Collaborative Capsule Collection

Two weeks ago, one of my closest friends came over to visit me.  Korin Prince and I met freshman year of university and through several moves and life changes have remained close as well as creative collaborators.  I was delighted that she was willing to put aside the idea of a normal vacation in order to spend the first four days of her holiday stitching away with me to create this 4-look collection.  

It was shown (after one last delirium-inducing all-nighter.....) at the Lunasa Fashion Show held at the Wandesford Quay Gallery as part of Cork Craft Month.  It was a pleasure to show alongside the many other talented designers and to work with the wonderful organizers, presenter, stylists, and models (p.s. did you recognize lovely Chloe from the Scarves Shoot in the second picture below?).  Hope you enjoy the pictures and they get you excited about attending Cork Fashion Week this September 24th where I'll be showing more new work.

I would suggest you get your ticket now; I have a feeling they will sell out quickly and you won't want to miss this!  I'll be collaborating with the divine Moth & Bayleaf for this one (here is one of her headpieces to whet your appetite).....  

 UPDATE: Due to personal reasons, am unable to take part in Cork Fashion Week this year.  Fear not, there will be delightful collaborations with Moth & Bayleaf in the future!

The Secret Boutique is Open

Delighted to announce The Secret Boutique is now open and stocked with 7 one of a kind 100% silk twill hand-dyed scarves (as above).  Later this week I will be adding the the semi-sheer silk muslin scarves (like below).  Go have a peak around.  Have a look at the video on the Surprise Me page.  

Beach Poetry

Beach Poetry from Jozef Hupian on Vimeo.

So excited to show you this preview of my latest project; gorgeous 100% silk hand-dyed one-of-a-kind scarves a colaboration with Hedgehog Fibres.  This preview really gives you a feel for their movement and richness. 

I've posted some more behind the scenes photos over on my facebook page Laura Eliason Designs, where you'll also want to be keeping an eye as it's likely that's the first place I'll update when the scarves are available to purchase!

Many thanks to Jozef Hupian of http://www.hupodesign.com for making this video!

How a Hot Mess Gets Organized

No one has or will ever call me a clean freak. 

Words you might associate with my living space are clutter, creative chaos, (delightful) disorder, shabby chic, bohemian, artistic, free-spirited, and so forth. 

...but hopefully not the words disaster or disgusting....

Lately, I've been doing some thinking about living and working spaces, noticing what I admire in other people's spaces, as well as what is working for mine, or has worked for me in the past.  There are qualities I am consistently drawn to: spaciousness, flow, comfort.  (I think in particular about my friend Beata's home which is always a pleasure to be in.)  I want to work and live in a functional space that is full of these qualities.  And I also want it to all be under one roof, which has led me to the exciting discovery that, actually, I want my studio back in my home.  Fantastic!

......well, except for the whole part of actually making it happen. 

See, it's actually been a really hard process moving the studio home.

Of course, there have been a lot of practical things to do like moving everything back from the other location (thank you for helping M&M&B!), asking the landlord to remove the bed from the second bedroom so it can actually be a full time work space, taking apart furniture and putting it back together, and going through all kinds of junk that's been sitting around too long, donating and returning things, getting rid of stuff, reorganizing everything. 

And yet, this morning I finally realized that this has really all been challenging because of the internal stuff going on.

Are you still with me? Because this is where the cool stuff happens. 

I was reading a blog post recently which referred to this chart by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi about the conditions neccessary for flow, which led to all sorts of observations/realizations.

I have noticed that for the last several days (basically since we moved everything back here on Saturday) I've been wavering in the anxiety, worry, apathy, boredom end of the spectrum which (duh) means that nothing has been much fun.

Next thing to note is that this chart is about perceived skill and perceived challenge. bing bing bing!

This is when i realized that, oh, right, it's about what's happening internally, not externally.

Okay so clearly based on the kinds of things i've been feeling, i perceive my skill in this situation to be very low. The skill in this case being organization.

Another observation: how i've been perceiving the challenge/goal (in this case, having a functional organized studio) has been changing from day to day (or even hour to hour really).  Possibly because I haven't really spent time clarifying the goal in a concrete way.

Here are some ways i have been experimenting with these observations to move into the other half of the chart:

Bringing in the internal scientists/investigators and ask them for examples of ways that I am organized/methodical, etc. (increase my perception of skill) (what ways am i organized? before i do the dishes, i arrange all the dishes by type, which always makes it go faster and is more enjoyable for me.  when i am making patterns i'm very meticulous about measurements.  when i write i value clarity and ease of understanding which is totally related to organization.  i'm very good at taking machines and furniture apart and putting them back together.  etc.)

Continuing to check in and acknowledge where i've already made progress (increase perception of skill and decrease perception of challenge).

Clarifying the challenge/goal by spending more time definining exactly what i'd like to see and feel in the studio space.

Breaking down the challenge according to how skilled/capable i feel at any given moment; if i'm feeling good, maybe tackle a bigger chunk, or if not, maybe go through one shoebox sized amount and then get out of the house for a bit.

