Stevie's Artisans Blog has been MIA for a couple of months. So to catch up - I left the retail store I had been selling from because I'm not sure it was the right showcase for most of the artisans. Then again the economy hasn't been so conducive to lots of buying activity. So, I have been concentrating on building an ecommerce web site which is slowly coming to fruitition. It should be up soon, very soon - I hope.
And, once the web site storefront is up I will have a retail outlet for the artisans I have been working with: Ivette Urbaez, Lis Ortiz, Naemeh Shirazi, Diana Pucci, Aaron Lazansky, et al.
In the meantime...
I recently began working with an incredible Haitian designer who creates very classy and well constructed dresses from recycled umbrellas. Catherine Charlot deconstructs her umbrellas and then constructs the "pieces" into beautifully fashioned cocktail dresses that are fully lined and have intricate overstitching worked into the design. Catherine also works with lots of young designers instructing them in business concepts, promotion and marketing as well as seamstress skills.
This dynamic lady and I have teamed up to promote and introduce the work of emerging artists and designers in fun get-together/networking events that include music and good food. We are calling the events Hot Saturday and we are working with a smart and talented lady, Jessica Pichardo, to produce these events at her cafe: Linger Cafe & Lounge on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The plan is to schedule the events on a monthly basis. In some cases we'll schedule a trunk sale for the Friday after the Saturday event.
Hot Saturday at Linger Cafe & Lounge kicks off Saturday, April 24 from 7-10 pm with a fashion show presentation of Dominican artist and designer Ivette Urbaez's silk screened fashions. Ivette brands her apparel with her distinctive themes and motifs: Bold Roses, Thorns & Roses and Fire Escapes - edgy, urban and Hot!
The Linger Cafe & Lounge menu will offer Empanadas, Ropa Vieja & Moros y Cristianos (rice and black beans) More taste of Latin culture is provided by the wine and beer selections, including Sangria and the Dominican Republic's own Presidente beer. The "Flavor" continues with Salsa, Merengue and other Caribbean beats. Dancing encouraged.
A raffle will be held to benefit the Collective Hands Foundation: aid to arts education. Donated raffle items include an Ivette Urbaez tote bag, a Kate Designs embroidered bag and a fashion item by Catherine Charlot.
Upcoming Hot Saturday events:
May: Multi-cultural eats and wearable art by Stevie's Artisans: Ortiz, Pucci, Ahn and Shirazi
June: Kompa, good food & upcycling your look with Haitian designer Catherine Charlot and work by father/daughter artists Arturo and Ellen Carranza
July: Hip Hop Culture: Street Art, Break Dancing, Stand-up and Spoken Word
Details in future blogs and eblasts.
See you next Saturday at Linger Cafe & Lounge, 533 Atlantic Avenue, (bet 3rd & 4th Ave.)
steviesartisans@gmail.com
enfo@chfoundation.org
