XXXXIII:

XXXXII: A 2013 Preview

Here are some detail images of garments -both knit as well as woven, from my 2013 collection. The work will no longer bear the title "Handmade," anymore, as those previous concepts have shifted and grown. This project still includes my previous stand-alone artisan work. However, it also has several new aesthetic standpoints, ideas and sartorial notes to bring forth.

Hand knitted lambswool, with silk and cotton thread embroidery.

Beetroot and tea dyed felted wool yarn.

Reappearance of sari silk yarns.

Wovens: Crépe de chine, tea-stained muslin, raw linen, wool piqué and felt. 

The precedent 2013 lookbook will be released shortly.

-A. 

XXXXI: Return

After a hiatus from creating any work, it appears now that I have returned. Over the last few months, there have been several changes in general goals, which have shaped current perspectives.

Expect to see work in the next few weeks that looks both, retrospectively (addressing my hand crafted artisan fixation), as well as ahead. It is a slow resuscitation, so I’ll be taking my good old sweet time as always; garnishing the old with some of the new. But most importantly, in hopes of demonstrating growth, development and a process of evolution. Here's to the future.

-Areez.

P.S. it's certainly good to be back.

XXXVIII: Winter 2012

HANDMADE VII : Coming Soon.

.   .   .

Even in centuries which appear to us as the most monstrous and foolish, 

the immortal appetite for beauty has always found satisfaction. 

-Charles Baudelaire.

.   .   .

.   .   .

-A.

XV: To Make Up for Lost Time (Part II)

 Some further glimpses into a quality spent summertime:
 Early 2011

  

 

-A.

X: To Dye For

I know that even the idea of touching, feeling (or heaven forbid, having to wear) heavy wool fibers in summer sounds ever so unappealing. However, that is usually the way I manage a/w season production -Which results in my disorientated way of being accustomed to imagining and creating winter garments, while it is still very very warm.

Next season will include a rather decadent wool blend, with abundant texture, volume and weight. The rather exciting side of it (which I simply couldn't wait to share) is that most of the wool fibers featured, will be hand dyed and treated by yours truly!

The fibers will be dyed here at home, in small batches and treated with natural, home-ground dyes.  
Tea, turmeric, charcoal and olive leaf extract, are just a few of the many natural sources with which I've been experimenting.

Here are images of some early sample dye tests:

*The images above only show initial and raw stages of treatment, before production. 
There have been many fruitful outcomes since! Stay tuned.



Looking forward to a beautiful winter season


-A.

II: Swing Tags

 The intrinsic message from maker to buyer (designer to customer etc), without being the live garment itself, is the Swing Tag and/or Label. The ones I've produced myself, utilize nifty tools such as a customised rubber stamp, Twinings Earl Grey tea, Bockingford Watercolour paper, printed stickers (scanned in my handwriting), hole punch and a Staedtler fine pigment liner. The swing tag includes integral information through which a potential customer may see in depth, the of detail and uniqueness of each limited piece. They also include this season's watercolour woodblock print; which features a tree made of bones and the name of the collection (HANDMADE IV).

Other information available inside each tag/booklet :

    * The title/name and type of garment
    * Individual Date, on which the piece was finished
    * A chart of its fiber composition and treatment
    * Care instructions

These particular tags in tea stained paper will be featured on each of the new Nettle Fiber pieces that I've created -There are only SIX pieces of this small capsule; in a slightly lower price point, while still retaining the integrity of each garment in being cohesive with its adjoining range and more than anything, its uniqueness.

The Nettle Fiber pieces are naturally dyed in two new colours; including improvised shapes and features, such as gussets, thin straps with bleached ends and loosely hand stitched darts. This exquisitely summer-friendly fiber will take shape in the from of cropped tops, loose singlet tops, dress and jumper
-All available, shortly this week, at Miss Crabb.

(And new images will be up soon, so keep your eye out for them!)


-Areez.