BEHIND THE SEAMS: ARTAWEARNESS PT. 2
Jessica Armstrong is a fiber student in her third year at Alberta College of Art and Design. This is her second year showing at ArtaWEARness so we can look forward to another creative concept. Jessica’s passion is working with different fibers like silks, wool, cotton, and linen and now she has incorporated one of her favorite fibers, silk into her ArtaWEARness performance. Her concept is the evolution of a silk worm into a man made fibre. The performance starts with models wearing designs meant to look like silk worms and that will change into other models continuing as cocoons, silk threads and finally a brightly colored moth. Its supposed to represent the separation of a silk worm, the moth, and finally into a fabric. Dyeing is also something that fascinates Jessica, it’s the ease that natural fibres like silk can pick up color and also the use of natural dying techniques to make her creations, which you will be able to see at the performance.
CF: What has influenced the concept of your designs?
JA: It’s the evolution of a silkworm to silk and how it goes from a single thread to a fabric.
CF: Who do you think is the most underrated designer, living or dead?
JA: Montreal designer Erdem. I just saw his spring 2011 collection he does beautiful hand painted silks. Lots of dying and hand painted floral patterns.
CF: Where is your favorite place to shop?
JA: I love Built by Wendy, a NY designer with a great online shop.
CF: How important are fabrics and fibers in the construction of a garment?
JA: So important I’m obsessed with fabrics. It’s like a candy store when I go into a fabric store. I really go for quality as well because i almost always only work with 100% natural fibres because they have really interesting properties and easily pick up dyes.
CF: What do you enjoy most about the fashion world?
JA: I mostly enjoy the beautiful fabrics and structural details that designers experiment with. Unique and creative garments are very influential to my fibre practice.
CF: What is a dream fabric/fibre that you would love to use? And what would you create?
JA: Mohair and luxurious wools like musk ox and merino and making them into coats. I’ve also done felting and made hats but I would like to create wall hangings and sculptural pieces.
CF: What piece will you have at the silent auction?
JA: I have a loom-woven scarf for the ArtaWEARness silent auction. It is a combination red and seafoam cotton scarf with a pretty diamond pattern.
It’s whimsy and fairytale for Christina Petropoulos now in her third year in Jewellery + Metal. Her creations are often relating to nature and she is searching to expand her creativity by traveling and attending a 2 week course at Alchimia school of contemporary jewellery and design in Florence Italy this summer.
Titled ‘Secret Garden’ the performance centers on the dress named ‘Alice’ decorated with flowers it is embedded with 300 led light and the model will be holding a glowing orb. Both will illuminate the darkened room followed by models dressed as tree creatures that will be trying to get the orb, which is a source of energy to them. Christina is very excited for her show and has stated she’s wanted to do ArtaWEARness since she was 17, with those words it’s now a dream come true! We can truly say that it will be wonderful to see all the designers’ concepts and creations unfold.
CF: What has influenced the concept of your designs?
CP: Most of my designs are based around nature and different forms of trees and flowers I’ve always been drawn to Alice in Wonderland and old Disney movies. I just love the fairytale.
CF: How would you describe your jewelry pieces?
CP: They are very elegant I have made a headpiece out of silver wire with silver branches coming out of the head it looks like bridal wear. I’ve also made a tree mimic ring and I’m also learning casting so I’m using real tree branches to make jewelry. People really relate to nature.
CF: Where can we look forward to seeing your pieces besides ArtaWEARness?
CP: I might possibly be selling my work at Eleven:Eleven in the summer they love the concept of trees and nature so hopefully that works out.
CF: What designer(s) would you associate with life and death?
CP: I don’t have a specific designer but I get a lot of my inspiration from really high fashion magazines. I like to look at magazine covers to see how I can make a piece unique and different.
How would you describe your personal style?
CP: It actually changes a lot when you go to school I’m very fashionable I love the high heels and the funky jewelry, but when you go to school it’s very comfortable. I’m a very comfortable person but I still love to dress up in pretty dresses, wear make-up, and do my hair.
Photo Courtesy of: Louie Piterzi
Words by: Linda Sui Lem
