(Vancouver, BC)—Art imitates life and fashion imitates art as Dahlia Drive takes on Matisse during the Vancouver Art Gallery exhibit- “Collecting Matisse and the Modern Masters: The Cone Sisters of Baltimore” which runs from May 26- September 30, 2012.
Designer Wendy Van Riesen looked at the 27 signature works by Matisse in the exhibit but one piece in particular inspired her. “Striped Robe, Fruit, and Anemones” became the masterpiece that will decorate her new hand painted kimonos (pictured left) that will be sold exclusively at the Art Gallery Store.
“The Cone Sister’s collection includes many textiles and many painting of ornate textiles so I was delighted when I was asked to create a product,” explains Wendy. “Now, after you see the exhibit, the kimono will allow you to walk away as a Matisse canvas!”
Working in the Japanese flattened perspective called ukiyo-e, the kimonos celebrate Matisse and this style of art as well as showcasing Wendy’s individual talent through her one-of-a-kind Japanese-inspired kimonos that are sewn together from recycled scarves and curtains (pictured below).
Dahlia Drive is excited to return to the Art Gallery Store after a successful collection of slip dresses inspired by the Leonard da Vinci exhibit. The return invite to the Art Gallery Store recognizes Wendy’s ability to translate classic art (whether from the Renaissance or modern art) into wearable and beautiful fashion.
For more information about Dahlia Drive please visit www.dahliadrive.com.
For more information about the exhibit please visit www.vanartgallery.bc.ca.
For all media inquiries please contact:
Sarah Murray, Fashion Capsule Communications + Style Lounge
www.fashioncapsule.ca
t: 604-418-5436
Vancouver, BC –Daring you to explore a new style guide this year is fashion designer Wendy Van Riesen from Dahlia Drive. Urging you to trade in those floral skirts for bubble dresses and cashmere cardigans for kimonos, Dahlia Drive’s new collection reminds us that most exciting creations in life often come from the most unexpected sources.
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I was very honored when this bride approached me to design the outfits for her wedding party. 
I had just the greatest time at the One of a Kind show in Toronto last March. There I launched one of my newest products, the ‘Bubble Dress’. The dresses are made out of old curtain panels and are see-through so that you can sport one of my slips, a bathing suit or whatever you like underneath. In this photo my niece Erin is wearing my new Lace design and I am sporting the new Bubble Dress.
What do you think?
Some of my newest pieces were highlighted on the runway at last month’s EP!C… here’s a few of my favourite shots!
hese dresses can be any brides’ “something old and something new”. Beautiful, elegant, personal and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg! Both of these dresses feature a gate pattern but you could use whatever you like!
The VAG loved me soooo much during the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit that they just had to have me back for their new Modern Women themed exhibit!
I currently have T shirts, scarves, slips and yes even bags in their gift shop. Next time you’re downtown why don’t you pop in and check me out… I dare ya!
Here are some examples of the newest art influenced slips I’ve been creating, a tribute to Chagall and stained glass windows:
This is an ongoing project and my most exciting to date. I love Chagall and am intrigued by the translucent colours I can create with disperse dyes on paper so I have decided to paint Chagall’s 12 Jerusalem windows. Each window has 12 panes and each pane is painted to fit a slip. I have finished the 12 panes of Issachar and have transferred those paintings onto 12 slips. Together, they create the entire window of Issachar. I mixed a specific palette since the dyes do not represent their colour until heated and painted it freehand. The Biblical story, the translucence of stained glass, the joy of Chagall, the temple of the church all wrapped on a woman’s slip is, to me, delightful. Only 132 more to go!
