Introducing Thee Sashay Shantay

Well, I've been busy busy busy working on this Art Shanty Project. Last you heard, we were just accepted to the Project. Well, much has changed since then. First, and most excitingly (is that even a word?), we have officially christened our shanty. Yes indeed. Construction, promotion and outreach of Thee Sashay Shantay up and running! We've started construction on the shantay and our clothing designs, we've put out a Call for Submissions (check it out below). We've also joined the digital world with force. Check out our website, view our photos on flickr, like us on facebook, follow us on Twitter @_SashayShantay, and send us an email at TheeSashayShantay@gmail.com. We're nothing if not virtually connected.


Stay tuned for updates on our Shantay Preview Partay which is scheduled for late December and will feature a few really awesome bands in an awesome space and one look from each Shantay designer's final runway show lineup.

There has also been some exciting updates to my own studio. Namely, the addition of a walking foot Pfaff industrial machine. This machine will surely be my savior as I've designed some heavy duty outerwear for thee Shantay. Canvas, leather, batting, quilting, fur - it's all in the mix. I'll post some in progress photos in the upcoming entries. I'll leave you with a shot of the construction site and get myself back to work. Enjoy!

Life on the Ice

Just got word today that my team and I will be building a structure for this year's Art Shanty Projects on Medicine Lake. From their mission statement, the ASP is 'an artist driven temporary community exploring the ways in which the relatively unregulated public space of the frozen lake can be used as a new and challenging artistic environment to expand notions of what art can be.' The ASP is heavy on audience interaction, and so each shanty is meant to have an activity or to present an idea that art is not only in galleries, but is being made by people like you, for you and is not so separate from real people that it can't be a part of everyday life.


Our structure, which is under the working title of Fashion Attic will be in the style of some adventurous and fashionable person's attic which visitors will be invited to nose around, open trunks, play dress-up, and document their looks in a photobooth. All the clothing pieces will be made by my team of artists (including designers Danielle Everine, Rachel Blomgren, Lela Horst Baumann, Emrys Stramer, and Lynsey Rhyner). Each day of the project we will produce a mini runway show for ASP spectators, and the last day will culminate in a full length runway show out on the lake with each designer showing five looks.


I am so looking forward to working with the artists above, not to mention our building/construction afficionados Leif Ogren and Alex Schroedter. This is definitely a creative super group. We are so pleased to have something to look forward to this winter. See you on the ice!

His

Remember a loooong time ago I said I was working on a commission? Well, I am pleased to announce that I have finally finished! May I present THEE pair of waterproof waxed cotton bibs. A foray into menswear, this pattern was based on some windproof snowpants I made for my bf last winter. A bit more involved (pockets! double-cuffs! rivets! snaps! hardware!), I'm very pleased with how this garment turned out.





Meant to last, waxed cotton is the stuff of Filson, Barbour, et al. Let me tell you, this textile is really great. Remember those rainpants I took to Alaska? Same amazing stuff. I can't stop raving about my experience with waxed canvases! The more you wear them in, the better they get. This photo shows how it wears, with my Alaska-tested pants over the new bibs. The best part is that you can re-proof them if they begin to wear out, which probably won't become a problem for about twenty years. In the meantime, you'll stay dry and stylish! Happy camping!

More Tweed

The poster for the third annual Tweed Ride.

Why, Hello.

Short & sweet, people. This is a bag I made for the good folks at Worrell. Oh, you haven't heard of them? Let me introduce you. Worrell is an industrial design firm with offices in Shanghai and here in Minneapolis, and they happen to be the smarties behind the new WD-40 smart straw, and the super sleek Hammerhead sled. Genius! Anyhoo, when a client of theirs requested an interactive marketing package, the Worrell guys gave me a call. How sweet! We designed a custom canvas bag with a special transparent pocket for the printed material that was custom printed with each recipient's name. Now that's what I call a personal touch.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

I'm so excited because... I've got a new studio! That's right, no more calling me Basement Girl, I'm officially an Upstairs Dweller now! This is a big step up for me, literally and figuratively, as I'm now able to see daylight and have fresh air thanks to two (two!) windows. Not to mention my very own radiator for the winter - no more dressing in puffy vests with space heaters at my icy feet, wooden floors - not concrete, and many many fewer spiders to contend with. It is so great!






With the excitement of a new studio comes the inspiration for new projects. I'll post more in-progress photos of this project later. I'm very excited to share what I'm working on. But for now, please imagine me soaking up some vitamin D and working the days away in a beautiful, clean, sunny new space!

Rugged

This summer, I was lucky enough to spend 6 weeks driving in a Volkswagen Westfalia named Hildegaard with my partner Leif. We went to Alaska via the Alaska Highway which starts in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, goes through the Yukon and on into the interior of the Alaskan wilderness. Our ultimate destination was Sutton, Alaska for a stay with friends and the promise of a big backcountry hike. In preparation for this trip, and an upcoming commission, I made a pair of waxed cotton rainpants. What better place to test a new design than in the middle of nowhere in extreme conditions? Let's see these pants in action.

Speaking of bottoms, check out my Alaskan friend Jessica Swider's new underwear collection for her company Slippery Slope Bloomers. Entitled Your New Favorite Underwear, this line is just what you're looking for, if you're into super awesome arty unmentionables.

I Like Long Walks on the Beach

Family vacation photo time! Just kidding, it's not so bad. My family and I did go down to St. Pete's, Florida for a beach wedding this spring. I'll spare you the story of how I learned to drive a motorhome (towing a minivan!!!) and just serve up the sweet stuff.




Sweet indeed! No need to mention how I lose my chin when I dance; I already know that! Anyway, the bride was a childhood friend of my whole family, she was like another sister. In honor of her Indian heritage, I used fabric from a saree for my frock. My little sis rocked the navy lace in a super cute way. Ahhhh, family!

Fort Wilson Riot at Voltage 2011

There are scores of photos of Fort Wilson Riot. Only one set stood out to me. Dan Schulz over at Mordac really captured the feeling of the performances.





I like it, Dan. I like it.

For a refreshing take on fashion reviews, read Sarah Heuer's review of the Voltage show from her own, non-fashion educated perspective. Titled Envy, chiffon, and sublimated homoeroticism at Voltage: Fashion Amplified 2011, her piece does indeed cover those topics. It also plays directly to my interests by calling Fort Wilson Riot's Amy Hager 'the best-looking woman'. Amen, sister. Didn't I tell you they were cutie pies?

Also, don't forget to check in on my friends Tim+Thom's sugary sweet boutique aptly called You and Me. You'll about pee your pants it's so cute.

Fashion Amplified

Details of my designs for Fort Wilson Riot at MNFashion's Voltage. More images to come, but I couldn't resist posting just one.