As promised...

Here's my artist statement as promised.  As it turns out, the show will be up for a week or so longer, so you've a bonus week or so to check it out, yipee!  Give Stockroom a call before you head up there, just to make sure they haven't spontaneously de-installed it!
 

"Fusing wit with style, the sculptural forms of my garments aim to tug at the edges of convention, challenging the way we wear cloth on the body. Influenced by the profound concepts of Japanese designers Yohji Yamamoto and Issey Miyake, I strive to defy the concept of fast paced women’s fashion.  Jointly masculine and feminine, these current works represent a yearning to push beyond comfort zones.   To communicate, to question and to create connections with how we choose to wear clothing, in an entirely ‘wearable’ way.
Removing a panel of cloth and inserting another, sectioning and inverting the garment, parts of the new garment and instantly recognisable but not expected.  By challenging our perception of what it is to wear a man's shirt, the unspoken boundaries placed on wearing a garments begins to dissipate.  A change in how we view the clothing that we wear provides a subtle shift in the way we connect.  It alters the way in which we relate to our everyday environment and to others.

How do you choose to wear it?"  Ellie Mücke

Enjoy your week,

ellie

Last Chance.

So it's the last weekend of our little country retreat in Kyneton!  It'd be a shame to miss out on seeing the show if you're at all eager.  Fresh air, good food and sustainable jewellery and fashion, what more could you ask for!

 

From the top, left to right: 

Forwards Backwards Upside Down, by Ellie Mücke

Senorita, brooch, by Emma Grace

The New Power Generation, neckpiece, by Emma Grace

Study of Drapery in Gold, neckpiece, by Emma Grace

1+1= a jumpsuit, by Ellie Mücke

 Forwards Backwards Upside Down #2, by Ellie Mücke

When 2 becomes 1, by Ellie Mücke

Here's what Emma has to say about her creations:

"These jewellery pieces are the output of my most recent explorations into 'sustainable fashion'.  Creating for this exhibition has been like working through a puzzle.  I have come out the other side with as many questions as answers."

I'll be posting my artist statement for the show plus a couple more pics before the end of the weekend.  See you in Kyneton! 

see ya, ellie

A sneaky peak

 

 

Planning and tweaking the garments and jewellery within in the beautiful space. 

Wearit in cyber space

A big hello to our friends at State of Green, Bindarri, Do The Green Thing, Find Make Do, Regional Arts Victoria and Cool Melbourne!

Check out what they’ve written about the exhibition here.....

http://www.stateofgreen.com.au/blog/2011/02/wear-it-recreate-old-fashion-into-new-at-the-loreal-melbourne-fashion-festival-cultural-event/

http://www.bindarri.com.au/2011/03/wear-it-recreate-old-fashion-into-new-at-the-loreal-melbourne-fashion-festival-cultural-event-march-19-2011/

http://www.dothegreenthing.com/blog/what_are_you_doing_this_crafternoon
http://findmakedo.blogspot.com/

eg

Its a P A R T Y.

It's a party.  To celebrate all the hard work done (...and yet to come) for all 'cultural program' participants.  Do you think that mean's we have culture?  What does that say about the rest of the festival!  I think that means we're on the cusp, we don't quite fit in with the rest of the fashion crew.  I'm not sorry about that.  We did of course apply to be part of the cultural program and not the main festival so who am I kidding! It's where all the cool kids hang out.

If you think you're might be on the fringe (kinda like Emma and I) rather than the main body you might enjoy it too.  A PARTY.  with the moth crew.  they do put on a good party.  i can vouch for them.

penthousemouse

is where it's at.

this Friday @ 6pm.

Come and have a drink and say hi.

You WILL be sorry if you miss it.

c u there, 

ellie

Got a shabby shirt to spare?

Well g'day there.
I think it must be time for me to tell you a little about what to expect from one of the MüCKE shirt workshops.  So here's a scenario that may or may not work for you....

So you've got A SPARE SHIRT OR TWO:

Firstly, you'll need to bring these along to the workshop.  

You know, the ones that your boyfriend has had stuffed into the back of the cupboard and is never going to wear again.  Or that shirt your bought at the op shop that just hasn't managed fit in with the rest of your wardrobe.  In any case a shirt, a 'biggish' one, an old one, a mens one ideally, one that definitely doesn't fit you as it is, but one you can see would be just right with a bit of a makeover.

GETTING THERE:

So, you'll organise a bunch of your buddies to spend the day, or even a weekend in the sumptuous village of Kyneton.  Book a bed and breakfast (there are a host to choose from)

Saturday morn, you catch the train down, early...there is a lot to fit in in Kyneton!

