Lois Mailou Jones as Inspiration for My Fashion Collection

School is back in session and that means I am back to designing fashion collections! For the first collection (and there will be a total of three) of this semester I chose the American artist Lois Mailou Jones as my inspiration. What an amazing woman! 

My process starts with research. I spent a considerable amount of time reading about Jones and her life. I collected imagery of the painter and her art and assembled it into my sketchbook to tell a story that will inspire my fashion designs. Jones was an insightful artist who was interested in her heritage, her times, and her future. Her art documented her journey as she traveled around the world and met many an important artist in Paris and Washington D.C. Her art shows influences of Cubism and Surrealism. Traditional African masks are just one of the many topics she depicts in her paintings. 

I am always fascinated by the journeys people undertake. I think it is particularly interesting with artists as one can study their work and discover their beliefs and feelings about their lives. Throughout her life Jones searched for the definition of identity: who she was as a woman and as an artist. This search appeals to me as I am working through the same as a fashion designer. 

As you can see in my sketchbook, Jones' masterpieces were colorful and striking and full of symbolism and meaning. Upon assembling a good set of imagery, I started sketching design details and garments and will continue to do so over the next four to five weeks. Stay turned for more!