Soul Of A Seamster

WORKSHOP

2011-09-02T09:17:00.001-07:00

Wearable Art and the Body - Its happening again!

Please call or email for more information:
206.334.7602
info@michaelcepress.com

On Clothes | Khalil Gilbran

2011-06-16T23:13:00.000-07:00

"And the weaver said, "Speak to us of Clothes."

And he answered:
Your clothes conceal much of your beauty, yet they hide not the unbeautiful.
...And though you seek in garments the freedom of privacy you may find in them a harness and a chain.
Would that you could meet the sun and the wind with more of your skin and less of your raiment,
For the breath of life is in the sunlight and the hand of life is in the wind.
Some of you say, "It is the north wind who has woven the clothes to wear."
But shame was his loom, and the softening of the sinews was his thread.
And when his work was done he laughed in the forest.
Forget not that modesty is for a shield against the eye of the unclean.
And when the unclean shall be no more, what were modesty but a fetter and a fouling of the mind?
And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.

("On Clothes" by Khalil Gibran from "The Prophet")

On Drawing | Corresponding with Yourself

2011-06-06T23:38:00.000-07:00

In a letter to my dear friend Christopher I found myself sharing, at length, my motivations for revisiting drawing as part of my studio practice.

As I am nudging my career in a direction that feels good to me, I am realising that drawing will be central to my success. The very best and most successful clothing and costume designers in film, theatre, fashion, art, whatever - they all draw very beautifully. And as a tool, drawing holds such power. With a few simple tools and some paper an artist can share his vision and fully realize a range of ideas, feelings, and creative aspirations without spending a dollar or sewing a stitch.

And now, months later I have been working hard to maintain that rhythm by drawing daily if possible – and as often as I can from a live model. The pleasures of a more liberated studio practice are great. Having the time and space for this sort of thing sets my mind free and gives me a reason to continue studying the body and consequently finding new ways to decorate it – cover it – celebrate it.

Drawing has always been central to me and how I work. When I can’t say it, I can draw it. And if you ask my mother her point of view on this one, I know she would be quick to say that I “was born with a red crayon in my hand.” She’s right, I think I was.

By the time I made my way into undergraduate art school, I made a point of drawing as often as I possibly could. I loaded my schedule with every drawing class available, and when I wasn’t in class I would head back into the studio to draw more. Figure drawing in particular played – and continues to play a huge role in how I work.

For the past many years as I devoted myself to developing and building my menswear label, I found the time I was able to devote to drawing became less and less. At best I would keep a sketchbook – and even those ran dry for a period while I juggled fabric orders, wrangled patterns, coordinated events, and most importantly sold clothes. Each of those things has its merit and surely brought wonderful things into my life – but ultimately I still feel there is very little that is quite as satisfying and drawing.

My dear friend and truly skilled artist Kimberly Trowbridge had reminded me not so long ago that drawing is perhaps the most inherently honest thing we can do. With drawing there is no fooling. Such a simple equation – our hands, a drawing tool, and a piece of paper – yield incredibly pure results. We can’t fake it and we need not bother to try, because what comes of the process of drawing is so beautifully true to what we are seeing and how we are feeling that each and every mark should be celebrated and revered.

I’m now drawing two or three nights a week, and my sketchbooks fill quickly in the hours between. By giving myself permission (an invaluable thing that all too often we seem to take from ourselves) I feel the freedom to draw without restraint and without edit. I use affordable papers and simple tools because the drawings that come from it all are not what this is about – I’m investing in the process of drawing and the work happens there. The drawing is a document of it all.

Seattle Channel | INScape

2011-06-03T17:34:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago there was a knock at my studio door, and within a minute a very kind man was rolling a camera into the studio and beginning an interview with me about my experience at INSCAPE, Seattle's new arts and culture project that I also consider my creative home. The Seattle Channel's latest feature is quite great and I am pleased to be part of it all. Take a look!

Seattle Channel Video can be played in Flash Player 9 and up

Wearable Art and the Body - Take 4 | Kuba

2011-05-21T21:00:00.000-07:00

Wearable Art and the Body lets us spend hours with the body - thinking about it, looking at it, drawing it, conceptualizing it, studying it and celebrating it. And when the time comes, we get to design for it, make art for it and decorate it!

For many of us in the fashion and textile world, this means our brains head in the direction of fabric. What types of cloth, patterns, textures, colors and cuts best represent our ideas and help us zero in on each artistic vision as it arises?

As artist Carys Hamer studied our model, she was eager to bring her love and knowledge of African patterns and textiles to the table. We all loved seeing her set down her graphite pencil in exchange for these colorful chalks and pastels that did such a fine job of helping her develop quick but focused studies related to the Kuba tribe of Congo - and eventually settling on the beginnings of a wonderful design for her Kuba Kaftan.

My philosophy with these workshops is to not dwell for a single second. As an idea comes, get it onto the page. Tedium, refinement and carefully honed craftsmanship can all come later. First we must engage with the spirit of our own ideas and let them manifest on the page as their unique and interesting selves. Carys so beautifully did just that - and I hope to see her wearing her finished Kuba Kaftan at our next workshop!

Wearable Art and the Body - Take 3 | Jon Talks About Love

2011-05-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

One of the very best parts of teaching in a workshop format that is open to the community is that inevitably a spectacular blend of ages, sexes, experiences levels and artistic interests come together - and work together - with a combined goal that levels the playing field for everyone involved. Suddenly the 19 year old fashion student can have conversations about his work with the 75 year old quilter who has been sewing for decades - or the veteran welder can share her insights with the novice printmaker eager to learn a new skill. In the end, each process and point of view has something to offer the other. And in the end, we can all share and learn in a meaningful way that truly reaches beyond the typical limitations of the classroom.

With this open, thoughtful sharing as our mantra for the workshop, my mind continually returns to the great pleasure of having Jon Aesoph in our February workshop. Jon's work has made it to my blog in the past - and I remain a great fan of his talented hands and active mind that offers kind and thoughtful feedback that is alive and keeps conversations awake!

As we gathered around drawings and ideas in the workshop, it was Jon (whose background as a teacher leaves him especially at home in the classroom) that so openly shared how he approached figure drawing and working from a live model.

"Working with a model is truly an intimate, and sacred, undertaking. Especially with a model who works as hard as many do, sharing their energy and enthusiasm for the task at hand. It becomes, for me, a form of lovemaking between the model and the artist, and the result on paper is as much theirs as mine. We all know, in this culture, that taking off your clothes is a BIG DEAL, so when a model agrees, it is a BIG DEAL for me. The models are exposing themselves, and so is the person drawing, except with their clothes on. I am very concerned with pleasing the model as a way of thanks for their hard work"

Some drawings created by Jon's hands and mind working together - guided by love.

For more workshop information contact: info@michaelcepress.com

Wearable Art and the Body - Take 2 | Linda's Moves

2011-05-17T00:30:00.000-07:00

For better or worse, sometimes my academic tendencies get the better of me and course descriptions end up sounding something like this:
"Working from a live nude figure model, students will begin hands-on experimentation through guided instruction on how to see, articulate and draw the human figure both still and in motion. New techniques, inspirations and strategies will be demonstrated to provide students with insight on how to think about the human form as an armature and inspiration for their own wearable art designs and creations...."

But please let me get a bit more real for a second and offer you this translation:
With a beautiful nude model in the room, you won't be able to control your creative impulse as ideas spill fourth, studies develop, and you come to see and think about the body in ways you may never have before!

