mono blog

2009-09-21T21:34:00.000-07:00

we have a new website, journal & shop...

check it out here

2009-08-25T23:17:00.000-07:00

The SHARD series is now starting to trickle into our local shops.
We will begin shipping across Canada & into the States late next week.

2009-08-23T23:27:00.000-07:00

Josh Mannis.... I think.

2009-08-08T14:12:00.000-07:00

Poetic Cosmos of the Breath - Tomas Saraceno (2007)

2009-08-01T07:02:00.000-07:00

'the origin is the goal' Karl Krause

2009-07-27T21:23:00.000-07:00

My heart you are suffering.
Illustrations by 'Antonio Marras'.
Not just a fashion designer, but a poet of dressing & a storyteller of fashion.

This work is made for 'Detour', which is a Moleskine project dedicated to culture and creativity that features internationally recognized artists, architects, film directors, graphic designers, illustrators, and writers.

2009-07-26T14:45:00.000-07:00

01\\'s first issue has launched.

THE OPTICAL ISSUE
Robert Geller, Stand Up Comedy, Nick Pittman, It Girls, Mathew Bushell, Society of the Spectacle, Joanna Bean, Witch, Design Crunch, Future Folklore, The Quiltmaker of Gee's Bend

An excellent overview of art, fashion, architecture, and obscure objects in the form of a monthly online magazine & daily blog. It's a collaborative project by such a talented crew of creatives & good people.

mono is included in their beautifully executed editorial, 'Looking In.' Alberta looks fantastic in the mono tucked shift dress!

2009-07-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

Robert Morris

2009-07-14T20:51:00.000-07:00

thinking about.....

light - reflection - floating amidst a delicate haze - soft air filled structures - clouds - flight - breath

2009-07-01T19:49:00.000-07:00

Some protection for the trees.

2009-07-01T18:21:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that the Interlacing Opposing Thoughts series has just been picked up, in season, at the following shops in the states.

Assembly New York, Blackbird/Birgitta & Light Vision

2009-06-09T23:30:00.001-07:00

mono is featured on this Australian forum, fashionising. Maybe you are interested.

2009-06-03T19:58:00.000-07:00

Shirin Neshat is the most famous Iranian artist in the world, even though she’s spent a large part of her adult life in exile. Her work is both intensely personal and intensely political, dealing with Iranian identity, Islamic society, and the role of women in both. Eleanor Wachtel, host of Writers & Company, talks to Shirin Neshat about growing up in pre-revolutionary Iran, her work as an artist, and why it’s a deep expression of her own conflicted relationship with her homeland.

I am deeply inspired by Shirin Neshat's work but not necessarily because of the reasons stated above but because of reasons which are explored further within the following interview. Shirin's work has a dialogue of conflict & balance, this very idealogy has fueled the inspiration for the Interlacing Opposing Thoughts series, SHARD as well as the newest series which I am working on now.

The following is an interview clip taken from the CBC.

Wachtel on the arts: Shirin Neshat

2009-05-30T08:44:00.000-07:00

mono has been selected to participate in a new online shopping initiative based out of London.

NJAL is an online platform for emerging graduates and design talent, counting more than a thousand fashion designers from over forty countries. THE SHOP gives birth to a new kind of shopping experience offering unique, one-off designer garments. Addicts and admirers alike now have the opportunity to purchase special and limited edition pieces from designers recognised as the leaders in avant-garde fashion.

The first to host THE SHOP is Robin Schulié, head-buyer of the iconic Maria Luisa store in Paris and Unit F, the Austrian Association for Contemporary fashion. Diane Pernet, editor of cult-favourite blog, A Shaded View On Fashion, and founder of ASVOFF, fashion film festival, has been announced as our host in July.

Each consecutive month thereafter will be headed by another leading industry figure.

We are so thrilled to be included in this initiative.

Over the next couple of months, a rotating selection of mono work will be offered on the site, so make sure to pop in ever once & awhile to see what is new.

Happy summertime!

Heather Martin

2009-05-19T07:36:00.000-07:00

mono has a new page on facebook.

Listed on the new page are some beautiful photographs from the new series; these were taken by Christina Ladwig, a fantastic photographer & film maker.

There are many great projects & adventures in store for mono over the next little while.... I will try my best to keep you all updated here.

Thank you for your continued support!

Heather Martin

2009-05-15T21:06:00.000-07:00

2009-05-09T01:18:00.000-07:00

Thinking about Nancy Grossman's collages......

2009-04-22T10:44:00.000-07:00

Estelle Lagarde

2009-04-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

shinichi maruyama:

2009-04-11T10:02:00.000-07:00

hurling black india ink and water into the air; photographing the two liquids as they collide:

writings in the sky by shinichi maruyama.

