Happy Holidays! Here are a few new images from a photo shoot we did for the upcoming show at Heaven Gallery on January 16. I'll have the poster on here soon. I have a new day job teaching preschool art. So I've been busy with that, and have also started making my new collection. Expect lots of bold colors and tons of tie-dye and hand painted jersey knits. FUN stuff! Hope everyone is having a great Holiday Season!

Fashion Cafe Pics

Hi all!
Anna Marevska from Fahion Files magazine just informed me that my jeans are pictured, along with all the other great menswear from the latest Fashion Cafe at the Chicago Cultural Center. Check out the website http://fashionfilesmag.com/ffm/?cat=1 it's a must read for all fashion lovers!

saddle tramps at Heaven Gallery

Last night Brian (middle) and I went to see the Saddle Tramps show at Heaven Gallery. My models are branching out! Benjamin (left) was in the show, it was fun to watch him walk in a show, since I'm usually backstage when he's peddling my wares!
EXCITING NEWS!!!! I'm in talks to have a show at Heaven Gallery next month! I'll keep you all posted on exact time and date!
It was a really fun night. The Saddle Tramps collection was interesting. It was a men's and women's line that was heavily inspired by the current trend of cut-outs and asymmetry in design. They used some really nice chunky felted wool as fringe. It almost had a dread locks look too it. Also really nice were the bib front shirts with snap detail. While the collection was small (seven looks total) it had an accompanying video that showcased the collection in outdoor settings, set to atmospheric music. It felt a bit expected and literal; the clothes stood up on their own without it. But a nice idea anyway. If I used projections/video to accompany a collection it would be a little more abstract.
Kudos to Danny and Erin for putting on a great show!

If only I had a knitting machine I could have explored knitwear more. Here Drew Matthew models my final project for my knit design class. The sweater is pretty cute, but when you have a model as adorable as this, you're almost guaranteed an A!

one more blast from the past

This was the last in the series of conceptual couture gowns. This one, made from perferated brown paper packaging and lace, is called "Ladylike". Here I got into the installation of the piece creating a vignette, framing the gown with the foiled wallpaper and painted branches atop the gilded baroque shelves. The disposable materials intrigued me because I think it reflects the speed at which fashions change. In one season, out the next. It only makes sense that garments that are only supposed to last a few months should be both inexpensive and disposable, while looking expensive and appealing.

Fashion Cafe

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Fashion Cafe at the Cultural Center last night! It was a lot of fun! Erin Cook and I saw some old friend, and met a bunch of new people. Thanks to Travis for insisting on photo documenting this occasion. It was a great networking event, and the response to the new collection was phenomenal!

For those of you who are new to my work, I thought it'd be nice to give a little background into what I do, and where I started from. I have an individualized major in fashion design. I'm the only fashion design degree holder from UW-Green Bay. My work there was very conceptual. Here are some images from my senior show. The dresses all had content beyond being beautiful garments. The wedding dress was made from disposable materials, paper, plastic, bubble wrap, coffee filters. It was a comment on the fragility and frivolity of relationships. This idea of creating a grand spectacle, having a wedding, while keeping the option for divorce, throwing it away, disposing of it. The orange parachute dress represented falling out of control. The corset bodice gives way to the tattered shreds of parachute in the train. The black dress is made with a functional dome tent as the underpinning. The bodice can be zipped from the front and back creating an enclosure for the wearer. This one talked about grief, and how you want to put on a brave front, but secretly wish you could crawl into a dark hole and just be separated from all the sadness around you.

The red flag dress was a literal interpretation of the idea of seeing red flags in a potential partner. I wanted the dress to be alluring and beautiful, I wanted the viewer to be drawn to it. It's a showcase of all the flaws, all the "red flags" that should warn you against getting in a relationship, while simultaneously being irresistable.

Here are some details of the jeans that I've created for this collection. The style on the top is called the Ellis, it is very clean, no frills, with limited topstitch detail. Just a really nice slim fit trouser. The Bradshaw has a really nice parallel line topstitch detail on the back pocket. And the Cooper (left) is the most embellished with the intricate T design topstitch on the back pocket, and leather knee patches. All the jeans have a low-rise, skinny cut. Most of the denim has stretch in it, so they are really comfortable.

come and see me...and buy stuff!

http://www.chicagofashionresource.com/system/assets/0000/0274/Menswear_Press_Release.pdf

I'm really excited about meeting some more menswear designers here in Chicago, and also a lot of new clients! Come on down to the Cultural Center on Nov. 12 from 5-8 pm and visit, and shop!

Here is the short-sleeve cardigan, which I'm sure will be a staple of the male wardrobe soon. This artfit is modeled by the delightful and charming Benjamin Bradshaw.

I apologize for the poor image quality.

Anyway, this is one of the few looks that turned out almost exactly like the drawing (below). That gorgeous window pane plaid comes all the way from Wales. I found it at L.Z. Products here in Chicago. Check them out at http://www.megafabrics.com/! Great stuff is waiting around every dimly lit, scary, but wondrous corner!

renderings

I find the creative process one of the most intriguing and fascinating things to watch. This is probably why I love shows like Project Runway, Fashion Show, Ace of Cakes, Divine Design, etc. I'm mesmerized watching my sisters do their make-up; I used to spend hours in different studios watching my friends create art in college. It's a process that is everything from exhilarating to excruciating, and I live for it. This collection came together pretty organically. I strayed from the renderings about halfway through construction, but they did serve as a basis from which the aesthetic grew. Here are a few of the drawings. When I get the look book done, I'll show you how they translated to three dimensions!

Collaboration was a HUGE part of this project, and happily I was able to pull from my Green Bay art peeps to add really special elements to the show. Along with Erin Cook sewing up a storm, the astounding jewelry designer, Barbi Gossen created gorgeous enamel boutonniere's to complete the dapper look I was trying to create. When I get better photos of these stunning pieces I'll be sure to post. Here, Mark Kolasa (also of GB art kid fame) models the sea lily brooch on his tube scarf. Amazing.

show pics

I'm waiting on the professional photos from the show, but I wanted to share a few snapshots from the event. It was a crazy night! Who knew that bar would be so packed on a Wednesday! I was so happy to have my family and friends there to support me!

My models were amazing. They really looked great in the clothes. I was thrilled. I now know how actors must feel when they win an award and need to thank a million people. So many people helped me get to this day, and I will be forever in debt to them. Erin Cook you are an angel! Travis, you put up with a lot, I'll clean up now, promise. My family for traveling a long and winding road to get here for the show, for your undying support of every crazy thing I set out to do. Erin Gotwals for doing the show with me. Josh Wintersteen for the use of his Nissan for countless trips to fabric stores. Cheryl for transporting the clothes the night of the show. The hair and make-up people. Everyone who added a positive energy to this endeavor. My boys, they were the BEST. So much fun. Can't wait to do the next show! And maybe sell some stuff!

This is real.

Mother Nature told me about this great color scheme the last time I was in St. Louis. She was all "you *have* to mix grayed out purples with burnt orange, it's TOTALLY hot!" So I said "fine mother nature, jeez, get off my back, I'll do it."

I mean she was right, but sometimes suggestions are better than demands.

teaser

This is a little teaser image of the new collection!

Let's start at the very beginning

Okay people, this is going to be the new blog/site for all things cory allen. If I weren't completely crazed getting ready for the show I'd take a minute and cute this thing up a little. Soon, I promise.