Linda Berlage -Metz, a talented artist from our February workshop so beautiful channeled this energy as she studied our model both still and in motion. I remember being slightly mezmorized by what was happening on Linda's easel as the drawing session evolved.

Simple warm up exercises quickly developed into loose, fluid and active translations of the motion and movement she was seeing in the model before her. Capturing one movement at a time and not using the drawings as a means of rendering the body exactly as she saw it - but instead connecting with the rhythms and motions of these movements to create page after page of lively marks that still evoke the various gestures and motions seen in our model.

And be sure to take a good close look at the photo of Linda above - working with not one, but two drawing tools....one in each hand! Seeing such an open response to the exercise was truly exciting for me as an instructor - and I still smile when looking at these images.

Wearable Art and the Body - May 28-29, 2011. For more information contact: info@michaelcepress.com

Wearable Art and the Body - Take 1

2011-05-15T21:01:00.000-07:00

I'm so pleased to be leaning into another exciting weekend with our exciting Wearable Art and the Body Workshop later this month. In an effort to begin breathing some life back into this blog, I want to share some highlights from our last workshop to keep the spirit and pleasure of it all in the air and on the books.

I developed this experience with one substantial guiding principle leading the charge: In order to create art or design for the body, we must first know the body....and know it well.

To make this all seem more feasible - more manageable - I've drawn up this two-day workshop to help us all move through the challenges (and pleasures!) of studying and celebrating the human body. Our first weekend together back in February was a great success and wonderful thrill. We're anxious to be doing it all over again on May 28 and 29.

Please drop a line if you're interested in being part of it all this time around!
Email: info@michaelcepress.com

Workshop participants warming up for a full day of figure studies.

New York Times

2011-05-14T11:00:00.001-07:00

Catherine Cabeen and I proudly celebrate our recent collaborations and the acclaim they are receiving in today's New York Times!

WORKSHOP

2011-02-02T08:20:00.000-08:00

I'm delighted to be offering this workshop and hope you're considering joining us!

Contact Michael Cepress Design directly for workshop details and more information: info@michaelcepress.com

Fraternal Twins

2011-01-21T11:58:00.001-08:00

Subject: “Fraternal Twins” Exhibition – January 6 – January 30, 2011

When fashion designer Michael Cepress and filmmaker Michael Culpepper first met, it was to talk about Cepress designing a custom suit coat for Culpepper’s natty wardrobe. Now the two have come together to present Fraternal Twins, an exploration of the perceptions and understandings of masculinity in contemporary society as expressed by art, culture and fashion. The intention is to pair works of art that may have similar descriptions or share common aesthetic or conceptual ground. When viewed in relation to one another, new meanings are constructed and differing insights emerge.

Celebrated New York photographer Paul Mpagi Sepuya and his gently erotic portraits of men are placed beside works by Seattle’s Jesse Burke, whose lens more rigorously slaps our senses with a thrust of masculinity akin to that of a frat house, but keenly aided by the sweetness of the artist’s sensibilities.

Munich’s Tobias Knipf shows an intense taste of high-fashion and the ultimate in European couture with his edgy “Heimwarts”. Shown by Knipf’s side is a Cepress/Culpepper film that celebrates their interts in men’s clothing as an expressive form – a devotion to movement and the clean lines, smart cuts and voice of history that Cepress knows so well – enlivened by Culpepper’s sensitive eye and conceptual prowess.

WHAT: “Fraternal Twins”

WHEN: January 6, 2011 – January 30, 2011
WHERE: Ouch My Eye, 1022 1^st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134

Ouch My Eye
1022 1^st Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98134
206.588.1647 info@ouchmyeye.com Gallery Hours M-F 10:00am – 3:00pm

COMING SOON

2011-01-13T12:34:00.001-08:00

Helpful Hints

2010-10-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

Bowtie How-To

2010-09-26T18:16:00.001-07:00

Mr. Turner and I are happy to instruct you on how to properly tie a bow tie. Enjoy!

Perfectly Reasonable Daydream | Collision

2010-09-10T23:23:00.000-07:00

Perfectly Reasonable Daydream: (A result of overlapping aesthetic musings between two different artists at two different times. The color palette remains the same). A collision between James Bidgood and Little Richard.

Catherine Cabeen and Company | Into The Void

2010-09-07T10:03:00.000-07:00

I'm proud to announce that I will once again be collaborating with Catherine Cabeen and Company with her evening length tribute to artist Yves Klein titled Into The Void. I'll be sharing updates of this project along the way, and be sure to keep your eye on the On The Boards roster to ensure you get your tickets in time!

Cabeen is a richly talented and passionate artist who I am proud to know and excited to work with on what is sure be a magnificent and powerful performance.

C-PRESS | Seattle Magazine and Robbie Turner

2010-08-27T21:50:00.000-07:00

The excitement of this one will not be fading any time soon. Many thanks to Kate Calamusa and the team at Seattle Magazine for this spectacular feature. The shoot was loads of fun and it means the world to me to be featured with handsome Robbie Turner who so beautifully sports color and pattern like none other!

Banares Langoti | Its what's inside that matters most

2010-08-24T15:13:00.000-07:00

My love of menswear is all too commonly piled under the quickly assumed blanket of shirts, pants, vests, ties and jackets. But what about robes and socks and swimwear and lounge clothes and most important of all: underwear? The "western formula," as I often call it, offers us a quick and easy prescription for what this means in the states. Boxers or briefs? And for those interested in the much-loved hybrid, we have the boxer-brief whose praises are often sung thanks to its blending of sport and tradition while maintaining freedom of movement in front.

I remember while in high school I was watching MTV during the Clinton presidential race, and after all major platforms were covered and the heavy topics openly discussed, the REAL question on the table was "Which is it, Mr. Clinton. America is dying to know - boxers or briefs?"

But like most things in our commercially driven world, I can't help but feel like the script is too strict. Campy spin-offs and persistent subcultures have dabbled with the occasional bit of improv in this regard, offering up quirky, fun or more daring alternatives - but each of them still seems to directly relate to the basic plan of "boxer" or "brief." They may reveal in a new way, conceal with a new fabric, or pay homage to any number of fantasy worlds that offer a peek into a market that shows promise for increased sales. But the formula is the same, and the outcomes predictable.

More exciting to me* is stepping outside the Western realm and celebrating options from other cultures, other places. The beautiful and affordable style I recently found at my beloved Travelers show us an aesthetically simple, perfectly pragmatic option that Indian men have embraced and worn for years. And while the tradition has likely faded as they opt for westernized styles today, the look of this garment - called langoti -is powerful both on and off the body.

What I like most is that this is a garment entirely about fabric. No elastic. No fly. No tricky layering or complex cutting - this triangle of cloth with its long rectangular tail and waist-ties provides the wearer with much needed support and coverage with the comfort and beauty of a soft, beautifully printed cotton cloth. Its using fabric in a way that lets it do what it does best - fold, gather, wrap, support and protect the human body.

I celebrate langoti. I celebrate adopting the ingenuity of other cultures. I celebrate langoti!

My langot laying flat on the floor.

The scale of my langot shown in comparison to my own body.

An Indian wrestler exercising in his orange langot.
* I fully accept and acknowledge my western eyes, their tendency to romanticize the East, and the lust or intrigue generated through learning about these people and their practices.

2010-08-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

Mimi Parent
Masculin, feminin. 1959

Sweet Inspiration | Johnny McGowan of the Cockettes | Glorious Androgyne

2010-08-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

Dreams Come True

2010-08-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time I wished for a pair.

