All Photos By Gail
The glass bead appliqué on this jacket by Oscar de la Renta suggests an elaborate coral reef. Coral reefs are unique ecosystems; a major one is located in the Caribbean, where de la Renta grew up.
Continue reading Eye On Design: Coral Reef Beaded Jacket by Oscar de la Renta
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Designer Allison Eden got her start over 25 years ago designing custom glass mosaics for private clients ( you can see an example of her beautiful work on the far left in the above photo). Eden then began applying her colorful, pop art aesthetic to a variety of interior finishes including textiles, wallpapers and carpets to develop one of the most fun and recognizable brands in the industry.
Continue reading Eye On Design: Interiors By Allison Eden Studios
Photos By Gail
While I was out west in California for the Christmas holidays, I spent a few days in San Diego, where I visited the historic Hotel Del Coronado, a luxury resort property that’s right on the beach. The Hotel Del, as it is known, has an amazing and colorful history that goes back to the late 1880s and it is arguably San Diego’s most famous landmark building. It was also once known as Hollywood’s Playground, so it is not much of a surprise that their gift shop sells all kinds of fancy stuff like this simply breathtaking Pink Lotus Blossom Handbag by Mary Frances handbags, which I would wish to own.
This special little bag can be purchased in the Hotel Del Coronado gift shop, online from Mary Frances handbags, or from Amazon for $298.00 (worth it).
All Photos By Gail
Teri Greeves (b. 1970) is a member of the Kiowa Native American tribe, and her culture deeply influences her work. Khoiye-Goo Mah (2004) translates in the Kiowa language as “Kiowa women,” and four Kiowa women are depicted on these sneakers: the artist’s grandmother and mother, both skillful bead workers who taught artist this traditional craft,; her aunt, the first female fancy war dancer in the state of Oklahoma, and spiritual woman, who had the honor of naming the artist.
Continue reading Native American Beaded Sneakers By Teri Greeves
All Photos By Gail
These boots combine the traditional technique of beadwork with modern fashion in an entirely contemporary way. To create them, artist Teri Greeves (Kiowa, Native American, born 1970), elaborately embellished the pair of high-heeled sneakers designed by Steve Madden with imagery significant to the Great Lakes tribes.
One side shows the tribes’ designs and the other, contemporary jingle-dress dancers who perform at powwows. Greeves’ innovative work connects her with the long tradition of female beadwork artists who fulfilled this important role within their culture.
Photographed at the Brooklyn Museum