Just about finished! A new Swing Coat for an very special gallery:
Julie: Artisan’s Gallery
In 1973 Julie Schafler Dale opened the first gallery devoted to handmade clothing as an art form. In 1986 she published the book Art to Wear, you might know it? It’s still the best book devoted to the art to wear movement.
In the mid-80’s, I stopped by her New York gallery for the first time. I brought in a pieced and appliqued linen dress. It had flanges on the sleeves and cut work square holes down the front. She kept it and within a few weeks it sold. I sent more work and then more and before I knew it I had a career.
I used to sell to a few other shops, but no more. Today you can only buy my work from me, with one exception; Julie: Artisans’ Gallery.
So if you find yourself in New York, stop by: 762 Madison Ave.
I love her place. I too wandered in during the mid-80’s when wearable art was in full swing. I was collecting ideas for a wearable art show I would curate at the college where I taught in southern California. Boy, those were golden days for textile and apparel innovators!
Yes! In the 1980’s, Julie’s was the number one art to wear gallery in the country. It was most definitely a destination for many a textile artist, appreciator and collector. It’s wonderful that the Artisans’ Gallery is still going strong.
The new swing coat for Julie’s is gorgeous! I want to see the whole thing!