Back in the day there was nothing open in the Garment District on Saturdays. During the week the streets were filled with carts of garments trucks and fashion business happenings. You couldn't buy anything unless you were a business with a tax id. By the time I began to shop for fabrics/notions it had lightened up and more retail fabric and notion stores opened up. As an independent designer you could buy for companies that required lower minimums and some no minimums at all. Your little 3-10 cuts are considered sample runs. My sewing experience of buying fabric began with shopping at Macy's 6th floor and A&S. Back in the day these department stores sold fabric and patterns. My Mother made my prom dress and we shopped at A&S for both the fabric and pattern. Then there was Bridge street in Brooklyn, but the other big fabric shopping area was Delancey...well really Orchard Street.
Beckingstein was a huge and you would usually find something you loved, but sometimes prices were high....bargaining was somewhat encouraged. Now still in business on 39th Street.
I then graduated to the Garment District with all it's history and scale I was a designer shopping where the big boys shop. The history of the area is rich and long, you can read more about, from the Garment District Alliance.
Garment District Historical Photos
2024 is different
]]>Spent the day with my First Cousins at the Brooklyn Museum. The exhibit was the Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz incredible Art Collection.
Brooklyn Museum Giants Feb 10th - July 7, 2024
Our conversations reminded us how we stand on the shoulders of Giants.
Keith is a big fan of Motorcycles so when he saw this he had to have a photo. Even said he had a cycle kind of like the red one.
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This library had a smaller participation, but the few that came were filled with creativity. One lady had no craft knowledge, but was really eager to learn. She really needed no instruction.
Costumes I designed for the Dance Company ZCo Dance Project, https://www.zcodanceproject.com/
“Memory Variations” Description: Memory Variations choreographed by Chris Heller. This piece explores the resonance of memories tied to beautiful objects, each holding significance in our journey through moments both joyous and challenging. Through dance, ZCO DANCE PROJECT breathes life into these cherished remnants of our experiences, infusing them with meaning and expression, transcending their physicality to illuminate the essence of our shared memories
Choreographer: Chris Heller https://markmorrisdancegroup.org/prof...
Dancers: Zazel-Chavah O’Garra, Wendy Ann Powell, Rush Johnson, Amelia Munson, Colleen Roche, Abigail Diaz, Workabeba Yigsaw
Music: "Andromeda & the Milky Way" by Meshell Ndegéocello
"Istanbul" by Ben Harper
"Your Hand in Mine" by Explosions in the Sky
]]>I usually drape and test out patterns using cotton muslin. Then there is so much left over that I haven't been throwing out, just piling up in a container for use later.....now it's later. This is a hand painted patchworked shirt. I washed the fabric to get the sizing out, which made it softer and after that the shirt pattern was cut out. I used the (not sponsored) Tulip fabric markers https://tulipcolor.com/collections/fa..., there are many brands out there, these were inexpensive and available at a local store in the neighborhood.
More Shirts
]]>Cassandra Bromfield is a fashion designer, beading artist, filmmaker, and all-around Renaissance woman. Her garments have been exhibited in museums and featured in the New York Times.
Join Cassandra and spark your creativity, imagination, and inner fashion maven to create and decorate a one-of-a-kind paper fashion figure.
More Events Celebrating African American Culture
4 Workshops at 4 branches of the Queens Public Library For Adults and Teens Free all supplies provided
Thursday, 02/01/24
2pm
East Flushing Branch
196-36 Northern Blvd
Thursday, 02/08/24
5:30pm
Queens Village Branch
94-11 217th St
Saturday, 2/17/24
2pm
Rosedale Branch
144-20 243rd St
Tuesday, 2/20/24
2pm
Fresh Meadows Branch
193-20 Horace Harding Expy
]]>We had a great time Sunday, Thankyou for coming....and if you missed it, no worries you can still connect with us.
Laura Gadson Gallery: https://www.thegadsongallery.com/
Ife Felix: https://www.instagram.com/ifefelix/?h...
Cassandra Bromfield: https://cassandra-bromfield.myshopify...
Shimoda Accessories: https://www.shimoda-accessories.com/
Sweet Octavia: https://www.octaviabk.com/
Meckha's Creations: https://www.instagram.com/meckhacherr...
Yara Fabrics: https://yaraafricanfabrics.com/
Hug your loved ones, show and artist some love, live and love life!
Valerie Deas, was an artist who lived life to the fullest! She honored her passions and valued every day. Honor your ancestors by doing what you Love!
