Adornment - The Local Rose

Mr. Parkinson’s Magical Realm ~ Part 1

May 18, 2013 by Shiva Rose

I have always adored Gregory Parkinson. Not just because he makes the most exquisite dresses, but more so due to his gentle disposition and mindfulness. He travels often, reads voraciously, has great style, is always present, compassionate and a gentleman in the truest sense. He makes me yearn for days gone by in the Austen era where ladies were treated with respect and men weren't afraid to be kind. I had the pleasure of visiting Gregory in his studio downtown and later at his loft where he made us the most delicious and nutritious cabbage salad. Stay tuned in for part 2 when we get the recipe. Gregory is a local designer using fabric remnants at times to create his collage like gems. I truly wish I could wear his gowns all the time. Interview below!

1) What inspires you?
i think first and foremost, one has to inspire oneself! I never get bored of gorgeous and interesting fabric, wether it costs a lot of money or is in expensive, the two go together so well. I love how color can pick you up and change" the mood" always for the better.

2) You travel to Peru often what are three things keep you returning?
I come from a colonial country, there is something so wild and far away,the opposite to where I am from that always excites me. The culture and history is phenomenal, the geography is diverse and insane and thrilling, the food is delicious, i have great friends there and the food is delicious!

3) Are you influenced by nature?
I think the best thing about L.A is that despite being a huge city, we are surrounded and reminded constantly of the nature in our daily lives.There are so many people here with so much and so many are looking for something else to fulfill their lives, appreciation of nature is such a simple pleasure yet it is so comforting and rewarding, I think to immerse yourself in it is a great thing.

4) What is the recipe for the delicious cabbage salad we had for lunch?
Only for Sheever Rosey, will i give up a secret recipe! (Look for in Part 2)

5) What makes a woman beautiful?
I have dressed many many women over the past 20 years, lots of them conventionally beautiful some beautiful in a different way, women AND men can make them selves more or less beautiful by the way they are,kindness and composure really go a long way in this world as far as Im concerned. (Im a big fan of gorgeous skin too on either men or women )

6) What book is on your night stand?
i love the Christopher Isherwood diaries, Im reading the last decade, the 60's its a heavy book so it hits me in the face as i read and fall asleep.

7)What is your swear by product? RMS coconut oil ,Pat Wexler cleanser and apple cider vinegar. I swear!

8) Do you think LA is an artist friendly city?
In the sense that there are great spaces for artist to work and create, an eager for culture audience , a lot of major galleries and also local galleries supporting local art,lots of physical and mental space, perfect for some, not all. a lot of great art is made here , I think it is a great place for artists and those who like them.

9) You use remnants of fabrics at times is that a green decision?
I hate throwing things away, especially beautiful fabric, that in some cases I have had for many years. So it was born out of practicality, but I think thats the whole point of being Green, I think we are not practical or resourceful enough.

10) Where do you see yourself in ten years?
hopefully traveling more, staying places longer, finding great new people and things to see, working in different ways in different mediums.
Living the life I live now to a greater extent.

Adornment

Rachel Craven Aprons for The Local Rose

May 7, 2013 by Shiva Rose

The talented Rachel Craven has made custom aprons for The Local Rose. The linen aprons have detailing of rose gold thread and leather accents. These aprons are perfect for cooking, gardening, housework and more. They come in either white and gold arrowheads designs or red. You can now purchase them on The Local Rose Shop.

Adornment Nest

Sweat of the Sun, Tears of the Moon . . .

April 29, 2013 by Shiva Rose

Artist and weaver Justine Ashbee creates beautiful pieces for her line Native Line. She began with illustrations and now has taken it into the next realm with magical wall hangings and bracelets woven with gold thread on her home loom. Her stories are informed by Native American stories and truly make a room vibrate. She is able to bring an ancient art form a modern, clean aesthetic.

1) What inspired you to start the line?
I had the fortune to participate in an artist residency program at Herekeke, in the mountains of Northern New Mexico. The area surrounding Taos has been a spiritual home to me since I was a young girl, so it has always been a place I return to over the years, for rejuvenation and inspiration. Together with the local residents, we built a traditional Navajo loom from the trees on their property, and used the wool that they sheered from their sheep, that we then dyed with local plants, and spun into usable wool. It was a beautiful engagement of a vertical production process that felt both sustainable, and ancient. The inherent nature of weaving, both the process and structure of weaving has always influenced & informed my work. Weaving is a foundation that I always return to, and after years of working in other mediums, I felt like I had finally come home again. I had a strong re-awakening of my sensibilities and my voice at this time, and felt an identification with the wisdom found in the practice of weaving. It is one of the most ancient technologies we have as humans. One of storytelling, myth, tradition, technique, transferring wisdom from one generation to the next.

2) I really admire the way you have taken your art into so many avenues from jewelry to wall hangings. Can you tell me how this natural progression started?

I am interested in the cross over of forms in Ornamentation. Each process informs the other. I do not feel that they are so separate. We personalize objects, and imbue them with magic when we give meaning to things. In a way, this fetishising of objects transforms their use. A beautiful piece of jewelry becomes an object of art to hang on the wall. A beautiful woven rug becomes a curtain in a doorway.

