Are We Not Men? We Are DEVO!

DEVO - Photo: Robert Matheu, copyright 1981

I will never forget the first time I saw DEVO.  It was much like the first time I saw The Cramps' Lux Interior "Tear This Damn Place Up" in 1981 on Urgh! A Music War!  With jaws agape, my sister and I were speechless, intrigued, shocked and energized all at the same time. They just don't make bands like these anymore!

Lux Interior almost loses his pants and has a very special relationship with the microphone

Maybe DEVO wasn't quite as raunchy, but cracking a whip to eliminate articles of clothing from a woman, piece by piece, was seriously pushing the envelope back in 1980.  Who were these strange guys in black Bermudas and sleeveless turtlenecks with red flower pots -- as I used to refer to them before I found out that "energy dome" was the proper term -- on their heads?  Were they not men?  Not exactly.  They were (and still are) DEVO.  And they were (and still are) COOL.  

It's almost impossible to find the original video, but this is just as good (even without the babe!)

Sadly, drummer Alan Myers died from brain cancer on June 24th at the young age of 58. Alan joined the band in 1976 and eventually left in 1986 due to the increased use of electronic drums.  Like a true artist, Myers was not fulfilled creatively so he had to seek it out elsewhere. Apparently, bandmate Gerald Casale pleaded with Myers, who he referred to as the 'human metronome' not to leave, but to no avail. 

Myers' time with DEVO was the most creative portion of the band's career -- in my opinion!  He was a huge part of what made that DEVO sound so distinctive and innovative.  He contributed to many memorable tunes like: Uncontrollable Urge, Gut Feeling, Freedom of Choice, Gates of Steel, Beautiful World and, of course, Whip It!

One of my all-time favs.  And Alan helped make this a Beautiful World!

R.I.P. Alan, you will be missed.  I'm going to wear my old DEVO tee shirt this weekend to honor you!

Happy Father's Day!

To all the great dads out there... especially mine!

For Suzette...

Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful and stylish mom, Suzette!  And to all of you strong, sexy, awesome mothers -- thank you for doing what you do!  Have a great day!

Evolution

One of the things I love about being a designer is taking an idea and seeing it through to fruition.  It's actually a pretty amazing thing -- you start with something that doesn't exist and create it.  There is something very powerful about possessing the ability to do that -- to build something.

napkin scribble!

I enjoy looking back through my sketchbook, remembering where I was at the time and what I was thinking, and then comparing that to the finished product.  Sometimes, sketches evolve into something very different than what I intended to achieve in the original sketch and sometimes they stay pretty constant.  Either way, it's interesting to compare the flat, two-dimensional sketch to the tangible, three-dimensional garment.

The dess on the runway at the Chicago Gold Coast Awards Show in September

In preparation for my taxes this week, I was sifting through several manila envelopes filled receipts when I found a sketch that I had doodled on an airport napkin.  I remember sitting in the claustrophobic seat on a crowded plane, scribbling this sketch through turbulents.  I was in the process of designing my Fall 2012, Modern World Collection and I had a vision that I desperately wanted to capture before I forgot, so the airport napkin had to suffice.  One of the many things I learned from Jerry Seinfeld is to keep a pad at all times to jot down ideas so you don't forget.  Jerry knows best! 

Just Say NO To Bunnies And Chicks!

Same message, new year.

Happy Easter!

my bunny Miles (Netherland Dwarf)

May 1999 - May 2008

It's that time of year again... baskets, bonnets, pretty dresses and pastels.  Cadbury, Peeps, egg hunts and the smell of fresh cut grass.  Spring is in the air.  And, of course, Easter time means bunnies and chicks.  I thought it would be fitting to repost my Easter piece from last year because I still have the same message...

Original post from 4.4.2010

little "Miss Miles" (I thought she was a boy when I first got her and never bothered to change her name!)

 
Since it is Easter and I am a bunny person, I wanted to remember my dear little pet "Miles" who passed away nearly three years ago at the ripe old age of nine. What is that in bunny years anyway? I ADORED my little pipsqueak more than anything and spoiled her rotten. I miss her everyday :-(
 

she was trained so well - she could jump for her treats!

 
Many people feel that Easter is an appropriate time to purchase little fluffy chicks or baby bunnies for their little ones, but they don't take the time to research and understand that these animals require just as much love, attention and care as a dog or cat.  A lot of times, children are excited and fascinated with their new pets for a few days and quickly become bored and ignore the animals, or even worse, neglect them.
 

Miles lounging in one of her beds

 
 

Miles lounging in my bed!

 
As if animal cruelty isn't rampant enough, every year around this time an overwhelming number Easter "bunnies" are abandoned or harmed.  If you know anybody who is considering buying a rabbit as a gift, please let them know about this and maybe they will reconsider.  They should really look into rescuing a poor little fluff ball that needs a home as opposed to purchasing a brand new, shiny one.
 

I didn't get her as a gift... I just did really annoying things to her which she tolerated (against her will!)

Sorry to get all "preachy," this is just something near and dear to my heart.

my sweetie

UPDATE: WendyB kindly sent me this article from the Wall St. Journal. Thanks Wendy!!

Great Minds Think Alike

As a designer, I like to be unique.  I always hated to be copied, even as a young girl.  So, most of the time I don't like to see other designers or other people doing similar things to me.  "Be an individual," I scream in my head!  But, there are those rare instances when an idea or design occurs simultaneously for two people, and that is a different story entirely.  In that case, I enjoy a type of camaraderie and I feel a certain sense of validity, as if to say, "See, I am right.  I knew I had a good idea!" 

Left: Rick Owens, Fall 2012 / Right: Stacy Lomman, Fall 2012

When I saw this piece from Rick Owens on the runway the same season as my "Mod Collection" (Fall 2012), I experienced that feeling.  The two looks are very different, yet they're kind of the same.  I love that about design -- two people can have a similar vision, yet the way it's translated is completely different.  But, that's exactly what design is, at least in terms of fashion.  Everything has been done already.  Nothing is really being invented anymore, so it's all about the individuals' point of view and interpretation of an idea.

Butt Cleavage Anyone?

black evening dress, Thierry Mulger, circa 1995

While doing a little research for the students in my class, I came across this incredible photo of a Mugler dress.  It got me thinking about the ridiculous new dress code CBS tried to enforce at this years' Grammy Awards.  Let's see that again (and click here if you want to read my Oscar post)...

Please be sure that buttocks and female breasts are adequately covered.  Thong type costumes are problematic.  Please avoid exposing bare fleshy under curves of the buttocks and buttock crack.  Bare sides or under curvature of the breasts is also problematic.  Please avoid sheer see-through clothing that could possibly expose female breast nipples.

So, obviously this dress would be banned.  However, I think it would be great for a black tie event, don't you?