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2008 04 11

Random Rippling

Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v05n08)

Local designer Davidson at IMA - By Rebecca Davidson

posted: Apr. 11, 2008

By Rebecca Davidson

What are you wearing right now? Seriously, have you ever thought about it? Many of us wear our favorite brands without concerning ourselves with the fabric content, the seam structure, the underlining or the interlining, the direction of the thread grain, or whether all five pockets of our 5-pocket jeans have smocking or just the back two. It just looks good, right?

No one would argue, for very long, that Indianapolis is a mecca for high fashion, but on Friday, April 4, there were a number of fashionistas - and fashionistos? - trying to put Indianapolis on the road to being at least not so far behind everyone else. . .

One such Marveilleux was Lindsey Davidson, an artist by design, a designer by choice. She was one of the designers showcased in this year's PROJECT IMA fashion show as part of the Indianapolis Museum of Art's Breaking the Mode exhibit.

I had a chat with Lindsey Davidson about her avant-garde Wearable Art.

Do you have any formal training in fashion design?

No, not at all!

What brought you into fashion design then?

It all happened kind of by chance! A bunch of friends got together and decided to have a wearable art show as well as gallery work, which was called Strange Fruit. So, I went to the fabric store and bought yards of fabric and I had a dress! It was a trying experience, but it proved to be fruitful.

When did you start designing?

I had always altered clothes so that they fit my form better, but I don't know if I would say that I really started before the Strange Fruit show in October.

How did you get involved with the PROJECT IMA Fashion Show?

A few people from the IMA came to the Strange Fruit Show and loved the idea and all the designers. About a week later, they contacted us with the idea of a Wearable Art show in conjunction with the traveling [exhibit] "Breaking the Mode", kind of as a 'closing bang.'

What are you trying to express with your designs for this show?

I am actually trying to take it a little more literally; at least the idea of "wearable art". I want the pieces to be sculpture that just so happen to fit on a human form. And just a little fun and fantasy. . .

What are your thoughts on the designs in the Breaking the Mode traveling exhibit?

I have seen the Breaking the Mode show, we were all invited to the opening reception which was super fun and fantastic. We had a preview of the show before the public. I think that it is seriously the best fashion exhibit that they have ever had through the museum. The pieces were representative of the art of fashion through the ages; it was a real inspiration to see them all in one place!

What is your proudest moment as a designer?

It's always nice when people come up after the fact and comment on your pieces. But seeing them go down a runway is great, too!

Where do you find the most support for your work?

Definitely my friends and my family support me more than anything. We can always brainstorm and critique each other. It's nice to have a wide range of support and different perspectives.

What other types of art are you involved in?

I am currently working as a restoration painter at a local company. Also as a composition restorationist and paper restorationist. Originally I was trained in painting and graduated from Herron School of Art with Painting and Art History. So, I am still a working artist!

What is your favorite medium to work with?

My favorite medium still has to be paint. I feel comfortable with it and I understand the ways it can work, the limits of its abilities, which are few and far between.

What are some of the challenges you've faced as a designer?

The only challenges are working to get all the pieces together and having it look like your vision, so the actual execution is hard - but I'm a perfectionist. What, to you, is the biggest faux pas in today's fashion on the streets?

Leggings with big flowy shirts!! The style does not fit on everyone!

What is one of your pet peeves in the art or fashion design industry?

A lot of the time, I feel it's all politics and surface. So, it's not just a pet peeve, it's just not the person that I am.

Do you have an ultimate goal as an artist or designer?

My ultimate goal is to reach my highest potential, and have other people experience it.

You can experience (or re-experience) Lindsey's wearable art shown at PROJECT IMA last week by visiting the IMA's website, www.imamuseum.org.

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