Chelsia Berry Designs

Wild Inspiration

2011-06-11T00:23:00.000-07:00

This is Janina. African inspired print, stretch satin, side zip halter dress. Limited available fabric. Available size 0-12. Visit studio at 744 Commerce St (or enter at 743 Broadway inside Sanford and Son), Space 204, Tacoma, WA 98402.

Purchase at http://www.etsy.com/shop/chelsiaberry

Price $84
Pictured design: Size Small

Dress Photos in Wright Park

2010-07-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

Great day for fashion photos at Wright Park in beautiful Tacoma! Gay pride event happening in the park, while I styled a borrowed mannequin with dresses designed by me. Things were great. A pleasant end to a day with a rocky start. I wanted to have fun without spending a lot of money. I spent money, but shopping wasn't going to make my day. I wanted a memorable, constructive event. Pictures in the park was the right thing to do. My friend Laurel at Orange in Tacoma http://www.etsy.com/shop/orangeonbroadway loaned me a dress form which she happily accepted the cold grapes I brought in exchange.

episode 27 (the sisters fox)

2010-03-28T23:14:00.001-07:00

I love vintage in Tacoma! We'll mine your closet for those things you're ready to let go. No envy! Clothing is like being let into a story as a character. Is there a word for the relationship between writers and characters? But in reverse. Vintage has a quirky transcendental relationship.
This morning's NPR's The Sisters of Fox Prank suits the picture I want to paint. Not the whole, but the WHOLE story.

episode 27 (the sisters fox)
Posted using ShareThis.

I checked out Green Chic, a fashion and vintage boutique in Tacoma's Stadium District. Tacoma vendors are really good at creating "I'm not where I am" atmospheres, either intentionally or not. Here I listened to Sade's newest cd and pigeon cooing in gutter nests definitely built near a pipe. Sunlight broke into factory pane windows, a messiah's confidence. Past, present crunched into this space. Who worked there so many, many years and lives ago? Which person will I pick. I bought a CABI dress - http://www.cabionline.com/Spring2010/index.html. I also left with a 1930's navy blue dress that needed a zipper fixed. This vintage navy blue, silk, bias cut dress, with tidy scarf affect neckline, feminine shoulder padded tulip sleeves, and cascade bustle back side is amazing. Does fashion tell a story .. opens a conversation.

Dawn's fitting went well. Pattern and sew final dress.

Week in Review

2010-03-13T23:48:00.000-08:00

Monday - work
Tuesday - work
Wednesday - Work. Super successful day. Didn't sleep night before. No money. Pay roll report for Friday for business.
Thursday - Vanity Boutique. Dawn's pattern. Earned $100.
Friday - How can people expect to look good, without paying for it? Doesn't make sense.

I'm a little nervous about Dawn's fitting. Patterning fundamentally sound. Some things may need changes- scoop armhole a little deeper and lower side seam at armhole about 1", pleats should be deeper for wrap affect. Large bust.

Left Vanity at 9pm. Definitely start early tomorrow.

Alterations at Vanity

2010-02-15T22:39:00.000-08:00

New Year 2010 the Year of the Tiger. I was born under the sign of the Tiger. My cares, wants and desires as ascribed to the Zodiac. Like the tiger, you are one of the most caring and thoughtful signs in the Chinese zodiac. You have a lot to say on the best way to right society's wrongs, and quite capable of defending children, friends, and loved ones against all enemies.

For the tiger in 2010, any recent setbacks or obstacles can be overcome, so look forward to a year in which to really shine, either personally or professionally.

Famous people born under the sign of the Tiger? They include Emily Bronte, Sheryl Crow, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Dickinson, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jay Leno, Karl Marx, Marilyn Monroe, Marco Polo, Beatrix Potter, Queen Elizabeth II, and Jon Stewart.
So, in this new year 2010, I asked myself, If, like General Stone Tiger who was able to pierce stone with an arrow down to it's feathers because he believed it to be a tiger that killed his mother - what actions am I taking to reach those I want to reach through fashion?

Since the beginning of the year I've planted myself at Vanity Fashion Boutique, 3903 6th Avenue, at the corner of 6th and Proctor in Tacoma. In this great boutique that honors many of fashion's past greats, and a bygone era for quality and craftsmanship I await the opportunity to "alter" a garment to render it more to your liking. Through these garments, flexibility exists in generous seams and easy to understand but deftly executed construction.

And while admiring what they've done, I'm learning through their stitches how to execute so many techniques.

Fashion "Mini-Me's"

2009-12-20T13:46:00.000-08:00

Lately, I've been working out fashion ideas. Working in 1/2 size is lots of fun, however, it is a great way to see what works, consider how to sew, and experience sewing the design in the possible fabric choice. Patternmaking and drawing equal translation! This was a great test run for cowl patterning - cowls like to be draped.

The garment above I'm calling Merritt (top) and Mindy (skirt). The drawing has (skirt) cowl center and at side seam wrapping to center back along a dropped waist band. The actual skirt has a high waist. The top has ruched waist band supported by a facing and buttoned along the side seam. Again, can't wait to do this in full sizes. I'm sure as more fashion mini-me's get made, I'll improve working in miniature.

Happy Customer

2009-12-19T00:02:00.000-08:00

My friend was very happy with her coat! I'm looking forward to doing more alterations work. It's a lot more interesting than I thought it'd be. She now has a garment that is much more useful and has preserved the sentimental value in a garment she'll enjoy wearing.

