Taconic Frisson
A series of three looks in an ongoing development of a full collection inspired by the painting "The Walnut Tree in Benevento" painted by Giuseppe Pietro Bagetti. The supernatural origins of the paintings subject matter call to mind spoken stories of unexplained phenomena passed down to me from my paternal grandmother. These ponderings and fears have filled my mind on frequent night walks growing up in the woods of the Hudson Valley. From these lived experiences, folklore, and generational fears of "darkness lurking" I have built a rich narrative off a small seed planted in my mind as a youth. The colors, textures, and shapes of the forest seem to dramatically morph in the chiaroscuro of twilight, creating an entirely new way of viewing the world with the naked eye. This strange painting has reminded me to reach for what I have thought to be intangible all these years, through a process of an almost unconscious replication.
-Hanging from a hand pick stitched lambskin harness, suspended layers of fabric are spiral draped on the bias. A single layer of double face silk charmeuse hangs slashed open over two layers of bias satin faced chiffon.
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-Finger-less gloves with matching 1/8'pick stitching reach the middle bicep with an invisible zipper closure.
-A single shoulder slip is entirely hand embroidered on tree bark chiffon with a pavé of clear micro sequins and a degradé of amber beads that catch the light. Over this base hangs a removable single layer of tree bark chiffon on the bias with a bat wing sleeve.
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-Earrings consist of clusters of brown freshwater seed pearls and micro carnelian rondelles hanging from individual gold wire loops in the manner of grapes.
- A tunic entirely hand embroidered with pheasant plumage on silk organza. panels of tulle offer glimpses of skin framed with crepe back satin piping.
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-Finger-less knuckle gloves are realised in chestnut alligator.
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-Earrings consist of porcupine quills hanging from brown baroque pearls with carnelian drops from fine gold chain.