the singer sings...

the songbird scarf!

and

the rebel version.

ReBeL lOvE.

ReBEl LoVE transcends diamonds and gold.

vintage brass sweethearts
lemon butter lucite
tangerine plastic
stamped coppery goodness
lockets kissed with time
red quartz as deep as roses
glass seeds mocking candy
stones as big as cherries


c'mon. could valentine jewels get any better?!

UnLEasHeD here!

evolution of a stitch.

I've been busy getting my ducks in a row, one might say. In an effort to kind of bring clarity or simplify the browsing/shopping experience I've removed my Rhea belle clothing from the Rebel1in8 store and opened news digs for just the clothing.

Rhea Belle clothing is now at Rhea Belle apparel.

It's a small detail but I've also changed the word clothing to apparel because I think it refers to more possibilities. Since I have grand ideas in mind for scarves and some day jackets/coats, apparel seems to fit better and I like the sound of it. Anyways, just thought I'd mention this as I haven't been here lately and I have lots of things on my mind to write about. I just had to get my threads in row before I settled down to spill the beans.

departures. arrivals.

"Refashioning with a purpose: Clothes for the one-breasted woman" by Debra Roby.

have a fabulous holiday

...and a terrific new year celebration! i'm hitting the road. heading towards the love of family. see you all next year.

Love,
Jacqueline










photo. playing card Christmas ornaments that i made in '95.

sing it.

sometimes
and often
from
loss
grows
a whisper
a roar

and
song.



*
get the patch.
*

renovations.

During Laurie's visit she revealed three sweaters to me that she wanted renovated. I had asked her to bring any of her garments that she liked but no longer wore since her surgery. All three pieces were formerly pull-overs that she seldom wore after her single right side mastectomy.

Like me, Laurie finds that simple pull-over garments that accentuate the body's transformed facade are awkward, simply poor designs and uncomplimentary to our single breasted bodies. I often describe my body as architecture. In the designing and engineering of structural forms there is aesthetic purpose in nearly every rise, fall, relief and recess of material. I look at garments in this way and as a "service" to the body. Garments must now serve my form. Not vice-versa. The flat side of my torso where there once was a mound is utilitarian space perfectly suited to embellishment and more especially to function- closures such as buttons, zippers, hooks, etc. My closet is nearly empty because I have removed everything that is not suitable for my architecture. I am in the process of renovating all blouses, sweaters and dresses by moving all of the buttons to the right side where they belong... I'll keep you posted on that project.

Cutting Laurie's garments made me nervous. Very nervous. One is made of silk, one is lambs wool with angora, and the delicious red turtleneck sweter is 2ply cashmere! I've turned almost all of my pull-overs into asymmetrical cardigans. I simply love severing asymmetry and revealing an underneath that no longer exists. This diabolical approach to design challenges and addresses traditional body composition and replaces "expected" form with function. It's like busting the brick out of a boring north-facing wall to install a window- you know, let some of that freaking beautiful sunlight in- sort of speak. The result is visual and conceptual trickery that works. Well, that's what I think anyway. This garment concept is one solution of many towards accommodating our transformed bodies, reinventing the perception of our architecture, sparing our flesh the trauma of further surgery and the humiliating rash often cursed upon us by the prosthesis.

In the very near future I plan on providing some "how-to" instructions for this type of renovation. But in the mean time go and gather those pull-overs or any boring plain front tops that are just taking up space in your closet or drawers and have them ready!!!

Laurie! these pieces will go into the mail on Monday!