Friday, October 22, 2010

Featured Artist: Kiki Revoir

During the eight weeks of 'simply irRESISTible' we'll focus on individual artists here on our blog. Every week, three artists will be featured. Today, we're pleased to introduce to you: Kiki Revoir from Angwin, CA.



About the pieces: I find the vibrant color and distinctive individuality of ethnic costume really exciting. Making one of a kind wearables lets you make design decisions as you work, enabling you to use the ""happy accidents"" that occur. For example the fabric used in Red Jacket came out of the dye bath with its selvedges felted and puckered . I used this on the upper edge of the sleeve.


These three pieces were all stitch resisted using a shibori technique known as mokume ""wood grain"". Parallel rows of thread are basted into the fabric and are then pulled up tight gathering the cloth up against itself. The whole piece is then submerged into a hot dye bath. Once the wool is dry the stitches are cut and pulled out leaving cloth that is irregularly ""pleated"" and dyed.


Red jacket is made with a medium weight, creamy white melton wool, stitch resisted and dried crimson. Dyed areas range from deep crimson to raspberries bleeding into cream. Elastic in casings at the waist pull in the side seams. Inside are two small pockets for ID/cash/keys. The front facing and collar are lined with a shirred silk, hems are finished by removing thread to create a small fringe. Dry clean only."



Mustard Scarf - pale khaki tropical weight wool has been stitch resisted and dyed a rich mustard yellow. The ends of this piece have curved in upon themselves. I attached aubergine felt balls attached at both ends to accentuate this adding to the scarf's bounce. Dry clean only.

The Chartreuse Hat fabric started with jacket weight ivory wool stitch resisted and dyed a forest green teal. Once dried and the threads removed, the whole piece was vat dyed a pale limey yellow, transforming ivory and forest green teal into burgundy and chartreuse. The China silk lining was then dyed to match. Gently hand wash. Dry Clean recommended.

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