Read All About It

Oh, are you still here?
Well here's something for you to read: just over a year ago I submitted my graduate thesis. You can read all the words I wrote here: talakamea.com/Words

It's about fashion and clothing, sound, and creative expression.
If you're into it, let's discuss it over a drink.

The Brave

I barely remember when it started. I have a somewhat clearer recollection of how it began. All I know now is that I'm in the middle of the whirlwind that is starting a new clothing company. 

We are The Brave Clothing Company, Inc. "We" consists of myself (duh), and Stefan Paul Dehod, a very good friend of mine and kindred crazy person. Stefan's dislike for sleeves and love of fun and fashion is what sparked this company. We specialize in men's tank tops. Really rad ones. Ones like you've never seen. Better than the average tank. The best, perhaps. I mean, it's all subjective, really, but we are kind of very stoked on our designs.  What's even more exciting is that we only intend to get crazier, more fun, more badass, more creative and in general have more fun with it all!

And although we are focused on men's tanks, Tala Kamea will be collaborating with The Brave to produce a select few women's tank styles. Think matching his and hers for all the cute couples that make you feel bad about your own relationship, or lack thereof. We're talking hot tops. Perfect for summer loving. So get with it and get one. And one for your friend.

We'll be kicking off the line with a preview on April 18 at Pretty Freedom in Toronto, ON, where the goods will be available for your viewing and purchasing pleasure. Soon after we hope to be set up online, and if you're in Edmonton on May 3, 4 or 5 visit us at the 14th Annual Royal Bison Craft and Art Fair. Stefan will be there slinging tanks in a tank, built like a tank, but probably not tanked. You should take him for a beer afterwards, however, and see what happens.

See you in the sun!

Her Fault

Wow, it's been a while. Shit happened, I did some things. I may post some of said things later, but for now, peep the amazing, new The Airplane Boys video. I've got a number of pieces in it, which show up near the end of the vid. Wait for it: a room full of strong, beautiful, and incredibly well-dressed women are gonna stare y'all down. Be afraid.

(By the way, be forewarned there is some graphic imagery in this video. My lovely mother wrote to me: "Proud that your designs are in it, but definitely horrified by the video itself! Aaaarrrgghhhhhh!!!!")

Enjoy!

I'm in ELLE!

Pick up a copy of the July 2012 issue of ELLE Canada magazine. There's a brief write-up on my recent research and work. Thanks ELLE!

Collection photos by Jennifer Toole // Bio photo by Hanah Chung

Listen.

A lot has happened in the past few months. This past week I submitted my thesis for my Master of Arts in Fashion, entitled "Sound As Signifier: Communication and Expression Through the Sound of Clothing." It's about time I talk a little about my research and what I've been up to the past 4 months.

Background:

Without going into too much detail, I've been researching, in general, the sound of clothing. Most analyses of fashion are related to the visual (with good reason), discussing what and how is communicated through the visual elements of dress. I was interested in looking at what role the sounds of our clothes play in communicating, but I also wanted to understand how sound could lead to a more holistic appreciation of our clothes, to a fuller sensory experience. Sounds kind of hippie dippy, I know. Anyhow, if you want to know more, you can read my final paper (I know you won't.)
In addition to a major research paper on the topic, I have also been hard at work creating a small collection of fashion pieces. Each piece was designed with a focus on the sounds they would produce (without ignoring visual aesthetics), as a means of encouraging greater interaction with and self-expression through the clothing. How can the wearer use the sounds to communicate, and what is being communicated? How do the sounds change the ways in which the wearer interacts with and experiences the piece? These were some ideas I wanted to explore through this collection.

Production:

Earlier in the year I was awarded the ELLE Canada Fashion Graduate Award. This generous award helped me to produce this collection, which uses a lot of costly materials including leather, copper, and phosphor bronze wrapped guitar strings (at least 150 of them). Also, a ridiculous amount of taffeta and organza.
Each piece is inspired by a section of the orchestra: woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, and I have included voice as well.
My dear friend Landon Speers helped me record the sounds of each piece. In addition to being a very talented photographer, he also produces music under the moniker Headaches. In his in-home recording studio I "played" each piece, exploring the various sounds the garments are capable of producing.
These sounds were then sent to another dear friend, Cecil Frena, who is currently producing music and touring as Born Gold. He is so awesome, that while on tour he took the time to create an original music track from the sounds I sent him. This track is the score for a fashion video we shot in March, and it's kind of crazy. Listening to this piece you would never know that the audio samples came entirely from pieces of "clothing."
Filmed by the talented Greg Biskup, the video features two "models": Eleanor Espiritu (of Toronto band Mirror Phase) and Cosima Friesen (part/parcel). I was adamant that the video should feature musicians in the garments, as musicians greatly understand the importance of self-expression through sound. These two ladies looked amazing in my pieces, and really put on a good show.
The editing was done by the talented and lovely Natalie Sirianni.

