Art Deco

[Iris]

Hi to everyone.
I have just finished an encrusted cq course with Sharon and really loved the encrusting part of the process. It has inspired me to venture into beading, etc.
One of my favourite periods in art is the Art Deco period and I would love to translate some of those design ideas into soft furnishings or textile art. The beaded costumes and flapper dresses are a real delight as are the fabric designs of the time.
Unfortunately, I am struggling to find information about the designs and techniques of the textiles of Art Deco. I have many books on the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau periods but the Art Deco ones seem to concentrate on architecture and furniture.
If anyone has some links to sources, inspiration, techniques, etc that they don't mind sharing, I would be very interested and appreciative.

Thankyou and hope you have a great creative weekend.

Cheers for now,
Iris

[Ann Clare]

Hello Iris,

In Thomasina Beck's book, The Embroiderer's Story, there is a lovely image on page 142 of the sort of design you might be looking for. She mentions a book, Modern Design in Embroidery by Rebecca Crompton, but I don't have it and it seems hard to get.

The Embroiders' Guild might be able to help.

Ann (Clare)

[Jacqui]

Just did a quick search of Art Deco fashion in New Zealand. Thought there might be something in the Napier/Hawkes Bay as Napier is kown as the Art Deco capital of NZ. Came across the following websites which may be of interest.

http://www.artdeco.org.nz/

http://www.suepah.co.nz/
Fashion Design and Hire

http://www.annetteoughton.co.nz/Art-Deco/

Also check out amazon.com - they have a few titles listed but didn't find anything which showed inside the books. Will keep thinking.

Jacqui
in Auckland, NZ

[Romilly]

Reference Erte for clothing design and beadwork patterns. Great inspiration.

The V&A has a series of Art Deco books, including one on textiles:
http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1157_art_deco/resources/

And there's a list of small biographies of art deco designers here, that might serve as a jumping-off place:
http://kpsec.freeuk.com/eastburytech/GCSE-Resouce/art-deco-biograph...

[Jem]

Hi Iris
I love the Art Deco period too. But I must admit I love the earlier periods as well. Have you thought of looking at some "history of fashion" books for ideas? I have a small book from V& A by Suzanne Lussier called Art Deco Fashion, probably available from Amazon, which might inspire. I'm thinking that you might get some ideas from the fabric patterns and various embellishments on the clothes. Have you thought of translating some of the architectural themes and motifs to your work, I'm thinking of patterns from balustrades, or wall friezes etc? Sometimes movies etc can be a source of ideas--eg Poirot, the TV series, is very Art Deco.
Hope this helps
Judy

[Iris]

Thanks to all for taking the time to answer my query. There are a few good links and ideas here which I will be following through. I am sure I will find plenty of inspiration to get me going.
Thanks again.

Cheers,
Iris