Penland Panoramic

Penland School of Crafts

Printmaking & Drawing Studios

Penland School of Crafts

The Pines

Dining- Penland School of Crafts

The Craft House

Penland School of Crafts

Inside the Loom House

Penland School of Crafts

Horner Gallery

Penland School of Crafts

Loom House

Penland School of Crafts

This is not the first time I have written about Penland School of Crafts nor will it be the last. I have returned to this magical place, repeatedly for twenty-nine years. I was just twenty-one when I first went to Penland.

Growing up Cuban, in Miami, at Penland is where I saw my first mountains, first snow, learned to weave, make books and created life-long friendships. Penland fed my mind and soul and continues to do so nearly three decades later. I've seen Penland grow and evolve into a world-class center for craft education. Its Executive Director, Jean McLaughlin has everything to do with this through her leadership and dedication to Penland School.

Penland School, which I affectionately refer to as Heaven on Earth, offers classes in all disciplines of craft - glass, clay and iron just to name a few. It is difficult to explain and describe what is the "Penland experience" because it goes much further and way deeper than instruction. The Penland experience refers to something that is internalized and differs from person to person. It grabs hold of you and all you want is to return to Penland. It's something positive, enriching and incomparable to anything you've ever felt. It's more than just taking a weaving class or blowing glass or rolling ink. The Penland experience is like a beautiful addiction; an escape from business, social media, reality and all the other crazy things that make our fast-paced lives fast.

Slow down. Learn. Live... Penland School.

Penland School offers courses year round except over Winter. Their annual auction, in August, is one of their biggest fundraisers and promises a weekend full of delicious food, drink and art to gratify every collector. Check it out.

fashionado

When Art and Fashion Collide: Suzan Pitt & the Painted Coat

back of CARTOON coat in Times Square,  model Dave Williams

RUMBLE and BLACK & WHITE coat at NYFW

coats were shown in collaboration with House of Byfield at the Angel Orensanzt Center / Art Hearts Fashion
 

CARTOON coat / model Dave Williams

CHRISTY coat

Photo by Warren Giddarie / model Jordan Hall (Jordan is BOY RADIO, a NY musician)

BIG FLOWER COAT on the Bowery / artist Marja Samsom and little BIBI.

CARTOON coat on Suzan Pitt / photo by Ari Seth Cohen
 

RUMBLE coat

This is how they're painted, stretched out on the wall.

She's an accomplished filmmaker, artist and designer. When I first saw the surreal meets graffiti meets pop-wearable masterpieces by Suzan Pitt it was during my recap of the House of Byfield runway show for Art Hearts Fashion, NYFW. They caught my eye and I was captivated. Next, Suzan was reaching out to me and sharing her incredible body of work. Suzan has received international acclaim, having exhibited at the Whitney Museum and MoMA. Most recently, of course, at fashion week. The coats are original works of art - expressive thoughts, ideas and statements from a talented artist who truly lives her life with an artful purpose. I had the opportunity to ask Suzan a few questions about her coats and her vision... see below.

How did you come up with painting on coats? 

In 1984 I had the idea to paint images on coats for a sale called the Amore store in New York.  The Amore Store was and is a project by the artist collective COLAB- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colab

The coats all sold and following this I began to sell these through Patricia Field Store in NY- after making about 50 coats I left this project to begin my film JOY STREET.  Then in 2015 I began again to make painted coats and these were featured recently in the NYFW show on the runway in collaboration with House of Byfield.

The coats will again be presented in a new COLAB Amore store at Printed Matter in New York to open on April 15, 2016

Talk about your ideas.

I think of them as animated objects which can move about in the world- walking in the street, sitting at a bar, coming through a doorway, emerging from a car... Each coat is like no other- they are one of a kind artworks you can wear or hang on the wall. I'm inspired by images from popular culture (comics, advertising, historical paintings, trash and lettering found everywhere) and images from my films and watercolors. I love to juxtapose multiple images to create a chain of association to the viewer, much like my paintings but simpler- and I hope a coat will make someone happy- that the positive energy from the coat will surround the wearer and surprise those who see it.

How long does it take to create a coat?

It depends on the coat but about 3-4 days.

Your coats are art. Has anyone purchased them to hang on their walls?

