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 Performance Fabrics: Goof ProofLife is messy. Give your child a chocolate ice cream cone and he drops it. The doorbell rings, your dog gets excited and wets the sofa. And lovable Aunt Tillie, who talks with her hands, always spills red wine on the dining room chairs.Until recently, your choice was either upholstery that looked like it belonged in a hospital waiting room or attractive fabrics that made you paranoid about the stains and spots that come with everyday life. What if you could have upholstery that looked like it came out of a designer showroom but could resist whatever kids, dogs and clumsy adults dish out? And what if the fabrics on your outdoor furniture looked as fashionable as the upholstery inside? Thanks to recent textile technology, you can have it all. Performance fabrics can repel stains, shun germs and resist fading. They cost more, but they last longer and may be cheaper in the long run. Although some of these fabrics have been available for years, they've only recently started to look better and feel softer. It's easier than ever to go to a furniture store and custom-order performance fabrics on new furniture. At the past two International Home Furnishings Markets, performance fabrics were the big buzz. At the April market, Hickory Hill and Norwalk displayed Sunbrella fabrics prominently. Other manufacturers, from La-Z- more www.azc... (198) added by Levent OZLER |
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 O’More College of Design to host Les Arts O’MoreO’More College of Design will host the inaugural Les Arts O’More, a two-day celebration of art and design on the school’s historic campus in Franklin.The celebration will take place Oct. 2 and 3 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and will highlight the work of acclaimed artisans and feature the work of O’More alumni and students. “Les Arts O’More is a unique opportunity for Middle Tennesseans to enjoy a weekend of fashion, art and music,” said Dr. Mark Hilliard, president of O’More College of Design. “This celebration helps us fulfill our mission of training the whole person in a creative and fun approach, a vision our founder, the late Mrs. Eloise Pitts O’More, also shared.” The festival activities are designed to encourage further interest in design arts. During the celebration, the campus of O’More College of Design will be transformed into an 1890s Paris-themed festival with venues for artist demonstrations, strolling musicians, cafe-themed food and a special area for children’s art activities. Also featured will be guided tours of Abbey Leix Mansion (the jewel of the O’More College of Design’s campus) led by renowned historian John Kiser, a display of O’More students’ work and a juried show of the finest artists and artisans in our region. Items will be for sale to the public. more reviewa... (442) added by Levent OZLER |
 It's a Mixed Fashion Bag This YearMusic and academia, two things that take up a considerable amount of school-age children's time, come together to create some of the most popular back-to-school fashion styles."American Idol" stylist Miles Siggins says the modern version of the preppy look, including grosgrain ribbon trim, suede patch-sleeve sweaters and argyle socks and sweaters, is taking cues from hip-hop and punk. "Music is a definite influence, so are TV and the Internet. People aspire to be their idols. People like Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears had a lot to answer for the last few years because some girls were showing too much skin. But Christina Aguilera is covering up more now, so hopefully more girls will, too," says Siggins. He expects high school -- and even middle and elementary school -- hallways to be filled with boys wearing hooded sweat shirts with collegiate-inspire d shirts and ties, and girls in baggy bottoms contrasted by fitted or feminine tops. "I think there's a backlash against the extreme dressing-down thing. For kids nowadays, it's more rebellious to dress up than dress down," he says. Siggins, who has worked with celebrities ranging from supermodel Kate Moss to Ice Cube, put together a fashion show for RED, America Online's teen service. In it he features three primary trends: more seattle... (50) added by Levent OZLER |
 New Generation of Environmentally Aware DesignersThe Centre's Pat Foure explains that the idea is to sensitise the new generation of designers to materials and products that are environmentally friendly. Hence, the show has been called "No KAK: Designs to Save our Environment." ;"It's about natural organic goods, recycled materials, minimum chemical usage and waste, and supporting local community initiatives by integrating their products into designs that are functional and striking. We're picking up on the South African slang, 'No Kak,' which essentially has the same meaning in connotation," ; says Foure. The Centre toured nine technikons, universities and design schools throughout the country, preaching the gospel of environmentally benign design, and briefing fashion and textile students on designing according to set criteria. more iafrica... (154) added by Levent OZLER |
 Exhibitions Celebrate Women's MonthThe National Cultural History Museum has launched four exhibitions to celebrate women.The exhibitions, celebrating Women's Month, include traditional African textiles, oil paintings combined with bead work, ceramics and quilt work. Among the exhibitions, which run until the end of August, are quilt works by internationally acclaimed artist, Roy Starke, who is taking the lead by combining various media in his work. The emphasis is on textures, composition and storytelling. Every artwork on display has its own story hidden in small detail. Colour and shape work together to construct flowing lines. Artists Susan Smuts and Mavis Maselola are exhibiting several oil paintings in vivid colours portraying the different roles of women in society. Khangas are traditional African cloths that communicate and transmit various significant design, colour and other messages. The exhibition, Khangas: A Homage to Life, is an expression by design students from the Tshwane University of Technology's (TUT) department of textile design and technology, creating innovative visuals with a clear HIV/Aids awareness message. According to a lecturer in the department, Carla Wasserthal, the traditional African khanga is a simple cloth found throughout Africa and often used as a body or head wrap more www.pre... (199) added by Levent OZLER |
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