Linen Coffee Filters by GDS Cloth Goods
A few months ago one of my coworkers asked me if I wanted to model a few of her garments for images on her website. I said yes without much hesitation. The decision was easy. I love her aesthetic. It’s one I’ve dubbed, Clean Nostalgia. Think aging, unfinished wood and dusty slate chankboards, fresh linen napkins and rucksacks stuffed with prizes from a garden. It’s the pleasure of an old t-shirt, your favorite leather boots, a dusty, hardcover book from the flea market, that first grade friend that you still talk to – things that withstand the test of time. That’s what GDS Cloth Goods is made of.
Her stylistic choices remind me of a life I once lived. I life I can hardly taste.
From October 1st, 2009 to December 30th, 2010 I occupied the tiniest room of a three bedroom house in Charlottesville, Virginia. My sleeping quarter was not intended to be used as bedroom at all. It lacked a closet and the physical space to contain anything close to normal sized. Fortunately, I am no big gulp, and I don’t own much of anything. I managed to find a very small couch to use as a bed. I also scoured the garage for a bunch of old-looking goods to compliment the overall feelings I was experiencing at the time.
Looking at the photos below makes me want to start decorating again. 98% of the space I have in the artists collective is workspace. There is no decorating going on, only messy, messy creation.
An old wooden milk crate found in the garage. I used it as a table for my laptop and speakers.
Old meets new.
That couch thing with the pillows served as my bed. The pillows are from a thrift store and the rattan screen “headboard” was discarded by one of my old bosses. I turned a washboard into a key rack. The mirror was something I found in the garage. The room got excellent late afternoon/early evening light. Amazing!
I made those curtains! The mask was a gift from my brother, it now lives at my fathers house – one of the few items (besides my sewing machine) that made the across country trip.
Seasonal photos from my window that year:
Initial fabric swatches for Confederate Articles!
The decision to model for GDS was easy because of what I know about the designer. She’s a hardworking, focused woman who’s great at communicating what she wants.
She seemed a bit taken aback by my snap decision. ”That was easy,” she said. ”I expected that to be harder.” I’ve realized recently that people get freaked out when I say yes with fierce confidence. People seem to want, or at least expect, hesitation.
At this point, I have said no to so many life options (Stay a door-knocking, Jehovah’s Witness? No!), potential partners (Settle for a man who doesn’t know how to communicate effectively? No!), bad-for-me foods (Eat a Snickers bar everyday? No!), habits (Smoke whatever it is that’s in that pipe? No!), doctors (Let that young surgeon try that new experimental procedure on me? Hell No!), job offers (Take this job without benefits? No!), consumption practices (Spend that money before you’ve made it? No!), exercise routines, even friends that I when I come across something I really want to do or have I say yes with unbridled enthusiasm. Enthusiastic consent, like I learned in my female sexuality class. Yes!!!! Yes!!!! Yes!!!!!
Speaking of female sexuality… I am really excited about these reusable cotton pads from GDS. I think they are a brilliant alternative to disposable napkins.
Been trying to convince her to co-design a line of sexy underwear with streamlined, matching pads with me. Hopefully this happens.
Here are a few shots from our photo session:
Me in GDS pants. Super comfy and fun to wear!
Me in a GDS dress. An easy-wearing, flatters most figures, A-line style.
She makes everything by machine in her Oakland studio. A truly inspirational and creative force to be around. Once again, I feel blessed to work with so many motivated folks. Helps keep me on the path.
Please give her site a look and if you’re feeling really generous, buy something.
Love and Enjoy!
L