Alteration Project

2009-12-02T22:07:00.000-08:00

I'm working on a coat for a friend. The project is going well. Here are a few pics of the project so far. First thing was to give the jacket shape by adding darts.

I'm also shortening the hem from a coat length to 3/4 length.

There's a few more things to do. I'll keep track of the progress here in this blog.

Hunger Walk 2009 Tacoma

2009-10-10T22:52:00.000-07:00

Participated in Hunger Walk. Doing something worthwhile that helps others is in itself a reward, however, inspiring others to participate is super rewarding! Thank you Dawn and Dawn's mom for supporting me. I really didn't expect to see you. Dawn's mom ( I wish I could remember her name) inspired me the most. Your effort was amazing! And Vivien of Stadium Thriftway, thanks gathering donations. 2010 I promise to be a leader in this event and make sure we all are able to participate.

Thank you Thank you

Creativity

2009-03-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

Sketching new designs, I'm leaning toward straighter lines. Less ruffles. Shirring for sure but without ruffles is new. Still girly. I'm now exploring curves - over hills like hips, plunging valleys like cleavage, depressions under arms, small of the back like shallow pond. My newest muse - tall & straight. I find the flattest states desire hills.

A boat to cross

2008-12-10T22:35:00.000-08:00

Money serves various purposes according to our needs. The same is true of the Lotus Sutra. It is a lantern in the dark or a boat at a crossing. At times it is water and, at times, fire. This being so, the Lotus Sutra assures us of "peace and security in our present existence and good circumstances in future existences."

Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, 452
The Swords of Good and Evil
Written to Hojo Yagenta on February 21, 1274

Visit North Eye Hair Design on 220 North I in Tacoma.

Finally Finals

2008-12-02T21:45:00.000-08:00

This has been a quarter of growth. There hasn't been a dull day, a day that could have been done differently or mis-sewn procedure I would take away. All of it is feeding the designer within. What else than an opportunity to cultivate talent sharpen determination more, than meeting with error? I've been so fortunate to have a whimpering will to want to succeed, cry out for a chance to meet success!

So to this week of Finals, I say, "Hello. You were expecting me."

Wooly Wooly

2008-10-21T23:12:00.000-07:00

Working with wool has been a rewarding discovery. I can see making an entire collection in wool. This versatile fabric is the clothing world's clay. It molds readily to whatever I ask of it. It has many faces: business, thick pile, nubby, soft and drapey. It is a fabric with personality, but it is always worthy of respect. I raise my glass to wool. You are my new found friend.

Hell, Heaven, Fortune and Poverty.

2008-10-16T22:10:00.000-07:00

I'm building my fashion designer's tool kit at Seattle Central Community College! This is the best school in Western Washington (I believe) for fashion design. Don't think a 32nd of an inch matters? WRONG. Sewing a little crooked? It's always worth doing it over. The difference between a tunic and a houppelande? In fashion history that's worth a few hundred years. I've been buried in reading, patternmaking and sewing. I've also been having the best time being awash in fashion.

Fashion. The words sounds like a wave. Listen. FASH'un, FASH'un.

Where'd my mojo go? **%@%$#

2008-09-01T21:11:00.000-07:00

Art is the magic of dandelion seeds blown by young puckered lips, delighted by ability to take flight and the power of breath to make take to wind and fly. The connection of plucking, pursing, blowing, and make go....

After weeks of being lost and asking others where to find expression, I am confident I've found my mojo. I do not know if she is the same as before. I'm sure others have picked her up and put her to mis-use, possibly abuse, and I'm quite certain she was misunderstood and confused trying to find her way back to me. But alas, we are back together again. Getting to know each other better. But like any other relationship, falling back in bed together and feeling exactly the same is impossible! Having the experience of our separation, I promise to allow her full expression and my complete trust and to without shame enjoy what she has to offer. Without her I am unable to catch the wind and fly.

New Ventures, Closer Friend

2008-08-17T23:10:00.000-07:00

I'm so fortunate to have the opportunity to re-meet a friend, Christina. She's so amazing. This young woman has to be one of the smartest people I know. She just celebrated her birthday and over champagne and lots of food she admitted that most things she tries, she's good at. What confidence! Her bold statement makes me love her so much. To begin a journey, a project, with that as one's bedrock is the only way to succeed. Thank you Christina.

I just got this great book, The Fashion Designer Survival Guide by Mary Gehlhar. This book is super great. It holds all the answers to questions that many of my past professors withheld claiming this information could only be learned through hard experience (mostly failure and luck). I'm lovin' reading this! I don't dare skip pages as I may miss something VERY important.

I'm good. Very good.

Fashion Seasons

2008-08-09T23:39:00.000-07:00

Inspiration! Fashion forces one to stay young. Ideas can lead to so many places. Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring - can this idea carry it's weight into the next season?

Welcome to my room

2008-08-02T23:06:00.000-07:00

I visited The in between place, www.theinbetweenplace.com in Tacoma. The business is a world where children are encouraged to explore their imaginations.

Here is my creative space.

Is it licking your pussy?

2008-07-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

We've all done it. In the dressing room of our favorite store. Wiggle into a pair of jeans, slip into a slinky dress. Turn to look at ourselves as if we are someone else. Then the mental question, maybe not in these exact words, but we've all had the question. Allow me to give it words -

Is it licking my pussy?

I design clothing with that thought in mind. How does this feel? Do I feel sexy? I want to turn heads, does this achieve what I'm looking for. Sure, we don't have to be sexpots but, why not if you can work it. Subtly, loudly. Your choice. Fashion is image.