California Craft Collection
Late in 2022, I was invited by The Elder Statesman, a lifestyle brand based in Los Angeles, to create a one-of-a kind wearable artwork using Ugg shoes as my starting point. The transformed Uggs were used to accessorize a collection they call California Craft, which will launch in May 2023. A huge shout out to Creative Director Bailey Hunter who made this all possible. It was such a fun experience, and here are some details.
The Elder Statesman PF23 collection California Craft
“The Elder Statesman Pre-Fall 2023 collection explores our roots of handcraftsmanship and celebrates our Southern California community. Nearly every piece in our collection is made locally in Los Angeles, with the majority being knit and hand-dyed at our arts-and-craft facility in Downtown LA. This season, our collection delves even deeper into craft, incorporating hand-patchworking, delicate pointelle knitting, quilting, and textiles hand-woven on backstrap looms to create a unique texture that no machine can replicate.
We also collaborated with a network of like-minded California-based craftspeople and artists on a number of one-of-a-kind pieces - including 16 unique pairs of Ugg shoes interpreted by a different artist. "
Photos begin with images by the professional crew (acknowledged in the credits at the end) followed by studio shots taken by me as I worked on and completed the project.
At the photoshoot
A closer look
Here are some process shots beginning with the raw materials, which were woven and printed “experiments” from previous projects. I selected the materials and color copied them onto paper which I then used to play with position and shape. Once I figured out the placement, materials were cut, sewn together and attached to the Ugg. I finished each Ugg with collaging and painted accents. It was a joyful and intuitive experience.
List of artists whose work is featured: Aneesa Shami Zizzo, Jaxon Demme, Julie Kornblum, John Gibbons, Michael Koch, Jamia Weir, Jordan Hart, Sibelle Yuksek, Debbie Weaver, Sachi Moskowitz, Liberty Worth, Jaime Gerin, Carmen Mardonez, Cameron Taylor-Brown, Mimi Haddon, Kolby Keene, Georgina Trevino
Professional credits
Photographer: Philip-Daniel Ducasse
Stylist: Rita Zebdi
Hair: Chanel Croker
Makeup: Zaheer Sukhnandan
