Photo: Kelly Clemens

The Modiste´: In Praise of Slow Fashion

Rhode Island is heading toward fall. The light has already shifted and soon summer will blaze into memory. I spent summer's beach time thinking about how I want to be in the world; how to make the pieces that I offer you, that surround me more useful and beautiful while creating value for you.

We have gone social! Now, you can share products you like with people you like. I hope you will take some time to explore the new website, especially the "About" section which charts my fashion and design history, (of which I am very proud). I also hope you will explore the most fabulous Blog Roll anywhere and join the conversation with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Back to blogging and The Slow movement. A curator friend says good art is wasted on people in a hurry. I agree more broadly. Slow seeps into consciousness and choices — a counter weight to the internet and interstates where we must go, go, go.

Slow Work

I'm not a fan of instant design. My working method is not fast. On top of that, I want enough time to think of my customer. Can she wear it? Will she like it? I’m surrendered to the reality that trial and error precede great design and I make many iterations of a new necklace or earring before finding the solution. Even then a design may not go into production.

I relish long magazine articles with big ideas from the larger world that I don't always get to think about Mondays through Fridays.