Hot Couture!
Ritual Theater Fire Dance Fashions by Heather Wakefield
I am presenting four fashion looks at the Hot Couture fashion show at the crucible in Oakland Jan 10 and 11, 2012.
Hot Couture: A Fusion of Fashion & Fire
January 11 & 12, 2013
Doors at 7pm
Show at 8pm
Heathers work:
These four pieces represent the four directions on earth.
North, East, South and West
This directional inspiration came from doing rituals to honor the directions.
Each direction has a personal meaning to me that meaning inspired the designs.
I am available for custom design work for stage and event wear.
Please see below for information
- North
Meaning:
Forging ahead on a narrow path
Tending the garden and other mundane tasks that make life enjoyable.
Focus
Corn Maiden Outfit:
Couture Technique
Inspiration:
Native American dance
“prayer dancing” in which a prayer is enacted and embodied in a dance.
Fire Ritual Theater
Materials and Techniques:
White, fine soft suede
Feathers
Beads
Original made for Jaya Lakshmi in the band ‘Lost at Last’
Black light reactive
Hand cut fringe
Scissor cut, machine and hand sewn
2. South
Meaning: Ease, simplicity, the good life
Fertility Suit
Couture Technique
Inspiration:
Tribal Belly dance
Feminine Form expression of sexuality
Fertility rites and rituals
Early burning man fashion style
Materials and Techniques:
Dyed Rabbit fur
Leather
Beads
Trim
Foundation bra with fabric
Hand and Machine sewn
- 3. East
Meaning: Tradition, where we come from as a point of departure
Modern Chastity Belt:
Victorian culture takes a turn
“Don’t take any risks:
Send you partner safe to burning man without you”
“lace” chicken wire corset and panties and lock.
Yes you can wear it- it is even comfy.
Better than the old horse hair suits they used to punish with.
Couture Technique
Inspiration:
Wry commentary on Victorian sexuality
Recycled Fashion
Burning man’s sculptural orientation
The body as art display
Materials and Techniques:
Cut chicken wire
Copper fine wire
Woven cut bicycle tire
Sewn lace, ribbon, bridal tool
4. West
Meaning: Expansion, enlightenment, striving, creativity
Peace Priestess:
Inspiration:
Art Nouveau
Japanese Kimono
Ziyi Zhang‘s photo in Vogue right after crouching tiger hidden dragon
Couture Technique
Taking peaceful action
Reverence for life
Materials and Techniques:
White sheet cut, torn, hand stitched and stapled
Knotted torn skirt
Open mesh fabric
Made for Burning Otters in the fire conclave, Burningman
Peace is not something passive, as many people think.
It is an active principle and in ritual dance- the dance is a prayer
Art Nouveau was an international dialogue between Europe and Japan to start.
If you look you will see these influences in each region where it grew.
How to get your won Custom Couture by Heather Wakefield:
To have an garment made for you
is an adventure on its own.
Three cups of tea makes new friends
(metaphor for a nice chat if you don’t like tea I have and other refreshments)
We talk in person or on the phone, then
- First cup of tea
- First you come to my studio and we have a cup of tea and get inspired!
We take your measurements and you bring me your ideas, inspirations of designs and fabric swatches.
If you already know what you want and have a patterns and fabric- bring them!
This brainstorm sets the foundation for the design.
I fill out an order form and a measurement chart and make sketches.
When you leave- You will go to the fabric store and get a pattern and choose a fabric based, and notions on our discussion,
plus double the length in a cotton or muslin.
If I go along with you there is an extra charge.
If I have them in my studio- you can purchase them from me.
Budget notes: You must get these to me my mail or in person ASAP because I cannot give you an estimate until I have them.
The complexity of design and materials make a huge difference in cost.
For some cost is not relevant for others on an extreme budget, the cost is the top concern.
I can tell you about which way the project will go and help get you the best piece for your budget.
I have a $700, minimum for labor on all projects, I charge by the job, not by the hours so inspiration can have its way.
After you receive the bid for the job, and you pay a non-refundable
1/2 the deposit by cash, check or pay pal we move forward and I draft the pattern to fit you.
This involves taking the pattern, cutting it, adding or taking away and and adjusting it to your body measurements,
and I sew it in muslin or a cotton fabric.
- 2. Second cup of tea:
- You make an appointment to come for the first fitting of the ‘mock up’ and a second cup of tea.
This a design made in cotton to insure the right fit.
You can use this for the rest of your life to have patterns drafted.
everyone should have one.
If you have never had a custom fit- its like a dream come true.
I make any final adjustments on the patterns and re sew the whole thing in your fashion fabric of choice.
Note: sometimes another fitting is recommended if its complex in some way.
- 3. Third cup of tea;
- The second fitting will be in the fabric of your choice, if everything goes smoothly with the fit-
the garment will be ready for final fit and pick up with in 30 days and you can make the final payment at pick up.
Surprise: A mini Photo shoot is included in the cost of the outfit that happens at the final fitting- so be sure to have your hair, makeup and nails done to to arrive well hydrated.
These photos Heather uses for her portfolio and you can use the digital images online when she posts them on social media networks.
Thank you for considering me for your most fashionable and creative looks.
Notes: other payment plans are available
Timing: We both make a commitment to complete this process within 6 weeks or less from the first cup of trea.
It is best to schedule all 3 visits at the same time to insure a quick turn around and best service.
Projects left in my studio more then 8 weeks beyond the finish date will be sold on my rack.
I give all left items to the VNA Hospice.
I do not do alterations. Thanks.
Heather Wakefield: Fashion Biography
I have been sewing things since I was a child. I forget I do it in fact , because well…. its like second nature. I have a wonderful studio I call the Satellite Art Station that has all kinds of fun little bits and fragments in it. once I go out there I can loose track of time – a day or a week. It’s is a timeless magic project place to dream about a better world with a lot going on. It is may sanctuary. You can check the whole thing out at satelliteartstation.com. It is an my personal studio and educational center with classes. You can check out my other talents there too.
I studied Fiber Arts at CCA and so have a sculptural orientation to my work. I spent a couple of years studying with Carol Beadle. I took all my tailoring, surface design, applique, sewing and flat patterning classes at U-mass when I was at Hampshire College. I like to win awards and just find the whole fashion runway thing fun. It is a lot of work, but worth it! I retain this whimscle attitude in my work because it keeps it lively.
I have design for performers, and for special events such as the opera audience. Oddly I have never worked for a costume department. But I often shop at their sales and pull apart the garments and check them out.
I have studied a lot of modern dance and like to dance. Ritual fire dance and performance art theater became a passion for me and these four outfits I made for myself. I often make things for others so I do not have them in my possession. They are one of a kind.
I like old patterns and vintage clothes- stuff that is hand sewed or made well. Experiments, patches, torn edges, and interesting things. Mostly natural fibers, but sometimes experimental. I like textures, feel drape and the way pieces fit together, unusual materials and poetic, romantic moments.
I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I like making them.
Thanks for your interest in making a donation to help stop violence against women.