2009-04-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

2009-03-26T21:58:00.000-07:00

Bryson Gill, graphite on paper 2008

2009-03-22T08:21:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all of you who made it out to the sale! What a beautiful day it was & seeing all of you made the day just that more special. Enjoy the sunshine...... I think that spring might finally be here.

2009-03-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

mono sale

Saturday March 21st, 12 - 8

478 Union St. @ Jackson, Vancouver, BC

Works from the Interlacing Opposing Thoughts series on sale directly from us.

Many pieces are available which are not stocked by our local Vancouver shops.

Come by & say hi..... it would be great to have a visit with all of you!

For more information: info@monoclothing.ca

cash, visa, m/c accepted

2009-03-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

So thrilled to be featured alongside such fashion greats in cultures in between, an online magazine based out of Sydney, Australia.

2009-03-09T21:12:00.000-07:00

busy working on lots of new things.... loving life & the mono studio.... excited to see what is in store for the future!

2009-03-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

Vanessa Beecroft

VB43, 2000

VB62, 2008

VB55, 2005. video

2009-03-02T09:59:00.000-08:00

a few pieces from the 'interlacing opposing thoughts' series have been picked up by Assembly in NYC. So excited! Check out the link for more details.

2009-02-21T12:58:00.000-08:00

A Belarussian man works in a felt boot factory in Smilovichi, some 35 km east of Minsk on February 5, 2009. Felt boots for cold winter conditions called "valenky" are common throughout Russia, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Latvia.

A woman works in a textile factory in Suining in southwest China's Sichuan province.

Chinese workers labor in a factory making zippers in Jinjiang, China's Fujian province.

2009-02-15T12:50:00.000-08:00

A collision of inspirations..... Tilda Swinton wears Sandra Backlund in the latest issue of Another Magazine.

2009-02-12T09:10:00.000-08:00

mono in the March issue of Fashion magazine.....

2009-02-06T08:27:00.000-08:00

the new mono series, interlacing opposing thoughts has arrived. The stock is starting to trickle in to my local shops. We are shipping across Canada & into the states next week.

Please be in touch if there is something that you have been waiting for which your local shop hasn't stocked. We are happy to ship worldwide.

2009-01-31T22:46:00.001-08:00

this is amusing to me.....

2009-01-21T00:32:00.000-08:00

Neckpiece. mono
Stylist. Redia Soltis
Photographer. Jody Rogac
Model. Rebecca Cherry

2009-01-18T18:28:00.000-08:00

Shirin Neshat
The Rapture
Stills from video/audio installation
1999

2009-01-16T13:06:00.000-08:00

HUH?

2009-01-15T01:07:00.000-08:00

Morris Louis
Seal
1959.

Morris Louis
Title & date unknown

2009-01-14T19:50:00.000-08:00

Jeremy Hof
TANGIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF A SUBJECTIVE REVOLUTION
January 8 - February 12, 2009

@ BLANKET INC.
235 Alexander Street
Vancouver, BC

2009-01-11T10:16:00.000-08:00

Charles Ray
Plank Piece I-II
1973

2009-01-01T20:23:00.000-08:00

daydreaming about hot air balloons & kites way up high in the open sky.....

2008-12-30T10:56:00.000-08:00

More Rebecca Horn.

2008-12-21T00:54:00.000-08:00

Obsessively thinking about Rebecca Horn's 'body extension sculptures' right now.

2008-12-16T20:51:00.000-08:00

I totally want this poster... I just can't stop looking at it. Designed by the folks at slavs and tatars & available at stand up comedy

things that I am thinking about lately.....

2008-12-16T20:13:00.000-08:00

-shards being pieced back together

-fur & the process of furriers

-almost dissolving completely but leaving just enough residue to convey the message

-dark energy & the fact that the pull of gravity and the push of dark energy have been trying to outmuscle each other since the beginning of time.

-bone discs... I have been carrying these around for the last several days with hopes that I will have a eureka moment which will explain what to do with them

- leather, leather & more leather....

Hopefully PETA won't come looking for me after seeing this post.

2008-12-11T17:12:00.000-08:00

Please forward your mailing address to info@monoclothing.ca & in exchange I will send you a little holiday greeting in the post.

2008-12-09T19:59:00.000-08:00

mono on refinery 29

2008-11-27T20:16:00.000-08:00

2008-11-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

aurel schmidt so intricately whimsical

2008-11-12T23:54:00.000-08:00

2008-11-04T21:33:00.001-08:00

mono's new series, Interlacing Opposing Thoughts, was listed on the bored & beautiful blog a couple of days ago.

2008-10-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

lina scheynius so atmospheric, soft + sensual

2008-10-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

At first glance, it looks like an artist armed with a box of crayons has been set loose upon the landscape.

Vivid stripes of purple, yellow, red, pink, orange and green make up a glorious technicolour patchwork.

