(2.24) Head downtown this weekend for StyleWeek Northeast a showcase for up-and-coming designers at the RI Convention Center. Founded in 2009 by Rosanna M. Ortiz, StyleWeek (SWNE) is the premier fashion week held in Providence, Rhode Island that was created with the vision of connecting the community, local and regional boutiques and press with fashion …
RISD Exhibitions opens their Apparel Department Triennial with an opening reception, Thursday at the Woods-Gerry Gallery. The show runs through December 10th. (Facebook event page.) Apparel Design prepares students to meet the highest requirements of the fashion industry and articulate their own unique vision through the clothing they design and make. Emphasizing conceptual rigor matched …
For 42 years Richard M. Merkin taught painting and drawing at RISD. His talent as an artist, however, may forever be eclipsed by his extraordinary style, and his appearance on a certain album cover . . . 50 years ago today. Students and locals living in Providence during Merkin’s RISD years would always mention a …
(5.7) Apparel design seniors at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) will debut their creations on the runway at Collection 2016. Two fast-paced runway shows, 4pm and 7pm, take place at the RISD Fleet Library on Westminster Street this Saturday. The eye-opening designs shown at Collection are juried by a panel of guest critics—professional designers who give …
Entering the Todd Oldham exhibit is like waking up in Munchkin Land . . . or emerging from the shadows into the sunny green of Fenway Park . . . if Fenway Park was covered in sequins. This is instant joy. The curators have created a formal garden setting for “All of Everything: Todd Oldham …
“Before leaving the house, always remove one accessory.” What would Coco Chanel have made of Todd Oldham’s Brooch Dress? This strapless eye-popper features 400 pieces of hand-molded Swarovski crystal jewelry and is one of the pieces featured in “All of Everything : Todd Oldham Fashion” running from April 8 through September 11 at the RISD …
Shades of Scarlett O’Hara— I saw it in the window and just had to have it. A new exhibition ‘Swagged and Poufed: The Upholstered Body in the Late 19th Century and Today’ opens Friday at the RISD Museum. In 1890, designer William Morris quipped that women were “upholstered like arm chairs.” Buried under folds, ruching, …
In Warwick?! Providence should be mecca to costume jewelry collectors — how did we not book this event? Coro . . . Trifari . . . the Jewelry District anyone? Oh well, welcome to Costume Jewelry Collectors International (CJCI) who will be meeting nearby this weekend for their annual convention. Our attendees will also enjoy …
Costume Jewelry Collectors Converge This Weekend — From Glam To Groovy Read More »
(9.13) This goes way beyond bridal. Carmen & Ginger proprietor Christine Francis will be selling a unique collection of never-worn brides and bridesmaids dresses from the 40’s and 50’s at the Providence Flea this Sunday. Creative types found off the beaten bridal path — apparel design students, theater costumers, Halloweeners — may also want to …
An article in The New York Times illuminates the working class roots of the current fashion must-have, the chambray shirt. Turns out chambray in America has a local provenance. The early history of chambray stretches to the French town of Cambrai and a dense linen, cambric, long woven there. It came to the United States …
Chambray Shirts — Blue Collars On The Red Carpet Read More »
Extraordinary garments from the première fashion houses of the early 20th century (there’s an amazing two-piece Fortuny) are on display now in ‘Golden Glamour’ at the RISD Museum. The wall text explains their local provenance. Raised in Newport, Edith Stuyvesant Vanderbilt Gerry . . . Thurston Howell the 3rd . . . lived with her …
Check it out, someone is still making jewelry in the Jewelry District. Artist Hannah Garrison solicits used guitar strings from noted guitarists and turns them into bracelets. Providence-based Wear Your Music also sells key chains, earrings, etc. Participating musicians include Brown alum Lisa Loeb, Les Claypool, Toni Iommi, Robert Trujillo, MGMT, Geezer, Weezer, and Avril …
(5.10) After months of conceptual development, experimentation and meticulous construction, final garments designed by Rhode Island School of Design students will make their runway debut at COLLECTION 2014. Seniors in the RISD Apparel Design program will show their collections this Saturday at the R.I. Convention Center. The designs shown are juried by a panel of …
[youtube]NGdO6F470wc[/youtube] (5.3) Join the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society at the Old Brick Schoolhouse in Providence for the annual Boys’ Bow-Tie Event. The Boys’ Bow-Tie Event is a chance for boys ages 6-12 to learn to tie a bow-tie and a number of other useful skills to know as they transition into young adulthood. Attendees …
[Update: The UVB has been moved to Saturday, May 3rd due to the rainy weather predicted for this Saturday.] Check out the Urban Vintage Bazaar a spring fashion event featuring clothing, accessories, and jewelry for men and women. This is not a rummage sale. It is an upscale but affordable flea market with quality merchandise, …
Urban Vintage Bazaar Postponed — May 3rd Raindate Read More »
T-shirt technology has come a long way in the last decade. The cut, particularly for females, is more flattering and sophisticated, and the fabrics are finer. Some of those old tees were actually too hot to wear in the summer. Even the sports franchises have finally started to market to the female fans with better …