where have you been?

here i am! and this is what i’ve been doing.. it’s taken me some time. this is just a sneak peek of the photos to come as i’ve just started playing around, but i thought enough is enough, i need to show what i’ve been doing for the last 8 months! this is the most meaningful and accomplished piece of my career, to date. what is it? well, it’s a piece for a client with a very special story behind it, which i will get into in greater depth when the whole thing is ready to be published, but in the meantime here are the key elements.. this is a parachute from WWII, dated aug 1943, it has been used. i have made the dress without making any cuts whatsoever to the parachute itself, the only thing i cut on the entire parachute were the ropes from the canvas bag in which it was packed. the piece has been sculpted from so much fabric that i couldn’t even guess as to how much, it is completely hand sewn (as usual) the machine stitches you may see are from the construction of the parachute itself. the ropes (uncut) that are woven into straps, which are holding up the dress, are the same ropes which would have held up whomever jumped with it. lastly, to keep the full integrity of the chute, nothing has been added to the piece that wasn’t originally part of the parachute, except the thread of course :)

we are working on a full media package, including finished photos from the photoshoot, before and in progress pictures as well as the full story of the parachute and it’s history.

here is a little teaser..  (with a super special thank you to kyla hemmelgarn, who was the crazy talented photographer for the photoshoot) http://www.dripbook.com/khemmelgarn/splash/

more to come (and yes, the store is still in progress, with loads of new pieces, just have to finish making everything look proper and finally get it up and running!) life has been busy!

soon,

xg

first photos.. still playing around

trying to get wind under the dress for the perfect shot!

parachute, untouched and still attached to the bag.

day 1..

in progress, nearly finished.

in progress..

rorschach dress 2.

hello there,

it’s been a long time, sorry for the absence of communication!

there are very exciting things happening in the studio these days! i have been inspired and busy creating new work, numerous weeks of experimentation and exploration. i’ve been setting my sights on works of unrestrained creativity.

here is a sneak peek at a favourite new piece from my rorschach series- rorschach dress 2.

talk soon,
xg

diamonds are forever

the perfect summer day to night dress.

long, airy, light and dreamy. a simple piece with just the right amount of summer sexiness.

one of some (limited run)

sizes: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10

fabric: 70% bamboo 30% cotton

colours: mauve (shown) navy and white

front

back

side

close-up of back cut-out

side/back

fiery the angels fell

a transformable, lightweight jacket. wear it wrapped, down, or open, all are lovely; the hidden hook and eye closures make for a clean look when worn open.

replicant jacket- s/s 2012

draped and hand sewn details, lined and hand finished.

fabric- 100% lyocell (fiber made from wood pulp)

sizes- s,m,l

one of some (limited run)

front

front close-up

front/side

side view

worn open

worn closed with sides unwrapped

interwoven daydreams

100 some-odd hours went into this very special piece. it is constructed from one piece of fabric which was first cut into numerous strips (the bottom), then hand woven into sections which were then further woven together to construct the front detail. the woven detail and remainder of the garment were then draped and hand sewn together. my latest labour of love.

fabric: bamboo jersey- 96% bamboo 4% lycra

size: will fit sizes 4-8

one of a kind

(sold)

front

side

close-up of handwoven and hand sewn detail

close-up of handwoven front detail

back

back close-up

turning point

january is over! my least favourite month of year has come to an end, i do love winter but only for about a month then i get antsy for warmer, sweeter air. groundhogs in both ontario and nova scotia failed to see their shadows today, lets hope folklore wins this round.

this lovely skirt is a transition piece, warm enough for now (with tights and boots) and light enough for spring (naked legs and sandals).

draped and hand sewn, fabric- 92% bamboo 8% metal

sizes 2-12, colours- brown (shown), taupe and navy

each skirt is one of a kind

limited run

front

front close-up

side

back

side/back close-up

happy new year!!

wishing everyone a most wonderful 2012, a year filled with beautiful things and lovely people. 2011 was fabulous, a huge thank you to all of you who have supported my work this past year and always. lots of amazing things to come!

happy new year! xog

custom crushed silk velvet dress

draped, hand sewn and hand crushed from silk velvet- 40% silk 60% rayon

one of a kind

(sold)

front

back close-up

back

front close-up

side/back

shades of blue

first piece in the new studio!

custom, one of a kind dress

draped and hand sewn, fabric- 100% rayon

(sold)

back

front

side

side close-up

worn with scarf (sold separately)

the last post

with a white radiator. now i have a gold one, haha.

this is the last time you will see this backdrop, thank god really, i think we’ve seen this one too many times. i have made the move to a much lovelier studio and am excited to get back to work. this is the last piece i did in the old place, quite a nice farewell.

back in black

draped and hand sewn, 100% rayon.

one of a kind

(sold)

back close-up

front

front close-up

back

back close-up

winter salmon

dark days out there. a little salmon amongst all the winter blues, greys and blacks is a welcome bit of colour to the light deprived months ahead.

draped on the bias and hand sewn from 100% rayon fabric.

one of a kind

(sold)

front

side profile

front close-up

back

back close-up