Book Review: Digital Textile Design

Digital Textile Design is a practical and inspiring book written for fabric designers and those looking to learn more about the burgeoning world of digital printing. Filled with more than 300 photographs and screen-grabs, this book offers 23 tutorials presented in an easy to follow, step-by-step format that guides the reader through the process of creating designs suitable for traditional and digital textile production.

Against the backdrop of the development of digital print, the book discusses how designers can access this new technique, looks at the work of those currently exploring it’s possibilities and has profiles of designers currently excelling in this form of design.

The book also features the growing movement of combining digital textile design skills with those of surface design to bring hand-rendered touches that offset the apparent flatness of print. Digital Textile Design is an excellent resource for anyone looking for the skills to translate their ideas into digital textile art.

September 30, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Louise Bourgeois: The Fabric Works

Louise Bourgeois has been creating art since the 1930’s, but it was primarily in the 1990’s and beyond when she started incorporating the clothing of her loved ones into her sculptures and drawings. Her uniquely visual approach to fabric transforms decorative accessories into emotional and personal references, creating representations of womanhood.

In 2002, she began exploring the iridescent colors and formal structural properties of her own clothing, which resulted in “The Fabric Drawings.” These pieces are astonishing works alternating between floral figurative pieces and chromatic abstractions. Louise Bourgeois: The Fabric Works reflects the work from her solo show and goes beyond with its immersive collection of 300 sculptures, assemblages, and collages.

Fabric drawings via A Controlled Substance

September 22, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Artist Profile: Field Kallop

If you’re an artist familiar with textiles, you’re always experimenting. Field Kallop‘s experiments are carefully calculated and beautifully executed. With an art history and gallery curation background, she’s applying natural talent to academia at RISD’s MFA painting program, finding inspiration in anatomy, physics and astronomy.

When asked about her technique, Kallop explains her process, “I built a pendulum, suspended it from the ceiling of my studio, and began to make drawings with it. My goal was to examine, harness, and display the effects of gravity, an invisible yet ubiquitous force that has always interested me.”

In our opinion, many of the images are reminiscent of rudimentary computer screens, revealing captured data in the ether world of the internet. Be it futuristic, abstract, or fluid, these executions are stunning and we’re excited to see what the future holds for Kallop’s career.

August 1, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

San Francisco: Borchgrave's Paper Dresses

Isabelle de Borchgrave is a painter who also happens to love textiles and costume design. Painting intricate patterns onto rag paper, Borchgrave manipulates each design into a fantastic trompe l’oeil dress inspired by the lush depictions early iconic European fashion.

To see such fashion finery as depicted in the Renaissance, gowns worn by Elizabeth I and Marie-Antoinette, designed by grand couturiers Frederick Worth, Paul Poiret, Christian Dior, and Coco Chanel would be a treat unto themselves, but seeing them recreated in paper brings the wonder of these magnificent garments up to a whole new level.

This retrospective of Isabelle’s work is expansive and if you love fashion, costume history, paper art, patterns, or design in general, you’ll be sure to find something to enjoy about this show. Click here for more info.

Legion of Honor: Lincoln Park, 100 34th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94121

May 27, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Simply Pattern

A great pattern can convert any surface into something special, so it’s easy to see why designers swoon when they see unique textures. For centuries, designers used patterns to inject new energy into their work. Simply Pattern is a compilation of today’s best designers and displays outstanding work ranging from packaging, textiles, wallpaper, stationery, clothing, furniture, boutiques, and dining utensils. The wide variety of applications reveal how graphic elements can be arranged randomly or thoughtfully in order to bring a modern, classic or dynamic effect to any project. Great as eye candy or as a potent source of inspiration, we highly recommend adding this to your library.

February 16, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

John Robshaw Sample Sale

For the John Robshaw lovers out there, you’re in luck if you live in Manhattan! A wide collection of his textiles, bedding, pillows and table top liners are on sale today through tomorrow. Details below.

Thurs (11/18) – Fri (11/19): 10am – 7pm

245 West 29th St. Ground Floor

November 18, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik