Vestirsi è facile

1972, Italy, architects, all still concerned with simple clothing systems. And now, there’s a kit for that:

A kit! You shouldn’t have, Archizoom! But is this diagram nightmare really necessary to start making simple clothes at home?

Yes because it’s worth it:

Vestirsi è facile, or, Dressing Is Easy, was another tantalizing clothing system made by Archizoom Associati. I have no idea why the absurd aesthetic of the earlier Nearest Habitat System gave us American Apparels on every corner, but this system, which is to me infinitely more stylish and actually adaptable, seems to be available to us now only through limited supply chains such as Miyake Plantation, Kenzo Jap, Flax (kind of), and certain more discerning purveyors of world beat trimmer garb.

Please, allow me to present that for you again:

Assumed here as a basic element is a square piece of cloth. This first logical use of the raw material eliminates waste, enabling one to operate on a geometrically defined element with which one can plan, rejecting imitative operations of any anthropometrical importance.

Indeed, it is only by abandoning traditional sartorial methods still so ubiquitous in industrial production that we shall be able to cope with and correctly utilize productive technologies and methods, drawing planning criteria directly from the nature of the productive process.

In this case the first fundamental operation is to consider the fabric and the cloth to be like a continuous ribbon of unvarying width, and not an indefinite surface from which portions are haphazardly cut out.

And so forth, and so on, published in Casabella, December 1973, and Zaaaaang.

The best news is that there is also a film for this, also called “Vestirsi è facile”. A film! But I can’t seem to manage a way to view it….And I’m having trouble finding sufficient information. This deal is so rad. I came across mention of it in a book,  Italian New Wave Design, by Andrea Branzi, 1984, one I recommend. So this is a shout out–if anyone has some more information, please share it!

Nearest Habitat System

OK, the year is still 1971. You are now a group of Florentine architects who began with a focus on radical architecture and urban research, and you have lately taken up an interest in clothes.

Cuuuute. Despite your day to day choice of sensible tweed suits and slouchey knits for your own body coverage, your idea for others is to make a simple clothing system based on slimfitting bodystockings over which decorated overalls could be worn.

You sketch it out, see that such a system would look nice in empty corridors on your own, in pairs. It would work with bald men with bushy beards, with haired men with bushy beards. It would probably work when you cast a shadow against a wall. Or when you visit skyscrapers, when you do yoga, when you play a stringed instrument.

You think to yourself, This idea works. Let’s test it out on some handsome neighbors. Sure enough:

Slam!

Ka-blam! Sans understocking.

Hot damn. This last picture is from 1972, boys and girls. Nineteen Seventy-Two. And so, the American Apparel problem was born, never to look so very fine again. Oh man, oh man.

Ashley Thayer at Tartine Bakery

Aequum, Ashley Thayer’s installation of hand-dyed textiles, quilts, and paintings is opening tomorrow night at Tartine Bakery. We are delighted, as well, to offer a selection of Ashley’s scarves and napkins here at the shop….we’re also planning to offer a workshop with Ashley to come soon down the line. Much to enjoy!

Curious about the ceramics here? I was. Aren’t they marvelous! They’re by Zachary Leener, whose work I’ve much admired down at Iko Iko.

UU >> uu V V OO (BOOBS)

The Boob Top

Boob Bucket Bag

Boob Tote Bag

Our new batch of Gravel & Gold Goods features our Boob print on a Top, a Bucket Bag, and a Tote Bag. They are now available for sale on the website.

I’ve been walking around with my own Bucket Bag for a few weeks now. So far, the response I most often get is a giggle—much to my satisfaction—or a lady searching out which pair closest resemble her pair. Better yet is when a friend of the lady determines for the lady which pair is her pair. Always a pleasure, in any case.

All of these goods are being made right in the shop with the highest quality materials and attention to craftsmanship.

Specific Peshtemal

We’ve added a selection of hand-woven and printed peshtemals, made especially for Gravel & Gold by Kylea Borges, to the online shop. Lovely for toweling, picnicking, and warm-keeping.

Making Boobs

Thank you forbidden Google image search, Holly, Lisa, honored Auntie et Auntini, other models and enthusiasts.

“That’s a whole lotta titties,” said the moving guy. Bags and tops are being made one by one and are available in the shop.  Soon to be online. xx

UPDATE:

Here’s the Boob Top, the Boob Bucket Bag, and the Boob Tote. Enjoy!

Cloth Man

I feel OK about celebrating the man who feels OK about wearing this Marimekko vestment as his “sacred celebratory cape”. Available!