And that wish came true.

Miles and Miles of Dreadlocks

2010-07-21T13:18:00.001-07:00

A wonderful model I work with, Miles Frank, celebrates the changing of his personal look with these videos. Brilliant!

Sebastian Renfield | Our White V-Neck Communi-Tee | Turning into Grandpa

2010-07-12T20:25:00.000-07:00

My work as a designer takes many different forms, and the beauty of working as an artist lies in that very notion; every day is different, every moment allows us to connect with our materials, our surroundings and our history in a new and meaningful way.

The vast majority of the content I post on this blog focuses on what I am looking at, what I think about, and as the subtitle wonders: why any of it matters in the first place. My materials give me good reason to work, and the techniques they respond to offer a means of executing the ideas I dream up. But beyond all this - beyond the bolts of fabric and dozens of scissors and racks of patterns and shelves of manuals and diagrams and monographs - the most genuine driving force an artist can have is his community. Going face to face with other artists is a powerful experience. Speaking directly with other makers and hearing them talk about what interests them, what inspires them, what they have on their shelves and in their hands and heads that keeps them working - that is the good stuff. Not only are those things inspiring and relevant to someone else who makes things, but it is through those conversations that you are able to feel you are somehow a part of this world. For me personally, finding my people - my tribe - offers me more than anything else ever could. If every scrap of cloth were used up and every tool forever gone, I could still go to my fellow artists and craftspeople to make progress and persist in our creative missions. In their minds would be the understanding of what we need to do to make beautiful things around us, and in their hearts is a connection to the handmade that is one of the most amazing gifts a human being can have.

I want to begin taking time on this blog to celebrate and investigate the work of other young craftspeople who interest me and are part of the community I speak of: my tribe.

I originally connected with Sebastian Renfield like we do these days: on the internet. Thanks to the advent of chat devices and email and websites, we've enjoyed sharing our work for a while now and I can't help but feel I have connected with a member of my tribe who to resides in beautiful Vermont.

I fancy myself a lot of things, but the short list usually includes the words "artist" and "designer" and "maker". Add to that list various back-porch credentials as "historian" or "purist" or any number of other titles that lean me in the direction of someone who treasures the past, adores objects that remind us of how things once were. These things bring pleasure and challenge in my modern day life making new objects and garments that give to people in the same way things once did in the past. Upon questioning Sebastian about this very notion, I quickly found someone who was singing a similar song.

"I've always had a really intense fascination with objects, old objects, and that can include a lot of things - musical instruments, old hand tools, even buildings....and the idea that until very recently, if something was worth doing, it was worth doing right."

As a young and spirited artist/craftsman, Sebastian mapped out a path for himself that has allowed him to explore and indulge in a life of doing it right. After years of art school in Western Massachusetts, he stepped into another stream of study at the New England School of Architectural Woodworking. I can only assume that it was this step...from art school to tech school ... that allowed the magical blending of art and craft began in his work. In art school today we learn to conceptualize, theorize, read, write and hunker down in our studios to generate heaps of work. Its not usually in art school that you come to refine your craft.

"Most art professors know nothing about joinery techniques," he reminded me. Amen. Thankfully, they know other things.

Along with this complex blend of educations comes an equally complex understanding of where we are positioned today as young artists.

"My fiddle is 200 years old, and was made in Eastern Europe. I had it repaired recently and the luthier found inscriptions pencilled on the underside of the top listing each repair, who it was done by, where and when - so i actually know where the instrument has been, and that it meant enough to enough people that it is still here. I think that sort of care is largely absent in modern life and i find it frustrating that most goods are so disposable."

His sharing is so eloquent.

"Historically, you have all these trades and skills that produced a quality product, and were far more respectful of the craftsman, the consumer, and the earth. I really want to believe that there is something that can be learned from that. That is really what informs my pursuit of these skills today."

Sebastian's work is truly lovely, offering a glorious gradient of elements ranging from the past to the present.....the non-functional to the beautifully pragmatic.

When discussing the impetus for his work, he explains that he likes "the idea that people living in totally inorganic places, like Brooklyn, would want/need/enjoy/treasure things that are handmade and have a very organic feel." I celebrate this quest, and proudly show you work that comes from the hands of a young man wanting to make a life of his craft, wanting to share that craft with others, and wanting to bring the pleasure of quality from the past to our modern day to day lives.

One's committment to his work becomes most apparent with the philosophy and aesthetic of it all translate to his own lifestyle and his own style. For Renfield this means a personal look that embraces the utilitarian, speaks to the past, and proudly displays the aesthetic culture on which he thrives. To see more clearly he wears glasses made by one of the few companies that hand-makes frames in the US, and on other days he opts for antique frames from the 1860s fitted with modern lenses.

And for his wardrobe, the utilitarian and workerly are paramount. "I am very, very hard on my clothes. I spend a lot of time crawling around in old barns or hauling stuff around, but i do try to find clothing that has its own heritage when i can. I am sort of a stickler about hunting down the last American manufacturer of ___. It's not about patriotism, but the desire to keep these skills alive as close to my home community as possible."

"My work boots are made by a company that has been making essentially the same thing for a hundred years, and it is an item that isn't necessarily attractive, but it's comfortable and protective, and it's a design that works." This exciting collision of form and function are a welcome addition to our modern life and Sebastian seems to wear it all so well.

One benefit of modern life is that we can make decisions in a way we may not have been able to in the past. We choose what to wear. We choose our hairstyles. We choose our careers and our friends and each facet of our lifestyle...drawing from a pool of endless variety. From my perspective as someone who is making a life of thinking about how people decorate themselves and the world we live in, Renfield's active thinking and decision making is incredibly refreshing. We walk the streets and stroll city malls only to be bombarded by someone else's vision of how to look, how to think, how to move and shape our bodies. I find this game tiresome. We shop, purchase and discard at such a rapid pace that we are only left feeling empty and steadily yearning for something more. We want objects that mean something. We want garments that tell us a story. We want the pleasures of intellectual content, artistry, history and tradition in the objects we live with.

Celebrating simplicity and necessity in his wardrobe, Sebastian's stories continue to offer insight into the mind and history of the young craftsman. For him the simple choice is the white tee shirt - quietly embedded with a powerful history that resonates tales of both our American culture and the artist's personal family history.

"I remember when i was a kid, maybe 8 or 9, I was at my grandparents house and for some reason needed to borrow a t-shirt. My grandma told me to just grab something from grandpa's second drawer down. So i opened it up and inside was an entire drawer full of white v-neck undershirts. Maybe 40 of them, all neatly folded. I sort of forgot about it, but starting when I was about fifteen I went on an anti-logo crusade - I was probably reading adbusters and getting mad - and that's when the white t-shirts started. Now I realize I probably just turned into grandpa."

To see more of Sebastian Renfield's work, please spend some time at his website Buffalo Plaid Woodworks. I encourage you to contact the artist directly with inquiries to purchase or commission work.

IMAGES

1. Sebastian Renfield in front of his own work "Coney Island" and a painting created by his mother's sister on the night he was born.

2. Sebastian Renfield with his handmade Appalachian fretless banjo.

3. Montauk, 2005, Salvaged wood, 13" x 9"

4. Coney Island, 2005, Salvaged wood, 19" x 19"

5. Kanna II salt/sugar, 2009, Mahogany, Wenge 5.25"l x 2.5" h x 2"w

6. Dai Spice Dish Set, 2009, Mahogany, Wenge, Mango 9.25"l x 1.875"h x 2.25"w

7. Heorot, Named for Hrothgar's great hall in Beowulf, the seat of this bench is made of a slab of walnut nearly two inches thick. Horned uprights at each end are oval in cross section at the base and gradually transition to become square where they capture the seat. Four bridle joints attach the aprons to the uprights.

