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I first saw metamorphosis metals jewelry a couple of years ago at the Rock & Shop market and then noticed several pieces on display at Stitch.
Sonya Coulson Rook, the creator, has been designing and working as metamorphosis metals since the end of 2006. She grew up in Greenville, NC, and has been in Raleigh for six years. Sonya's pieces incorporate simple metal wire shapes, pieces of bullets, lapel pins and old jewelry and other elements in precious metals and copper. Many of her pieces show the evidence of age, patina and even decay. Sonya was recently so kind as to answer a few questions for a Raleigh Street Fashion Local Designer Profile.
What first made you want to become a designer?
I have always loved making and building things, and come from a very craft oriented family. My father builds furniture as a hobby and my mother has always loved needlework and sewing. She was always developing craft projects for my sister and I to do. I majored in art in college but wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to go in so on the recommendation of a professor I signed up for a metal design class. I knew I was hooked the first time I picked up the torch.
Could you describe your creative process?
Its very organic, I rarely know what a piece will look like until its finished. I start with an object, element or basic idea and work from there, incorporating other components and playing around with the composition until I’m happy with it.
How long does it take you to create a piece, from the inspiration to
the finished product?
It really varies from piece to piece, some designs fall together easily and naturally, others are much more difficult and require lots of trial and error.
What inspires you?
Anything and everything; rust, texture, bones, buttons, nature, minimalism, decay, broken tile, dusty old books, pealing paint, crumbling architecture, memories, love and loss.
Apart from jewelry design, what do you like to do?
I love sewing, painting, photography, decorating, reading, and recently I’ve been trying my hand at learning to cook. Unfortunately there is not nearly enough time for any of these activities.
How would you describe your personal style?
I like the mix of old and new, layers of textures and patterns, and nothing makes me happier than when things are put together in an unexpected way that really works.
Check out Sonya's creations online or see them in person at one of these events:
june 13: RebusFest - raleigh, nc
july 11: the big crafty - asheville, nc
august 28: lazy daze - cary, nc
indieNC, the producer of The Rock & Shop Market, has announced a First Friday Market at 131 South Wilmington Street in downtown Raleigh this Friday, May 7.
The second annual Redress Raleigh fashion show will highlight "innovative concepts from local designers whose collections consider the human impact of fashion on our environment." Organizers Mor Aframian, Jamie Powell and Beth Stewart will present 15 designers' interpretations of reinventing the fashion world at 7pm on Saturday, April 17, 2010, at Flanders Art Gallery.
The show will be held as part of Raleigh's Planet Earth Celebration, hosted by Burt’s Bees and the Museum of Natural Sciences. Redress and charity partner MorLove will also have a booth at the Green Bazaar, on the Bicentennial Plaza from 11am to 5pm. Proceeds from the sale of locally-designed and handmade items at the RR/MorLove booth will be donated to the Amani Baby Cottage, an orphanage in Jinja, Uganda, near the shores of Lake Victoria.
Take a peek into the eco-friendly side of the fashion world. Check out the Redress Raleigh site for one of the very few remaining tickets to the show. Standing tickets will be available at the door.
Art to Wear at NCSU!
This fashion show is a collaboration of NC State’s College of Textiles students and College of Design students.
Photo by Devin McKim
*April 14th, 2010, to be exact, just a few days before the 2010 ReDress Raleigh show.
ReDress Raleigh 2010 is coming in April!
ReDress Raleigh showcases ecological and sustainable fashion by up-and-coming designers. The list for the 2010 show includes some of our own favorites, such as Jamie Powell of Revamp and the lovely (and always good!) Johanna Ely of Good Girls Studio!
I honestly don't remember where I first discovered Good Girls Studio jewelry. It seems I've seen Johanna's lovely creations all over, at Catch 22 on a First Friday, at Revolver, at Get Dressed, on etsy, at FashionSPARK... she's one busy lady!
I love the way she pulls much loved but forgotten pieces together with modern style and I admire her upbeat attitude and work ethic! It is so easy to see how this good girl has plenty of good fun!
Who are you?
Johanna Ely aka The Good Girl
Where are you from?
Tampa, FL, by way of a little town in Ohio & currently living in Raleigh!
How long have you been designing/working as Good Girls Studio?
About 3 years now!
Where does the name originate?
I am the middle child, the good girl was my default title growing up :)
What first made you want to become a designer?
My love of vintage jewelry & frustration with how to wear it gave birth to designing & reinventing those forgotten treasures.
How long does it take you to create a piece, from the inspiration to the finished product?
Sometimes an hour sometimes months!
Could you describe your creative process?
I tend to make small piles of collection of vintage & salvaged things that go together in my brain. Once I see a theme I live with it for awhile , adding pieces & taking away until I see it's potential. I might discover some junked up treasure on the street or at thrift store & hide it away (for sometimes months) before I realize what I need to make with it!
What inspires you?
The history of fashion, the stories of the women who wore each little trinket before this time.
How would you describe your personal style?
eclectic :)
Apart from Good Girls Studio, what do you like to do?
