, linen, cotton.
light, delicate, textural.

mere
A small, simple collection of accessories, perfect for gifts.
Holiday Shop opens November 13, 2008.

Monday, October 20th, 2008

fall design -the DIY edition

Times are tough.  But with all the extra time you have on your hands because you’re not out shopping, you can make some really cool things yourself right at home:

Yohji Yamamoto jacket.

a miu miu-esque puff skirt from childhood flames-Tutorial here. (She’s also got a tutorial for making a spine tee, similar to one from the label Pleasure Pricipal.)

Thread necklace.  (I am definitely going to make this one -once I find the time)

Ethereal silk, stainless steel and wool scarf.

I know the whole dip dye thing is getting old, but these gradient tights are pretty subtle.

And I think I was just laughing with someone recently about the 80’s acid wash thing, but I really like this t-shirt. (and it’s quite subtle as well)

A stunning braided scarf (made out of blue sky alpaca, my personal favorite yarn).  More images here.

And for your house:

Wonderful cardboard furniture for kids.  These look super fun to make - I need to try these too.

amazing paper lamp. Instructions here.

Whew.  That should keep you busy for awhile.

(At least until after the election when things will take a turn for the better)

Thursday, October 16th, 2008

mere

mere U N I F O R M  Studio Holiday Collection  11.13.08

A small, simple collection of accessories, perfect for gifts.
Holiday Shop opens November 13, 2008.

Saturday, October 11th, 2008

mottled

mottled wool indigo coat, UNIFORM Studio, Fall 2008 Collection, Part II

About a year ago I dyed some wool for this coat.  I was so disappointed at the uneveness of the dye job that I set it aside and didn’t think about it again.  Then a few weeks ago my fellow studio instructors and I took our students to see the work of Marcel Breuer at St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN.  The concrete work is breathtaking.  There is a wonderful softness and depth and mottled quality to the material that makes you want to touch it.  The mottledness reminded me of the wool.

When I got home I pulled it out and after a year I decided I liked it after all.  When I dyed it I added some smaller pieces of textured wool to the dye pot and I pieced those in to the collar and cuffs.  Dyed in the same color they add a subtle textural contrast that I like and seems to complement the mottled field.

Now I’m thinking I need to go through the rest of my time out pile and see what else I see differently.

mottled wool indigo coat, UNIFORM Studio, Fall 2008 Collection, Part II

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

handwork

crumpled dress, UNIFORM Studio, Fall 2008 Collection, Part II

I love handwork -sewing by hand, knitting, crocheting.  There is something so quiet and slow about it.  Personally I need a lot of time to be alone and to be quiet, and sewing by hand gives me time to think and contemplate and feel closer to the materials and design.  Lately, given the chaotic political and economic climate, I crave this even more.

For this dress I started with a big shapeless piece, and slowly formed it with handstitching.  It felt almost like working a piece of clay.

crumpled dress, UNIFORM Studio, Fall 2008 Collection, Part II

Two artists who have been extremely inspirational to me, Anne Wilson and Ann Hamilton, use handwork both in their physical work and in their conceptual ideas and process.