FantasticArtic

Exposition “A door between two worlds” une porte entre deux monde… du 1er au 11 février 2011. Exhibition opens from 1st February to 11 February 2011.

Exposition collective franco-japonaise d’art fantastique et visionnaire.

Ouverture du mardi au vendredi de 10h à 20h, samedi de 10h à 18h30
Open from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 8pm, on Saturday from 10am to 6.30pm

Onze jours d’exposition marqués par trois événements :
• Jeudi 3 février, 19h : Vernissage, chanson japonaise…
• Mardi 8 février, 19h : Conférence “a door between two world”…
• Vendredi 11 février, 19h : Lectures “Printemps et Ashura”
Organisation : Hugues Gillet et Shoji Tanaka Commissaire de l’exposition : Pierre Eugène Mathien.

Atelier z
62 av. de la Grande Armée • Paris 75017

I couldn’t go without having a post about the unique Valentino’s exhibition held in Brisbane (Australia) for the past 3 months. And I made it just a week before it ceased. Needless to say that the wait was long before we got in, we had to queue for an hour among hundreds of beautifully dressed women ready to enter the Valentino’s fashion fairytale. It was just magnificent and I wish I had the whole day for me to be able to sketch some of my favorites… Instead I have posted some photos here and I hope it will inspire you as it did to me. Also I’m glad that watched the movie “Valentino: The last Emperor” before I saw the exhibition as it explained a lot about Valentino’s executive world and also the way all the garments. For those who like me are adepts of everything handmade, know that all the Valentino’s collections are hand sown! No sewing machine in the workshops, instead hundreds of seamstresses!
Enjoy!

Exclusive to Brisbane, ‘Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future’ was a major exhibition developed by the renowned institution, Les Arts Décoratifs de Paris. It explored the work of the celebrated Italian fashion house Valentino, known around the world for its sophisticated, timeless design and glamorous clientele.
The exhibition encompassed haute couture from the first collection designed in 1959 by the house’s founder, Valentino Garavani, through to work from the Autumn/Winter 2009–10 creations by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli – appointed as creative directors for Valentino in 2008. Exquisite haute couture garments revealed Valentino’s mastery of the elegant line, classic form and opulent detail. Particular themes was explored uniting Valentino’s design approach over five decades: these included the recurrence of geometric patterns and graphic prints, the skilful use of fabric to create dramatic silhouettes and, of course, the distinctive palette of black, white and ‘Valentino red’. The future direction of this most esteemed fashion label was showcased through five creations by the house of Valentino’s new creative directors.
Designs from house of Valentino have been coveted and worn by European royalty, Hollywood celebrities and members of high society the world over. This magnificent exhibition included garments worn by stars such as Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor and more.

Valentino | Evening gown | Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2003, Model 130

Strapless evening gown with low-set draped pale crimson chiffon sleeves, a train with appliqué pleated crimson taffeta rosettes and red strass crystals in their centres, and pink and grey taffeta rosettes in its lining; fabric: Buche-Guillaud; embroidery: Marabitti | Collection: Valentino Archives | Photograph: Jean Tholance

Runway shot of Valentino Evening dress Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2009-10, Look 33

Tattoo dress “oiseaux de nuit” in Chantilly lace, feathers and “lave” / Collection: Valentino Archives. Photograph: Nathalie Lagneau/Catwalking.

Valentino Evening dresses Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2009-10

Collection of past evening gowns

Detail view of Origami Suit (top square)
Valentino Evening suit (detail) Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2008, Model 98 / Evening suit made of pale tulle appliquéd with an origami in pink faille embroidered with iridescent pink glass beads, knotted half belt, overstitched pink stain collar and cuffs; fabric: Buche-Guillaud; embroidery: Pino Grasso / Collection: Valentino Archives / Photograph: Jean Tholance.

Ostrich feathers gown (left)
Valentino Evening gown (detail) Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2007–08, Model 108 / Fleshcoloured evening gown embroidered with ostrich feather fringes in a camaïeu of pinks alternating with bands of pink beads and lines of white strass crytals; fabric: Sophie Halette; embroidery: Shameeza; feathers: Galeotti / Collection: Valentino Archives / Photograph: Jean Tholance.(

Pink dress (exhibtion poster, right)
Valentino Evening ensemble Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2007–08, Model 170 / Empire dress with draped bodice, sheath with ribbed darts and triangular train made of pink silk crêpe; cape entirely composed of pink organdy petals; fabric: Ostinelli; embroidery: Pino Grasso / Collection: Les Arts Décoratifs, Paris / Photograph: Jean Tholance.

Pink dress flowers (bottom square)
Valentino | Evening gown| Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2008, Model 184 | Strapless evening gown made of silk voile appliquéd with silk voile ruffles and corollas in graduated shades of pink; fabric: Clerici-Tessuto | Collection: Valentino Archives | Photograph: Jean Tholance

Orange Dress (middle square) Haute Couture Spring/Summer 1969, Model 252

What is Bluecaravan?
Bluecaravan supports and promotes direct trade. It supports ethical production both locally and overseas. It loves fairtrade and sweat-free certification. Blue Caravan believes that objects ‘warmed’ by designers, artists and artisans have a quality like no other… and that ‘ethical’ is no longer a choice separated from style and design.
Bluecaravan is a venue for buyers and sellers of all things independently designed and ethically made.
It’s about lovely, interesting and edgy products – beautifully finished, made with heart, and bought directly from the designer/maker. It is based in Australia, and all prices are currently in Australian dollars (AU$).