8. Heorot, Detail view.

9. The artist's spectacles, crafted in the 1860s

10. The artist's Thorogood boots

All photographs courtesy of the artist.

Palette | Firebird

2010-07-11T20:07:00.001-07:00

Finding parallels, my new friend Sebastian pointed out this connection.

A serendipitous color and pattern relationship from MC's own wardrobe.

Costume rendering for Stravinsky's Firebird with the Ballet Russe
Design by Leon Bakst

Trunk

2010-07-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

TODAY!

C-Press | Bowtie Bash on Seattle Fashion TV

2010-07-09T08:27:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Caitlin Collins and Marco Cheng of Seattle Fashion TV for coming out to our Bowtie Bash at Velouria last night and highlighting MC in this lovely article! I'm proud to have my label represented on the racks at this wonderful boutique that features a range of independent designers. In the coming months Velouria will become the hub for finding whats new from MC and I hope you'll all take a minute to stop by when you're in the area!

All photos by Marco Cheng and courtesy of Seattle Fashion TV.

BOW TIE BASH at VELOURIA

2010-07-06T09:24:00.001-07:00

MICHAEL CEPRESS
SUMMER KICK-OFF AT VELOURIA

We're happy to be finally ringing in summer, and proudly announce our presence on the racks at
Velouria, Seattle's favorite hub for independent designer clothing and accessories!

COME JOIN US and CELEBRATE SUMMER!
THIS THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2010
5:00pm - 8:00pm

BOW TIE BASH - 20% OFF ALL BOW TIES - ONE NIGHT ONLY

VELOURIA
1521 Melrose Avenue
(Capitol Hill at Melrose and Pine)

Our new line of shirts, vests, bowties and cufflinks will be available that evening....come check it out!

Read more in this great NW SOURCE FEATURE to see what else will be happening that night.

Sweet inspiration | Face

2010-07-05T14:51:00.000-07:00

A is for Alaric

2010-06-26T11:16:00.001-07:00

A collage for sweet little Alaric on his 2nd birthday.
Love, Mike

Sweet Inspiration | Mane

2010-06-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

My friend Randy came by yesterday to share some new costumes with me he has been working on for performances on stage at Seattle's CanCan. This red mane was spectacular and I had to document it. The way the piece moves is amazing. I'm excited to see it on stage soon.

Bravo, Randy!

Celebrating Our FLOCK OF BIRDS | Summer Solstice

2010-06-22T20:37:00.000-07:00

I'm so very thrilled to reflect and celebrate our fantastic Flock of Birds from the Fremont Solstice Parade this past weekend. The photos are spilling in (thanks to our resident bird photographer Jon) and we're all proud of the work we did, the dancing we loved, the smiles we wore and the brother/sisterhood that is inevitable when a band of open-minded and fun-thinking folks get together to make magic and celebrate the beginning of summer. Enjoy this series of portraits of each of our wonderful birds.

Handsome Vincent as Pegassus.

Rosie in her fabulous fuscia and black.

Michael celebrating his inner-diva as Cybirg.

Yours truly as a peacock, replete with bird spats, hip chains, ankle bells and glorious body paint by Marko.

Mr. Marko as a Plaid Bird, and also swooping in as another driver and creative consultant to the flock.

Our lovely and lively chauffeur and driver of the chicken truck.... Louise the Bird Watcher!

Jules as a Crow....quite possibly the happiest crow I've ever seen!

Jeremy with his traveling sideshow as LoveBird.

Danny reconnected with his goth mistress to create this sexy bird of the night.

And then we DANCED!

Another wonderful addition to our bird flock...Kirsten as a Blue Footed Boobie.
So glad she was able to join us!

Happy Solstice, friends. Summer is here!

Sweet Inspiration | Lazy Blogger

2010-06-17T11:20:00.000-07:00

The other day an acquaintance made reference to "lazy bloggers" in conversation. I fear I'm becoming one....or looking like one. But rest assured, kind readers, that I am not. My inspirations are real. I search long and hard for them. My motivation is pure. I look inward to find it. The images, videos, drawings and thoughts I post are from my creative core. I want to share it all with you.

This image is compliments of my kind friend and long-time correspondent Richie White.
His taste is superb, his eye keen, his mustache the best.

2006 | 2010

2010-06-16T20:44:00.001-07:00

2006 | 2010

Sweet Inspiration | Amboy Dukes | ???

2010-06-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

Pie | A Universal Scheme

2010-06-09T22:22:00.000-07:00

My job is to
edit,
change,
move,
create,
listen,
guide,
speak,
learn,
feel,
make,
turn,
tune-in,
give
and love.

All parts must be in balance. All systems must support one another. All energies must be guiding to the same place while the parts and proportions of MC reflect a universal vision of art, life and love.

Brainstorming becomes a reality | Flock of Birds

2010-06-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

Brainstorms are becoming a reality.

Sweet Inspiration | Mechanic

2010-06-06T22:13:00.000-07:00

Tehran bike mechanic, courtesy of Bikejuju. So beautiful.

C-Press | Shorts

2010-06-06T11:05:00.001-07:00

Thanks to The Stranger and Daniel Frum for the plug in their LINE OUT column. Nice to see Daniel on the streets sporting some MC and saying such kind things about what he has in his closet.

"The shorts are probably one of my more prized possessions. I got to know this guy named Michael Cepress who opened up a store on Capitol Hill, and I actually bought some of his pieces in his studio. It was nice to appreciate and support a local designer." -Daniel Frum

Sweet Inspiration | Brotherhood II

2010-06-01T16:09:00.001-07:00

A collage for my wonderful new friend Vincent.
Found papers, spray paint, photocopied friendship bracelets, pencil, graphite, vellum. May 2010.

Stevie | Wyspiansky | Nouveau

2010-05-30T08:53:00.001-07:00

In the most perfect live performance clip, her hair seems to be styled by an Art Nouveau master - like an interior by Horta or a painting by Wyspianski.

Sweet Inspiration | Glory

2010-05-29T12:42:00.000-07:00

Jesus appears on steel, by my friend Jon Aesoph.

Jon is a wonderful new friend (and father to my much treasured assistant and intern Henry), and in our recent correspondence I'm greeting with frequent images of his new works and creative moments from his studio. Along with this piece Jon writes: "I REALLY DID see Jesus in that piece of steel when I found it outside a welding shop. Possibly I should alert the Pope."

Sweet Inspiration | Brotherhood

2010-05-28T21:05:00.001-07:00

C-Press | Weddings

2010-05-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Melissa James and her photographer hubby Ross for this great feature on their blog EVERYTHING VINTAGE WEDDING!

They are an excellent team and we're lucky to have them in Seattle!

Sweet Inspiration | Dzi Croquettes

2010-05-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

My fascination with San Francisco's lengendary Cockettes is only compounded by this recent discovery of Dzi Croquettes of Brazil.

Life is good. Celebrate the art that is within you, friends.

JNAVA

2010-05-21T18:03:00.001-07:00

Many thanks to Mark and Jason Nava of JNAVA Clothing for their friendly visit and flattering blog post. I'm always delighted to connect with young designers in other parts of the country; we're all part of a large family and working toward a similar mission. I wish you well, JNAVA!

