Wearable Art Blog

'Signs of Life' at Facèré Jewelry Art Gallery

'Signs of Life' is an annual show (with printed catalog) opening on October 7, 2009 at the Facèré Jewelry Art Gallery in Seattle, Washington. The aim of the show is to pair 9 jewelry artists with 9 writers. Even though I couldn't find any tie-ins to writers, I enjoyed the works selected for the show.

Here are some pieces that stand out. The 'Red Upholstery Brooch' (left), by Texas metalsmith Diane Falkenhagen, is made from carved corian and sterling silver. Doesn't the corian look like real upholstery? 'Red Upholstery' is on the cover of the current issue of Metalsmith Magazine.

In some ways the coolest pieces are those by New York jeweler Aliyah Gold, who made the amazing 'Swarm Necklace' (below) from leather and bronze. Be sure to check out the bees hovering around the honeycomb collar. Gold also made the playful, 'The Goose that Laid the Golden Egg' necklace (bottom photo) out of wood and stainless steel. Intrigued? Go to Facèré to see more.

 

 

Bibi Russell Fashion for Development

Bangleshi designer Bibi Russell showcased her 2010 spring/summer collection at the Kolkata (India) Fashion Week two weeks ago. Russell was a fashion model who returned to her native Bangladesh to preserve and promote the hand woven textile industry there. "For the last 15 years, I have been working hard with our weavers and craftspeople to promote our natural fibers."

As part of UNICEF's Designer for Development initiative, Russell worked in Africa between 1999 and 2003, incorporating locals in her work. "Promoting crafts and supporting craftspeople has become my mission. I have been examining ways of blending tradition and modernity, and fostering innovations in handloom textiles and handicrafts."

Russell markets her fashions under the banner of "Fashion for Development." All the fabric (cottons and silks) and clothing are hand made by villagers. It looks as if Russell has succeeded in elevating the gamcha (a long, rectangular piece of cotton cloth that is often wrapped around the body) into haute couture, based on many of the pieces she showed in Kolkata.

I love the vivid colors and updated, yet traditional look of Russells' fashions. How about the man's outfit (below)? Russell is also known for her eclectic accessories, like funky neckpieces, bangles, and earrings crafted from materials like terracotta, water hyacinth, palm leaves, and cotton yarn (last photo below). You can see more Bibi Russell creations from Kolkata Fashion Week on Entertainment Daily.

 

Anndra Neen Jewelry

Sisters Phoebe and Annette Stephens create sculptural cuffs and necklaces out of handcrafted copper, brass and nickel silver under the label of Anndra Neen. They make the jewelry in their Mexico City workshop and have a studio in New York City where they show the jewelry by appointment. "We like to think of our jewels as sculptures," Phoebe says. "They are like beautiful objects that happen to be wearable." The sisters take inspiration from their grandmother, Annette Nancarrow, who was a painter, sculptur and jewelry designer in Mexico City during the 1930s and 1940s. I love the medieval, rugged look of these bangles that almost look like weapons. Read more about Anndra Neen on the New York Times-The Moment Blog or email the Stephens sisters at: into@anndraneen.com.

Fashion by Fernanda Pereira

Fernanda Pereira is a talented designer who sells her limited edition and one-of-a-kind hand crafted fashion and jewelry out of her studio in Lisbon, Portugual. My favorite pieces are the sculputal collars, wraps and hats made out of pleated cotton. Just look at the bright colors and pleats in the Rainbow Hat and Poncho (left). Aren't they amazing? I love Pereira's incredibly sophisticated and stylish hats (below). Pereira makes beautiful dresses, bags and jewelry, too. You can see Pereira's collars and scarves at Kabiri. Or, check out the Fernanda Pereira blog, where you can see her jewelry and more fashion creations. 

Also Known as Jewelry

'Also Known as Jewelry' is a project that focuses on the work of 17 jewelry artists who were born or are now in France producing outstanding contemporary jewelry. This project is sponsored by a French jewelry association whose mission is to promote jewelry outside of jewelry makers, collectors, and gallery owners. The Velvet da Vinci Gallery in San Francisco is featuring "Also Known as Jewelry" from September 16-October 25, 2009 and will be the only venue for it in the United States.

These artists challenge the way people typically think about jewelry through their use of nontraditional materials and taking a conceptual, artistic approach--hence, the name, 'Also Known as Jewelry.' Ideas trump precious materials.

The colorful ring above, by Maud Traon, is one of my favorite pieces. Traon combines materials such as clay, glitter and electroformed copper with found objects, like the frog animal toy hanging off the ring above.

Another piece from the show that I like is the 'Goldshit II' Brooch (below) by goldsmith Sophie Hanagarth, who works mostly with raw materials, like old tin cans that she transforms into beautiful jewelry. There's lots more to see at Velvet da Vinci. Don't miss it.