Peruse the numerous country op-shops.  Stroll down the famous Piper street and book a table at the inspirational Annie Smithers' Bistro.  Check out some of the finest bluestone buildings in Victoria.

Before ending up at Stockroom.  YES, this is your destination.  

You to rush to the workshop, a touch nervous but inspired by the fresh country air and historic surroundings!

THE WORKSHOP:

You enter Stockroom.  A maze of incredible vintage finds and handmade goodies.  In fact, truth be told I may have to come and drag you away from Stockrooms extensive showcase, in order to begin the workshop. 

Do I need sewing experience I hear you ask?

Well no, I mean yes, I mean, not exactly.  You don't need to be a pro, but it would help a little if you've sewed  in highschool. Know what I mean?

So from there, I will show you the basics of turning your sad and unloved men's shirt, into a happy and super stylish ladies top. (I'm not giving away all those details just yet...)

But in the middle, no fear, we will have nibbles and chats to reflect on your progress so far. 

Yes you'll get to personalise your piece.  If you want to add stitches and tucks to your piece I'll help you make it work and if you want to add other detailing, I too will help you work it out.

AFTERWARDS:

We'll all put our new creations on and we'll have a little chat about how we think it went.  You'll give me some feedback and you'll leave with a small grin on your face, with some new friends and excited to have transformed your boyfriends/husbands/ OLD shirt into a brand NEW stunning ladies top! (see pic below)

Just one scenario. of a possible, well, few.

And, don't forget spaces are limited.  Only 5 participants per workshop means you'll get all the attention you need to complete your creation...if you book soon!

See ya, ellie

So I guess I should explain myself....

A lot of people have been asking exactly what will be involved in my jewellery fixing classes, so here's the low down.
Let me start by assuring you that no experience is necessary - it's all cold joining techniques we're dealing with here (not soldering precious metals); jump rings, glue, weaving, stringing, crimps and all that garb. There's definitely a knack to it, but that's what I'm here to teach you!
So what are we fixing? You'll bring along all your old jewellery and trinkets (broken or not) and we'll fix them or make new designs out of them so that we get them out of storage and back onto your body, where they should be. People normally leave with 2 - 5 new pieces of jewellery, depending on how many pieces you've bought along and how fast you work.
The main item we'll focus on making is the 'EG Collage Brooch Special'. Sounds special doesn't it? It is. So bring along all your favourite/not-so-favourite/down right ugly pieces (especially chain and pieces that can pin to your clothing) and we'll find a way to work them in to something amazing.
I'll supply the basics (mostly recycled from old jewellery) like brooch backs, wire, jump rings etc, as well as tea and bickies - but of course!
*Also* if you can prove to me you've caught public transport, ridden or walked to the class, then I'm going to reward your awesome ways with a 'egSquared' brooch worth $35!!
Happy travelling and I'll see you there.
eg

Phew. We did it.

It was a mammoth week last week.  Designing, redesigning and redesigning and refining this blog for the show and finally deciding that it was time to tell all of  you out there about it.  And then we decided to change it all, again.  

Plus, we busily put together the flyer and posters, and then decide to change them also.
I think it was all worth it though.  What do you reckon?
We needed to make a plan of how to get you all to come and visit our show.  Sorted now.  We are convinced we will see you there.

Phew.  I'm glad that hurdle has been jumped.

  Just making.  Refining. Designing. Making, refining. Designing over the next few days.  that will be slightly more fun than the former, thankfully.  though, it does feel good to have gotten all of these things done so far.

Stay tuned for a bit more info on what to expect in Emma and my workshops and of course, feel free to contact us with your questions about the show/workshops.

Until then...

Ciao, ellie

Welcome to Wearit!

Photography- Tobias Titz, Hair and Makeup- Yvonne Borland, Styling- Anita Cummins, Model- Paige

Here's a little blurb about our show:

Young Melbourne designers, Emma Grace and Ellie Mücke invite you to be inspired by their novel approaches to making new from old.  Through the Wearit exhibition and workshops, the designers aim to facilitate a shift in the way that we consume fashion items.

You are invited to participate in a workshop, bringing along broken, un-loved and out of date jewellery and shirts to fix or re-create into something new and unique.  Simultaneously an exhibition of new works by Grace and Mücke will provide inspiration, challenge conventions and offer new perspectives.

Wearit is an opportunity to re-connect with community in a regional location and a forum to exchange skills, materials, thoughts and inspiration.  Together we can begin a mental and physical shift away from a ‘throw-away culture’. Come and visit Stockroom this March, and see how wearing the consequences of this shift can be truly inspirational. 

Wearit is a participant of the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival Cultural Program 2011