Art Star

Tag: rachel sherman

  • Meet Rachel Sherman of Malagueta

    Rachel Sherman makes impeccably crafted clothing and accessories under the name Malagueta. Her surface manipulation on each garment is pretty amazing.  Learn more about her techniques & what inspires her.  And be sure to check her out at the bazaar at Booth 48 – all of her items are always neatly displayed by color!

    Art Star: Did you go to art school?  If so, where did you study?
    RS: I went to Moore College of Art and got my BFA in Textile Design.

    AS: What types of items will you be selling at the bazaar?
    RS: Skirts, tops, dresses, and wristlets….all of which will display some type of surface manipulation.

    AS: What materials do you work with?
    RS:     Lots of jersey and woven fabrics all of which are plain on the surface, nothing printed, and textures are kept to a minimum. Whenever there is any leftover, which there usually is, I save it and use it for appliques, piecing, etc.


    AS: How are your items made? Describe your process.
    RS    : I buy limited amounts of yardage that I first cut into the pattern pieces. Some styles I assemble COMPLETELY before I add any surface detail to them, while others can only be assembled AFTER the pattern pieces are cut then covered with surface work.  The techniques I use are found in traditional folk textiles such as Kuna Molas, Rahasthani dresses, and Korean Bojagi cloth.  Those techniques are reverse applique (layering fabrics then removing one layer at a time to reveal specific colors underneath), couching (sewing yarn onto fabric with thread, either by hand or sewing machine), piecing (gathering fabric pieces of different shapes and colors and sewing them together to emphasize bold color compostions or using the opaque seams to emphasize line compostions).


    AS: Are you able to make your work full-time?  If not, what do you do for your day job?
    RS: Malagueta is almost full-time work, however I do squeeze in block-printing one day a week, the occasional sewing project for someone, then top it off with a samba performance or a gig teaching design to high school students.


    AS: Who are some of your favorite artists?
    RS: EVERY SINGLE ONE OF MY ARTIST FRIENDS of course and Lee Bontecou, Friedrich Hundertwasser, Francoise Gilot, Jay Ryan of The Bird Machine…

    AS: What are you reading/listening to right now?
    RS    : Chet Atkins, The Might Sparrow, Jorge Ben and other Brasilian Artists.  I will be reading Bossy Pants as soon as my sister is done with it.

  • Crafternoon #2: Janell Wysock + Rachel Sherman of Malagueta

    Our first Crafternoon was such a hit, so we are excited about our 2nd in the series!  We will be visiting the studio of textile artist Janell Wysock & then we will head back to Art Star for  a trunk show / make + take with Rachel Sherman, the lovely woman behind the amazing clothing line Malagueta.

    Janell Wysock’s studio & samples of her work

    Here are the details & full itinerary for the day:

    Sunday, October 21st
    10:15am-approximately 2pm

    $25 per person, limit 10 people per Crafternoon (must have 5 to run)

    10:15am– Meet up at Janell Wysock’s studio at the 915 Spring Garden Street Studios
    You will get an intimite view of Janell’s studio + she will talk about her work & give a demonstration on her process.  She will also have her collection of goods out & available for sale for 20% off  – for crafternooners only!  coffee, tea & snacks will be provided.

    sample of clothing designs by Malagueta

    11:45am – approximately 2pm Meet at Art Star where Malagueta clothing designer Rachel Sherman will be set up with her latest line of clothing.  She will talk a little bit about her work & then give a demonstration on one of the techniques used on her clothing (see images below) called Couching.  Bring a blank t-shirt, skirt, bag, or any other simple fabric piece to try out the technique.  All other materials will be provided.  Finger foods & refreshments provided.

    Sample of the Couching Technique that Crafternooners can try

    You will receive 20% off any item purchased from Art Star or from any of the artists that day!

    Register here or call us at 215.238.1557

    About the Artists: 

    Janell Wysock completed her BFA at Moore College of Art and Design in 2004. Since then, she has lived and worked in Philadelphia and successfully established her textile work by developing a strong following with her unique and creative woven works of art. Janell is a member of the 3 by Three collaborative with Melissa D’Agostino, and Rachel Sherman, of Maleugeta, who believe hand made local fashion is important to building a caring and sustainable community that respects local makers which, in turn, supports other various local suppliers, creating an over all smaller carbon foot print.

    Check out our interview with Janell here or visit her website for more info

    After receiving her BFA in Textile Design from Moore College, Rachel Sherman traded in her east coast lifestyle for a stint in Seattle. It was there, in 2002, that she launched her label “malagueta”, based on improvised surface manipulation techniques such as applique, couching, shirring, top-stitching, ruching, embroidery, piecing, and pin-tucking. Her inspiration: foliage, architecture, fruits, vegetables, insects, and machinery.

    Malagueta, in Portuguese, is known as a tiny, hot red pepper that grows in Brazil, where her mother was born and where Sherman has visited on many occasions. Her lively interpretations of color and pattern pay homage to her passion for nature and music. Her vibrant, modern and easy to wear creations found their way into independent boutiques down the west coast to Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, then east to Tucson, Miami, and DC, where funky and feminine were embraced by a diverse clientele.

    Presently, based in Philadelphia, Sherman has reestablished herself on the handmade scene through local fine art festivals and indie craft shows such as Art Star Craft Bazaar, Crafty Bastards, Holiday Heap, and the SOWA Market.

    Visit her website for more info

     

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