Gene: Young Designers Project : Part one
Way back when in 1999, I was lucky enough to become involved with the Ashton-Drake Young Designers project. My art students at Southside High in Atlanta were thrilled to be a part of this experience, even though few if any of them had ever threaded a needle.
My photography students documented the classroom work while several of my young men made furniture, props and backdrops. We watched films from the 40-50's (including their favorite, Marilyn Monroe); read vintage magazines culled from my collection and researched real vintage fashions. The kids really loved dressing up in my collection of gowns and hats!
Additionally, I was blessed to have a good group of friends who kindly donated their talents toward helping my students learn jewelry making (Anne Choi)pattern-making and draping techniques (Jane Whiddon)furniture construction (Anne Bielowitz) and basic sewing skills (Mary Spencer and Joyce Brown.) Photos after the cut: Some of the finished designs: ***please click small pictures to see them larger***
Hey There, Gorgeous Girl in changeable taffeta, hand-beaded buttons
Dark Peppermint in black and green silk satin
Secret Desire nude silk under black lace
Delilah blue satin with hand beaded details & Austrian crystal crown
Snow Valley knitted mohair, cashmere, silk and recycled mink. Jaycen made the skins and ski poles, too.
Golden Heart AKA Symphony in G detachable train, with hand-beading, embroidery and a hand-made feather fan. Designer Teresa said Gene owns a San Francisco casino in 1890.
Mae West inspired Starry Night
Three suits [l-R]Sky's the Limit, Our Miss Davis, Order in the Court My young men loved making these tailored suits
[l-r]Victory Garden, Roped In
Dance With Me Designer Susana Vega, loved Sabrina and patterned this gown after Audrey Hepburn's Paris gown. Changeable satin with velvet roses
Private Duty Nurse based on my mother's 1950's nurse's uniform with blue wool cape and red satin lining. My mom helped with this one!
This is getting really long, so I'll make another post to go with this one. Most of this was previously printed in Miller's Fashion Doll magazine. Not sure what the issue number was for it and Miller's has since gone out of business, I believe.
My photography students documented the classroom work while several of my young men made furniture, props and backdrops. We watched films from the 40-50's (including their favorite, Marilyn Monroe); read vintage magazines culled from my collection and researched real vintage fashions. The kids really loved dressing up in my collection of gowns and hats!
Additionally, I was blessed to have a good group of friends who kindly donated their talents toward helping my students learn jewelry making (Anne Choi)pattern-making and draping techniques (Jane Whiddon)furniture construction (Anne Bielowitz) and basic sewing skills (Mary Spencer and Joyce Brown.) Photos after the cut: Some of the finished designs: ***please click small pictures to see them larger***
Hey There, Gorgeous Girl in changeable taffeta, hand-beaded buttons
Dark Peppermint in black and green silk satin
Secret Desire nude silk under black lace
Delilah blue satin with hand beaded details & Austrian crystal crown
Snow Valley knitted mohair, cashmere, silk and recycled mink. Jaycen made the skins and ski poles, too.
Golden Heart AKA Symphony in G detachable train, with hand-beading, embroidery and a hand-made feather fan. Designer Teresa said Gene owns a San Francisco casino in 1890.
Mae West inspired Starry Night
Three suits [l-R]Sky's the Limit, Our Miss Davis, Order in the Court My young men loved making these tailored suits
[l-r]Victory Garden, Roped In
Dance With Me Designer Susana Vega, loved Sabrina and patterned this gown after Audrey Hepburn's Paris gown. Changeable satin with velvet roses
Private Duty Nurse based on my mother's 1950's nurse's uniform with blue wool cape and red satin lining. My mom helped with this one!
This is getting really long, so I'll make another post to go with this one. Most of this was previously printed in Miller's Fashion Doll magazine. Not sure what the issue number was for it and Miller's has since gone out of business, I believe.