White Castle 1971
Another aspect of my art career is fashion design. I recently started up Re-Girl Apparel and Accessories and partnered with a long time friend and fashion designer, Graciela Llorente (who is absolutely AMAZING!!!). We use clothing that’s had a past and bring it back to life (some people call this up-cycling) along with organic and artist designed fabrics…being eco friendly and handmade is a must.
Here comes the “Art Memory”
…I started my very first fashion endeavor when I was around 11-12 years old. I received a micro loan from my aunt Sophie and ordered a bunch of florescent orange, pink and green shirts and jumpsuits from a catalogue. To create my designs, I used fabric paint, studs and rhinestones (it was the 80’s, hence the color choices and bedazzle-ing). YES, they were horribly ugly, YES my friends bought them and we all wore them…and NO I don’t have any pictures, too bad, those jumpsuits would be great to see. I think I still owe my aunt $75.
For my current fashion designs, I’m calling it “urban rag-doll meets street art meets I’m not afraid to have fun kind of a look”. In the back of my head I keep a few icons in mind: Punky Brewster, Molly Ringwald in “Pretty In Pink” and my childhood idle, Riff Randell (look her up if you don’t know who that is). I love going to thrift stores and finding rad shirts like the one pictured and bringing the past and the present together…hanging out as a teen at my neighborhood White Castle brings on a whole other set of memories. The first Re-Girl pieces were all leg-warmers (another reference to the 80’s) and now we’ve added arm-warmers, shirts, skirts, dresses and more.
Looking back throughout my life, I can now chart a timeline on when this crazy art obsession started…and how it all comes full circle.