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For over 30 years, the work of textile artist Juanita Girardin has been honored and collected for its distinctive style and singular interpretation of techniques. Her hand-woven fabrics are well known for their unique graphic imagery & color. Juanita received her foundation in weaving at RIT and in apparel design at RISD.
Beginning in 2003 Juanita began to experiment with quilting fabrics. In 2006 she ended her hand-woven line and began to focus exclusively on quilted garments. In summer 2011 Juanita resurrected her hand-woven line as an adjunct offering while continuing her quilted line.
Juanita has exhibited in and been a juror for America's most recognized craft events. She has been honored with awards at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, the Smithsonian Craft Show, the Evanston American Craft Exposition, the St. Louis Art Fair, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, and many other national events. Her work has been published in national craft and fashion magazines.
Her quilted textiles over the last six years have explored the disparate qualities of cloth and stitch to create surface texture and pattern. Various techniques were explored to create cloths with folds, puckers, puffs, tears and textured & patterned surfaces.
Of her new work Juanita says: "The concept of "less is more" is rarely associated with surface design, but skin and bones is what I aim for in this latest quilted collection. I progressively pare away color and form to get to the essence of minimalism and single pointedness in my new work. I am influenced by the Japanese concept of "ma", the space between the body and the edge of the cloth, preferring a kimono based garment body to the European shaped and fitted concept of dress. I'm also now mixing in my own studio hand-woven fabrics with the Japanese cottons for a very earthy, textural and quiet look. I aim for a modern shape with historical references that will compliment a contemporary wardrobe with ease and withstand trends. I want my garments to accent a wardrobe, not be the focal point."
Juanita has also brought back her iconic hand-woven scarves. A nice selection will be available by Thanksgiving 2011. She remarks:"So many people have missed the scarves and after working for 8 years with manufactured cloth, I love the soul of the simplest hand-woven cloth compared to a manufactured cloth. The scarves are the opposite of my minimalist neutral clothing line, and I can get my color cravings out in this accessory line. I'm happy to gratify so many supporters who have been missing them. They have withstood the test of time, and have become classic."
Each fabric is made by the artist individually in a labor intensive process. Construction of the garment is done by her expert garment sewer. Each fabric is made exclusively for an individual garment. All garments are limited edition or one of a kind. |
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