Thursday, June 25, 2009

Devotion 2009


It is interesting that weaving and cloth and all things pertaining to it seem to be celebrated this month. Dancing as well. I was a silhouette - a mannequin behind the screen at the Devotion show. I mimed sewing and weaving as Ling Shien of Helm read a poem about life, women, weaving, and the encroaching shadow of age. Carolena wrapped her head wrap and prepared to dance. It was lovely.

This meant a lot to me as I owe much to Carolena Nericcio for having a road for me to go down at a time when I wasn't sure what road to take. I certainly took the right one as my life has been forever enriched by discipline, hard work and the fruits of said labors! Oh my god - I could never have done the things Ive done and met the people Ive met without dance. American Tribal Belly dance - ATS - brought me back to myself.

I had such a fun time - the best time I could imagine for being in a dance show and not actually dancing in it! And I'll be dancing at the Pride parade this Sunday morning with the students and some members of FatChanceBellyDance. Very low key and fun to participate in! Market and Beale. 9 am. Come dance with us! We open for Dykes On Bikes!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The Language Of Cloth






What Perfect Timing.......as I was cleaning out old photos from my multitudinous computer files, I ran into these images of a valance and some drapes I had made for Lynne Rutter last summer when I was working in a little shop under her lovely house.

This valance is made from vintage Vietnamese fabric that she got from one of her friend Dan's trunk shows: The Language Of Cloth

The fabric is beautiful and precious and we wanted to put it up so that Lynne could see it in all its' splendor, but I didn't want to wreck it. I wanted her to be able to take it down and use it for something else later on if she wanted to - so I lined the back with blackout curtain fabric to protect the fibers from the sun and we used velcro to attach the runner to the backboard over the drapery hardware. We may have used a staple or two in well disguised places to take care of the buckling problem. I didn't see that this would ruin the tapestry and I really didn't want to handle the fabric any more than I needed to. The backing was hand tacked to the face fabric.

The drapes are a wonderful linen from Discount Fabrics. I cut it up into 4 pieces, surged the edges, and threw it into a hot washer and dryer. It came out looking a little rustic and now she can just throw them in when they get dirty without a care!




The back door curtain is a vintage tablecloth that we hung to keep out the sun and keep in the charm......I love using older textiles that may be worn a bit. It adds so much warmth to a room - not that Lynne's kitchen would ever suffer from the lack of charm or warmth - but, well, its such a nice touch!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Sunday, June 14, 2009

My Special Copycat


Today was a big day for me. I wrote my first cease and desist letter to a knock off designer in Canada. I gave her the benefit of the doubt - perhaps she isnt aware of how wrong it is to steal a designer's design, mass produce it overseas and claim it as your own. But I know she goes through my customers' closet and takes my things to copy. I also know she goes to Tribal Fest and buys from designers and has them made across the water. Its wrong. She knows it and she justifies her actions. Im giving her time to rectify the situation. I will take no prisoners.

kc.costumecouture

Friday, June 12, 2009

Devotion


There is every reason why dance is related to the weaving of cloth. This is probably part of the reason I have been a dancer..........I get a little part of the opening act with Carolena Nericcio and this means everything to me.

You had better not miss this show!!!!

June 12-20 Devotion
2009...Weaving the Fabric of Devotion

:: dance ::

spinning, thread, twisting, turning, unity, web, weave, weft, warp, stretching, winding, sewn,

interlace, bind, connect, strength, mend, wheel, rhythm, practice, stories, histories, fabric, time
:: devotion ::

Devotion
FatChanceBellyDance, Devyani Dance Co., Colleena Shakti, Teresa Tomb and live music by Helm


June 12, 13, 19, 20
(Sun 14 2pm canceled)
Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm and 8pm, Sun 2pm
Climate Theater
285 9th St
San Francisco CA 94103
*only 50 seats per show, advanced tickets recommended $25, at the door $30 (this show will sell out before you get to the door!) buy tickets here*


Reception with the Devotion Artists
Vegan dinner and drinks at the Medici Restaurant
6pm Fri 12 Jun
$75 includes dinner, first drink and show ticket
299 9th St, San Francisco CA 94103