Yet far from being a sketchbook, this is, in fact, the northern Netherlands in the middle of the tulip season.

things that I think are awesome... part 2

2008-10-19T13:04:00.001-07:00

stand up comedy such a considered presentation of clothing + objects

red flag design is tangible knowledge + business smarts which = a very good combo

things which are awesome... to me anyways

2008-10-16T22:22:00.000-07:00

natalia brilli covers all things in a nice matte leather.

cosmic wonder free press is spacious & light.

awareness + conciousness for its thoughtful concept development + execution

grouper = echo + distortion goodness

txell miras oh the complex geometries. so excited to visit spain in the spring.

more another time. bye for now.

Warm up for Autumn - Georgia Straight

2008-09-07T14:45:00.000-07:00

mono is featured in the Straight's Style section this week. You can pick up a copy locally or check out the editorial online.

2008-08-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

2008-08-21T09:17:00.000-07:00

new scarves are available @ hunt + gather, the block & distill. yay!

2008-07-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

Check out this show.

2008-07-04T09:50:00.000-07:00

classes are ending - external work is winding down - ready to explore new ideas

2008-06-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

pecha kucha
Friday June 13th @ 7:30. Location: Vancouver Museum
a gathering of creative people talking about creative things.

clothe/breathe trailer

2008-06-03T20:31:00.000-07:00

2008-05-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in attending this event please RSVP to mono@oneplusoneplus.com . Thank you.

2008-05-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

mono is working in collaboration with one + one to form new form.

2008-04-08T22:49:00.000-07:00

2008-04-03T09:06:00.000-07:00

Dropped off some new stuff @ Hunt & Gather.....

2008-04-02T09:56:00.000-07:00

Check this out......

2008-03-10T10:43:00.000-07:00

new store in Toronto ( my home town ) - distill

2008-02-09T22:00:00.000-08:00

the lido...... no more.

I stood stunned as I noticed movement in a place that stood still ever since I had known. I gathered my thoughts enough to continue on & as I walked away, a tear trickled slowly down my cheek.

2008-02-02T12:08:00.000-08:00

My work will be included in an international exhibit of
wearable art in Palos Verdes, California.

Wearable Expressions 2008
Beckstrand & Norris Galleries
February 22nd - April 20th

Please contact me if you would like more information.

2008-01-02T16:20:00.000-08:00

In the Georgia Straight a couple of weeks ago.

2007-12-05T23:56:00.000-08:00

new stuff ...... hooray!
@ all of my Vancouver shops. yippee!

2007-11-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is upon us.....

Join mono @ The Western Front's annual Holiday Sale, Toque.

Friday November 30th, 6 -9 & Saturday December 1st, 11 - 4.

Lots of new accessories & great gifty-type things from mono as well as many other unique & interesting items by this talented roster of local designers & crafters.

Hope to see you all there!

2007-11-10T08:47:00.000-08:00

New stock @ hunt & gather.

2007-10-14T10:47:00.000-07:00

2007-10-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

I have a soft spot for helvetica & the hyphen

2007-09-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

In type news, helvetica is now 50! In honor of the first typeface acquired for MoMA's collection, the installation presents posters, signage, and other graphic material demonstrating the variety of uses and enduring beauty of this design classic.

Thousands of hyphens parish as English marches on. About 16,000 words have succumbed to pressures of the Internet age and lost their hyphens in a new edition of the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary.The hyphen has been squeezed as informal ways of communicating, honed in text messages and emails, spread on Web sites and seep into newspapers and books.

Sad-times for the hyphen & a celebration of helvetica. I am left feeling rather balanced.

Intro To Textile Arts

2007-09-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

ATTN: Crafters, Artists & Fashion-Types - This might be of interest to you.

I just wanted to let you know that VCC is offering an Introduction to Textile Arts class that is open to all crafty & non-crafty types. The course is based around sample projects with the emphasis being on experimentation and the creative process.

Tuesday Evenings 6:30 -9:30 ( 8 sessions)

Start Date: Tuesday September 25th
End Date: Tuesday November 20th

Workshops include;

Studio Practices & Safety Intro
Block Printing
Cold water - Fibre Reactive dyeing
Felting
Resists & Shibori

8 sessions for only $245 + some supply fees ( nothing too pricey ) That's ONLY $30 per session.

To sign up, contact me directly

Heather Martin info@monoclothing.ca

I would totally appreciate it you could pass this around to all of crafty counterparts.

2007-09-10T15:05:00.000-07:00

MONO - RIFIC!!!

circles & holes

2007-08-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

2007-08-13T08:53:00.000-07:00

Dropped off some new thread work @ hunt & gather a couple of days back.
If you are in Gastown stop by & check it out.

2007-08-04T22:27:00.000-07:00

Writing bios & artist statements is a difficult task.

2007-07-23T22:13:00.000-07:00

hmmmmm. what's going on in mono land?

