Meet the Team, and the New Collection!

This has been an exciting period at Vagadu!

The concepts for the collection have been chosen.

The designs will probably change, but for now we have 13 pieces for the Ready-to-Wear line. Two dresses, three jackets, two vests, two shirts/tunics, one jumper, three pairs of pants. We will also have at least one Couture piece for "le gran finale" and...most excitingly, we will have a dress that Rex will perform live art on. In other words, the night of the fashion show, Rex will be painting whatever inspires him using a dress as his canvas. At the end of the night there will either be a silent or live auction for someone to walk away with this wearable creation!

To be honest, this was my first time designing a whole collection in a very organized and systematic manner. And thank GOD! I mean if I was going to take the Vagadu line to a new level beyond my own spontaneous and organic way of designing (which was how I created for Mazura)I was going to need a talented, strong design/production team to make this happen. As Donna Karan says, " Make sure the people behind you are better than you are and you are all on the same page."

So, without further adieu let me introduce to you the rest of my crew:

LAUREN, who I talk about constantly, my right-hand-woman, and my "executive intern" has been an amazing asset. Everything I lack in process and technique she fills in. On her end, she says I inspire her to explore creativity in a way she never is allowed in school. Lauren is getting her MA in Fashion Design at the Academy of Art SF. This is her last year and Vagadu is honored to have her as part of the Chicago team.

I have to say that the Academy puts out some great talent because I have two other fabulous ladies who are getting their degrees there as well. BENNIE is getting her MA and has a knack for spotting problems in the production process. Her sewing is superb and her grounded-practical personality is great because she helps keep me organized.

PATTY just joined our team and is a getting her BA from the Academy. When I first saw Patty's portfolio, I was shocked to see how similar her taste is to mine. She loves layers, vests, and versatility. In her interview she brought a skirt that she had made that you could wear not only as a skirt, but a top or a jacket! She is a designer after my own heart. She understands my dilemma: if I can't wear an item at least three different ways, I'm bored!

JENNIFER has graduated from FIDM and now is working for Levis. Incidentally, this year she is going to start a manufacturing plant here in the Bay. I am so excited for her (and me) because by the time she gets her factory going I will be looking for a place to produce my clothing. Vagadu will never be made overseas unless we are putting on a show in Bangladesh. It is all about being local. Local artists, local manufacturing. And the Bay Area needs some local manufacturers. Most designers either have to make it in-house, or send it to LA or NY if they make it in the USA. Jennifer has an entrepreneurial mind like me and is definitely filling a badly needed niche.

Simply put, DAWN is a master seamstress. She has years of experience. She teaches sewing, she does custom orders, and she loves to make jackets. When Lauren and I heard this, we were so excited! Lauren hates making jackets but loves pants. Dawn doesn't like making pants. Obviously, she is a great compliment to the team.

ANNE is a recent graduate from Savannah Arts College in textiles. She will help us figure out the best way to add fun effects to the fabrics either with screen-printing, hand embroidery, dying or other manipulating techniques.

Now that you met the production team let's finish off with a tad more about the collection. One of the many design themes is pockets. In line with Rex's simplicity, the overall style is "utilitarian style with flare". Pockets symbolize this to me. As a woman on the go, I need pockets in my stylish pants, yet how many pants do I own that are pocket less? Too many. Also, jackets, I have always envied men's sports coats that have the breast pocket lining. Vagadu's coats will have pockets in the lining, and everywhere possible without rendering the look "cargo" or military.

As I see it, Rex's art is not about indulgent strokes nor excess elements. Within the multitudes and masses, there is order, unity and direction. Therefore, as designers we're keeping that in mind as we go. We can still play with color, texture, shapes, but we must continually maintain direction and purpose to our choices. Like his art, we will intend a deeper consciousness to the clothes and the collection as a whole.

One way I imagine doing this is by painting or silk-screening Rex's poetry inside the clothing. His verse puts to words the feeling behind the paint. I just love the idea of a person stressing out after a hard day at work and as they open their coat, they see printed an excerpt from his poem Spirit of the Land:

The universe is art
It can't be bought or sold
Behold we're as old as heaven and earth
From a grain of sand
To stars expanding

Reading that might trigger you to consider what this dance of life is all about. We could all use a reminder.