Backstage reflected the excitement, as garments were zipped and buttoned, lips smacked with color, hair tendrils were tamed, and statures heightened with the help of heels.

Ready.  Models made their way to wait behind tall black curtains.

Chairs filled.  Lights dimmed.  The room became still, and Susy Sun began to sing a special song inspired by the theme of the runway.

Photography: Abiel Hoff
Hair: Belu Salon
Makeup: Courtney Joy Husch

(see also:)
Inspiration behind the collection: CMORthreads for Style Capitol
Style Capitol Video Promo

THE BIG TICKET QUESTION:  WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Wow, that’s a hard one to answer because I think what inspires us at a conscious level is only a small part of what is actually coming through in our work.  Sometimes I’m inspired by one thing, like a color combination, only to realize when a painting is completed that my inspiration actually came from some other place, a place I might not have even been aware of until much later.  For instance, I started a painting this last summer that was an abstract of a butterfly.  It was originally going to be very neutral and dark; blacks, greens, a little shimmer, that’s it.  But when I taped it all off to create the hard lines, I fell in love with the tape lines.  So I re-taped around the original tape lines and painted in the tape colors, which were lots of hot pink, lime green and electric blue.  And it came out so much more interesting that how I had originally envisioned it.  I think being open to the process, being willing to step back and reevaluate your original intent and modify your perception, is one of the most valuable things to me as an artist.   It’s tempting to think that, because I holds the paintbrush, I control the painting when in fact it tells me so much when I open my eyes and pay attention at every turn.

HOW DO YOU HOPE THE VIEWER WILL RESPOND TO YOUR WORK?

 I try not to set up too many expectations around people’s responses, but the only thing I really hope for is that they will want to keep looking.  What better compliment could a painter ask for than to have our fans love our work enough to look and keep looking, seeing something new the longer they look?  One of the reasons I’m so in love with abstract is that everyone sees something different in it.  I was showing my work to someone for the first time the other day and he kept seeing faces everywhere in it.  Every corner had some type of anthropomorphic shape.  I love that.  I almost never paint faces but I love that people see them in my work.  Abstract paintings are like Rorschach tests for every viewer.  The things people tell me they see in my paintings–it’s a trip.  You see a great deal of me and my subconscious in my paintings.  But your response tells me so much about you too.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST COLOR OF PAINT YOU PICKED UP FROM THE STORE? 

Ha, that’s a good one.  I totally remember.  It was this gorgeous blue, maybe cerulean or maybe thalo, can’t quite remember the name, but I remember that shade.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE IT?

 I was thinking how amazing it was going to be to work on something in which distinct shades of color were going to be of utmost importance.  My whole life I’d been having a secret love affair with color. Everywhere, all the time, I noticed shades and combinations that were just brilliant, but aside from dressing myself, I never really did anything with it.  When I started realizing that painting was going to give me the opportunity to work with color in a real, tangible way, that I was literally going to have thousands of combinations and schemes at my disposal, I was ecstatic.  The only real art I had ever tried to do was on the computer, and I literally hate computers.  The fact that paint is physical, an element you can touch, smell, change it’s texture and vibrance– all with “real” mediums– just suited me.  I needed this.  I’ve always needed this.  I could hardly believe it took me 30 years to find it.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU PAINT?

Haha, it’s a constant battle for me to try to *not* think when I’m painting, to just let it happen.  My tendency is to over-analyze my work until I make myself neurotic with the possibilities.  If I can come up with an initial color scheme, and then let the work evolve from there, that usually has a much better outcome.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE PIECE.

My favorite is probably Butterfly Effect, for many reasons.  I have had a few breakthroughs in my painting career, but that was one that really stood out.  I felt like that painting taught me so much about the mindset needed to be a good artist.  I needed to be able to come up with great ideas, compositions, etc–and I needed to be willing to let them go.  I needed to be constantly thinking about how to make a particular piece better–and when to stop trying and let it just happen.  And that one is just pretty, I ain’t gonna lie

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AS AN ARTIST?

To be at least twice as famous as Frida Kahlo and Jean-Michel Basquiat put together.You think I’m joking.Ok, maybe I am.  But only a little  (oh, and she’s funny too…)

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE TO OTHERS WHO ARE PURSUING A CREATIVE OUTLET, SUCH AS PAINTING?

Yeah, do something you hate until you can’t do it another day.  Then explode from it with all the pent-up creative energy you have.  You’ll find what you’re meant to do.  And you will be a force to be reckoned with.

Sarita Valdes is a force to be reckoned with.  Her graceful passion and eloquent artistic statements move a person to stop and think.  Sarita (let me use her term) explodes with color and creative composition–the walls of her home lining with attention-grabbing artwork and kitchen space covered with a rainbow of paint screaming for their chance on canvas and brushes waiting to dance along a journey of purpose.  Her audience can’t wait to see what she comes up with next…

[snapshot. brush stroke. canvas. needle and thread.]

Take a peek and press play as four artists collaborate to color the following image…

Photography, Videography, Editing: Sarah Lovrien
Make-up: Hailey Opacich
Door Artist: Sarita Valdes
Model, Designer, Stylist: Carlynne Morrison

When asked last summer if I would be the featured designer for the Capitol Theatre’s second annual fashion show fundraiser, I couldn’t say no.  In fact, I was honored with the opportunity to come back, to give back, and reflect on the bountiful beauty Yakima bestowed upon me throughout the years.

The designs will be drafted by my childhood.  Over the past four months I have collected inspiration, fabrics, and memories–connecting the threads to my first clothing collection.

The concept of change and growth encouraged the participation of two other talented artists.  Singer/songwriter Susy Sun will write a custom song for the event and pop abstract artist Sarita Valdes will show her colorful collection of symbolic doors within the space.

Speaking in metaphor, I see that there are many doors a person walks through to get to the next stage in life.  Some doors open with a slight push, others stay closed until unlocked, and others still are swung at the hinges a few steps ahead.  The journey is an amazing maze.  While on this adventure, one must remember that “your childhood is a village.  You will never cross its boundaries no matter how far you go (Celebrating Childhood, Adonis)”.

Take a look as I follow the threads that connect my life into the tapestry it has now become.

See CMORthreads Design on the runway of the Capitol Theatre’s gorgeous new 4th Street venue on February 22nd.

the self beings to crack open

no longer can it maintain

pressure.
resistance.

Force forms a falter.

Fallen.
Broken.

SHATTERED.

Deep into the pit–into the ache of the unknown, into loneliness, fear frustration–hope can be found.  Shards of life experiences come together like perfect imperfection, reflecting light, shining brightly in predestined directions.

This photo shoot was inspired by life’s dark capabilities.  Mirrors line the walls, reflecting the search–an introspection.  Images are creatively captured by Sean Watson.

Wardrobe: combination of Vintage, CMORthreads Design, and current RTW clothing

GARMENT DESCRIPTIONS:

1.  Black button-up cardigan with fur trim, 1960 black knit dress/jumper, CMORthreads 1930 belt with added taffeta (worn as headpiece), 1950 silver beaded handbag with silk lining
2.  1960 chiffon A-line dress with rhinestone cuff, CMORthreads broken mirror/screen necklace 3.  White lace blouse with puffed sleeves, 1950 black wide leg, high rise trouser, CMORthreads black leather/lycra arm warmers
4. Black and white jumpsuit, 3″ silver metallic waist belt, neck ruffle (comes with matching cuffs!), bold, geometric rhinestone earrings
5.  Black silk harem pants, curved hem sleeveless grey top, metallic silver clutch with rhinestone encrusted handle,  1/2″ leather belt
6.  Sequin short sleeved knit top, off-white 100% silk puritan collar blouse, Sustalux leather tie, 1940 black satin circle skirt
7.  Shaheen butterfly print maxi skirt, navy hand-painted clay clip-on earrings
8.  “Made in Alaska” colorful quilted jacket, ivory 1970 spaghetti strap blouson dress, red leather and fur belt, blue silk floral scarf
9.  1950 sheer plaid circle skirt dress, black double-breasted shoulder-ruched jacket, 1930 multi-strand brass necklace
10.  Giraffe print mohair sweater, chartreuse floral print dress, large teardrop necklace with chunky gold chain, ivory leather cluth with silver chain
11.  Chartreuse woven blouse with large square pockets,  1980 denim jacket, Anne Klein metallic gold stretch pencil skirt, multicolor square scarf, large gold floral pin
12.  Saint Germain pink jumpsuit, vintage rhinestone necklaces, multicolor head scarf, Leather clutch with magnetic enclosure
13.  1960 color block shift dress, khaki Armani open front trench, 1950′s faux tortoise shell sunglasses, magenta leather purse with gold chain
14.  Cut-out cobalt blue leather dress with buckle enclosures, Chunky silver chain
15.  Black high-waisted satin A-line skirt, 1970 blue halter dress with white top-stitching, gold chain belt worn as necklace, Renate Gehrig neck scarf worn as headdress

*all items are for sale…e-mail cmor@carlynnemorrison.com for sizing and price inquiries.

Photography: Sarah Lovrien
Model: Katie Joy
Styling: Carlynne Morrison

A reminder

On the tip of the index
touching the wind

for a feathered touch of freedom.

and pointed.  as the current of life’s  pulse
directs in fluid motion

Light skips across the surface
igniting the eyes with assurance

For we open our limbs to move-to march-
to trust.
the                                                                         One.

Pointing upwards
Looking Outward.

Diving in and daring.

Daring…

With bold stripes and checks, graphic modern lines, slashes of painterly color and digital photo prints, the women’s spring-summer 2013 collections at New York Fashion Week were a visual explosion, a feast for the eyes.  -Booth Moore, Fashion Critic

Chado Ralph Rucci’s S/S 2013 collection reflected this strong statement in his brilliant choice of color and garment composition.  Models glided purposefully across a runway whose surface shimmered with a fluid effect–juxtaposing the clothing’s clean, crisp lines.

Chado Ralph Rucci (www.style.com)

The procurement of the featured looks began at a young age, as a passion for antiquing, thrifting, photography, production and design started to form.  (…I’ll share a secret with you.  Yakima, WA, though small town and lacking in a fashion focus, is a hub for vintage clothing finds….).  While in high school, I made friends with antique store owners in weekly perusals of their inventory.  I found vintage clothing to have so much substance–elegance in silhouette, texture, color, and construction.

This passion was shared by a local seamstress in Yakima.  Coralie adopted me as an eager young learner, showing me sewing techniques, as we worked together to transform vintage clothing into my own modern renditions.

Fast-forward a few years, and I’ve graduated college with more experience under my 80′s metallic leather belt and knowledge under my 60′s feathered hat, along with a closet of vintage clothing bursting at the seams.

So, near a decade after the sourcing began and with this closetful of fur, leather, sequins, plaid, wool, etc it was time to capture the full story on film (well, digital memory that is).

The night before the shoot, I was up until 1am making sure every look was perfect.  The alarm rang at 6, as I hauled the large load of clothing into the back of my truck and down to the store I assistant-managed to steam each garment.

9:30am.  Sarah Lovrien, and I begin to set-up the backdrop and lighting equipment in our outdoor venue.  Where is our model?  10:30.  Still no sign.  Scramble! Then at 10:45:  ”My keys were locked in my car…along with my cell phone,” voiced our frantic model Katie Joy.  The show did go on!

Katie Joy is wearing a 1960′s chiffon sheath dress with 3/4 sleeves and rhinestone cuffs. She models a CMORthreads custom glass and screen bib necklace.