Just got back from Victoria, checked out some possible shops to carry my stuff. Not really sure where it will all go, we'll see. Victoria is an interesting city full of tourists at this time of year & maybe the rest, who knows. I was quite inspired by the tourist/souvenir shops, its funny - sometimes it takes being away from something to actually appreciate it for what it is worth. I'll have to stop into some of the shops in Gastown to see if I get the same amusement. On a slightly different but kind of related note, while in Victoria one should check out a small shop on the other side of the Market Square? called The Inlet. Interesting & very unique 'one of a kind' leather & fur pieces. Congrats to the owner for pulling it off.

Entered a 'Wearable Art' contest, we will see where that goes?

What else? I am teaching a non-credit Surface Design & Textile course @ VCC in September. Non-credit means that it is open to everyone. Should be lots of fun & we will cover many techniques, if you are interested or know anyone who might be - let me know & I can forward some more info.

Later Skaters.

a loop repeated

2007-07-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

sometimes it seems all messed up but usually it's not.

2007-07-03T06:40:00.000-07:00

2007-06-22T22:36:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all of you that came out to the sale last night, it was nice to see some old friends & meet some new ones too!

I think that I am going to be participating in another sale-type thingy on the 14th of July @ the blim. Many more accessories & possibly not so many clothing pieces, depending on the room that is available. I will post the flyer when I get my hands on one.

For now, I'm off to a lake in Northern Alberta for some much needed downtime.

2007-06-13T08:07:00.000-07:00

New stuff @ the block & eugene choo.

2007-06-07T10:18:00.000-07:00

new store

2007-05-12T10:14:00.000-07:00

I have been making some fibre-based accessories that are available @ Hunt & Gather in Gastown. Natalie is a very talented designer herself & I love her store. If you are in the neighbourhood, stop in to check out the shop & the new accessories.

2007-04-22T09:06:00.000-07:00

How do you feel about tie-dye?

2007-03-31T14:08:00.000-07:00

2007-03-22T00:41:00.000-07:00

I am super stoked with all of the new stuff that I am working on. Come check it out @ The Block's anniversary party & fashion show.

Click on the picture for more info.

2007-02-20T08:41:00.000-08:00

These pieces are available at The Block

2007-01-25T20:35:00.001-08:00

The building of dreams sold........ I hope that something interesting goes in & that it doesn't just get torn down. It would be a shame to see it replaced with lame highrise or condo-type residings.

2007-01-03T10:03:00.000-08:00

Ok it is about time that I get rid of that last post, it's driving me crazy looking at it.

What's new for 2007.........

Well, I started this side project when it started getting crappy & cold outside. For now, I make mittens & give them to people who are cold or people who ask me for something on the street. Eventually I would like to make other things of warmth but to start out it's just mittens. It's going okay so far but I was a little discouraged when one of the first people that I gave the mittens to turned around & put them in the garbage...I guess he didn't want what I had to offer. His actions made me laugh for the greater part of that day.

Anyways, after a little re-evaluation I've come up with a solution. I am going to make a pile of mittens & donate them to the women's shelter or any other organization that can use them.

Eventually I would like to ask other designers & artists to get involved. As a group we could have an auction & donate the proceeds.

This project is called The Warmth Project, if any of you are interested let me know.

What else......
I'm feeling the inspiration for clothes again, it comes & it goes. There are lots of new ideas floating around in my head so hopefully some of those ideas get worked through & eventually become concrete pieces. Sometimes they float around up there for awhile & then sometimes I forget about them for long periods of time.

Off to the studio......I need to get some work done.

mittens

2006-11-21T23:07:00.000-08:00

2006-11-19T11:21:00.000-08:00

Come & visit me at the sale. I will be lonely without all of you lovely people.

2006-11-03T07:07:00.000-08:00

To fund my life & my small business I work part time as a teacher in the fashion design program @ the community college downtown. This job comes with it's ups & downs as all things in life do. As of lately I am feeling rather inspired & positive. Today is the beginning of a new year filled with all the newness that one can expect, I am a bit nervous, a bit intrigued but overall I am excited about my new class. I will work with these students throughout their program to help them develop their skills & hopefully add some new skills too. My first year has just graduated successfully & I am sure that many of them will go on to do amazing things. Today opens a new chapter to another year.

circles are repeating

2006-10-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

It's all about the comfort.

2006-09-25T23:20:00.000-07:00

New! Lined-Hooded Sweatshirts & Leggings

@the block

mono: circle handle totes

2006-08-18T20:29:00.000-07:00

Check out these new totes that I have been working on.

-Available in 100% black cotton, 100% natural cotton, 100% jute geometric print & a fancy black silk/wool blend.

-Zipper pocket inside with smaller dividers for your credit cards, cellphone, ipod etc.

-Retails @ $139

-Available @ the block & jorg & olif