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Gratitude:

I am so incredibly thankful to all those individuals who have contributed their talents to this project. In addition to the aforementioned friends, I have a few more people to thank for their help and participation so far. Here they are:
My dear mother: gave me two weeks of endless help and support with sewing, beading, cutting, cooking, and cleaning (Super Mama).
Leigh: my loving partner, who puts up with my enormous mess as I play the role of a creative person and runs errands for me when I'm freaking out. He also played a huge role in the creation of an integral piece in the collection (the Strings skirt). 
Jodinand: my creative sounding board and super hilarious stylish stylist. He also helped with some hand-sewing and can do pretty much anything you ask him to (which includes procuring take-out beers at 2am from a neighbourhood restaurant...).
Matyi: my bro, he helped with just about anything I asked of him, and graciously let me take over his apartment for the shoot.
Annalie + Adeline: lovely ladies who donated their time to prep elements of the collection and help keep me sane.
Cora: amazing hair stylist for the shoot.
Melissa: came through last minute to do the beautiful makeup for the shoot.
Hanah: snapped some awesome behind the scenes shots for me.
Erin Macnab: took the time to act as mannequin for the photos in my thesis paper.
Jennifer Toole: snapped some gorgeous shots of my pieces for ELLE.
Victoria Ellingham: my lovely model for the aforementioned shoot.
Vinny Tang: hair and makeup artist extraordinaire for the shoot.
Daniel Laxer: edited my paper and provided some great insight and suggestions.

And of course my whole family who is rooting for me, my friends for their constant support, and my fellow grad students who empathize with me and understand what madness this is.

I can't thank everyone enough for their support, and if I missed anyone, my apologies. I am truly blessed to have such amazing people in my life, and to have the opportunity to pursue such projects. Mad love.

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Behind the Scenes Photos (courtesy of Hanah Chung)

Pear cut.

I lent my friend Kate this one-off piece: a stiff, sculptural, pear-cut dress. Little did I know she was styling it on a man. I'm really pleased with the look! Anyone else into this?
Fashion-forward gentlemen... it's still for sale...

Photographer: Jiali Ou
Stylist: Kate O'Reilly
Model: Terry

Crystal Methodology

I have a few pieces for sale in Miracle Thieves. They are made of a black, coated cotton denim, and are ready to be broken in by a loving new owner. The pieces feature raw edges and distressed details paired against sharp, precise "edges." One piece has already been nabbed, so don't sleep on these. They are also super limited in number so you won't be caught at a party wearing the same thing as that hussy over there in the corner... Happy holiday partying!

 

































In studio:

Cuttle Shuttle

Check out how awesome Meaghan is. She's doing her cuttlefish dance atop the Toronto space shuttle, aka city hall. This is dress 2/2 (see below), again with an original print designed and digitally printed by me on silk organza. It is happily on its way to Montreal, where it will be reunited with its strong-shouldered counterpart.

  

Twerk it.

Long story short, I made this dress (1 of 2) in Montreal as part of my internship. I also designed and printed the fabric myself, which was a lot of fun but I'll talk about that some other time. I did a last minute, haphazard shoot with my friends Natalka (model) and Olya (photographer) before heading back to Toronto. Real photos later... this is much more fun: Natalka werkin' on her twerkin.'

  

Miraculously Thieved

It has been quite some time since I've updated. A lot has happened, none of which I care to relay at this moment, but perhaps will share snippets of in posts yet to come. This post is to draw attention to a new art and design studio/retail space that launched at the end of July 2011, Miracle Thieves. 

Founded by Jen Maramba and Tiffany Naval, the duo have created a beautiful space on the north side of the beloved Trinity Bellwoods Park, wherein one may discover and even create, through artist-led workshops, wonderful treasures. Thieved from the website: "MIracle Thieves features local Toronto artists in the main studio space. Ranging from illustrations and handbound books, to jewelry and sui generis garments, Miracle Thieves showcases a wide range of pieces made by prolific local artisans."


I am humbled and thrilled to be included in this group of "prolific" artisans, although I hardly consider myself to be anything even remotely close to that... 


