Eco Style Artist: A Man and His Mannequin on A Mission!

Matthew Richmond is A Self-Made Artist in every sense of the phrase. You can't learn what he knows instinctively, and the path he treads has not been entirely paved before. This is in part due to the fact that his talent includes a unique blend of 'Green Design" in a material sense, Anthropometric Construction, and Couture Fashion all rolled into one. Inspired by 60s Fashion Star Bob Mackey, Matt's personal Style is a mix of vintage menswear and "Tuxedo Shirts" which he collects. He also admires the "Artful Hybrid Style" of Lady GaGa.

The collage of photos I included in this blog speak for themselves. They are each inspired and carefully crafted from unorthodox materials. I'm especially enchanted with the Floral Dress as well as the Grocery Bag gown. I'd even seriously consider wearing the latter to the next DIA Fashion Gala if I were sure it would stay put.

Matt is employed with Douglas J. Aveda in Royal Oak, MI. You can find him in Guest Services, however he is also their unofficial "Visual Merchandise Guru." Many of his one of a kind creations are often on display there, though he is also hired to do the same for other venues. Matt can be hired for other special projects: Gallery and Fashion shows, Art and Marketing projects and Weddings to name a few.

You can see much of Matt's portfolio work and more detailed information on his Facebook Fan page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ferndale-MI/Saving-the-planet-1-dress-at-a-time/289299613814?ref=sgm, "Saving The Planet 1 Dress at a time." Or you can contact him directly at: Matthewfrichmond@gmail.com

No one can accuse Matt of having small goals with a Fan Page name like that. It's clear he has a long view approach to his work. Next time you see a good looking Man lugging his Mannequin around town, it just might be Matt on his next "Mission", after all "FreeStyle" is the way he rolls!

Fashion Artist, Life and Death Concept Dress

Janna Coumoundouros Bissett explores her appreciation for Fashion in many forms. Photography, Jewelry, Clothing design, Illustration, Mixed Media Art and Personal Style, are all pieces of her creative vision.

The "Maternity Egg dress" is a full scale mixed media piece she completed in college. "It's about life and death and a visual mix of those ideas".

The original material used to develop the dress idea was tissue paper and an empty egg shell. Janna carefully hand stitched panels "quilt style" of a fried egg image to the dress backing material. "I have sewn you together In your Mothers Womb" is a Biblical quote that describes the conceptual and literal process of this Dress project beautifully. A determined, difficult and delicate process.

The Dress was then worn by a pregnant model who was photographed. At the gallery showing those photos were framed in an old Architectural Window and the Dress hung next to the window (as shown in the photo). The Death aspect of the project included a subtle historic "Symbol" of Abortion: "The Hanger" the dress clung to.

In the end the Dress "passed away" due to it's fine construction and the adversities of time. As for the Abortion controversy I can't help but think about ALL the Creative Projects and dreams that never come to pass in our lives....Aborted by Apathy, Circumstance and the Limits of Time.

Speaking of time, the body of work Mrs. Bissett has created belies her age. You can see for yourself: www.etsy.com/shop/lilacpop is her on-line shop.

"I think it's a mistake to write off fashion as being devoid of intellectual content" wrote Cintra Wilson, Writer for the New York Times. I agree with her statement and I believe Janna's Concept Dress proves this point. Of course I also think Project Runway contestants need read this blog post!