Brainstorming | The Tailored Bird

2010-05-21T16:03:00.001-07:00

Flock of Birds - Solstice Parade Brainstorm - The Tailored Bird

Its My Darlin' | Boaters

2010-05-17T20:33:00.001-07:00

Dana at It's My Darlin' caught me on the street once again....this time my very favorite partner in crime was along for the ride. We love the Fremont Market and make a point of spending at least a few hours there every Sunday to pick through the goodies and chat with all the vendors who we enjoy so much.

Be sure to visit her blog to view the rest of the pics along side lots of other great moments she has captured on Seattle's streets. Thanks Dana!

FLOCK OF BIRDS | SOLSTICE

2010-05-15T16:05:00.001-07:00

A | Muse

2010-05-15T10:14:00.001-07:00

Recent thoughts.

Perfectly Reasonable Daydream: Carnelian

2010-05-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

Perfectly Reasonable Daydream: The combined comfort of the kimono and pendulum offer guidance.

Vests At THAW

2010-05-13T08:36:00.000-07:00

Perfectly Reasonable Daydream: Supreme

2010-05-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Perfectly Reasonable Daydream: I play the tambourine on the 1970 Supreme's hit "Up The Ladder To The Roof"

MC LOVES YOU

2010-05-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

THAW | MC LOVES YOU

2010-05-10T20:20:00.000-07:00

Our THAW Fashion event was a blast. Thanks to Ross James for a stream of wonderful photos. I'll be posting highlights on here for show and tell. Lets get this blog back up and running!

THAW

2010-05-04T14:17:00.001-07:00

We're doing it all over again! Come see MC on the runway this Thursday!

THAW FASHION SHOW
May 6, 2010
6:00pm - 10:00pm

Visit the THAW website to purchase tickets and get more information.

Its gonna be a fun night!
See you there!

C-PRESS | Stranger

2010-04-29T08:16:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Jen Graves at The Stranger for this great feature in this week's issue.

Michael Cepress, men's designer

Michael Cepress is a fashion designer—which to him means being an artist and a historian. Ladies, the clean-cut, dandified clothing by this Wisconsin native is not for you: It's for and inspired by the underserved male body. The designs rest on centuries of European male fashion history, which often looks more "feminine" than modern wear. But they're also influenced by Cepress's own well-groomed classic Midwestern American background ("men with a comb in their pocket, who shower and shave every day, who tuck in") and, increasingly, bright and flowing non-Western menswear.

In 2006, after graduating from the University of Washington with a master of fine arts degree ("Being a fashion designer as an artist was like a second coming-out—I was so afraid of rejection"), Cepress went to study with prestigious theater designer Robert Wilson at the Watermill Center in New York, then spent two years working in the exacting costume department at Seattle Opera. In 2008, he opened a little storefront at 417 East Loretta Place, where he ran a retail operation and shared space with a fellow MFA grad. But Cepress isn't a retailer: "I went to art school for a reason." Just this week he's rechristened the former store as an open studio—he'll work on commissions (334-7602, www.michaelcepress.com) and talk with anyone who drops by, but the clothes will be on sale at other locations, chiefly Velouria, a new boutique on Melrose Avenue. He has a simple gospel to preach: basic fashion consciousness for men. "So many guys come in and say, 'Oh, I just don't think about clothes,'" Cepress says. "Well, actually, you do. But you're making the choice not to make any decisions about it, and that's just as much a decision." JEN GRAVES

Photo by Jackie Canchola

MC Funk and Flash | Update 2

2010-03-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

Feather stitch is where its at right now, no doubt.

And of course I know this is not perfection - by no means is this exquisite, refined and technically masterful embroidery. But that's not the point.
This is about doing what you love.
This is about doing what makes you happy.
This is about doing what leaves you feeling rested, recharged and alive.

MC Funk and Flash | Update

2010-03-22T10:55:00.001-07:00

Long work days should be following up by restful and relaxing evenings. While we unwind and watch movies or listen to records, the perfect comfort for my hands is the free form and FUN decoration of my jeans. Here's an update after a weekend's work.

My new friend Kue King is such an inspiration. His pants - which have now been a work in progress for years - are always in mind as I add new patterns to mind. Here he is in his pants and donning heaps of Alex and Lee jewelry.

Sweet Inspiration | Yoko

2010-03-15T10:24:00.001-07:00

AN AFFIRIMATION FOR PLANET EARTH

On the anniversary of the passing of my husband, John Lennon,
I would like you to share an affirmation with me.
Think it, say it, with firm belief,
knowing that we are all one.

In the name of truth, peace and love:
Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Our planet is healthy and whole,
We, the people of Earth
See clearly, Hear clearly, Think clearly.
Make the right judgement, right decision and the right move
For the benefit of our planet and others.

We are now bathing in the light of Dawn,
Standing in the Heaven we have created together,
Sharing the Joy
With all Lives on Earth
And of the Universe,
As we are all one, united with infinite and eternal love.

For the highest good of all concerned, So be it.

With all my love,
yoko ono lennon

December 8, 2009
Tokyo, Japan

Sweet Inspiration | Tattoo You

2010-03-10T10:03:00.000-08:00

Why ugliesttattoos.com added this to their archive, I don't quite know. In my estimation its quite brilliant and not ugly at all.

Rosie's Funk and Flash | Quilt Powers | Sweet Inspiration

2010-03-06T22:39:00.001-08:00

I'm feeling so alive and refreshed and ready to begin a few phase of exciting work. Part of this is thanks to our studio change. Part of this is due to Seattle's sunshine and the great burst of energy that comes along with the spring sun finally arriving to inspire us all, pulling us out from our winter slump. And part of this is thanks to a steady stream of inspiring objects around me and the gifted souls who take the time and care to make such exquisite, spirited works of art.

After a great day in the sun with my dear friend Rose Powers, our conversation led to her telling me about a quilt she had begun over 36 years ago when she was 25 years old and caring for her baby Zak.

A quick aside: Zak has since grown to become a brilliant photographer and the trusted wingman of legend Elliott Erwitt. Such a talented and artistic mother could only raise a son with equal creative potential!

As we chatted and walked home, Rose told me of the quilt she labored over for months - a quilt that was designed to not only be a beautiful addition to her home, but also a document of her life up until that point with embedded tales of love, struggle, heartbreak, joy, and the fabrics, decorations, patterns, objects and designs that were part of the experience. I, of course, had to see it...and asked to do just that!

I met Rosie over a cutting table at the Seattle Opera, as we both stitched away on costumes for their production of Don Giovanni in November of 2006. The work was good, and the setting was ideal for becoming fast friends. Our workday chatting and laughing turned into nighttime dancing at our favorite honkytonk or disco. And during my first visit to her home, a glance at her vast book collection brought fourth a copy of Native Funk and Flash...a book I had long forgotten about up until that point. I hadn't seen it since high school - but of course remembered it well - and was thrilled to see a copy again and also hear Rosie say "I love this book....I know some of the people who are in it." Agh! Amazing. Moments like these remind me that I moved to this coast for a reason. This sort of thing doesnt really happen in Wisconsin.

May years of good karma pour onto the free-thinking librarian of Wausau West High School who purchased a copy for their stacks in 1974. I enjoyed it weekly from 1995 until I graduated in 1999 and can only hope it still has a home on their shelves.

Since reconnecting with the book, I have regained access to a powerful source of inspiration and important American history. Hell, I've even corresponded with Scrumbly thanks to that moment!

