FABRIC PAINTING MOOD

Remember when you were a kid and you had the time of your life painting nothing in particular, just for fun? Well, fabric painting brings us back to that feeling. We've been so inspired by the creative freedom of abstract painting (as well as the presence it brings) and think its the perfect way to redesign a retired piece in your closet, and an even better way to hide un unsightly spot you can't seem to get out of your jeans. We have created a Fabric Painting Workshop around this process and cannot wait to share it with you! Our inspiration comes from runway pieces from Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, Margiela, Off-White, Marni, Bottega Veneta and Yohji Yamamoto. Here are some of our favorites, starting with the most iconic runway moment from Alexander McQueen's 1999 No.13, featuring Shalom Harlowe being painted by Robots.

Alexander McQueen

Celine SS17

Maison Martin Margiela

Marni

Christopher Kane

Off-White SS20

Dolce & Gabbana FW20

Bottega Veneta

Yohji Yamamoto AW13

Our Fabric Painting Workshop this Summer will be July 14, 2024 1PM-4PM PST

Create a new piece with us and learn how to DIY a custom design through fabric painting techniques. Love DIY? We do too! Learn from our designers, IRL. In this workshop, we'll teach you to upcycle an old piece you never wear into a colorful new hand painted style.

Industry Designers will be there to guide you along the way. Inspiration, paint, paint brushes, palettes and leather swatches will be provided. We'll teach you a new technique, and help brainstorm new ideas with you. 

Bring your imagination and an item of clothing or an accessory that you would like to renew and redesign. It could be anything from a t-shirt, a pair of pants, a dress or jacket, a bag or even a pair of shoes. Natural fiber contents, heavier weight wovens are ideal (think canvas, denim or even leather).  Bring what you have, and your curiosity. We'll help with the rest!

LOCATION:

Circular Library

1221 Abbot Kinney Blvd

 Venice, CA 90291

KNIT EMBELLISHED MENDING

We are continuing our embellishment and mending series, this time we're repairing sweaterknits. This month's Other Lives Studio redesign workshop is inspired by runway designers as well as independent artists. Here are some of our favorites.

Area

Simone Rocha

KIJUN

Jil Sander SS08

Liz Bazan

Maison Margiela

Loewe

Coach

Don't know what to do with that torn sweater or knit accessory? Sign up for the workshop here!

June 27, 2024 7pm-9pm

Learn how to repair your clothing through embellishment. In this workshop at Maquette on Melrose, we will teach you how to update and revive torn pieces in your wardrobe through abstract hand embroidery and beading. We will work on hand sewing backing, beading and handmade embroidery.

Bring what you have and your curiosity and we'll create something new together!

RedesigN: EMBELLISHMENT + REPAIR

We are always inspired by Japan, everything from its art to its philosophies of design makes us want to keep creating. This month's Other Lives redesign workshop took inspiration from Kitsungi and Sashiko, two Japanese mending art forms.

Kintsugi is the art of highlighting an object's history and imperfections by mending it with gold. Flaws and areas that need mending are seen as an opportunity to create an element of beauty.

Sashiko and Boro also provided a tremendous fountain of reference for this workshop. Both are functional embroidery techniques that were created out of practicality to reinforce and mend old garments in the Edo Era in Japan. Designers such as Maison Margiela, Yohi Yamamoto, Haider Ackerman and Jil Sander have used similar embellishment techniques for hand stitching details on the runway.

Sashiko by Sashi.Co

19th Century Boro

Maison Margiela FW11 Couture

Yohji Yamamoto SS09

Haider Ackermann FW15

Dior Homme FW16

Jil Sander SS08

Embroidery repairs can be taken as far as the imagination will take you. We love these runway embroidery details from some of our favorite designers.

James T. Merry

James T. Merry: Metal Moth headpiece for Bjork

Maison Margiela FW14 Couture

Phillip Lim SS14

Don't know what to do with that torn tee or want to repair a pair of jeans? Sign up for the workshop here!

March 6, 2024

Learn how to repair your clothing through embellishment. In this workshop, we will teach you how to update and revive torn pieces in your wardrobe through hand embroidery. We will work on hand sewing backing, beading and handmade embroidery.

Bring what you have and your curiosity and we'll create something new together!