I love to read, watch my son play basketball, listen to great music & hang out with my amazing friends!
What possession do you most cherish?
a quilt my late grandmother made for me when I graduated from high school. I also have tons of treasures from scouring the world of Etsy!
Check out the Good Girls Studio blog, where Johanna reveals new pieces and shares tidbits of her busy world.
The designer application deadline for the 2010 ReDress Raleigh fashion show is fast approaching. The form, sketches and $10 application fee are due by December 31, 2009.
In case you missed it, (yeah, me too) Goodnight, Raleigh! has a good article covering the recent Revolution Couture First Friday show over at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church on Hillsborough Street. The event was held to benefit ReDress Raleigh and MorLove and included designs from Apology, Bren Anderson and Emily Mays.
ReDress Raleigh is co-hosted and co-produced by MorLove, Revamp and the NC Triangle Chapter of Emerging Green Builders.
Raleigh Street Fashion in the News & Observer style section!
That is all for now.
A warm Saturday afternoon was a great time to check out the Traffic Jam 2 flea market and block party put on by the folks at AHPeele on Capital Boulevard. There was a DJ, a band, homemade cookies and lots of handmade jewelry, art, fashion and thrifty finds. Check out Raleigh Street Fashion on Facebook for more photos.
It is officially one month to the "Wear What You Are" fashion & body art show on Fayetteville Street on September 18. The event page says, "FashionSPARK 2009 will once again showcase the Triangle’s favorite up-and-coming fashion and accessory designers and stylists on the runway in Wear What You Are. The show evokes and celebrates the true nature and joy of individual expression through fashion." That's what RSF is all about, so we can't wait!
First Friday always proves to be a good night for art, clothes and people-watching, so come join us! Between Catch 22 and The Morning Times gallery (for the Finding Home exhibit), who knows what else we'll find?
I discovered Koa Designs through the 'Shop Local' function on etsy.com. I was immediately impressed by the vibrant colors, bold shapes and delicate painting of the pieces. The craftsmanship and detailing are consistent and the heart & soul of the designer are so obvious in the work, I was an instant fan!Koa Designs was founded by Cristina Godette. She has graciously agreed to be the first Raleigh Street Fashion Featured Local Designer!Who are you and where are you from?My name is Cristina Godette. I was born and raised right here in Raleigh, NC.What first made you want to become a designer?I can't say that I actually made a conscious decision to become a designer because I grew up in a very creative environment so designing just came naturally for me.What kind of creative environment? Artists in the family?
Well when I was a child my mother was especially supportive. She noticed that I took a special interest in the creative arts (singing, drawing, dancing, etc.) and she would always find ways to keep me involved in related activities. My uncle was a professional dancer, writer/director and a Broadway actor and although he passed away in my childhood I believe that same creative gift he possessed lives on in me.How long have you been designing/working as Koa Designs?I actually started off as Cristina's Jewelry in 2005 and since then my designs evolved and I soon changed my business name to Koa Designs in 2009. I guess you can say it has been a four year work in progress.Where does the name "Koa" originate?Koa, pronounced koe-wah is Swahili for bold and attractive. I wanted a name that embodied the soulful, ethnic flair and the beautiful boldness of my jewelry.
What inspires you?Many things inspire me but, what inspires me the most are all types of people, nature and the emotions of music.Could you describe your creative process?I guess you could say my creative process comes simply when I see shapes and colors in everything from a building to beautiful dress that grabs my attention. I never "think" I just do and the design ideas always flow.How long does it take you to create a piece, from the inspiration to the finished product?The time it takes me to create a piece from start to finish varies greatly. Sometimes I'll have instant inspirations and I'll complete several pieces in just a day. However, other times I may start pieces and get "designer's block" and I'll usually spend a day or two just doing color combinations in my mind, I'll daydream or listen to music and after a few days I'll complete the pieces.Apart from creating things, what do you do?I'm fortunate to be able to make a living creating things but, down time is always great and apart from designing I enjoy hanging out with my husband & my family. I have to mention that I'm starting a non-profit called 'The Koa Initiative', which will be a program dedicated to the education and empowerment of young ladies of all races in our community. This is a project that I'm deeply passionate about and I also see this as an opportunity to give back all that has been given to me!
What possession do you most cherish?Believe it or not the possession I cherish most are the memories of my mom and dad buying my first coloring sets, it always sticks out in my mind.How would you describe your personal style?My personal style is what I call, " urban funk". I'm drawn to rich and vibrant colors I LOVE crazy printed tees (dressy or casual), a great pair of jeans, cute heels and of course I love to wear pieces from my jewelry collection!Can you tell me about the tee shirt you're wearing (in your photo)? The earrings are your own design, right?The t-shirt I'm wearing in the photo is a store purchase but, I feel it definitely represents my bold style, my vibrant personality and my love for comfortable clothing. Yes, the earrings in this photo are one of my designs and you can see my favorite color is plum!What is your favorite book, movie and musical group?
My favorite movie is the Notebook it's a great timeless story, my favorite book is Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston and my absolute favorite band is The Fray. Although I like most music, they're my all time favorite!
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