I do hope if someone buys a coat they will hang it on the wall to enjoy as an artwork. 

What's in your future?

I am buzzing with a lot of ideas for the future.  I would like to manufacture a really good quality printed coat in a limited edition.  I am planning an edition of fine art prints of my coat designs and paintings by the German print publisher Michael Domberger.  And a new collection of my designs for the Gooey company phone covers which is coming out soon.

One of the things I have always enjoyed about making films is the dispersion of ideas to a large audience, bypassing the sometimes elitist art world- so that my moving pictures spread out into the world animating my visions and ideas- the coats too move about and are animated by a living person!

The future?  I want to continue always to make new artworks in interesting forms...I created last summer a 17' mural for a show in Michigan of the plants and trees and lifeforms of the upper peninsula of Michigan...I really like working on very large canvases and would  like to do more...

*For more information on the art of Suzan Pitt, visit suzanpitt.blogspot.com. To contact Suzan: suzanpitt@earthlink.net You can also find Suzan's coats at Patricia Field. 

fashionado

Eight Rising Atlanta Artists Showcase Custom-Designed Denim Jacket Collection

Fourth of November Jeans

Custom designed Fourth of November Denim Jacket by Alea Hurst

Custom designed Fourth of November Denim Jacket by Miloh Smith

Maxim Beeching-designed Fourth of November Denim Jacket

Custom designed Fourth of November Denim Jacket by Alfred Conteh

Footaction and Brooklyn-based denim company, Fourth of November recently hosted a private showcase in Atlanta bringing together local personalities and eight of the city’s rising artists to celebrate the recent arrival of Fourth of November apparel to Footaction stores (February 2016). 

On display during the invite-only event were the one-of-a-kind customized denim creations by eight Atlanta artists: Alea Hurst, Miloh Smith, Maxim Beeching, Monica Tooke, Nicole Kutz, Alfred Conteh, Markeidic Walker and Saviour Sanquiche. Each artists’ design represented their individual style and was inspired by Footaction’s “Own It” mantra, which is all about spotlighting and encouraging individuality and originality.  The designs expressed the artists’ unique artistic expression, and told the story of how they each own their creativity and head-to-style.

Atlanta marked the second stop on Fourth of November’s Artist Series collaboration with Footaction, where the two brands have visited local markets to shine a spotlight on emerging local artists through their denim customization. The kick-off of the series was celebrated in New York City in February, and will next stop in L.A., then culminate, in New York City, where it all began.

fashionado

DANIEL LISMORE: Be Yourself; Everyone Else Is Already Taken

SCAD FASH, the Savannah College of Art and Design’s museum celebrating fashion and film, presents “DANIEL LISMORE. Be Yourself; Everyone Else Is Already Taken” — the first U.S. exhibition featuring the work of artist, stylist and designer Daniel Lismore — from Jan. 22–May 1, 2016.

Curated by Rafael Gomes, director of fashion exhibitions at SCAD, “Be Yourself; Everyone Else Is Already Taken” features 30 ensembles styled by Lismore exclusively for SCAD FASH and includes hundreds of items on loan from Lismore’s extensive personal wardrobe. Lismore is known for his distinctive ensembles that brilliantly combine couture garments with myriad found objects — from vintage fabrics and accessories to ethnic jewelry and millinery — to form an expression of eccentric, creative energy that reflects his unique sartorial point of view. The core of Lismore’s artistic practice is sustainable fashion, a growing design philosophy that espouses creative reuse, upcycling of materials and reduction of impact on the environment. In recognition of his efforts on this front, retail clothing company H&M selected Lismore in September 2015 to be a face of its “Close the Loop” campaign promoting recycling in the fashion industry.

Exhibit extended through May 1st...