3) Are you a forest fairy or mermaid?
Mermaid

4) Where is your dream vacation?
Lately I haven't been able to stop thinking about Australia. I am so drawn to what seems to me like a vibrancy and eccentricity that is unlike anywhere else I know. Generally anywhere that is sunny, beachy, vibrant, colorful, and also serene. I like to go to sleepy beach towns when we are vacationing. I get inspired by the wind in the palms, the salt of the waves, warm skin, and the heat offers the opportunity to wear bright and bold colors and patterns that doesn't otherwise happen in an everyday urban setting.

5) Can you tell us about your upcoming work here in LA?

There is currently a show up at the Sacred Door Gallery that is focused on Textile work from a range of artists in various design fields. This collection of pieces I created for Native Line is inspired by the power of the Sun. In Incan mythology they considered Gold to be the 'Sweat of the Sun' and Silver to be the 'Tears of the Moon' These are incredibly beautiful symbols to me. I felt very inspired by the energy of the Sun, particularly the Sun in the Desert, whilst creating these pieces. I also made pieces specifically for CHAY, inspired by Runes, that have a different kind of elegance to them. There are also new works available at Weltenbuerger in Los Feliz.

Adornment

Part 2 – Mark and The People’s Movement

April 5, 2013 by Shiva Rose

1) What inspired you to be a part The Peoples Movement? Is it the eco conscious aspect?

Well, I was initially inspired to create a "eco-conscious" sneaker company that specifically stood for the fight against single use plastics after my first trip to Bali years ago. I saw this beautiful island that was once a paradise and now was becoming a plastic wasteland all in a time span of 30 years or so. I saw Bali as a microcosm of what is happening globally. In a twist of fate, shortly after coming home from that trip I got invited to meet a group of scientists, artists, lawyers and activists that had started the Plastic Pollution Coalition. That's where I first met Captain Charles Moore who discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch a few years back and was horrified by what I had heard. I learned just how bad the single use plastics problem had become and was inspired to become involved full time.

The actual opportunity to start MOVMT came when my brother in law called me as he was leaving his job at REEF (the sandal) company where he was the VP of Marketing for 5 years. He had been wanting to start his own company as he had 16 years of experience in fashion working for companies like Oakley, Globe, ASR Tradeshows and Reef. He and I had spoke at great lengths about starting our own company that was a true reflection of our values. I had it in my mind to have a hip, mission based company with an eco-conscious focus...for me, that was to incorporate our entire brands mission into stopping Single Use Plastics and it's toxic effects on animals, humans and our planet. Kevin and I chose this focus, because we see it as a battle that can be won through education and awareness. Everyday humans consume enough single use plastics that if you line them up end to end they would circle the globe 4 times...this plastic waste will never go away and is made of horrible toxic chemicals like petroleum and BPA (bispenol A). Most people just don't know how bad they are, but when you educate people they immediately care and work to change their consumption habits. That's what The People's Movement is about...being a conversation starter for how we consume and what kind of companies we support with our hard earned $'s!

2) Do you think being raised on a cattle ranch as a kid had an impact on how you see the world?

Absolutely. I was raised in one of the most beautiful, un-developed areas I've ever been to. My mother raised my and all of my siblings to respect nature, nuture it and enjoy it. Everyday was spent working hard and playing outdoors on the ranch under that magical, big, blue Arizona sky. My mother always taught us that we were apart of nature and did not "own" it. Rather, she raised us to be responsible, "stewards" of the land and to leave it better than we found it. She's an incredible woman and definately along with my Dad my two biggest influences. I'm very lucky and love them both soo much and am thankful for amazing childhood they provided for me.

3) What is your dream vacation? Hmmm, since I haven't had a vacation in almost a year, the list is getting big! Right now, I'm dreaming of going on a proper surf trip with the boys which will be down at a secret spot in Mainland Mexico all the way down south...it's very rugged, simple and beautiful. It's not developed down there and it loaded with untouched beaches and perfect point breaks. The brothers that run the camp are 6 and 7th generation fishermen and passionate watermen. We're up with the sun and surfing about 8 hours a day. Exercise, sun, surf, warm water, healthy food, great friends, memories that will keep me going for another year...for a lifetime.

4) What or where is your favorite meal? Sushi! But, really any home cooked meal with friends and loved ones and great wine!

5) This is a question the ladies will want to know. What do you find attractive in a woman? Sense of humor, confidence, adventurous spirit, affectionate, athletic, humbleness. Also, beautiful

6) Mountain man or ocean love? I'm a man of the salt and the earth...I love all different terrains and want to explore until the day I die.

7) Where can we find these wonderful shoes? Nordstrom in California, Nordstrom Online, American Rag in LA / OC, LF, Weekend Lovers...soon to be Reformation and Free People as well as www.ThePeoplesMovement.com

8 ) What book is on your nightstand? Actually, theres a few! "A Hologram For The King" by Dave Eggers, "Under The Volcano" by Malcolm Lowry and "Tropic of Cancer" by Henry Miller. I'm A.D.D.!

9) Where do you see yourself in ten years? I see myself living in a humble home with gardens, ocean views , recording space, a loving, awesome wife and a couple kids running around keeping me young. I see single use plastics being banned and The People's Movement being the best selling eco-conscious brand that was part of starting the 2nd Industrial Revolution....my kids will be running around in little MOVMT sneakers that are 100 % sustainable and bio-degradable. That's where I see myself...that's my dream...dreams are the fuel that keeps me going.