36 years ago was 1974 - the same year the book was published, the same year the librarian in Wisconsin purchased a copy for the school, and the same year Rosie was stitching away at this quilt to archive the turns of her life. It all lines up quite nicely, no?

It was also in 1974 that a less-than-excellent boyfriend told Rosie the quilt wasn't worth much; a big ole waste of time. Most anyone emotionally and artistically invested in something knows the power of such harsh criticisms and unkind words. So the quilt got boxed up and has stayed that way since. Unfinished. Untouched. But thankfully, Rosie still has it and we capped off our sunny Saturday by taking it out and having a look at it.

I could only smile when seeing it, and it felt so good to know that its still here and in such great condition. We laid it out on her livingroom rug and she walked me through its many parts and layers of meaning.

Years in art school surrounded by academics and mentors who think a lot about textiles offered me a number of potent lessons, but one of the biggest is this: Domestic textiles are one of the most powerful documents of the lived experience we have. They document each and every move our culture makes. They live with us, grow with us, change with us, and offer their functionality and beauty right along side the complex lives we lead. In the end, these materials can't help but accumulate the spirit and nuance of their owners amazing lives.

I was reminded of this in such a big way when seeing this quilt. Most impressive of all was hearing Rosie tell the stories and talk about the role the quilt played in her life at that point. "I always felt so safe and happy when I was working on this and I'll never forget that. Everything else around me could be a mess but this quilt was like therapy...my way to make something that I felt really good about."

Today Rosie is an absolute master seamstress, making exquisite works for area theatres by day and for friends and family in extra hours that remain. This level of refined craft is something I have always been in awe of and hope to bring to the work I do in my own studio. Its the type of work that takes time. Its the type of work that takes care. Its the type of work that takes love and patience and the will to invest oneself in a project that may not have heaps of technological power or pragmatic fervor, but instead gives back through its beauty, longevity and untouchable artistic life.

We ended our afternoon by playing with new fabric scraps on the unfinished quilt. I'm hoping this re-visit inspires Rosie to finish the work she started, and bring such an exciting piece to a more finished place so it can be displayed and viewed and enjoyed. The work we do as artists deserves just that, at the very least.

The full quilt in all its multi-colored playful glory!

The surface is still so alive and full of movement.
A bodice from a velvet dress set into the surface with lovely embroidered details dancing around its edges.
The piecing and playful layers are to be celebrated, and the careful handwork to decorate and embellish the edges is exquisite!

Here's a handbook of stitches that were Rosie's resource on this quilt. In the midst of an ever-changing lifestyle without a whole lot of possessions, this little book was carried with her all along and brought to the table all these wonderful hand-sewn decorations.
Tucked inside the small book was this folded magazine tear - another bit of inspiration that got the ball rolling.
Rosie and I dancing at one of our favorite spots, Seattle's Little Red Hen.

MC UNDER CONSTRUCTION

2010-03-05T22:37:00.001-08:00

Reclaiming the Essential | Work Balance | MC Funk and Flash

2010-03-05T17:04:00.000-08:00

Major changes have been happening here at our studio. For those of you have walked past the space you have seen the windows papered over with a simple announcement of "Our new look coming soon." That new look is a more private one, and one designed to help me refocus and reclaim the creative spirit here at MC...just in time for spring.

The space here at MC is much different than it was 2 weeks ago. We've closed down our retail front, repainted, moved every scrap of cloth, rack and rail in exchange for more studio space, more creative spirit, and more clarity to make the work we need to make.

*****

And before I get into much more, I want to proudly announce that MC's ready to wear is now on the racks at Velouria's new location on Capitol Hill, just a few blocks from our studio and in the heart of a lovely and active part of the neighborhood. Tes and the gang have been absolute dolls in their willingness to showcase my work and I'm excited to offer you all even more access to what we're doing thanks to their open minds and new boutique. Check it out!

*****

Being self-employed as an artist is hard work. I knew that going into this deal, and the rewards are great. At the end of the day, the thing that makes it work is a lovely balance between business and art - a balance between the creative spirit and the pragmatic needs of any small, growing business. I'm not certain I have found the perfect balance quite yet, so I spend my days making constant adjustments to the scenario to make sure it can all continue.

This new change is perhaps the biggest one yet. We've white-washed the walls of our space, put in new shelves, material storage, and stripped the space down to its essential elements for one main reason: the creative process and the energy of an artist is what drives it all and makes me happiest at the end of a day. Without that, we're nothing. My wonderful studio mate Rachel and I are delighted to announce this reclaiming of ourselves. As an artist, my work is my identity; I am my work and my work is me. For better or worse I never I really leave work - it comes with me everywhere I go and this has been the case for at least the past 20 years. At the moment I can't manage to think of a point in my life where a creative impulse didn't follow me around all day every day - and I can't remember a time where the will to make something had ever left my side. I like living this way, and don't suppose I could have it any other way even if I tried.

My sewing machine sits beneath the skylight in the studio and the morning light is superb.
My cutting table is in the round with miles of walking space around its perimeter.
My fabric piles have been winnowed down to a precious few, the rest being placed in the hands of others who will make good use of them.
My design board shows all the potential in the world, tho at the moment it offers a mere glimpse into what the forthcoming collections will deliver.
My mind feels clear, open and ready to work.
My hands are also ready; ready for new materials, new ideas, new techniques and new modes of working.

This afternoon's sunshine forced me to break from my swatch-juggling and number-running to just play. The stack of jeans atop my dresser at home made it to the studio for repair, and the last box of scraps (in addition to a kind donation from Rachel) made for a great chance to decorate and play. With the turn of the seasons in full swing, and my desire to open up, explore, and celebrate a re-claimed artistic practice, I've started a bit of funk and flash of my very own. MC Funk and Flash pales in comparison to the glory of my heroes and champions from the past, but it sure does feel good!

The ass of the artist covered with the very beginning stages of his MC Funk and Flash. Progress updates promised.

SPRING CLEANING!

2010-02-26T13:19:00.000-08:00

DESIGNER FABRIC AND STUDIO SALE

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2010
10:00am - 6:00pm

417 E Loretta Place - Capitol Hill (at E Olive Way and Summit Avenue East....next to Pretty Parlour)

DESIGNER FABRIC YARDAGE
UPHOLSTERY AND INTERIORS FABRICS
QUILTING MATERIALS
STUDIO FURNISHINGS
FIXTURES
MANNEQUINS AND DRESS FORMS
YARN
SMALL RUG SAMPLES
WEAVING EQUIPMENT

And a FREE PILE!

CASH ONLY PLEASE
STOP BY AND GO WILD!

MC LOVES YOU | SALE

2010-02-13T08:57:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentines Day from MICHAEL CEPRESS
DESIGNER MENSWEAR

Just in time for your favorite or most hated holiday, we've designed a shirt for a special Sunday.
Want to impress your sweetie with something new in your closet?
Or would you rather settle in for a night alone with your favorite bottle?
Either way, add a little style to your date!

The quick back story:
At my very first Little Richard concert in 2000, I met the man himself as he took the stage in black and red sequined silk pajamas.
The moment stuck with me, and I've translated spirit of that look into this Valentines Day design.

We're calling this shirt "King Richard."
ON SALE - 25% OFF
THIS SATURDAY ONLY - FEB 13, 2010!

Come by and say hello!

...and remember what our windows have been saying all along....