]]>I met Brianna Brown via online when she purchased a jumpsuit back in 2021. then came the film, Texas, USA. Her company, Texas Organizing Project, was featured in the film. The Texas Organizing Project (TOP), founded in 2009, organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris and Bexar counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve.
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The Ribbon Dress worn by Diandra Forrest, Model, influencer, and activist, who inspires people to access and embrace their authentic beauty. https://albinism.ohchr.org/story-diandra-forrest.html
The Event 7th Annual International I Love Braids Day, https://internationalilovebraidsday.wordpress.com/
Event and Celebrity Stylist Debra Hare-Bey https://internationalilovebraidsday.wordpress.com/
https://www.instagram.com/_omhhredroom/?hl=en
Headpiece Designed by Legacy Beauloni by Sherri Hobson https://legacy-beauloni.com/
When Mommy is a Model
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When we left St Augustine Florida, we left the Anna Murray Douglass Dress for further projects they had going on. We knew we left it in good hands. Today....well that day, depending on when you are watching, the dress returned to Brooklyn, NY. The Woman's Exchange (Women's Exchange), refers to a system of benevolent consignment stores, usually established and managed by women, to benefit women. A number of them are members of the Federation of Woman's Exchanges (1934), which is still active.
Read more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman%27s_Exchange_Movement
I have only been to the 2 Chapters now, St. Augustine and Brooklyn. The shops are filled with lovely merchandise all companies owned by women. We had a beautiful Lunch and enjoyed catching up with Jane and her Daughter. They are planning to do an event that covers Zora Neal Hurston who lived in St. Augustine and wrote one of her books there.
Check out: In St. Augustine: https://tinyurl.com/29m74kxr
Making the Anna Murray Douglass Dress: https://tinyurl.com/y28jmvru
]]>Africa Fashion at the Brooklyn Museum, was a treat. The exhibit is small, but features many Designers out of Africa. They did pack it in and I hope this subject is visited by many. The exhibit is there June 23 - October 22, 2023
Read More: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/africa_fashion
The Brooklyn Museum presentation of Africa Fashion is organized by Ernestine White-Mifetu, Sills Foundation Curator of African Art, and Annissa Malvoisin, Bard Graduate Center / Brooklyn Museum Postdoctoral Fellow in the Arts of Africa, with Catherine Futter, Director of Curatorial Affairs and Senior Curator of Decorative Arts, and Matthew Yokobosky, Senior Curator of Fashion and Material Culture, and Rhea Stark, Curatorial Assistant, Arts of Africa, Asia, and the Islamic World, Brooklyn Museum.
]]>We know about about Ann Lowe/Jacqueline Bouvier and the famous Wedding dress. You only have to Google those 2 names to find out....but what about the Designer Anne Cole Lowe, born 1898 (same year my Grandfather was born). She died 1981. During her active years as a designer, she did created gowns for the rich and still stood in the shadows...and still managed to leave an extraordinary legacy. Below some links to give you some context Ann Cole Lowe Biography Written By Elaine Nichols with research assistance by Alexis Dixon
https://nmaahc.si.edu/biography/ann-lowe
Mike Douglas Interview: • Ann Lowe on MIKE DOUGLAS SHOW
Her Story: Ann Lowe (this is just cute):http://shemadehistory.com/her-story-ann-lowe/
She Made History:http://shemadehistory.com/
More Fashion History: Black Fashion History Podcast: https://www.blackfashionhistory.com/
]]>This is the home of Zora Neale Hurston when she lived in St. Augustine, Florida.
While in St. Augustine Florida, we visited the space where Zora Neale Hurston wrote, Dust Tracks on a Road (you can find it here https://shorturl.at/ijxNS) Ms. Hurston (1891-1960) was an anthropologist, educator, and a writer. You can read more about her here, https://shorturl.at/wIL23
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Wikipedia: Madame Grés
Mildred was Black and Native American, and Richard was white. They had married in 1958 in Washington, D.C., where interracial marriage was legal. But on returning home to Virginia, they were arrested, jailed and barred from the state for 25 years for violating the state's Racial Integrity Act.
The Supreme Court's unanimous 1967 ruling in Loving v. Virginia overturned the couple's conviction – and nullified anti-miscegenation laws in Virginia and more than a dozen other states. Interracial marriage was now legal in every state in the union.
I decided to make a dress for June 12, which is now Loving Day.
June 8, 2023
June 12th I posted the dress
]]>Bonnet Parade).
Here are some shots that didn't make it to the video.
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Walk to Freedom...Take a moment for some calm.
Fort Mose Historic State Park is the site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the United States. In 1738, the Spanish governor of Florida chartered the settlement of Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, or Fort Mose for short, as a settlement for those fleeing slavery from the English colonies in the Carolinas.
