Hello CSAIL-related,
There is an upcoming talk on the topic of the history of fashion and the techniques used in the 80s and 90s as a "manual drafting" process to design and tailor clothes to the individual.
This lady, now in her 80s, Shirley Willett, is amazing and got NSF grants in the 80s and 90s [1] to computerize the process of creating clothing -- sadly she was ahead of her time in her industry
[1] https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9161096&HistoricalAwards=false
She gave a presentation at MIT many years ago -- it's quite dense [2], but in this upcoming talk on *25 Aug 2016 at 6pm *she'll have the actual pictures and things which should help explain things better.
[2] http://www.shirleywillett.com/Shirley_Willett_Fashion_Solutions/MIT_Engineering_Design_Workshop.html
Anyway, she's not sure how much time she has left, what with being 83 years old, so if a bunch of folks show up it will make her extra happy :) She doesn't make it up to Boston much anymore (she lives in Quincy). If you RSVP on the Boston Fashion Meetup Group http://www.meetup.com/BostonFashion/ for this event, it will make her happy!
I'm going to try to film the talk as well (? not sure how best to do this, hi ilia!) and put it on youtube, if anyone has tips or equipment for this much appreciated as I have not filmed talks before :)
Her Biosketch: http://www.shirleywillett.com/Shirley_Willett_Fashion_Solutions/Shirley_Willett,_Homepage.html
I am a researcher in observations of present occurrences; a scientist on how history affects the present & the future; & a creator in solving problems or seeing opportunities for a better future - & committed to pass for free all my expertise & knowledge of 61 years in the industry, as a legacy to YOU. Although my field is designing, engineering & manufacturing high fashion clothing, I study the wholistic “big picture” of all industries, economics, sociology, psychology, art, science, & technology, in order to see fashion’s changing role against the whole backdrop of humanity.
A few more photos I took from when I met her last Thursday: https://goo.gl/photos/FESkYcq2jdzHPiV98
I'll be heading over at 5:15pm from Harvard Square on 25 Aug 2016. If anyone wants to join me. or has more questions, let me know.
Thanks, --Nancy
bcc putz females, miters, artisans asylum, ec discuss, putz, of music and mountains, hygge, cad discuss, pirateship, open source hardware discuss, and csail-related because why not, CAD is CS too. and because this seems like a really cool and rare talk to attend in person!
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Shirley Willett fashion-1-announce@meetup.com Date: Mon, Aug 15, 2016 at 9:25 AM Subject: [fashion-1] Learn to Blend High Fashion Design with Technologies To: fashion-1-announce@meetup.com
Let's meet many members
Pattern & Production Engineering in High Fashion Design
Creativity, Fun & Success with the Technical
*Host: Shirley Willett, **Fashion Designer, Educator, Engineer, Organizer *
Host: Vicky Anson, Organizer
Elements to be covered include:
1. Mass production solutions in 3D and 4D for creativity and quality
2. Creative 3D solutions in fashion design and engineering
3. Creating your fabric
4. Designing for consumers
*Thursday, August 25, 2016, **6:00 PM, *FREE to attend.
*The Charlesmark at Copley **655 Boylston Street, Boston, MA *
See more: www.meetup.com/B,ostonFashion http://www.meetup.com/BostonFashion
Networking starting at 6pm: Bring your business cards! Seminar starting at 6:30pm: Five experts in the field will present their designs and share their knowledge of the technical side of creation in the high fashion industry. Old world techniques work in collaboration with modern technology to achieve impeccable results.
SHIRLEY WILLETT shirleywillett.com http://www.shirleywillett.com Shirley is a Master Pattern Engineer with 65 years of experience as a high fashion designer, engineer, and manufacturer. She will present fashions created for consumers when she was named Boston’s Number One Custom Designer by WWD, and her mass-produced high fashions when she manufactured and sold to top designer stores. She will also speak about her apparel engineering and technology grant awards from the National Science Foundation.
TESS COBURN teresacrowninshield.com http://www.teresacrowninshield.com Tess is the co-creator of the Teresa Crowninshield collection. She has been a protégée of Shirley Willett for the past 12 years. During this time she has painstakingly advanced her pattern engineering and design aesthetic through dedicated study of old-world techniques. She will share high fashion coats and jackets in cashmere and silk.
MELANIE ANDERSON koochiku.com Melanie is the designer behind Koochi Ku, and a protégé of Shirley. She began by designing wool textiles in colorful knits in rich textures using luxurious fibers, and now offers a full collection of jackets for women and kids, as well as handbags and scarves. She thrives on color and design. Melanie will show the creation of her own fabrics.
ANN RUSSO annrusso.wordpress.com Ann is one of Shirley’s first protégés and the founder of Ann Russo Technical Design Services, which offers technical know-how and time-tested understanding of the fashion industry, with over 20 years of experience in apparel. She uses comprehensive and modern technical design expertise with computer marking (layout) and grading (sizing), to partner with designers to produce fashion lines.
PHILIP SAWYER philipsawyer.com http://www.philipsawyer.com Philip is the designer behind Philip Sawyer Designs, creating top quality sustainable clothes for women and men. His custom-fit and bespoke clothing is designed and made in Boston. He is also a Pattern-making and Men’s Tailoring teacher at Rhode Island School of Design, and a Fashion Meetup member
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