MNfashion Week Emerging Designer Showcase

Apparel design by Claire Ward, Jewelry design by Sarah Bahr, Photo by Rhea Pappas 

I had the great pleasure in showing my jewelry designs with MNfashion! I was one of the selected designers for the second annual Emerging Designer Showcase that premiered on Monday September 24th, 2012 during MNfashion Week. Among the twelve designers picked was my partner, talented apparel designer Claire Ward. This was a Spring and Summer show, so Claire and I collaborated in making three brightly colored and very summery looks. I had a lot of fun mixing and matching my candy colored leathers and cotton fabrics with handmade wood frames and gunmetal wire and chains. The overall affect was bold and perfect for a fun day in the sun!

Apparel design by Claire Ward, Jewelry design by Sarah Bahr, Photo by Rhea Pappas 

Apparel design by Claire Ward, Jewelry design by Sarah Bahr, Photo by Rhea Pappas 

Below are some of my favorites from the other emerging designers. Many of them are semi established and sell their work online or in the Metro Area. I've added links to be able to contact them and learn more! Everyone had a distinct design esthetic, the show ranged from breezy beach outfits to structured street wear, all the models looked fantastic.

Apparel by Lindsey DeWitt , Hats by Kelly Schultz,  Photo by Rhea Pappas

Knit Wear by Mary Pranica, Leather Bags by Stacie Yokiel, Photo by Rhea Pappas 

Apparel by Nicola Watson, Leather bags by Hannah Bartz, Photo by Rhea Pappas 

Apparel and accessories by Lizzie Hillmann, Photo by Rhea Pappas 

Apparel by Jessa Manthe, accessories by Erika O’Brien, Photo by Rhea Pappas 

More photos from the event can be found on Facebook in the MNfashion photo album and on CITYPAGES. I wanted to give a big thanks to Rhea Pappas for awesome photography, Molly Waseka for organizing the event, Heidi Knoke hair stylist, Nicole Patterson makeup artist, the models from Ignite, and all the designers involved.

Emerging Designer Showcase Designers:

Apparel by Claire Ward and accessories by Sarah Bahr
Apparel by Lindsey DeWitt and accessories by Kelly Schultz
Apparel by Nicola Watson and accessories by Hannah Bartz
Apparel by Mary Pranica and accessories by Stacie Yokiel
Apparel and accessories by Lizzie Hillmann
Apparel by Jessa Manthe and accessories by Erika O’Brien

post by Sarah

Drop Cloth Suit

I had the great pleasure of collaborating with fellow artist and friend Hugh O'Rourke on a super fun project. Hugh is a painter and sculptor here in NYC, you can view more of his work here. We met during my thesis art exhibit at NYU, as he works at the 80WSE gallery where I exhibited my installation.  He knew my passion for sewing clothing and asked me to collaborate with him in making a suit out of his drop cloths from his studio. The idea of the suit came from famous artist Joseph Beuys' own sculpture Felt Suit.

The most challenging and most creative part of making the suit was laying out the pattern pieces. I had to find interesting areas on the drop cloth to create an interesting pattern effect on the suit. I kept Hugh's own work in mind while selecting which paint glob to use for the lapel or where to use the glued on pieces of newspaper.

I liked imagining what pieces of Hugh's art made the drops, splatters, and smears of paint, glue, and mixed media on the drop cloths.

Spaces Between Studio Show courtesy of Hugh O'Rourke

In the end I think the suit turned out really great! I made the suit to Hugh's measurements but the piece is meant to be hung on the wall as pictured below. Hugh was very excited when I brought the finished suit to him, I cannot wait to see it in one of his gallery shows, or maybe a fun photo shot of him wearing it! This project helped remind me of my interest in the meaning of clothing and the emotional response humans can have to sentimental clothing. This suit is a portrait of a painter, a garment made of the leftovers in the art making process. Anyone need a garment made for them from their own scraps?

posted by Sarah