September's Take 5

Lesley Tamaev's remnants of inspiration
Amy Conry Davis, ,
After studying clothing design at Manchester Metropolitan University and working for the likes of Ralph Lauren, DKNY, and Jones New York, LESLEY TAMAEV made the leap six years ago to start her own company, which now includes the lines Just Like Honey Clothing and Sewn to the Bone. Often working with bold prints from vintage and recycled materials, Tamaev still believes the best part is having full control over her designs.

 

(UNLIKELY) DESIGN INSPIRATIONS

“Curtains: I made a pretty sexy V-back dress with lace-up details from a brocade curtain that I somehow liberated from a nightclub. I wore it to the same club the next week. I still love to use vintage brocades mixed with velvet for holiday party dresses.

Tablecloths: I make a lot of reversible headscarves and hairbands – usually one side is patterned, and one side is solid. White is very popular, so I am always looking for textured or novelty fabrics in white. In a bind, with no white to be found, I cut up my vintage tablecloth. There are a lot of women with a little bit of that tablecloth in their headscarf.

Rugby shirts make great layering pieces. I usually cut, patch, and drape for fun cardigans in fall time.

Sweaters: I have cut and sewn sweaters into cute little shrugs and ponchos. Best to boil them first for a felted effect.

Remnants: Most of my day dresses are made using a mix of knit and woven fabrics cut from shirts, skirts, and T-shirts. I usually see a print that appeals to me, and I figure out what the garment will be later.”

 

To view more of photographer Amy Conry Davis' work, go to www.gypsypye.com.