Wearable Art Blog

Corinne Okada Design

Recycle artist Corinne Okada creates beautiful sculptures and wearable art that draws on her Japanese heritage and ties to Hawaii. Referring to childhood visits with relatives in Hawaii, Okada says: "I appreciate the way people were able to use what they had to create something beautiful, how they'd make clothes with rice bags." Inspired by what she saw, she dedicated herself to creating sculptures and wearable hats and corsages from scrap pieces of fabric, recycled plastic produce netting, and Asian food and candy wrappers. Takara's whimsical paper-and-wire hats are inspired by Japanese hair ornaments and Okinawan dance hats. The Big Rolling Ball Hat (above), with the large flower in the middle, is a great example of Okada's artistry. The 'Olive Wrapper Shoe' (below) is gorgeous - it's only sculptural though. Go to Corrine Okada Design to see more.

Necklaces from Maria Helena Spector

Jewelry artist Maria Helena Spector says: "I was brought up in Peru and studied art at University. My Peruvian culture, artist’s training and European education influence my use of color and shape in unique ways to produce unusual and different ranges of jewelry. I source and select from producers and wholesalers all over the world, as well as from Peru, and I will cut, hand polish and finish many of the stones myself, in some cases forging or melting silver onto them." Spector's work appeals to me because I am a big fan of jewelry made of natural stones, especially lava beads with an unpolished surface (see the necklace below). I love the contrast of the dark blue stones and the corals covered in 24 kt gold leaf of the beautiful necklace (above). Spector, who now lives in the UK, melted silver onto one lava bead (below) and pairs it with stones of carnelian, black agate and sterling silver to create a handsome look. What do you think? I discovered Spector on the 18kt blog. 

 

'Collaboration with a Bird' Jewelry by Teresa Faris

The ideas of fragility and human/animal connectedness are central themes in Teresa Faris's work. Faris says, "I have become interested in working in collaboration with animals rather than using their bodies." Here, in her 'Collaboration with a Bird' series, pieces of wood are repetitively chewed by a bird and then reassembled and merged with sterling silver. The idea behind the work just floors me! What I love about the ring (left) and brooch (below) is how Faris uses the silver to cradle the wood and mimic the curves of the wood. In addition to creating jewelry, Faris is an Assistant Professor of Metalsmithing and Jewelry at the University of Wisconsin. Below is a photo of Faris and Charmin, her Umbrella Cockatoo, who works the wood. Go to Teresa Faris to see more of her work. I found Faris's work at the Facere Jewelry Art Gallery.     

Summer Headwear from Camille Roman at Tour de Force

Camille Roman creates 'innovative and sculptural' headwear out of rich, colorful fabrics under the label of TOUR DE FORCE. Roman beat over 500 entries to win the 2009 'Who Wants To Be A Millin-aire' competition, organized by the website Queens-Hat.com. Roman's selection was announced on June 18 at the Royal Ascot Race Track in the U.K., where it was Lady's Day 2009. Her black crochet lace hat won for originality as well as the skill that went into making it. Roman is pictured in the winning hat, left; her 'Blue Grapes' hat is below. She launched TOUR DE FORCE in 2008, shortly after graduating from Central St. Martins College of Art & Design in London (which has produced many famous fashion designers). Roman's hats are feminine, fun, and quite theatrical. I don't know where I'd wear them, but if nothing else, they're wearable art. How do you like them? Go to TOUR DE FORCE to see more. I discovered TOUR DE FORCE on the Fashion 156 Blog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wearable Art of Caleb Calabro

A Wearable Art Blog reader told me about Caleb Calabro, a Sydney, Australia designer who makes 'wearable art' fashions that look like costumes from an Elizabethan play. I went to Caleb's site looking for some information about him, but couldn't find any. So, I decided to write to him to learn more. Pictured here is Caleb in one of his incredible creations. Curious? Read my interview with Caleb Calabro.