Saturday, May 22, 2010

Trapeze dresses are constructed of fabric falling straight from the shoulders with no shaping seams. Think “shapeless,” and you have the trapeze dress



Ultra Feminine Warrior this shear, sexy, full body armour, my final garment is an art object inspired by the Trapeze dress so popular in the 1960's.
Cut just above the knee in the front, gently suggesting a train in the back, I created an over sized tutu. The look is pure fun and truly playful. Aftrer all fashion shows are a place to express the extremes.
My wearable art object is hand stitched from generous yards of tulle is light, airy and just plain fun to wear. Embedded with silk floral elements and fiber optic lights you will be sure to be noticed. Trapeze dresses are best worn with sexy, light, strap, sandals paired with bare legs. I cut through the layers to expose a rich copper hued, 100 % silk chemise. Detach the snaps and wear the Tulle Tutu anyway you wish ;~)









" Contrary to what it sounds like, a trapeze dress is not something worn by a female flying aerialist. The name actually refers to the word "trapezoid," a geometric figure in which the sides flare out. The trapeze dress, narrow at the top and wider at the bottom, originally saw popularity in the 1950s and again became popular at the beginning of the 21st century.
A trapeze dress
can have many variations and still fit the definition, but the term basically refers to a dress that is narrow at the bodice and flares out loosely at the bottom so that it swings freely. The classic trapeze dresses were sleeveless, but some featured long sleeves, sometimes cuffed.
Origin
Yves Saint Laurent became the head of the House of Dior when Christian Dio
r died in 1957. The following spring, the young Saint Laurent, only 21 when he was thrust into the spotlight, came up with a new collection that featured the trapeze dress. Part of the popularity of the new fashion was attributed to the freedom afforded by a loose-fitting garment in contrast to the tight waists women were used to wearing.

History
In 1958 First Lady Mamie Eisenhower wore a silk shantung trapeze dress, decorated with bows, as part of her spring wardrobe; manufacturers produced instant copies, and the popularity of the style took off. By the 1960s the trapeze dress evolved, becoming a mini-dress and usually featuring a sleeveless top, sometimes cut to resemble a halter. The dress style has continued to fade in and out of style over the years. "
http://www.ehow.com/about_5418362_trapeze-dress.html

With forty plus years of sewing experience, I have been designing dresses and creating wardrobe accessories for Kara and myself to enjoy.

Ultra Feminine Warrior collection was designed for celebrating energy, creativity, sacred power of women. My collection of wearable art includes; garments, objects and accessories inspired from military armor such as gorgets, gauntlets and gaiters illuminated with technological fiber optic elements.

My collection began as a conversation during lunch with a mentor, fueled by a creative spark, powered by immeasurable woman hours; of sketching, dyeing fabrics, and sewing ended up on Runway 3.0
I had chills in my body and joy in my heart watching the young ladies model the fruits of my labor. It was a wonderful learning experience and most of all a labor of love creating great fun ;~)



Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will.
George Bernard Shaw

Special thanks and deep appreciation to my daughter, Kara Rice Rafferty.
She is the graphic designer, web designer, marketing director as well as my partner in our cottage industry rice rafferty.
All of my collection was created with Kara in mind. Having a daughter is like having a live Barbie doll where I first realized my love of sewing. Kara graciously agreed to wear the over sized Tutu ;~)
I love you Kara, it is truly a pleasure to be your mom ;~)

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