Brain Cells on Parade

That’s a dress made out of yarn you’re looking at, and my late mother had something to do with it. It was designed by a fellow named Randall L. Hill. He’s one of CC’s fashion students at the International Academy of Design & Technology in the Loop. He and another student were selected to have their creations put on display at the Blick Art Materials store on State Street. I walked over there today on my dinner break and snapped these photos.

Below Randall’s dress is the following text:
“This piece evolved from a variety of inspirations. I referred to the Crinoline Period to guide the understructure of my design. Secondly, I looked to a rug to make what looks like a shag carpet dress. The pattern was inspired by a painting from the Art Deco Period. I have crocheted hundreds of individual strands of yarn (all 100% acrylic) through a durable stretch knit fabric (65% acrylic, 30% cotton, 5% lycra) and cut them at different lengths to manipulate the surface texture of the dress. My color story and pattern were inspired by a painting with warm golden tans, saturated pinks and reds, purples, and creams. Fastened up the center back with hidden hooks and eyes, from a distance this piece will play a trick on your eyes – how do those shapes and colors bleed together like liquid?”

So where does Mom enter the picture? Well, after she passed away, much of her considerable yarn stash went to CC, who at one time had a sign hanging in her workshop that read, “She Who Dies With the Most Fabric Wins.” CC shared this bounty with designer Randall, so much of the yarn you’re looking at came from Mom’s collection – and now it’s in a place of honor on Blick’s second floor overlooking bustling State Street in Chicago’s Loop! Mom would have been tickled pink! Note to my siblings – if you can find a way to either print this out or show it to Dad on-screen, I think he’d enjoy it. Thanks!

The photo below shows the view from the sidewalk on State. The yarn dress is on the right.