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UPDATE  – December 2, 2018. VIDA is no longer authorized to license my work, due to non-reporting and misrepresentation of their product . It turns out that this company disguises itself as a promoter of the artist, but then basically relies upon the artist to purchase and resale their product. If you have purchased a product from VIDA, I hope you are enjoying it. Many thanks.

And now for something completely different! I was contacted out of the wild blue yesterday by new sustainable startup fashion company VIDA based out of San Francisco. The VIDA staff had seen my work and were eager to invite me to design some new scarves and silk shirts for their lineup from my paintings. When I heard the story of the company, and who will benefit, I couldn’t resist!
VIDA is a global partnership of creators, pairing designers from around the world with makers in Pakistan and India in accordance with high ethical standards, to create original, beautiful products.  And the best part is that using part of proceeds from the sales of the products, VIDA creates literacy programs for the makers, so that they have opportunities to learn reading, writing and basic math that they would not otherwise have.
More than anything, I am thrilled when my work provides support, literacy and educational programs and support for others. VIDA has a beautiful plan that is just up my alley, collapsing the distance between makers and artists/designers across the globe. Have a look at The VIDA story and I’m sure you’ll see why I was so excited (and you who know me, know I don’t get this enthusiastic1). Good things can happen in the world.

Such a wonderful idea, marrying technology, artists and makers from across the globe. An opportunity to make my paint into wearable, beautiful products, in a sustainable way? Uh huh…I’m totally in. Sign me up…get me a ticket….etc. etc.
I was so excited, I couldn’t decide which paintings to go with, but decided on several strong images that I would wear – and I’m picky! I have a weakness for beautiful scarves, especially since being diagnosed with breast cancer. (I’m clear now…but I’ve become a bit of a shawl/scarf maniac in the absence of breasts.) I might use some of the scarves to make some pillows and curtains for the studio. Lots of creative ideas swirling around in my head.
There are now four products up on the site, and if the pre-orders sell ONLY within the next 14 days, VIDA will make the products. (As extra enticement, VIDA is offering the coupon code VOICES for 25% off of any preorders — which makes these 100% modal scarves incredibly reasonable and WOWSER for the silk shirts!) AND if you order by the end of this month, they have a special on international shipping for only $5 USD! (Usually it’s $35, so this is a huge savings opportunity to jump on board if you see something you like).
Here are the images I chose.

Emergence

 

Emergence will be recreated as a beautiful 100% Modal scarf. The beauty of our forests in Haida Gwaii and British Columbia are the inspiration for Emergence. So much life and the clarity of the coastal rain forests are an inspiration to me, redefining the resurgence of life, primeval forests and the sea from whence we emerged.
This scarf is made out of 100% MicroModal® by Lenzing, a luxuriously soft botanic silk fabric made out of European beechwood. Because of modal’s botanic origin, it is particularly eco-friendly and its fineness is comparable to that of natural silk. MicroModal® offers a soft, beautiful sheen, with colors that are bright and vibrant.
The completely natural fiber of this scarf is made in a fully integrated facility in Austria, optimized for production synergies and energy conservation by using eco-friendly production processes. The fabric is woven in a small factory in Pakistan. VIDA collaborates with the owner and workers of this factory to produce the perfect thread-count and weave for optimal softness and sheen.
AND …these scarves are huge! They are more like shawls. Because of the handmade process, they range in size from 24.5” – 25”  x 76” –77. Snug up with the rainforest!

Scarves are sold for $40 USD but use the coupon code VOICES to receive 25% OFF any preorders (only $30 for this!)…and again, there’s a special $5 USD on international shipping only until the end of this month (February 2015).

Nitawahsin – Our Land

This piece is titled, “Nitawahsin” which means “Our Land” in Blackfoot. It is a strong, active piece with a unified Anders Zorn palette, all of the colours of the medicine wheel are in this piece and that makes it a strong contender for wearable art. Good medicine in this piece. I chose to have it reproduced as a Modal scarf and a beautiful silk top.

And here is the gorgeous silk top of Nitawahsin – Our Land.

Sizing Chart for the silk tops are as follows.
Note: tops fit true to size but a drapey cut – please size down if you prefer a snug fit.
Point of Measurements
Small: Bust – 32″, Hips “38” (US Size 0-2)
Medium: Bust – 34″, Hips “39” (US Size 4-6)
Large: Bust – 38″, Hips 40″ (US Size 8-10)

Blue Grass Dancers

As the fourth design, I chose Blue Grass Dancers for some dear women friends and family in my life who inspired me through my illness, supported our family and kept us all together. These healing, dancing colours were designed to lift and soothe through the toughest of times. This piece was first painted for my friend and singer/songwriter Julia Lynx, as part of the launch and design for her new album “Wild Patience“.

And here is the beautiful silk top by VIDA Voices. A classic, I think, designed with my good friends in my heart.

I’m over the moon to introduce this collection to you — simply click here to buy any one (or more!) of these scarves and lucious silk shirts, and don’t forget to include coupon code VOICES to get 25% off (that’s just $30 for each of these lovely scarves! and $48.75 for a silk shirt! NO middle man :). And the juicy, juicy, best part — right now, VIDA ships internationally, for only $5 until the end of this month. That’s a $30 savings! Folks from all over the world can purchase, and help give back. But remember, pre-order only lasts for 2 weeks from today. Help me to spread the word by sharing this post with your friends and family through social media or in person. Right then….this is more rambling than I’ve done in months. Just get on the site and order something for a friend or family member…and don’t forget yourself, because you’re worth it!
Enjoy, my friends. (I can’t wait to cuddle up in a scarf/shawl!)

MORE ABOUT VIDA::

Fashionista Magazine – “Meet Vida, a Socially Responsible E-Commerce Site Backed by Google
 
Upstart Business Journal – “Microsoft Xbox alum’s new game is VIDA: high-tech fashion that does good”
More Awesome Press on VIDA