How to Buy Art to Wear
Laverne Zabielski
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“Our souls crave intimacy.” Erwin Raphael McManus
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Pieced Silk Duster
Silk Poetry Skirt
introduction What I know about you. You are passionate, you have wisdom from a life well lived, you express what you know with authority, you desire intimacy. In order to know what wearable art to buy, think about how you intend to wear your art; casually or for special occasions. What fabrics are you drawn to; heavier silks like crepe and charmeuse, uber light paj or devore burn-out, medium nuno felted wool, rayon and linen, or heavier hemp and wool. Think about color. Not particular colors. Palettes. Are you the tones of fall, shades of winter, pale tints of spring or bright summer? Are you cool or warm? My wearable art designs are loose fitting, tribal in design. Their function is to accent colors and layers you are already wearing. They are meant to be comfortable.
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Linen Tunic
I design to add texture and movement, to sculpt a particular silhouette. That is what is happening when you clothe your body, you are sculpting the vision you have of yourself. A vision worth embracing is beautiful and strong, luscious, sensuous and sensual, curvilinear, voluptuous and soft, assured and confident, fluid and flowing. And with that vision there is your story. The textures, shapes and colors you place on your body are all in response to the many messages you have received and shared throughout your life and contribute to the telling of your story. A performative sculpture. Every move you make becomes beautiful when you wear art. You step outside your traditional ways of expression and decision making process, and step into a realm of unlimited possibilities. In order to do so you must ask yourself a few basic questions:
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Felted Jacket
What is my bottom line? This is not directly about money, but it can be if you don’t want to waste money buying wearable art you never wear. Your bottom line is knowing what is most important to your self expression. Mine is shape and function. Whatever I wear, the the shape must reflect a silhouette I desire. It must be comfortable and make me feel good. I want what you place on your body to be in harmony with the world surrounding you. All my shapes and colors are meant to compliment and contrast the colorful palette of Mother Nature, her curvaceous lines, and soft belly. Art to wear is not meant to be worn frequently. Some designs wear better than others. If you want it to be special and last, wear it for only special occasions. If you want function and beauty, wear it more often and realize there will be wear and tear. Let that become part of the art. Let it becomes performative. As it changes and evolves, the beauty inherent in my techniques will always be present.
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Nuno Felted Merino Cape
How do I know what shape of garment looks good on my body shape? You are wise. You already know what looks good on your body. You know from experience, from compliments, from what you like, from how it made you feel. Make notes. Take measurements. As you begin to add art to your wardrobe, you replace designs you already like to wear with art.
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Felted Merino and SilkTopper
How do I choose a piece that will complement my existing wardrobe? You have five elements to consider: your palette, the textures you like, what is your message, how will lines shape your silouhette, your story, and how will you manifest contrast? The manner you arrange these elements to clothe your body and compliment your existing wardrobe are determined by the same principles used to live a creative life: Keep variety present, Repetition creates unity Rhythm evokes mood Movement gives direction Know when to be bold Embrace your bottom line Balance provides stability Find your common denominator in your quest for unity If my words speak to you let’s dig deeper.
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Pieced Silk Shawl
contents embrace your body 17 what’s your story 19 choose your palette 21 define your texture 23 shape your statement 25 know your values 27 implement your principles
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Pieced Silk Caftan
embrace your body know what styles will suit you best
allow yourself to be sensual relish your curvilinear lines
with a willingness to take a risk, be expressive there can be simplicity you can be stately or have flare create for comfort first an absolute must When you walk into a room do you want to ease in or make a bold hello?
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Rayon Story Dress
what’s your story Your story is made manifest when you answer the question, who do I want to be?
The older I become everything appears sexy. Not as in sexual, as in tender, sensual , compassionate. The older I become, time is of the essence. If not now, when? Every ounce of expression is necessary. The older I become the softer, fuller my belly filled with ideas impossible to contain. I burst with desire to share everything I’ve learned, including what I know and what I don’t know. 19
Pieced Silk Bolero
choose your palette choose art to wear that will complement your existing wardrobe color is everything for making a statement ask yourself what are the colors I most like wearing what colors make me feel most powerful while there are twelve colors in the rainbow our personal palette is not so limiting to every color there is a season complimented and toned for fall autumn palette black can be added to create deep rich winter shades water is added making summer brights spring tints the rainbow is divided into cool and warm colors choosing one doesn’t eliminate the other it becomes your contrast and compliment
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Silk Devore Caftan
define your texture soft sheer coarse shiny flat rough smooth What fabrics do you enjoy? heavier silks like crepe and charmeuse uber light paj or devore burn-out medium nuno felted wool, rayon and linen, or hemp
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Silk Caftan
shape your statement shape is everything when it comes to comfort What are your best features?
I love my legs, my belly is full, my butt is flat, my waist is thick my breasts are full and voluptuous.
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Velvet Poncho
know your values you have something to say you are strong in you convictions you strive for excellence you want your wisdom and knowledge to spread further you know what you are doing where you are going
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Mini Silk Poetry Skirt
implement your principles keep variety present with textures and colors know when to be bold repetition creates unity rhythm evokes mood movement provides direction balance and proportion ensure stability embrace your bottom line
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Pieced Silk Wrap
Let’s begin a conversation lavernez@gmail.com
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Choose art to wear that will complement your existing wardrobe You have five elements to consider: 1. Palette: warm or cool 2. Texture: shiny, sheer, flat, coarse 3. Who do you want to be? cavaleir, free flow, tight 4. How will lines shape your silouhette? curvilinear, straight 5. How will you manifest contrast? color, design
Take your measurements. Bust, Hips Breadth from fingertips Back length to waist Back length to below hips Back length to knees Back length to ankle
You Are I am who I am
The manner you arrange your chosen elements to clothe your body and compliment your existing wardrobe is determined by the same principles use to live a creative life. 1. When your basic wardrobe is solid colors, your art to wear will have patterns and designs that will add variety. If your basic wardrobe has lots of energy, your wearble art will focus on strong color. 2. If there is a particular palette you are drawn to, shades can be repeated to creates unity. 3. Evoke a mood, with soft and blended, or energetic designs. 4. Free flowing, or straight and direct lines establish movement, give direction. 5. Know when to be bold. Ask what is the occasion? 6. Embrace comfort. Embrace your body. 7. Be Balanced, as a collection or individual pieces.
(c) 2016 Act of Power Press Monticello, Kentucky
This becomes your I am who I am.