Anyhow, I urge you to visit Miracle Thieves, if not to check out a few of my pieces, but to see what kind of amazing talent is creating and thriving in Toronto. Oh, and they also host fun events and live music. Go, see it, love it, be inspired, create and appreciate what miracles may enter your life. 

Janie Taylor for Chloé

In love with this.

Janie Taylor for Chloé on Nowness.com.

Taladactyl Dress

It's been a while, I know. I've been busy procrastinating on various projects. This is one of them.
A deconstruct/reconstruct project for my sustainability workshop class. I deconstructed a large windbreaker that I bought at a wardrobe sale for $3, and turned it into what I call a Taladactyl dress. Inspired by (mostly) pterodactyls, birds and flying machines. I still need to finish it properly, and take some slick photos, but here it is. Visit the tumblr I set up for the project, in which I discuss my process and inspiration a little more.
vintagereincarnate.tumblr.com
Keep your eyes on the skies for a full collection of Taladactyl dresses in the future.

Jacket before reconstruction

Look 1

Look 2

Look 3

Look 4 (features removable top skirt)

Anew

I have a new website.
talakamea.com
Enjoy!

Only In Dreams

At the beginning of October I helped a good friend of mine, Kevin Boothe, with a photography/design project he was working on. Kevin, a highly talented designer, and Matin Pezeshgzad, photographer extraordinaire, worked together on this project to create some incredibly beautiful images. My role? Provide some garments for the shoot. My stylist friend Adeline Yu worked on this, pulling garments that might work well with a projector. In the end we used the muslin for my Atmos dress, which proved to be a great canvas for digital projections. Check out some of the images as presented on Kevin's excellent design site Document (www.documentmagazine.ca) by clicking the image. Enjoy!

Les Fureurs du Tango

The focus of my current research paper for my Fashion Theory/History class. 

I am developing my strong love for everything tango.

"Les Fureurs du Tango"

George Barbier, 1919

Published in the 1920 volume of La Guirlande Des Mois

An Embarkation

Last Monday was my orientation for the Master of Arts in Fashion program at Ryerson University. This is the first of such programs in Canada, and the first year this will be running. No one really knows what to expect, but I'm really looking forward to this. The orientation day was really intended to provide the 20 grad students an opportunity to get to know each other, the faculty and the staff. It was actually a lot of fun in spite of the fact that I was pretty nervous!

After the usual introductions, we were assigned groups for the activities that day (I was in the Placket Plums group), each of which had 3 students and a teacher "advisor."


The "Vintage Act" presentation consisted of a varied collection of historic and vintage garments. Each group was assigned a garment to assess, analyze, and determine a number of factors such as time period, fabric, who might have worn it, how it was made... and then create a story about it. It was an interesting and highly appropriate icebreaker - we had good fun creating a dramatic love story around our Matisse-inspired hand-painted garment.

The "Edible Fashion" activity was very "Project Runway." Each group was given $20 to spend at the Metro grocery store, where we were to buy organic and natural items (mostly food, essentially) with which to create a garment. 

We had about 2 hours for all of this, and it was fun!  My group did a take on the "Little Black Dress" - saying that "green is the new black."  We used green cabbage layered for most of the skirt, and radicchio in the centre front of the skirt and bodice. We had an asymmetrical shoulder detail constructed out of purple cabbage, some other lettuce, and radishes. Sounds horrible, right? Our dress actually looked somewhat like layered lace... and kind of pretty!  

Draping a foundation on which to glue the cabbage leaves.

Discussing the braided green onion trim.

Hastily glueing as time is running out.

Brittany glueing a lovely arrangement of radicchio.

The final product.

The range of garments was vast and exhibited great creativity. There were some food items arranged in ways that I would never have thought of, including tortilla shells rolled and stuffed with popcorn to create a ruffled collar, and a Fruit-By-The-Foot mini-skirt. Smart!  

There was a judging panel of various professors and faculty, and a group was selected as the "winners" of the activity. Some of the criteria was creativity of materials, design details, form, structure, construction... I don't know what else. 

The winning team was announced, and it was... the Placket Plums! Yay! We each received a $10 gift card to Starbucks - essential for student life. 

While each garment was very good and displayed a lot of great ideas, part of the reason we were selected was the elegance and simplicity of our dress. Sometimes less is more, remember? Silly cabbage cocktail dress. What fun.
The day closed off with a nice tour at the Royal Ontario Museum, followed by appetizers and beer at the Three Brewers, a local microbrewery. It was a long, full day, but a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to sitting in the classroom and studio with my new colleagues, and hearing all their ideas and varied viewpoints on all things fashion and beyond. 

P.S. All photos from the orientation day are available by clicking here.