Read More here https://www.floridastateparks.org/lea...
Florida State Parks: https://www.floridastateparks.org/par...
This State Park was like heaven. It was peaceful and so beautiful. Thank you to the St Augustine Woman’s Exchange and Peña Peck House who made the trip possible.
Music: Epidemic Sound The Bird's World Elm Lake: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/O...
]]>When Pedro Menendez de Avilés came to Florida, he brought not only soldiers to conquer, but also women to because they needed the women to cook and clean....and that's not all.
The history of St. Augustine does not begin with Mr. Menendez, read about The Timucua, https://www.nps.gov/timu/learn/histor...
I feel like this city alone could be a series, each season covering a piece of history...there is so much, that I am surprised Ken Burns hasn't done an 8 part documentary, like the Civil War. Anyway some links below to continue the story. Ann Colby Wicked Augustine: https://www.facebook.com/wickedstaugu... History of St. Augustine: https://www.citystaug.com/693/Our-His...
PBS Untold Story of St. Augustine: https://bit.ly/3Ivkax8
Music Epidemic Sound: Careful Consideration Jon Björk https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/u... Kings Hall Cercles Nouvelle: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/0... Menuetto for Spring Cercles Nouvelle: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/0...
]]>In the early 1900’s, a young black man named Frank B. Butler moved to St. Augustine. Upon arriving, he settled in the predominantly African-American area known as Lincolnville – now one of the city’s historic districts. At that time, Florida’s beaches were for the use of “whites only.”
In 1927, Butler became so annoyed by this injustice that he began purchasing oceanfront property on Anastasia Island. from St. Augustine Ponte Verdra Florida's Historic Coast, https://www.floridashistoriccoast.com...
Read more about Butler Beach and historic St. Augustine https://bit.ly/3lOtwfA https://bit.ly/3XDCvgZ https://bit.ly/3lOeJlm https://www.lincolnvillemuseum.org/ https://penapeckhouse.com/
The Cab Driver to the airport, shared with us that he looooves to fish and gave us a fish recipe to leave with, Taxi Cab Chef
More about why I was in Florida https://bit.ly/3xyMBVO
]]>Our Time in St. Augustine, Florida, was filled with history and new friends. The ride to the airport was no different. I told our driver I saw a lot of people fishing and he too does the same and won't eat any fish unless it was wiggling before he cleans it. His son works on a charter fishing vessel.
Before we left Florida Tom gave us a lovely fish recipe.
Ingredients:
Put equal measures of Bread crumbs and Coconut together in a bowl. Season fish with Jerk seasoning Get your skillet going with LOTS OF BUTTER sizzling hot. Dip fillets in egg wash, then into bread/coconut Then the fillets go into the sizzling hot butter. Brown on both sides Take out and put on a platter Take a hunk of that marmalade and stir it up in the sizzling butter. Pour that over the fillets!
Ok this is not a diet dish, so don't come for me.
Mr. Derringer is also the son of a famous Baseball player Paul Derringer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_De... was quite interesting too!
Music Epidemic Sound: Vibrant by Lofive: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/X...
]]>I posted our first night video here
Stills of our first night at Peña-Peck house, where the dress is on display.
This was the moment I heard my voice on the video. I had send them videos of myself creating the dress. I knew they were going to display those video, but it just hit me and I was filled with gratitude.
The room was beautifully prepped for "The Dress"
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Read more here: https://bit.ly/3XFNGqt
]]>To the good Life
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This is the last in the series, Making of the Anna Murray Douglass dress. The dress was created from a plum silk taffeta. I machine quilted the center front and then beaded with garnet beads. Although I sewed the majority of the dress on the sewing machine, my thoughts is that the dress in it's time period, would have been made by hand. I didn't have that kind of time. Link in bio for other videos in this series Anna Murray Douglass
....and even luckier to attend this incredible awards ceremony, here is my perspective from the balcony.
On January 28, 1962, with his brother Elombe Brath, Brathwaite staged the Naturally '62 pageant, the first of a series of pageants to feature only black models. The 1962 pageant has the title The Original African Coiffure and Fashion Extravaganza Designed to Restore Our Racial Pride & Standards. Held at the Harlem Purple Manor, a nightclub on East 125th Street, it helped to popularize the phrase Black Is Beautiful that was printed on the pageant's poster. The Naturally pageants ran for five years, with the last one held in 1966. Wikipedia
October 25th, 2022, the Lucie Awards Honored Kwame Brathwaite, with Achievements in Portraiture.
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