Friday, May 17

games helens play




Today I'm playing the game where I pretend I have the day off from work but then I stop in at the studio, just to make a few things. It works. I don't get elaborate. I don't, for instance, choose a fake name (Like "Lucinda," the latest in a long string of "people" who come in, strictly on their own schedules, to clean my bathroom). Nor do I don a costume, or pretend I'm French — I just sort of keep my energy light and pretend I happened to drive by and happened to have packed a lunch but I'm really just visiting. "Oh look, is that a sewing machine? Maybe I'll try to work up a little something on it." Like that.

Well look, I wrote the word hubris on a piece of paper last week. I think I was wondering if I am hubris deficient. Sometimes I feel that way. Not about creative leaps, but about business decisions, which were what was supposed to be happening on that paper. Regardless, it's a good sounding word. It sounds like something you'd find on the forest floor after you kicked aside some dead leaves and twigs with your boot. It would be there, mixed in with the wet black soil — a hard gnarled relic now exposed for you to harvest. See? I'd rather make up imaginary meanings for it than procure any real hubris — if it is even something that can be gotten at all.

Thursday, May 16

not actual bunny

not actual bunny but it looks just like this

I was at the studio finishing up some work and packing and shipping things until eleven last night so I could take today off. And what a day off. I did everything on my check list:
  • bake cookies - check
  • take a nap - check
  • see baby bunny in the back yard eating grass - check
Now that's a good day.


Sunday, April 14

about


When I'm not making things I'm ... thinking too much about making things. While avoiding my tax forms this week I suddenly became inspired to write this new About so I'm sharing it here. After I wrote one particular line I said "Yes! That's what I do!" You can probably guess which one:

Hi, I'm Helen Carter. I'm a friendly freak - a minimalist with a strong absurdist streak who likes to make clothes that explore, blend, cross and possibly desecrate all the lines within those realms.  I'm an artist, not a fashion designer. I sculpt clothes.
  

About the work: I like dour things with hidden punchlines. I like outrageously funny things with dark underbellies. I like turning one idea into one dress in one fell swoop, on a good day. I dream that my work could somehow emerge from - and exist outside of - the blip in time where we are stuck together. I love that idea even though I'm not sure exactly what it means.  I also enjoy making jokes that no one gets. But mostly: I'm committed to the paradox of making meaningful clothing.

About the process: I sew intuitively, blending found and new materials to suit my needs.  I like deconstructing. I like exposing the process. I like to combine the sturdy with the raw. I embrace wabi sabi, even if that becomes a trendy thing to say. Right now I'm working in small themed batches of maybe a dozen or so pieces at a time, made one at a time in my studio.

About you: I'm interested in pairing eccentricity with comfort for you. I'm interested in dressing women of all shapes. I'm drawn to those of you who hear "I wish I could get away with that" whispered into your ear on a regular basis. I want to propel you along on your path by helping you look the way you feel. I'm interested in sincere wildness and joining others who are exploring a deep, abiding wild authenticity. 

Monday, February 18

The Introspect Times Seven

Here's the whole first batch of Introspect dresses.

Friday, February 15

introducing The Introspect


A funny thing happened to me in the studio this week. I made one of these dresses. I liked it. Then I made another one. And another. I wasn't bored yet. I made more. By Thursday I decided to give it a name.

So I introduce The Introspect: a short dress with long sleeves. Yes, it has ubersleeves — a feature of which I am inordinately fond. They are overlength sleeves that are made to be scrunched up. Also: they are striped. Could it get any better? I'm not sure. It also has a v-neckline, a very very mildly sloping waist seam, curvy hips and then it's trimmed with a wide bottom panel that tapers in slightly.

I like this design because it's sort of Seussian but also rather earnest. You may be this way too. It's a good way to live.