TeeWrex – The Comfy Haori
April 25, 2010 by kagitsune
First of all, I’d like to sing the base tee’s praises:
Aliens vs. Samurai. Epic. WIN.
It’s comfy, beautifully printed, and reasonably priced. You can contact ionwizard [at] yahoo.com if you’re interested in buying one for yourself! He’s got all kinds of kitchy, pop-culture remix designs. :D
So, on to the finished product!
I realized that an old college tee of mine was made from the same soft fabric, so I used that to make sleeves and a collar for my haori-to-be. I added some cotton kimono-print fabric I had, and…
WHALLAH!!
I love the look of the kimono print peeking out, like I'm wearing a second haori underneath.
The collar turned out surprisingly well, even though it tends to flop. Next time I'll use interfacing. Isn't that Japanese woodcut design just epic??
As you can see, I can work with any tee – I’ll even put the design on the back to avoid spoiling it with cuts!
When I e-mailed IonWizard to show off the results, this is what he responded with:
Wow! Naomi – we’re so impressed! (and honored) What an amazing transformation!
Also, very nice work with the Empire Strikes Back tee. Shweet!
You have some interesting web content at TeeWrex and forgottendoll.
I need to join up with those guys, (and Etsy), for better coverage…
May I ask, how are sales?
I so much want to make creativity my sole source of income, but it’s a struggle.
Is this a do-it-because-I-enjoy-it, or are you trying to take it alllll the way to the bank?
(I like to talk shop/biz)
Again, Nice Work!!
Best,
[Ionwizard]
His question about my motives bring up some interesting questions. Why *do* I do what I do? What are my goals? I mean, I’m getting ready to go to this fancy fashion design school, but why? Couldn’t I just take classes closer to home?
I too, want to live by the work of my hands and my mind. That’s why I left engineering school, after all. I didn’t want to be a slave to the illusion of security and a steady income – things can *always* go awry, no matter what your profession. I only have a limited amount of time on this Earth – and I’ve got to use that time for the Glory of God. I believe that I can best glorify God through my gift of design. I want to help women feel beautiful, men feel powerful. And the limited sizing and design ranges currently on the market are not doing that.
I don’t do anything half-heartedly, and I’ll have the best opportunities in the industry at FIT. I’ll have better connections to driven people who can help me realize my dream – a fashion industry that doesn’t only design for models, standardized mannequins, and heads of state. I have all kinds of ideas on how to combine tailoring with manufacturing…
Yes, I have looked at the schools in Texas and Indiana, where my friends and family live. But I cannot allow myself to be tied down by anything or anyone, except for God and my future husband and family. I will work as hard as I can until God puts me where he needs me, and I have faith that I will then be ready for whatever task He has planned for me.
So, Big Life Questions aside, if you’re ready to order your very own “Comfy Haori”, head on over to my Etsy shop and order away!
Love,
Naomi
I’ve been thinking about my education decision too. Most of the people here are only in it for the money / security, like you said. No one really knows what they will be doing 5 years from now (assuming they’re blessed to live that long), but with the degree I’m working for, there is a good chance I’ll be working a 9-5 someplace…
In any case, I hope you all the best.
On topic:
This haori looks SWEET!
Well, think back to why you chose your major (sorry, belton-san, I don’t remember what yours was ^^; ) in the first place. What was it about engineering that made you want to come to Rose? If your reasons are pure (i.e. because the job sounded really cool, you want to help people), then I say stick it out. If your reasons are more money/approval-based (like mine were – although for a long time I told myself I was doing it for those in need), you might want to consider studying something else after Rose. In any case, now that I’m really moving towards my passion, I now feel like I actually have a *future* I can attain, instead of a vague rationalization for my choices.
I wish you all the best as well. ^^ Are you picking up Japanese again? Oh, and if you’ve got a tee-shirt that you’d like haori-fied, you can send it my way. :D
great looks! you look having so much on the photos! :D love your bowler hat too!
Thanks! I love collecting classic hats. I can only wear my hair one way, so I use hats to change it up!
I checked out your blog – you have great style! Keep it up, and you’ll be on your way. :D
“I want to help women feel beautiful, men feel powerful. And the limited sizing and design ranges currently on the market are not doing that.”
I literally laughed out loud here. What a horribly contrived statement.
While I agree that limited sizing is a problem, what you’ve posted of your clothes would never make a woman who doesn’t fit precisely into the “skinny model” look feel beautiful, because that’s what you’re designing for: the ideal. You claim that you want to help those who don’t fit into that model, yet you pander to it. Everything here is designed for a slender figure and would not look good on anything beyond that (well, it doesn’t look good at all, but that’s beside the point).
Also, fashion is an incredibly pointless field that requires no intellect, no wit, nothing at all except a desire to live up to the ideal and use a needle. There is no point to that whatsoever.
Sorry to burst your idealistic bubble.
Haha, I’ve seen you here before. It’s true – I don’t have any non-skinny models for my clothes yet, but I’m just starting out. I hope to make clothes for people of all shapes and sizes in the very near future. :) Thanks for keeping me on my toes, oh ever-vehemently-opposing commenter. xD