3.11.2018

AN ENCHANTING DESIGN BOUTIQUE


When you step in the door of CHAR DESIGNS  two-story studio, it is just the beginning of a delicious visual romp. Every piece of her hand-crafted clothing stops you in your tracks. The hand-painted coat with its flock of blue birds is stunning and one-of-a-kind. 






And who knew that a simple  man's shirt could be transformed into a wonderland with lace and pinwheel quilt pieces.






But, these gorgeous fashions didn't bring me to Char's atelier, I came to see a simple jeans jacket... 


transformed into a
 COUTURE JEANS JACKET while I watched and photographed the alchemy.


T H E   W O R K S H O P 



At the back of the studio, a large work table was a buzz of activity.  
Char, Ooo So Santa Fe designer Kat Schilke and seamstress Josefina
were working in tandem to create a one-of-a-kind jacket.


(Kat lft. Char rt  Josefina below)



When I asked Char to tell me about the gorgeous  fabric pieces for this jacket, she said that the lace was an alter cloth that a friend brought back from Paris; and the flowered fabric on the bronze leather, she bought in Rome. Each remnant of fabric that goes into these jackets holds a special memory for Char. 



She's saved fabric for years and can pull a piece from a bin or box and tell you - with a bit of nostalgia in her voice - exactly where and when she found it. "I've had this piece for twenty-five years; this one came from a tiny shop on a narrow street in Barcelona"...and so on with each swath of fabric.



Josefina's charming 'pin cushion' at the ready...


When a new piece of fabric is added to the design and Kat & Char give it their thumbs up, Josefina does her 'magic' stitching it onto the jacket so the next piece can be added. It's like a lovely creative dance with all three moving to the same tune...


Does a lace cuff work?







Char & her assistant Jan Butchofsky model the jacket for
 Kat who makes a final adjustment to the flounce cuff.



 And so on throughout the afternoon...








A PAIR OF VERY CREATIVE HANDS...


at the White Studio

206 McKenzie Street - Santa Fe

(near the O'Keeffe Museum)

505.988.5969

www.saintestate.com

www.ooososantafe.com





AND YOU ARE INVITED to
THIRD THURSDAY AT CHAR'S

REFRESHMENTS & SHOPPING

THURSDAY, MARCH 15TH

2 - 6PM

20 -60% OFF SELECT ITEMS
AND A SPECIAL SURPRISE!