"At the deepest level, the creative process and the healing process arise from a single source. When you are an artist, you are a healer; a wordless trust of the same mystery is the foundation of your work and its integrity."

"At the deepest level, the creative process and the healing process arise from a single source. When you are an artist, you are a healer; a wordless trust of the same mystery is the foundation of your work and its integrity."                            Rachel Naomi Remen, MD, author of Kitchen Table Wisdom

I believe in GOD, Supernatural Creator, Higher Power, LOVE...  No matter what the name to me the driving force of creativity, the energy, the desire for Peace, Love and Oneness comes from the same source.  I believe we are all connected in this bond of LOVE and that when we are in the act of creating this powerful, healing energy flows through us too.

As those who follow my blog already know late last Summer into the Fall after many tests I was diagnosed with DCIS stage 0 breast cancer.  If you have not yet ever had a life threatening experience, one day you will.  The first time I heard my name and malignant cells used in the same sentence my heart stood still for a second.   I could have been knocked over by a feather. I am a mature woman; this was not my first brush with adversity.  Long before I had learned when life throws me lemons I will make a sparkling, refreshing, ice cold pitcher of lemonade.

In the mist of my CT scans, Pet scans, Mammograms and MRI to chase down cancer cells before they even formed a lump; my daughter Kara suggest I pull together a collection again this year for Runway 4.0 fashion show.  At first I thought she was kidding however when I turned away from my computer then looked over my bifocals into her smiling face, I said YES !!!   I said, "YES, if you promise to help me."  Help me she did.
The concept prospectus for Diversity Fashion Mash Runway 4.0 was wide open.  Participants could select from Fantasy, Ethnic Diversity, Classical Timeline or my choice Recycle, Regeneration, Repurpose. http://bscrunway.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/bscrunway-4-0-fashion-diversity-mash/


Dress Pocket - features beads, satin floral element and stitching on recycled denim pocket.



Work in progress beads sewn onto recycled denim will be embellishment for denim camisole.




Stitches from 3-D Floral element from recycled denim, button and beads.


 

Statement Necklace with hand dyed tulle, up cycled beads and jewelry adds elegance to blue jean denim.





Bringing it all together on models adds life to my garments.  Runway time is too fast and exciting to appreciate the details in all of my garments and adornments.



While working in my studio I decided to share my joy by making an Award Basket of Inspirational Supplies sewing items to share with a student in the Fiber Design Program.

As an Alumna of the Fiber Design Program and Adjunct Instructor for two years the Fiber Studio will always be " home " in my heart. I wish I had a basket to give each of the students. Everyone who made the effort to enter the fashion show is a winner. We all grew from the experience of creating designs, garments, meeting deadlines, working with composition of the collection, setting up installations as well as hair and make up for models.

 

My criteria for Fiber Student Award was;
must be in the Fiber Program for two more semesters,
not the same person who received the Runway cash prize,
someone who will put these supplies to good use.





Rice Rafferty Fiber Award Basket in Trashions Installation @ Runway 4.0



Here I am April 20th 2011, exactly three months to the day of my surgery, in the Buffalo State College, Fiber Studio presenting my Basket of Inspirational Supplies.  I feel strong, healthy and had a wonderful time creating my garments and sharing my passion for creating joy. Every time I visit my doctors they tell me I look great and ask what new projects are keeping me busy.

  YES, I believe in the Healing Power of Creative Energy and the Power of LOVE ;~)

Assistant Professor Jozef Bajus, Coordinator of Fiber Design Program

 Professor Elaine Povinen, Head Coordinator of Fashion Technology Program,

                                     Fiber Student Award Winner, Erin Curry and Me ;~)


                   

please visit Kara and I on fb riceraffery
  http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/rice-rafferty/203899441756
 or shop on line for rice rafferty
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/rice-rafferty/203899441756?sk=app_169505045786

                                                      Have a Very Creative Day ;~)

" I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end. "

" I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end. "

Abraham Lincoln

During the turmoil of researching my way through a diagnosis of early stage breast cancer my daughter Kara enthusiastically suggested, " Hey Mom, why don't you summit another collection for Buffalo State College Runway Fashion Show? "   I looked over my bifocals at her smiling face as we were sewing late into the night in our studio.  At first I thought she was kidding. Then I promptly answered, Why not ;~)  To my affirmation I quickly added, " You have to promise to help me. " Help me she did.

Kara was the with me all the way...

I am an Artist and Designer. 

Dreaming researching, sketching, gathering materials, making sample, working and reworking until I get the look I want, setting up compositions and installations all comes natural to me.  Locating , maintaining communication and managing models, trend research for hair and make up, photography and pubic relations these are Kara's strengths.  Together throughout the cold, long, days and night of this past winter in addition helping me recovering from surgery Kara and I kept preparing for Buffalo State College Runway 4.0 2011.



Backstage there were no stage freight jitters with these ladies.  No they were READY for THE SHOW ! ! !



Resting between the 4:00 and 8:30 show





Kara takes a pic to help us capture the memories of this moment.



Special THANK YOU to Amy Lee Reusch and Emily Wiech Christ



These lovely talented ladies brought my garments to life on the Runway 4.0







Ann Hertzel  and Alicia Feye



Alicia gives the patrons one last look





Someone in the crowd has a picture of Laura Elizabeth Lemke's back ;~)





Jenifer Mergenhagen did an excellent job featuring our bird cage veil head adornment, denim bib necklace and co ordinating meditation belt.





Less than three months after my surgery, a testament to the healing powers of art and creativity, I am enjoying the excitment and joy of the day ;~)



                                              It truly takes a village to bring a fashion show to life.

Runway 4.0 April 16, 2011


Recycle, Re-purpose, Regeneration of denim and vintage fabrics used to reinterpret fashions from the 1970's.



Designer - Carol Ann Rice Rafferty

Accessories - by Rice Rafferty

Marketing Coordinator, Design Consultant, and Fashion Stylist - Kara Rice Rafferty

Special THANK YOU to the following talented women who helped make our portion of the show possible ;~)

Styling by Rachel Mancini

Hair by Vanity Salon

Makeup by Michelle Mclaughlin - Estee Lauder, touch ups by Kristen Legg
 
Please visit us on face book  fan page rice rafferty
 
 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Buffalo-State-College-Runway-40/116359321710369#!/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150223409301757.350855.203899441756
 
for more Runway 4.0 images please follow this link  http://www.flickr.com/photos/finn1flintlock/5631574026/in/photostream