Sunday, January 20th, 2008
simple design inspiration
Several months ago Kelly at Hoping for Happy Accidents wrote about a show of Martin Puryear’s work she had seen recently at Moma. I wasn’t familiar with his work but quickly fell in love after viewing the exhibit they have online. I think the way the simple forms are rendered in raw, natural materials strikes a beautiful balance between the two. The work has a lot of similarities to items crafted by the shakers.
You can see my two favorite pieces in the image above in my sketchbook. They are both made of wood and it’s amazing to me that he can take something as rigid as wood and make it feel fluid.
UNIFORM Studio, fluid neck dress, 2008
Those pieces inspired me to make this dress. I wanted to create a plain shape that would focus on a fluid, deep opening banded with a contrasting material. The fabric I chose for the band is a coated cotton that is as thin and crisp as paper and has a silvery sheen. Rigid and fluid at the same time.
UNIFORM Studio, fluid neck dress, 2008
on Sunday, January 20th, 2008 at 9:58 pm:
I know I sound like a broken record but wow! I’m totally swooning here.
on Sunday, January 20th, 2008 at 9:59 pm:
I absolutly love this dress.
on Sunday, January 20th, 2008 at 10:21 pm:
this is a striking dress, martha! well done.
on Sunday, January 20th, 2008 at 10:48 pm:
Simply, I want one.
on Sunday, January 20th, 2008 at 11:11 pm:
wonderful inspiration. this looks fantastic.
on Sunday, January 20th, 2008 at 11:37 pm:
Looks like it would be flattering on so many folks!
on Monday, January 21st, 2008 at 12:10 am:
that show was
amazing…
as your piece
inspired by him…
his show is
coming to dc…
maybe you
can see it
when you
are in the
neighborhood
in february?
on Monday, January 21st, 2008 at 12:18 am:
amazing dress, just amazing. i love it.
on Monday, January 21st, 2008 at 1:00 am:
Eek! I love this dress so much!! I love the texture of the band. I’ll wait until after your show before I begin begging for my own fluid neck dress.
on Monday, January 21st, 2008 at 3:50 am:
I have to go look. I know I’m gunna love it.
That dress.
“…thin & crisp as paper…” made me smile broadly…Xxx
on Monday, January 21st, 2008 at 10:48 am:
love the neckline martha. so interesting to hear the inspiration behind your pieces, this is lovely!
on Monday, January 21st, 2008 at 12:46 pm:
WOW. I’m always consistently impressed with your really really perfect and unique and extremely professional designs and craftsmanship.
this one knocks me out. and speaks to me in its firm yet tender dress voice. take me home! wear me! love me! let me add joy to your grey winter days!!
I know you have a big show coming up that you’ve been working hard for. if there is any possible way at all that I could order one of these in my size, oh, that would be so wonderful. I would even be willing to send fabric for both the necking and the dress. I sew myself, so I know your fabric-seeking woes. I’m lucky to live in New York city where things are a bit easier, but we still face the same problem of running out of something you need/like.
beautiful beautiful beautiful garment. regal and classy in the best possible way. like audrey hepburn with a dash of bridget bardot.
on Monday, January 21st, 2008 at 2:35 pm:
Beautiful. I definitely see your inspiration in the dress. It’s a piece that stands on its own (and I mean literally), but when worn would adapt to the fluidity of the human form so wonderfully. Simply beautiful.
Thanks for letting us in on your process!
on Monday, January 21st, 2008 at 3:13 pm:
I love this- it’s such an elegant shape.
on Monday, January 21st, 2008 at 7:47 pm:
it is beyond fasinating to see how your brain functions…this is beautiful.
on Monday, January 21st, 2008 at 8:37 pm:
This dress is awesomely refined!
on Monday, January 21st, 2008 at 9:38 pm:
i love the peek into your inspiration for your designs. you have captured the fluid/rigid relationship so beautifully… it is amazing to me to see how that concept can work in such different forms (wood/ fabric). and such a lovely, wearable piece. xox
on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 at 2:40 am:
GASP.
love
MP is an all time favorite artist. wouldn’t it be fun to do a whole line of clothing based on artists? sigh….
i could look at your clothes all day
on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 at 1:21 pm:
Like everything else on your blog, this dress is absolutely exquisite. It is both austere and playful, which is exactly what I love. I’m going to check out your store right NOW!
on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 at 9:50 pm:
I am a huge fan of Puryear’s work - you should check out his interview on PBS art-21 series. Your dress is beautiful - all your work is!! I wish you luck at the upcoming show and wish I can see the show.
on Friday, January 25th, 2008 at 3:58 am:
Oh wow! I love the translation between the inspiration pieces and your dress. Its so inspiring to see how modern, minimal artwork can be so beautifully adapted into a garment!
on Friday, January 25th, 2008 at 3:58 pm:
[…] ♥ inspiration [ twenty-three ] ♥ ♥ a beautiful example of when minimalist art inspires fashion ♥ gala’s list of jobs for the “creative soul” ♥ a pretty idea for a camera cozy! ♥ tips on interfacing for sewing projects fearlessly ♥ I so want to knit a scarf entirely of this pattern… [ via ] ♥ I plan on making at least a couple of these to take when shopping! ♥ old bits and bobs remade into a stunning accessory ♥ sarai’s vintage pattern directory–hooray!! [ via ] ♥ a quick and clever ironing board cover! [ via ] […]
on Saturday, January 26th, 2008 at 12:32 am:
How absolutely amazing! I just saw the Puryear show in early Jan (was not familiar with his work) and fell in love with his work. You really captured the spirit of his art in your beautiful dress.
on Saturday, January 26th, 2008 at 12:49 am:
OMG I LOVE this dress! *sssqqquuuueeeealllls with glee*
on Saturday, January 26th, 2008 at 3:39 am:
Every time I stop by to see what you’ve been up to I am so amazed and impressed by the high quality of your work and the unique train of thought with which you design.
All I can say after being blown away with this latest piece is …keep going cause you’re really onto something extra great!!!
on Saturday, January 26th, 2008 at 11:27 pm:
i always admire your designs - the fabric, the line, the form. but this dress. i have fallen in love with this dress. and i want one. badly.
on Monday, January 28th, 2008 at 4:35 pm:
as always, an amazing design - what a beautiful dress!
on Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 at 4:08 am:
I love the way you interpreted this, its perfect!
on Thursday, January 31st, 2008 at 12:43 pm:
I love the materials and flow of this dress - beautiful!