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