After 9 outfits, we ran out of ideal backdrop options and decided to pack everything into our cars on a quest to find one more perfect location for the last set of our shoot.  Food deprived and exhausted, we came across what became our favorite setting out of the photo shoot (remember, one must be open to CMOR!).

Home Run! After packing our equipment to source the location of our last shoot, we came across this park in Ballard.

It’s a wrap!  8 years in-the-making plus a full day of hard work made for a gorgeous series of textural ensembles.  Stay tuned, as we reveal the series in the “Showcase” segment of Carlynne Morrison (all items featured will also be for sale!).  In the mean time, check out the behind-the-scenes images…

Photography: Sarah Lovrien Photography
Wardrobe: CMORthreads Vintage by Carlynne Morrison
Styling:  Carlynne Morrison
Model: Katie Joy

It was three hours before doors opened and eager shoppers were already staking their spot in line for the much anticipated Closet Treasures Sale–a fundraising  event to benefit Seattle’s YWCA Dress for Success Program.  DFSS  collected high-end/designer clothing donations throughout the year to sell to the public at this annual fashion function.  Lanvin, Dolce & Gabbana, Akris, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Ferragamo, Jil Sander, and Chanel were among labels that enriched the abandoned Borders bookstore space (a venue donated to the YWCA by the Redmond Town Center) and filled the racks with deals worth waiting for.

Assigned the role of Style Lead, I had fun treasure hunting in the YWCA’s basement creating looks to showcase on the weekly blog, in the venue’s windows, and on the event’s runway.  CTS’s tagline “giving looks good on you” rang true throughout the past few months, as unwanted donated items found new life, beauty & appreciation by buyers and DFSS beneficiaries.

Cindy, Mali & Katie rock a "Rocker Chic" collection featuring vintage fur, designer duds, and Dolce Vita Shoes.

The models left the stage to be stripped down by bargain-hunting buyers.

Fighting the crowds to find looks for the next fashion show collection--"Vintage and Modern"

"You want this don't you?" 2 seconds later Cindy's silk chiffon dress was pulled over her head.

Our three lovely models black dress-ready for the live auction

FGI Seattle Chapter president & CTS chair lead Vivian Miller-Rahl leading the live auction as Mali models a necklace up for bid

3rd Collection: "Business Beautiful"

DJ Cotton Candy spinning as model Cindy gets her shop on

Huge thanks to Sarah Lovrien Photography for capturing the evening’s vibrant energy.  She was among the great team of passionate, influential Seattle women who made the Closet Treasures Sale a night to remember.

Ethiopian beauty Amina, an employee of the YWCA’s Dress for Success® Seattle program, is as gorgeous on the inside and she is on the outside. Her story is one of strength. In this photo shoot she stands as a woman empowered. Amina is our modern day superwoman.

Join Amina in wearing a cape this season to keep you warm and fashion forward through the stormy weather. MM6 Maison Martin Margiela, Hermes, and Chloe create their own renditions for fall 2012.

St. John Evening deep blue knit top with beaded stripe
Jones New York Wool/Angora Cape with leather loops
Classiques black knit tube skirt
Multi-strand gold and bronze chain necklace
Dolce Vita multi-color suede platform

1940′s style infuses with a modern edge, as Amina sports a Jil Sander skirt, a bright blue blazer, a vintage-inspired wool hat and some fabulous Dolce Vita pumps.

Amina befriends the camera and brightens up in this brilliant ensemble. Our “modern day superwoman” turned supermodel wears a million dollar look that will retail for only $130 at the Closet Treasures Sale!

Cabi cobalt blue blazer with navy and gold accents
Faconnable white blouse
Jil Sander grey skirt with asymmetrical seam detail
Dolce Vita cognac suede pump
Calamita grey leather shoulder bag
Vintage-inspired navy blue wool hat
Chunky wood bead necklace

Photography: Sarah Lovrien
Model: Amina
Wardrobe: YWCA Closet Treasures Sale
Stylist: Carlynne Morrison