Ausungate

What: Screening of the film Ausangate

When: May 1, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.

Where: Museum of International Folk Art

Admission: Free to NM residents, $9 out-of state

Join film director Andrea Heckman for a special screnning of Ausangate.Based on more than 20 years of anthropological research, Ausungate reveals how the Quecha weavers make textiles encoded with symbolic images that reinforce ancestral beiefs during rituals and in everday life.  Four Quecha people's stores are told against the backdrop of high Andean lakes and mountains showing a harsh existence possible only through a strong symbiotic relationship to their alpacas and llamas.  Visually cinematic, the film carries a deep message of survival and cultural continuity in an environment with elevations over 14,000 feet. By Museum admission, New Mexico residents with I.D. free on Sundays, Museum of New Mexico Foundation members and youth 16 and under always free!

For more information, contact Aurelia Gomez at 505-476-1211 or aurelia.gomez@state.nm.us

For your enjoyment, traditional Quecha woven patterns can look like this, in today's fashion:

Learn more about these designs at the Awamaki Lab and shop the Awamaki Store

Society of Dyers and Colourists Winner

Fabric design and dying techniques have always intrigued me, such as how manufacturers get those patterns to form so nicely on the luxury fabric we like to wear. It all starts with an artist a wonderful eye for color, and

passion.

The winner of the Society of Dyers and Colourists’ (SDC) International Design Competition’s UK heat is Kelly Taylor, a 23-year old textile design student studying at De Montfort University in Leicester.

This year, the students had been asked to demonstrate socially responsible thinking in their approach to their original design or written statement which accompanies the submission and explains the designer’s inspiration or theme behind their piece. Kelly Taylor’s winning piece entitled ‘Chain mail and floral filigrees’ was inspired by the ornate embroidered material worn beneath ancient oriental armour. The collection was deemed by the judges the most innovative and creative of all the entries, showing Kelly’s understanding of social responsibility and the issues which surround the fashion and textiles industry today.

She will now go on to compete against winners from Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Pakistan, Singapore and South Africa at the grand final which will be held in London on October 5, 2010 at the Historical Clothworkers’ Hall. The global winner will be presented with their award by leading retail investor, entrepreneur and chair of the British Fashion Council, Harold Tillman.

“I was influenced by the pattern, texture and colour of worn ancient oriental armour and combined a variety of fabric weights, textures and techniques to create the collection. Bold pink and reds accent the soft light greys and peaches creating a sophisticated colour palette throughout the textile design work. I used digital printing on the fabrics as it is a much more eco-friendly way of printing, unlike screen-printing which uses harsh chemicals that can lead to air and water pollution. This method of transfer printing is fast becoming a popular technique for the textile and fashion industry. As well as printing I used hand embroidery and knitted fabrics which were then laser cut and foiled to produce samples inspired by metallic textures which represented the chain mail material of the original armour. Although the collection was originally designed for the contemporary fashion market – the project has now evolved and the subtle colour palette would work well in interior design fabrics as well.” - Kelly Taylor

" I am very thankful to the SDC and the judges for giving me the opportunity to move forward to the grand final of the competition.” - Kelly Taylor

Further information:

Clothworkers' Company

The Worshipful Company of Dyers

Flannel - A Perfectly Soft Layer

What the hell is flannel and why would anyone ever want to wear it? When I hear the word "flannel," the first thing that comes to mind is a plaid flannel button down shirt from the 90s. However it is so much more than that, and is so comfortable.

"Flannel is a soft woven fabric, of various fineness. It usually doesn't have a nap, and instead gains its softness through the loosely spun yarn it is woven from. It is commonly used to make clothing, bed sheets, and sleepwear." (source)

Hermes Fall 2009 Ready to Wear collection.

The pants in this image are made of flannel. Check out this entire collection on Style.com (see the link above, under the image). There are some glorious knitted sweaters and stunning leather skirts and dresses. The colors of the leather (of course Hermes is a well known name for luxurious leather goods) are divinely earthy and look soft, supple, and flowing on the body.

Cool Cotton

Mademoiselle Tassel Scarf in Soft Cream

Get 10% off your order at blonde birde, with offer code BBL09. (offer code was found on the Busy Bee Lifestyle website)

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These fabrics are somewhat expensive, but it is worth it if you want something really unique to design with.

Multi Inked cotton print

FC3300 Beige Floral Lace

Unique Patterns at ASOS

Sass & Bide Laddered stocking print tee

ASOS Lace pattern print leggings

Tweed in the Twenty-First Century

Today is the first of a series of a few short articles consisting of interesting information about different fabrics. If you would like to read about a certain fabric, fiber or textile, please let me know.

When I think of tweed, one designer automatically comes to mind: Chanel. I'm sure you thought the same thing.

Chanel, Spring 2009 Ready to Wear via Style.com.

Note the stunning pink knitted cardigan and sweater top.

Buying tweed should be fun, and in a way enlightening due to the fact that there are so many different colors and varieties. You can find almost any type of garment in tweed, from coats, to skirts. Try to find tweed that is lined to prolong the wear of the piece.

Floral Tweed Dress at Neiman Marcus

Wearing tweed is even more fun than buying it. It adds texture and dimension to any ensemble. It is perfect for layering and warmth.

Caring for tweed is more simple than you think. First off, take care to read the label on the garment carefully. If your garment is made of wool, as tweed usually is, take extreme caution when exposing it to moisture and heat. Read more on the care of tweed on essortment.com

Tweed cropped jacket at Arden B.

Tweed is sold at retail at all price ranges, so you are sure to find something that you can afford. Searching online is also very helpful, especially if you want a tweed jacket in the middle of summer.

The best of both worlds: a knitted tweed cardigan by Diane von Furstenberg. This can be worn with or without a belt.

Breezy Fabric Choices

Dresses from left to right: 3.1 Phillip Lim silk pleated sleeveless dress, Eco Skin bamboo blend dress, and Rick Owens silk dress.

Accessories from left to right: Twisted Orchid bamboo tote, Gucci bamboo pumps, Christian Louboutin linen and crocodile pumps, and Raw Bags bamboo clutch.

I love how cool linen feels but hate the way it wrinkles. Cotton is always my perfect solution. Bamboo is also another perfect choice and is great for the environment. Silk feels amazing on the skin.

Ankar - Fine Cashmere and Textiles

Luxury fibers and expert craftsmanship are rare in the garment industry. Ankar sweaters and textiles are these and more. Ankar sweaters are manufactured in Italy and only with yarns from Loro Piana. This is pure fiber bliss at its highest, in addition to timeless, chic style. At Ankar, you will only find select products that are targeted to a niche consumer, which also makes this company unique in a mass produced, money hungry world.

Contact Information: niklas@ankar.se

PH: +46 708 62 68 00

Fiber Technology in Fashion on Trendinista

Check out Trendinista's article about fashion technology. Fabrics, fibers, and fashion all go hand in hand. Be inspired!

India Inspired: Exotic Textiles

(Click on image to enlarge)

Find these exotically fabulous textiles, and more designs, at Exotic India and The Textile Museum.

Explore beautiful antique Indian textile images at TextileAsArt. See Indian textile history here.