Festival international des Arts visionnaires CHIMERIA 2010

Festival international des Arts visionnaires CHIMERIA 2010
“Le Cosmos visionnaire et la pluralité des mondes « Science & fiction »”

Du 23 octobre au 1 novembre 2010 à Sedan – France.
Tous les jours de 8h00 à 19h00 – Entrée 2 euros expos / Conferences et Films 5 euros
Expositions, salle Marcillet et château fort de Sedan
Conférences et Cinéma à l’Amphithéâtre

Ce Festival regroupera des artistes, infographistes, peintres, performers, conférenciers, cinéastes, etc.. internationaux tel que H.R GIGER (Alien, Dune) GABANNA (Star Wars, Matrix), S.ALLIX (M6), Jan KOUNEN

Please visit my FantasticArt page for more info or the links below

http://www.chimeria.org/2010/index.php?r=1

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134554859901661

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106363272748146

Thanks to people like Organic Fabric Online who make organic fabric looks attractive, graphic, contemporary, fashionable and most of all affordable, Organic doesn’t mean dull, hippie or pricy anymore. You just need a visit to their website and a look to the wide list of organic cotton sateen, twill, calico, denim and interlock to understand why we should all switch to organic fabric when making garments. If you need more reasons why we all should use organic there are plenty just click on this link. One of them is that “by supporting organic agriculture, we can:

• eliminate the use of toxic pesticides and fertilisers
• reduce the use of water due to soil building practices
• increase the number of beneficial insects and wildlife, all while protecting the health of farmers and communities”

LaRhea Pepper, Executive Director of the Organic Exchange.

Enjoy the visit and be inspired by the choice! It is endless inspiration, from garments (like my kimonos to soft furnishing, accessories, baby carrier, etc…

Here are a few of my favorites:

I found Ali Baba’s cave in the heart of a small Queensland town, Palmwoods. It is where I live and it is where Katie Gannon chose to open her clothing shop/workshop about a month ago. Katie Gannon is the creator of fashion brand Mother Maria. Inspired by op shopping, vintage magazines, and retro patterns, Mother Maria’s garments are a lot different to any other on the market. Many of the garments include vintage fabrics Katie has been collecting for the past 15 years, which makes each piece both interesting and invaluable. Katie celebrates her stand towards ethical and environmental issues in her label, with several aspects she brings into her production. One is that her clothing is always created under ethical work conditions. Another is consciously using environmentally sustainable fabrics, such as recycled vintage pieces, and organic cottons. When I first stepped in the shop I was amazed by the beauty, simplicity and originality of Katie’s garments. Not mentioning by Katie herself, probably the loveliest, down to earth, cutest fashion designer in Australia! There must be something about her black hair and olive skin that reminded me where I come from…

Katie kindly proposed to display my kimono made of organic fabric which suits the Japanese inspired shop fitting.

Also Katie is now working on her next summer collection with recently graduated Sae Miyazaki .

More post coming soon about this new collection.

Mother Maria Fashion Shop / display of organic kimono

Mother Maria Shop 4555 Palmwoods, Australia Qld

Here is my latest kimono creation, made from organic fabric and 80% hand sewn in the Japanese tradition. I bought the fabric from www.organicfabriconline.com.au and it is called “Jannette & Evelyne”. It is a beautiful twill organic cotton and comes in a large width which is very convenient in the case of kimono making. Please visit my Kimono page for more info about this kimono. It is for sale so if you have any inquiry please email me laetitia@aanet.com.au

"Janette" kimono with matching obi belt

"Janette" kimono full view

I couldn’t stop there… after the kimono I really needed to make something that I could wear everyday, casual but still elegant. So this is another one of my top/dress that I can wear with anything from winter to summer… It is so nice and easy to wear! And I’ve only used one jeans to make it! It was really big size jeans! The recycling sign on the back and the flower on the front of the garment are appliques using japanese fabric. Please contact me if you wish to place an order.

Recycle Sign applique

Recycled denim dress/top

As bizarre as it sounds I’ve been able to put 2 very different cultures on the same level by using African fabric for a Japanese Kimono! It is the same fabric as the first kimono I’ve made last year but in a green shade. It is 100% Cotton and has a matching Obi belt that is easy to wrap around and gives a nice finishing touch. The fabric comes from Zimbabwe. If you are interested to buy any of those kimonos please get in contact with me: laetitia@aanet.com.au See more photos on my Kimono page.

African fabric Kimono

Put Saturday the 18th September in your diaries for the Junkie Couture opening night celebration which will feature live models, a bar, nibbles and great company … not to mention the art! All at the Reverse Garbage warehouse on Montague Rd, West End, Brisbane, Australia Queensland. Help us make fashion sustainable! Our next exhibition will be all about wearable art made from salvaged materials. From designers and makers who make clothing, jewellery, hats, fascinators, shoes, accessories and other adornments out of salvaged materials.

I am very excited to submit my project which is a Reverse Kimono (yogi or sleeping kimono) made of Recycled Denim (jeans and skirts). Please visit my Kimono page for more info about my latest creations and about Kimono in general.

Reversed Kimono back

Reversed Kimono Front