Mood Board Monday

Sewing has become a refuge for me. I love the meditative hum of my machine as I tune out the world and focus on a project. The latest is a dress inspired by Tracey Reese. I love contrasting sections of the bodice and skirt. Instead of the floral pattern on Reese's design, I'm using an Ankara fabric from my stash combined with navy blue with Simplicity Pattern #1803.

And it's December! I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge ROSA PARKS (!) the seamstress who gives me constant inspiration with her revolutionary act of refusing to relinquish her seat on a bus, which sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955.

Portrait of a Woman with a Sewing Machine
by Renowned Malain Photographer Seydou Keïta
I wish I had her sewing machine.

Paper Dolls From Soapbox Theory

An adorable free downloadable paperdoll- Zari (a true "Paper Figure Darling")
  Y'all know I get all geeked up over paper dolls (if you don't know now you know)!

I was visiting my favorite haircare site BGLH, and peeped an ad for Soapbox Theory. I was immediately enamoured by the beautifully illustrated stationery and how they are applied to accessories and apparel. Soapbox Theory is the brainchild of Kayin Talton. Her vision is to promote cultural values through her products (greeting cards, t-shirts, bags, dolls, books,and wall art) that reflect positively on black people (following in the footsteps of the great Jackie Ormes).

 You can buy Kayin's merchandise at  soapboxtheory.com.

A TRUE FASHION ICON (reaching beyond the canon)

Jackie Ormes (1911-1985) was the first black female comic artist. Patty-Jo 'n' Ginger and Torchy in Heartbeats were nationally-syndicated staples in numerous newspapers. I am absolutlely mesmerized by women who faced the racial indignities of segregation while agitating for civil rights and still managed to maintain flawless appearances.

From the Collection of Judie Miles VIA
 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93029000

Torchy in Heartbeats came with a paper doll of the heroine-Torchy Brown, which was replete with wardrobe choices. “She modeled some cartoon characters after herself as beautifully dressed and coiffed females, appearing and speaking out in ways that defied stereotyped images of blacks in the mainstream press”(1). Jackie Ormes provided girls their fantasy fashion world. That’s what paper dolls are all about: creativity, experimentation, and rehearsal for a fabulous future.

I am obsessed with paper dolls. All of my nerdy obsessions have memories attached
to them and contribute a great deal to my fashion sense. On birthdays, my Great-grand Mother would send me a birthday card that had paper dolls attached. Along with my supply of workbooks and coloring books, my Mother also got me books of paper dolls. I coveted them. Sadly, because of their ephemeral nature, none of those dolls survived.


ME--PUTTING MY FASHION
ILLUSTRATION COURSES & BFA
TO GOOD USE

A few years ago I found the most charming paper doll template on the Studio Museum of Harlem’s website and sat for over an hour with my Prismacolors meticulously coloring the outfits created for May, by a contemporary black female illustrator Elaine Pedlar. The slogan on her website reads: “WHERE DREAMERS AND FASHION LOVERS COME TO CREATE AND PLAY.” It is my goal to visit her store very soon, but until then I will continue to visit her website Dumbelle (the movie rocks!) and keep up with her blog.      

REFERENCES

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93029000

http://www.jackieormes.com/

http://www.nps.gov/brvb/planyourvisit/womensmonth.htm (1)



Jackie Ormes: The First African American Woman Cartoonist
by Nancy Goldstein