MC LOVES YOU!!!
XO

Koko and the Sweetmeats

2010-02-03T10:52:00.001-08:00

Have a look at Garett of Koko and the Sweetmeats wearing his custom MC suit!

WARNING!

2010-02-01T23:06:00.001-08:00

A WWI poster from the Library of Congress. An archival pigment print.

WHIM | FILM

2010-01-29T18:29:00.001-08:00

Take a few minutes to enjoy this beautiful film from our Whim W'Him project. Congratulations to Matthew Brown for offering such a deft hand in documenting our project.

3Seasons from Whim W'Him on Vimeo.

3SEASONS

2010-01-18T09:57:00.000-08:00

As this major body of work has just been completed, I am able to focus and return to my blog. I have so much to share about this project, but for now will only offer a handful of images from the weekend's premier.

Many thanks to La Vie Photography for such beautiful documentation.

C-Press | Favorite

2009-12-24T08:30:00.003-08:00

I'm honored, thrilled, delighted, touched, proud and smiling!
THANK YOU NW SOURCE!

Reinterpretation | From Paper to Felt

2009-12-23T08:54:00.000-08:00

A wonderful new feature on Olivier Wever's new company Whim W'Him - and our production of 3SEASONS - has just hit the newstands in the newest issue of Seattle Metropolitan. This production is coming together so beautifully and I am still very excited to be on board as costume designer.

The sculptural collars I did a while back for the Paper Fashion exhibition in Europe caught Wevers' eye, so we am in the midst of re-interpreting them for dance. Translating these similar shapes into new materials is a fun process and a great reminder of how very much our materials can manipulate a form and offer us new ways of seeing an object.
Above is a photo of one of the original collars from 2007, followed up by some process shots of the new collars we are working on for 3SEASONS. We've gone from paper to felt.

Sweet Inspiration | Dance

2009-12-14T09:49:00.000-08:00

Side by side these two performances show a grace and physical prowess that I find hypnotizing. I could watch them for hours.

Perfectly Reasonable (Night)Dream | White House

2009-12-13T09:42:00.000-08:00

Perfectly Reasonable (Night)Dream: I was the White House tailor.

MC STYLE TIP #22 | Ascot

2009-12-09T08:32:00.001-08:00

Kick open the doors to even more neckwear options. Don't stop at the necktie - move on to the ascot. They're smart, warm, classic, and not just for the yacht club anymore.

MC STYLE TIP #21 | On Youth

2009-12-08T15:44:00.001-08:00

Picking up where we left off:

MC STYLE TIP #21: Young men should opt for trim, fitted cuts when shopping. Over-sized, sloppy fits only leave you looking younger and more immature than you are. A proper fitting shirt and pair of trousers can offer years of confident wearing.

2009-12-06T20:53:00.000-08:00

! SURPRISE FEATURE !

Keep it sexy and warm this holiday season with the
MC HIGHLAND ROBE

For a limited time & limited quantities

December 7th - December 12th, 2009

Receive a 25% discount this week only!

Wrap up in style and lounge in luxury.

This holidays are in full swing, and so is MC.
Stay posted as we have surprises and delights in the weeks to come.

STEAMPUNK and MC

2009-12-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

Come visit us tomorrow at the Steampunk and Kink Vendor Fair in Seattle's beautiful Museum of History and Industry! We're charting new territory here and excited for a fun day with the rivet-headed gang! We'll have ALL our wares there, including a new batch of vintage and antique men's jewelry to accompany our garment designs.

COME SAY HI!

The Holidays | We Love You

2009-12-01T21:32:00.000-08:00

December is here, Black Friday was great fun and a delight - and here we are ringing in the holiday season at MC. I've been slow with blogging and do apologize. My new holiday collage on the front design board is a step in the right direction, I hope.

Elements include:

-Antique photographs of well-decorated young men, circa 1880
-My great grandmother's thread (happily in tact on their original wooden spools) - it felt great to let them swag.
-Detachable paper collars, circa 1880 - 1920 with decorative pearl and brass collar buttons
-MC garment labels
-2 antique glass christmas bulbs - visual appeal = exquisite
-Seam binding in the most perfect color of red-orange
-Collar and shirt front advertisements, circa 1918 - prices range from 2 to 9 cents each
-Green wreath freshly picked from the annual tree sale at The Dunshee House
-Brass plate #185
-Sheet music "Meditation"
-Golden garment clasp
-Prescription for medication - 06 August, 1902
-Paper shirt front (reproduction, hand-colored by MC)
-Well used, well-loved cloth tape measures of the past
-A reminder: We Love You (suspended on a 6" upholstery needle)

BLACK FRIDAY SALE

2009-11-25T13:02:00.001-08:00

...they say black is chic...

.....1....2....3.....

-BLACK FRIDAY SALE-

MICHAEL CEPRESS
DESIGNER MENSWEAR BOUTIQUE

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27. 2009
10AM - 7PM
ONE DAY ONLY

1. ALL ASCOTS $38 (Reg. $68)

2. ALL WINTER SCARVES $38 (Reg. $68)

3. GIFT CERTIFICATE SPECIAL:
Receive an ADDITIONAL $25.00 on the purchase of a gift certificate of $200 or more.

Sweet Inspiration | Exactitudes

2009-11-20T21:08:00.001-08:00

Be My B.F.

2009-11-19T14:24:00.000-08:00

BLACK FRIDAY SALE

consider yourself warned.

HOLIDAY KICK OFF PARTY

2009-11-17T16:35:00.000-08:00

COME CELEBRATE THE NEW LOOK OF OUR SPACE

and
KICK OFF THE HOLIDAYS
at the
MICHAEL CEPRESS DESIGNER MENSWEAR
HOLIDAY KICK-OFF PARTY

We're ready to dive into the holiday season and want to host an evening of fun to celebrate our crisp cold weather and the
NEW LOOK of our shop.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2009
6:00pm - 10:00pm

Hot cider and refreshments are on us!

NEW STYLES ON THE RACKS!
BRING FRIENDS AND MAKE NEW ONES!

I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
-MC-

Sweet Inspiration : Green and Brown

2009-11-17T16:33:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Cody for these beautiful eggs!

MC Design Profile | Waistcoats called "Wilde"

2009-11-05T09:43:00.000-08:00

For Oscar Wilde it was not only about wearing distinctive outwear, but distinctive layers beneath. A waistcoat like MC's "Wilde" that sits close to your body offers the shape, structure, noteworthy color and pattern that requires no other frills - no other decoration.

See the subtle, elegant turn of the lapel into the shoulder? I did that for you.

I'm offering this design in two palettes; Pipe Smoke Grey and Wine Red. My best guess is that Mr. Wilde would have commissioned one in green.

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T10:20:00.001-07:00

MC Design Profile | A Shirt Called Charlie

2009-10-28T12:53:00.001-07:00

When Mick and Keith and the boys are in their leather and satin or spandex and fringe, Charlie always pulls through with exquisite tailoring. He rarely even rolls up his sleeves when it comes time to work.

I've named this shirt style after Mr. Watts for that very reason. The cut is clean, trim, and polished. The baby houndstooth collar and detailing is crisp and refined. With that kind of class in the mix, Charlie works just as well paired with your work-day suit as it does for a night at the club.

MC Design Profile | A Shirt Called "Jones"

2009-10-27T10:31:00.000-07:00

Davy? George? No.....its Brian.

