My coat and shawl designs are governed by my aesthetic of a clean, architectural look that is also dictated by the materials that I use. My coats and shawls are made from a custom blend of wool from our Tunis sheep and our Angora goats, a felted material that has a different structure and behavior than a woven wool. Each piece is unique through the use of color blocking, natural dyes, the use of mohair locks, the use of vintage buttons, and edge treatments. Looking for inspiration from past designers such as Dior, Poiret, Lilli Ann, and Balenciaga, I strive to make a modern but timeless, eye-catching garment that feels like wearing a piece of art.
My clothing is a delightful outcome that merges a perspective of design voices of the past with a view to our shared future. I design my own patterns and use natural fabrics sourced either from pieces of clothing that have outlived their initial form or from local fiber sources. The process of finding great fabric and seeing a new piece of clothing emerge is what brings me joy and keeps me producing these one of a kind pieces. These garments allow me the freedom to create in three dimensions, using a rich palette of fabrics, shapes, and embellishments of ribbon, stitching or appliqué.
Details can be seen by clicking on each photograph.
Raglan Coat, Front
Raglan coat made from Kenneth King pattern from double sided Italian felted wool, wooden buttons, lined in silk. In private collection.
Raglan Coat, Back
Raglan coat made using Kenneth King pattern and using double sided Italian felted wool. In private collection.
Free Draped Vest
Vest was made from a single length of vintage, felted wool, brass zipper. Vest was lined using new organic cotton sherpa from Birch Fabrics. In private collection.
Draped Vest (Back)
This vest was made from a single length of vintage felted wool. The dark green insets and collar were added and came from scraps in artist’s collection. In private collection.
Wool Felt Coat, Front
Wool felt coat, designed and worn by the artist, made from Italian wool felt.
Wool Felt Coat, Back View
Wool felt coat designed, made and worn by artist. Made using Italian wool felt.
Wool felt jacket
Short wool jacket made from Italian wool.
Upcycled Denim Coat, Front View
A denim coat that was free draped on a dress form, and made from denim jeans.
Upcycled Denim Coat, Back View
A denim coat that was free draped on a dress form, and made from denim jeans.
Upcycled Men's Duster, Front View
Men’s Cotton Duster coat made from upcycled men’s cotton trousers.
Upcycled Men's Cotton Duster, Back View
Men’s cotton duster made from men’s cotton trousers and a vintage needlepoint canvas.
Woman's Work
A “suit” made from men’s suits, men’s dress shirts, and men’s jeans. These materials are made into women’s work wear: a skirt, a dress shirt and a vest. Upcycled materials should be made into clothing that is appreciated for the design itself. The design of the clothing should speak to the wearer and should take precedence over the idea of up-cycling.
Woman’s Work, back view
Woman’s Work
The skirt is made from the artist’s father’s dress slacks and a recycled batik sarong from Indonesia. The shirt is made from up cycled men’s dress shirts, and the vest is made from up cycled jeans and lined with men’s dress shirts.
Woman' Work Shirt
Shirt with princess seams and bell cuffs made from up-cycled men’s dress shirts, buttons from button jar in artist’s collection.
Dior Inspired Dress, Front view
Artist design dress inspired by photo of Dior dress from 1940’s, made from Italian wool crepe.
Dior Inspired Wool Dress
Artist design dress inspired by photo of Dior dress from 1940’s, made from Italian wool crepe.
Free Drape Shirt
Front of Free Drape shirt made from up cycled cotton plaid shirt and cotton double sided double gauzed. In Private Collection.
Free Draped Shirt
This shirt was made from up cycled garments, a plaid cotton shirt and a double side cotton gauze tunic. In Private Collection.
Poplar Coat, Front
Wool coat made from up cycled white wool coat. Draped and patterned by artist using a men’s coat from 1780s as model. Dyed green, cuffs and bias in dyed green silk, and lined in dyed silk, 2012.
Poplar Coat, Back
Wool coat made from up cycled white wool coat. Draped and patterned by artist using a men’s coat from 1780s as model. Dyed green, cuffs and bias in dyed green silk, and lined in dyed silk, 2012. Poplar leaves cut from leftover pieces of wool.
Rayon Evening Dress
Artist design evening dress inspired by 1980’s Calvin Klein dress.