Play with how I perceive the challenge/goal: set inriguing goals like "go through that stack of stuff in detective mode and search for secret messages from past you"  (this exercise was great! the penciled notes i found while going through a few piles of papers: "following your heart really means opening the door to giving and receiving. totally scary at first and totally worthwhile."  "stepping in to being an Artist means allowing yourself to be vulnerable." "my cup flourish over" "cradle your idea, hold it gently in your mind's eye")


I'm sure there are many other ways to play with this, if anyone has ideas, please do share!   Can you see ways you could apply this to a challenge you are facing?

 P.S.  I've got a facebook page now!  I'll be updating that regularly with inspiration and projects i'm working on, so please check it out!

Creating a Container for the Qualities of Retreat

A friend recently said humans are harmful creatures. 

Which got me thinking.

Maybe Definitely, it is impossible to completely avoid destructive forces in our actions and lives; and though it's another topic for another time, I don't actually think we need to avoid destructive forces, they can be useful and generous in their own right.  And that's helpful to know.  And at the same time, right now, what I want is to practice giving loving care to my body and mind because I want to engage with creative forces.    I know for me, the more I'm able to provide nourishment, spaciousness, rest, and love to myself the strength of my creative force grows.  (yes i realize all this talk of love and forces is starting to sound like Hallmark & Star Wars had a love child on my blog, but bear with me....)

It's already March.  A sixth of this year already past, and it feels like it snuck by me, but really I'm pretty sure I slunk by it, ignoring the opportunity to do some planning for this year.   It's not like the last two months have been bad; things are happening, there have been good projects, new ventures (and adventures) and a great opening party.  These things are great!  And at the same time, I've sort of felt a bit lost in a new place, fumbling along, and now I'd like to create the map, the guide, the navigational charts so I can remember where I'm heading and how I'd like to get there.

I've been thinking about the idea of retreat pretty constantly since December, but honestly had no idea how to go about giving that to myself.  So I'm here now on March 5th, starting imperfectly.  I've never been on the kind of retreat I imagine, but I can tell you about the qualities of retreat that appeal to me.  Peace, Sanctioned Escape, Living Structure, Creativity, Rejuvenation, Clarity.  I'm not going anywhere for my retreat, I'm starting where I am. 

I want to find out how many ways I can choose kindness for myself this month.  For me it's helpful to create a container for this experiment.  So one month is the container.  In this container there are some things I'm choosing not to include.  But I also want to mention that this isn't really about abstinence.  It's about conscious choice.  Noticing the needs behind the choice, noticing what other choices are available. Alcohol and soda won't be in this container.  Daily cups of coffee, not part of this container.  There's no room in here for people pleasing or pointless socializing. There's no room in this container for facebook-coma (you know when you sit down to look at facebook and when you look at the clock suddenly 3 hours have passed?  yeah, that), nor it's siblings twitter-fried and feed-reader-void.

This container does hold kindness to my body in the form of skating as much as i can, walking often, giving my body as many vegetables and fruits as i can.  This container holds a voucher for one 90 minute massage.  It holds home-made smoothies.  It holds dreams and planning for what is next.  It holds a lot of alone time.  This container has many chutes (with lovely vintage pull handles) that I can use to remove the clutter, metaphorically and literally.  This container holds compassionate celebration in the form of bubble baths, raw chocolate, coconut water, painted nails.  This month has spaces of time with special people, spaces in which we dream together, watch movies, relax, share meals, play games, and create.  This month holds the seed of my next project.  This month I am choosing to tend to that seed and give it the attention and context it needs to have a chance to grow.   

Join in the create your own retreat, tell me:

What are the qualities of retreat that appeal to you?

What do have room for in your container?  What do you NOT have room for?

Thank you!

To all who came out, broke eggs with us, talked art, wore feathers and tutus, bought raffle tickets and laughed.  Lisa and I had a great time, and are already plotting our next event.  

Today, was delighted to find out we were featured in the Cork Independent!  :) Check out page 26 of the digital edition.

Tonight! Black Swan Soiree and Studio Debut

We - artists Lisa Falzon & Laura Eliason - are officially launching our studio space tonight at 7pm on the top floors of 7 South Mall; come get a taste of what we do (while having a glass of wine...).  Our studio will be open so you can get a peak at our work space, and the party will be held upstairs in Studio 7 (of Samantha Hunt) where we'll have some lovely things on display.  As we like the theatrical, we've made our theme for the night Black Swan.  Would love to see you dressed up however that inspires you! 

This event is free, however you can help support our space by buying a raffle ticket at the party; we have several lovely things to win.  Look forward to celebrating with you!  More information on the event here.

Do you use your hands to keep you happy?

Recently I read this great article that suggests handiwork is empowering, uplifting, helps maintain mental and physical dexterity, as well as deal with depression or emotional trauma: Part 1 & Part 2

Source: community.livejournal.com via Cindi on Pinterest

A few quotes:

"Understanding the start-to-finish process of any craft-based activity mirrors life cycles and the rhythms of nature. For urban dwellers specifically, this is a great way to stave off the depression that comes from prolonged anxiety and a lack of centeredness."