When I design and name new styles, I sometimes think about who I could see - or would like to see - wearing that particular style. For this shirt it's Brian Jones. Daydream with me for a second; Visualize this shirt with it's plaid spread collar and front placket detail showcasing a perfectly tied Full-Windsor knot and Mr. Jones himself bringing an number of other Carnaby-inspired delights into the equation. A pin-wale corduroy military jacket, maybe? A curly-lamb collared overcoat with brass hardware?

But that's 1967.

For today's Modern Gentleman it makes just as much sense with your favorite jeans on any given day of the week. For today's Modern Gentleman with a reason to celebrate it can be the piece you wear to delight your friends and fans on an important Friday night when you proudly sport your skinny suit and freshly-shined strides.

NEW DESIGNS

2009-10-21T18:53:00.000-07:00

Look what's new!

C-PRESS | NW SOURCE

2009-10-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

Michelle LaFrance from NW SOURCE was a great visitor to have at the shop last week. I love when writers come through to learn about my work and the space; they always seem so tuned in to the creative process and the work of an artist. Have a look at this great feature she offers up. Thanks Michelle!

Celebrating the NEW LOOK OF MC

2009-10-16T15:13:00.000-07:00

After a week in bed with the flu, I'm happy to be back at work. Coming to the studio these days looks a little bit different now that we have made the move to fully revamp the space and proudly showcase the MC collections in a retail front of their very own!

We've added over 200 square feet of retail space here at the shop, so you all can come roam and browse for hours without my pesky cutting tables and sewing machines getting in your way! The best news of all is that this means lots more room for new designs and new styles on the rack and ready for you.

What do you think? Come pay us a visit in person....you know we'd love to see you!

And of course you can count on more pictures of the new space SOON!

Sweet Inspiration | Grace on Sesame Street

2009-10-10T11:06:00.000-07:00

Treasures unearthed: Grace Slick offers the vocal track for the Jazzy Spies series on Sesame Street. 1969.

Partners In Crime | MC and Heilyke

2009-10-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

I loved being a student. Those were especially wonderful years in my life, and I constantly find myself reflecting on how formative and important those grueling college years truly were.

Now as an instructor at the University of Washington I get to watch new talent emerge and shine under the bright lights of academia. Stand-out students quickly make themselves recognizable, and often continue that momentum after they graduate and take on the real world.

Heili Aun Nalla, a former student of mine has continued to see great press and attention for all her recent work. Heili has been an irreplacible help to the work here at my shop as she steadily forges ahead by my side to offer her expert patternmaking skills and superb stitching abilities. And even more exciting now is the emergance of Heilyke ...her own line of womenwear. The sculptural beauty of this first suite of designs is impressive and exciting. Her debut runway event in July can be seen on Seattle Fashion TV, and she and I were happy to spend time together last night at the event lauch. NEEDLEPLUSTHREAD was especially supportive and generously offered to take our photographs during last night's party. Thanks to Kam for aiming her camera in our direction!

Also, be sure to take a look at her work in the Student Showcase of the newest issue of FiberArts Magazine.

Heili is a true talent and beautifully skilled craftswoman. I'm proud to know her and remain endelessly grateful to have her on the MC team!

C-Press | Seattle Fashion TV

2009-10-09T08:14:00.000-07:00

Mitch and I had a great time last night at the soft launch of Seattle Fashion TV and enjoyed spending time with a wonderful flock of folks from Seattle's design and fashion scene. After talking with their camera man Basil I learned that a small video feature about yours truly just went up on their website. Have a look!

Thanks to Shalonne Foster and Basil Shadid at Seattle Fashion TV for this great piece.
Thanks to my studio intern Deb for sewing up a storm!
And thanks to the master tailors of London for enduring me calling them "the Saville Row guys"....they really are so much more than that!

Color | Signs of Fall

2009-10-08T16:05:00.000-07:00

The changing colors in the city and the incredible autumn sun we're seeing in Seattle inspired me to add a little color to my signs out front.

Market Style | Looking Forward

2009-10-07T08:51:00.000-07:00

If this is the direction men's style in the Northwest is headed, I think we're moving in a good direction. These guys at the market looked so great....their friendly smiles and willingness to chat were the perfect accessories to their already well-decorated looks.

Soul Seamster | Adam Arnold

2009-10-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

After over three years of email correspondence, I finally had a chance to meet fellow design Adam Arnold during his recent visit to Seattle. Once upon a time when MC was a mere twinkle in my eye - or a lofty brainstorm at the very least - Adam was someone I tracked down and wrote to, knowing that he was doing well with his label in Portland and making a solid impact in the Northwest with the work he does.

Things have certainly not changed as his label continues to grow and his work continues to get attention. It was great fun spending some time with him at my space and learning that years of friendly correspondence between two young designers can finally merge into spending time together face to face in our workspaces. Even more fun was discovering his great energy and sense of humor! Its so nice to drop the seriousness and just have some laughs amongst the piles of fabric and someone else who knows what a life of this sort is like!

I look forward to traveling to Portland to visit Adam's studio, and of course encourage you all to keep an eye on his work.

And I'm a fool to not applaud his outfit...custom AdamArnold denim jacket with fabulous silk lining which he proudly parades along side the hard-earned hole in his handmade jeans. The derby and gold tooth are accessories I couldn't compete with. Inspiring, no doubt!

2009-10-05T14:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Laura Cassidy, once again, for a great follow up to my Style Counsel feature with Seattle Metropolitan this month. I love it! Thanks Laura!

And be sure to keep your eye on her blog. She's a steady source of great news and updates about Seattle's style and fashion scene...without a doubt one to follow!

Sweet Inspiration | SON OF Hassle Free Sewing

2009-10-02T17:13:00.000-07:00

A mistake and oversight on my behalf while ordering my very own copy of The Illustrated Hassle-Free Make Your Own Clothes Book brought me a copy of its predecessor, Son of Hassle-Free Sewing. To my delight, this second book features equally exciting hand-drawn illustrations and instructions, as well as photos from the family scrap-book.

Doesn't Drumgo look great in his clown suit? I wish he'd come by the shop ... I'd love to meet him! And Birgitta moves so well in her halter dress. Obviously Burke enjoys it all.
And what's not to love about an entire section devoted to easy-access and open-air wear? I was born 30 years late.

"Because we're ladies, the wording of the projects may seem to imply they are exclusively for others of our own gender but it ain't so. Most everything can be made for either a lady, a man or a child."

"Good garments for men would be:
Short Shorts (Elastic-Top and Fly Front)
Overalls
Hot Overalls
Harem Pants
Western Shirt
Multi T-Shirt
Wraparound Pants
Maxine's Mandarin Jacket
Punjabi Pants
Drumgo's Fabulous Clown Suit for Children of Aaalll Ages"

On (Hot) Overalls | page 26
"When we all lived together, Bert brought back a pair of old-gold velvet overalls from King's Road, England. Both Sharon and Richie wanted them and an instant competition developed. For a number of weeks the overalls hung out alone in the closet, awaiting the winner. Eventually Richie's smaller tush was victorious."

C-Press | Seattle Metropolitan Magazine STYLE COUNSEL

2009-09-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled about my feature in the new issue of SEATTLE METROPOLITAN MAGAZINE. Thanks to Laura Cassidy for inviting me to serve this month on their Style Counsel. It always feels really good to get this sort of attention....and just in time for the fall designs that will be hitting the racks here soon!

C-Press | ItsMyDarlin'

2009-09-23T19:50:00.000-07:00

A heap of thanks to Dana Landon, a local style-searcher and blogger who took the time to visit my space and do a flattering little write-up on what she found. Thanks Dana and come back again!