Daniel Lismore

Scad Fash

A prominent fixture in the London fashion circuit, Lismore has been the subject of exhibitions at the prestigious TateModern, London in 2013 and TateBritain, London in 2014. He studied photography and fashion design before beginning a career as a model. He was photographed by Mario Testino, Phil Poynter, Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, and Ellen von Unwerth, landing him on the pages of Vogue UK, i-D magazine and L’Uomo Vogue. He progressed from modeling into editorial work, contributing to and illuminating the wardrobes of various European magazines. Lismore has collaborated with American rapper Azealia Banks to concept shows and the artwork of her first album, “Broke with Expensive Taste,” and he was the inspiration behind pop artist Iggy Azalea’s “Glory” EP cover.Additionally,Lismore has been featured in the music videos of Boy George, George Michael and Alexandra Burke, and he has appeared in “Made in Chelsea,” “Britain’s Next Top Model,” “Denmark’s Next Top Model,” “The Kylie Show,” “Styled to Rock” and the upcoming 2016 feature film “Absolutely Fabulous.” Since 2012 Lismore has been the creative director of Sorapol, a luxury womenswear label worn by fashion influencers such as Naomi Campbell, Kylie Minogue, Nicki Minaj, Paloma Faith, Cara Delevingne and Debbie Harry. In recent years he has supported organizations such as Vivienne Westwood’s Climate Revolution, climate change charity Cool Earth and New World International Kenya. Lismore also lends his support to the LGBT community, human rights issues and free speech movements.  

This show runs concurrent to “A Fashionable Mind: Photographs by Jonathan Becker”.

fashionado

Steve Hightower's Thriving Children Gala at the FOX

I've had the pleasure of attending Steve Hightower's Thriving Children Gala event in the past so I can attest that this is one night of fashion and philanthropy not to be missed! The Fox Theater is fabulous enough, but on this night, it's over-the-top. The silent auction offers a wide selection of the most desirable products and exclusive packages. The fashion show is truly a SHOW! It goes beyond clothes, at times pulls at your heart strings and always entertaining, exceeding the boundaries of creativity.

I must say a few words about Steve Hightower. Steve is one of the kindest people I know. He's a sweet, compassionate and generous man with a heart of gold. Guests of the Thriving Children Gala are there to support Steve as much as they're there to support the cause. He's a good man doing great things.

2015 Highlights

from Thriving Children Gala

Karyn Greer & Steve Hightower

Join the festivities on Friday, April 29th at the Fox Theatre for another wonderful night of entertainment and giving back! The event will begin at 7 p.m. with a silent auction along with music played by Sentimental Journey Orchestra followed by the fashion and hair show. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Thriving Children Gala benefits Lost n Found Youth - Purchase Tickets HERE!

fashionado

Fashion Kills at Moschino Fall 2016

Jeremy Scott sent out an army of "bonfire" survivors of the most elegant kind for Moschino Fall 2016. What did they survive? A revolt against the Renaissance by a rogue group of monks who went on a burning rampage of art, books and clothing. Fast-Forward to 2016 and of course, Jeremy Scott put his artistic spin on it by playing off smoke and burning motifs through the iconic Marlboro cigarette box and logo. This time, the warning read: "Fashion Kills."

Jeremy Scott brings his tongue & cheek humor and his love of clever puns to Moschino season after season. The setting and runway was lavish and gilded to convey the opulence of the Renaissance. The fashion was an eclectic mix of biker, 80's and red carpet gowns. He gave us lots of leather and short ruffled dresses at the beginning of the collection. As looks continued to come out, they got very dressed up. Some of the gowns reminded me (a little) of Alexis and Crystal, after the Carrington manor burned down of course. How else would we explain the burnt-through fabrics? Some of the dresses were even propped to release smoke. Amazing. You could literally say Moschino fall 2016 was smokin'!! Fabulous milliner Stephen Jones created the headgear. I love the collection but I really LOVE the last group of dresses and the dramatic poses. 

fashionado

Atlanta Ballet's Moulin Rouge - The Ballet

Cancan your way to the Atlanta Ballet's Moulin Rouge this week at the Cobb Energy Centre because you will love it. And while you won't see the dancers breaking out in song, like in the movie, you will experience the most dynamic, romantic and spectacular dancing in the city, including the cancan! The Atlanta Ballet does an excellent job of laying out the scene: Paris, turn of the century, bohemian, artistic and poetic. There was excess in living and loving. [As always] the set is incredibly executed and the live orchestra is beyond fabulous. But back to the dancing... you'll get lost in the moment. The tango scene will seduce you and the closing scene will make you cry. 

Opening night received a well-earned standing ovation. Moulin Rouge - The Ballet closes this Saturday Feb. 13, so visit the Atlanta Ballet website for tickets!

fashionado