"The act of being able to fix something we love, even if we didn’t create it from scratch, gives us a glimpse into the knowledge behind an objects making. It takes the power and control out of the hands of someone else and gives it right back to us – we get to relate to an object, and ensure that it is built to last. It’s a great sense of freedom."

Definitely for me, using my hands to make things (crochet, painting, a nice meal, gardening, etc) is vital to my well being.   How about you?

Looks like the ever so stylish Audrey did it, too.

Shopping Detox, Social Responsibility in Fashion, and more.

Gala Darling's blog is always chock full of food for thought and inspiration.  This article is interesting to me for a few reasons.  I don't have a clothes shopping problem per se; however I like the idea of taking change personally, challenging oneself to embrace the change you'd like to see.  I actually find shopping really difficult.  Like I'm in an awkward position of no longer wanting to shop at high street fashion stores, and yet, also often unable to justify the expense of the brands whose quality I would like to support.  Things I find easy: clothing swaps, donating old clothes/shoes to charity shops, finding new ways to wear what I already own, re-making old things, shopping at charity shops/thrift stores, and creating new things for myself.  

Also I'm interested in how Gala's resolution applies to me in a related sense; my tendency to buy numerous craft supplies that then get shelved for ages.   I'd like to push myself to USE more of my craft/art/yarn supplies in unexpected ways. 

http://galadarling.com/article/resolutions-for-january-the-shopping-detox-experiment

Source: inkblotphotography.blogspot.com via Grace on Pinterest

I came across this provocative image recently, which led to this post and it has stuck with me.  I'd like to begin untangling my complicated and conflicted relationship with fashion.  There's so much to not like about the industry.  So much.  But bridging from above, you can talk about what you don't like, or you can do something. Sharing here is a step in the right direction I think.

Quotes that stood out for me:

"the fashion industry needs to employ some kind of social responsibility for the messages that they disseminate"

"as much as i love fashion, and as great as we all know that great clothes can makes us feel, too many of us conveniently ignore the fact that industry is powered by body shame"

That article led me to this site:  http://www.endangeredspecieswomen.org/

"Endangered Species: Preserving the Female Body is an international summit to challenge the toxic culture that teaches women and girls to hate their bodies."

"The summit will be a lively combination of keynote speeches, panels, international video testimonials, LOVED BODIES, BIG IDEAS presentations, and group discussions/action groups. We hope it incorporates frank, complex, and solution-oriented conversations among a genuinely diverse range of people."

Hell yes!  I will be watching this and looking to find ways to be a part of this.

I loved this WWD Interview with Miuccia Prada.  She continues to be a fascinating and opinionated, and hard to define.  There are two parts, the second one being a little more intriguing to me. 

http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/prada-takes-spring-summer-to-beijing-3443673

http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/more-from-miuccia-prada-3449050

A few excerpts that stood out for me:

"WWD: What do you think of the fast-fashion boom?
M.P.: I have never even considered it and I’ve explained why. It’s because I don’t like the idea of a bad copy of what one does for the main brand. If I had an ingenious idea to do fashion that costs less but that wasn’t a bad copy of something else, with completely different criteria and ways of doing things, I would do it. Also for myself, it would be an ingenious idea. For now, what I see more or less is the bad copy. Also with clothes that cost little, you need to ask why they cost so little. Because no one ever asks themselves that."

"Luxury products are costly because the companies…manufacture in Europe, produce with salaries that have to be paid. You have to pay for everything that is needed to do research etc., etc. It’s clear that these things cost money. It’s not like the owners of luxury brands make enormous profits. Probably the [mass market players] earn much more."

"I have always tried to keep [art and fashion] so separate, even to the point of possibly exaggerating and making a mistake, but I don’t care. Everyone does it their own way. There were very important artists that wanted to make bags with me and I told them no. Sometimes I think I’m making a mistake because maybe the coming together of these two worlds is the future. Everybody wants to do everything. I’m not convinced that it’s right and creates something really valid.… Fundamentally I’ll continue to keep them more or less separate."

love the spirit of this video:

 And finally, this concept and design of this site intrigue me although some of the content isn't that interesting to me.  Basically the idea is looking at fashion industry insider's closets/homes and the stories behind each item.  The idea of things being symbols, having meaning, or a sense of ritual about them resonates with me and my philosophy that style can be a series of conscious personal choices representing a vibrant inner life.  

http://thecoveted.com/

Color Inspiration

Thinking about color for the upcoming collection.  I know I don't want to be muted this year (last year I did creams, and dusty roses, and burned oranges), but also need to balance bright colors in some way.  I don't want visual overwhelm.  Some images I'm collecting for inspiration.  

Source: grahamandgreen.co.uk via Laura on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: maryruffle.tumblr.com via Laura on Pinterest