The Creative Cookie

VOTE!

Today's the day and there's not much else to say except, VOTE (please everyone 18+)!

Artwork by Adrian Franks

Mood

One of my favorite things about My Fab Fashion Style File (my newest book) is that you can create your own mood boards! For those who don't know, a mood board is a type of collage that is meant to inspire creations and fashion designers often use them to help design their collection from season to season. Making a mood board is typically the 1st step in their creative process. Here's one of my latest boards, inside my book.

Oddly enough, this is actually how I feel right now -- I can't believe it's November already!

Mood Board by Lesley Ware / Model Sicily Lopez

Art Making Opportunity at Pioneer Works

The Creative Cookie is teaming up with Pioneer Works for a youth program for ages 8 – 18. Inspired by their current exhibition, ON, by mixed-media and performance artist, Derrick Adams. ON is an investigation of consumerism and the dramatization of black figures in entertainment and popular culture. The activity will consist of making TV set collages where youth can reimagine and construct images they would like to see represented in the media, and in the world, using magazine clippings, paint, fabric and sparkle! After the activity, participants are welcome to tour Pioneer Works and enjoy their amazing garden.

Art Making at Pioneer Works

Thursday, June 30 2016 / 4 – 5:30p

159 Pioneer Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231

To RSVP please email: [email protected]

To learn more about the show click here

New Book, New Cover!

I'm excited to share that I held my 2nd book, for the first time, yesterday! 'Style File' is a delightful mix of art and fashion that you can make your own by drawing in and designing it yourself! 

'Style File' was published by Laurence King and illustrated by Sabine Pieper. It also includes line sketches by Carolyn Hewitson. You can pre-order your copy, by following this link, and I'll sign and include little treats when it ships out!

This small town girl is grown so much -- I feel amazing and blessed with success. Thanks for being a part of the magic.

 

New Book Coming in February -- Check out the Pretty Cover!

YVES SAINT LAURENT + HALSTON: Fashioning The 70s

Last week I took an artist date to the FIT Museum. I wanted to experience the Yves Saint Laurent + Halston exhibition, Fashioning the 70s, for a second time. Halston, born Roy Halston Frowick (American-born), is the first designer I remember. My mom was fond of his fragrance and minimalist designer pieces in the 80s. While Halston came to my attention very young, I learned of Yves Saint Laurent  (Algerian-born) by observing celebs, like Kanye West, flaunt his lux menswear.

(left) Yves Saint Laurent (right) Roy Halston Frowick 

It never crossed my mind to think of the two designers at the same time. Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) is known for being extravagant while Halston had a one-note take on fashion. Despite their stylistic difference the overlap between the two designers aesthetic is eerily in sync. Seeing the exhibition for a second time exposed details that I overlooked the first.  

Can you guess which is YSL and which is Halston?

(left) Halston, dress, printed knit cotton, c. 1976, USA, Gift of Ms. Gayle Osman; (right) Yves Saint Laurent, dress, printed silk chiffon, c.1971, France, Gift of Lauren Bacall

Can you guess which is YSL and which is Halston?

(left) Halston Red and White Day Dress, Printed linen, c. 1977, New York, gift of Eileen Roberts (right) YSL Pink Day Ensemble Printed silk crepe, c. 1975, Paris, gift of Mrs. Sam Salz

The curators of this exhibition exposed three distinct themes: menswear, exoticism and historicism. These themes highlight Halston and YSL's work in a seamless way. Below you'll find my iPhoneography of some favorite pieces. 

Theme 1: Menswear

This theme captures inspiration from menswear by putting women in pants, safari, and even gangster looks.

Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, "safari" jacket, khaki, c. 1968, France, Gift of Mary Russell

Theme 2: Exoticism

These looks were about pushing boundaries and transporting the wearer across continents and oceans. Essentials included dresses, blouses, pajamas, and ethnically inspired accessories.

The YSL beaded African-inspired dress I adore

Mandarin-inspired Halston dress

Theme 3: Historicism

The 3rd similarity between Halston and YSL involved looking at fashion from the past in an era when thrifting was non-existant.

 The simple elegance of these Halston gowns is sublime especially the off white evening dress, sequined polyester, c. 1974, USA, Gift of Celanese

Full waist 19th century inspired Yves Saint Laurent, evening dress, black, fuchsia and teal satin, velvet, and taffeta, c. 1976, France, Gift of Mrs. Edwin Hilson

Be sure to check out the Yves Saint Laurent + Halston: Fashioning The 70s exhibition if you are in the New York area it closes April 18th. This was a fun show to view -- I enjoyed guessing who's work was who!