perfectlyportia (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} perfectlyportia) wrote in ![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} valarlogs,@ 2014-02-11 19:58:00 |
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When: Backdated to 15th January
Where: Baxter Bakery
What: Talking clothing design
Rating/Warning: Low/None
Status: Complete!
“Okay, so I’m thinking a cherry blossom wedding.”
Sam gestured to the table in front of her, that was covered in various sketches she’d thrown together, as well as some clippings she’d found relevant. Mostly they were modern variations on white wedding kimonos. Sam thought something somewhat traditional like that might look good, but it wasn’t quite her, which is why she’d gone to Portia, “These are all great, but I kind of want to take the tradition and sex it up a bit. And I thought including the cherry blossom colors or designs on the dress somehow might be cool. What do you think?”
Portia looked at Sam’s designs and clippings and nodded, “I definitely think we can work with those ideas” she smiled, “And I have to say I love the idea. It’s very unique and would work beautifully I think” Portia pulled out her own sketchpad from her bag and started work on a very quick sketch as they talked.
"There are so many ways to make it more me that I'm not really sure where to start. I mean we could sew in real petal-looking things or work with a cloth that has the pattern on it maybe, but I want it more white than pink if that makes sense."
Sam didn't really 'deserve' to wear white in most cultures, but she didn't care and she was sure Lara didn't care either, "Maybe like a dip-dye kind of effect or something. What do you think? I'm super open to ideas."
Portia was positive most people nowadays didn’t ‘deserve’ to wear white, but she didn’t think that should stop anyone. “Something like this?” she asked holding up the sketch, “More or less pattern? Tell me what you’re thinking”
(Portia draws something like this http://s67.photobucket.com/user/dreximg
Though the form of the dress Portia had drawn wasn't quite what Sam was looking for, she gazed upon the 'obi' part of it and instantly fell in love. So much in love that she actually felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes for a few seconds.
She pointed at it, and nodded furiously, "Oh my GOD! Exactly like that. I'm not sure I like the structure of the rest of it but that belt with the designs! That's perfect! I'm seeing it in my head and I have to have it."
Laughing happily Portia nodded, “I figured we’d work on the style of dress, this is just very rough. It was more the belt I was focusing of, everything else can be worked out once you have the main concept done. So I’m glad you like it” she smiled brightly.
"That can be a real focal point of color, and then we can go with white for the rest of it. I really love this!" Sam was almost dancing in her chair, that's how excited she was. She looked through some of the clippings she'd brought with her, pulling over two she thought might go together well with the obi Portia had sketched out, "I really like the neckline on this first one, but I like the skirt on this second one, the way it flairs out around the bottom. Traditional long style Kimono have that beautiful drape that trails on the floor, you know?"
"Oh oh!" She pulled over another, more traditional looking dress, "Or maybe something that's more like this, I really like this fabric and the skirt on it. Only lighter, and using that obi instead of the corset... But I definitly won't need sleeves that long. Maybe make them that way but leave them open so my arms are still free..."
“It can really be however you want it. We can combine aspect’s from all of these” Portia said, pencil once more moving over her sketch pad, “So the neckline from the first, the draping effect from the second but in the overall style of the third with the obi...” she murmured, “We can shorten the sleeves if you prefer. I assume you aren’t planning on changing for the reception?” she asked because some brides did after all, though Portia always thought it was a shame.
"If I’m going to change, I might do it right before we leave for the honeymoon, but to be honest I haven't really planned any of that out yet. I'll probably spend most of the reception in the dress, so I think... Well, I like how long the sleeves are, like... I like how they flow down? Maybe if they were there but open so my arms could move around without being stuck in fabric?"
Sam pondered that, and tried to sketch out what she meant on the underside of one of her own sketches. "Or maybe make an underdress that's the solid white foundation with some kind of gauzy over-kimono... Oh gosh. I just have so many ideas! I know I have to settle on just one, though. And I really don't want to overdo it."
“The sleeves can easily be adjusted more like that” Portia nodded as she listened, “Don’t worry, we can work up designs of your main ideas and then you can chose the one which feels right. It’s not a problem, lots of ideas is better than none at all”
"Well I don't want you to put too much work into something I don't like, either..." Sam looked over the various sketches and things in front of her, and chewed on her lip a bit while she thought. The more she saw it in her head, the more she liked the idea of some kind of gauzy, ephemeral kimono wrapped over the rest of her dress, "OKay this is what I think. I think... Make a white dress that's really simple, maybe a kind of shiny material like satin or silk. Make that gorgeous obi-like belt, and then take this design."
Sam pointed to the more traditional Kimono design she'd dragged over, "But make this like in a very clear chiffon or organza, with the split sleeves idea I had. Maybe put some embroidery on the bottom of it, and I'll wear it over the dress, the belt will tie it all together!"
Portia didn’t mind doing a number of sketches if it meant Sam got the perfect dress, she’d gotten used to working on designs which weren’t used especially at the movie studio. But she appreciated Sam’s concern.
She listened and the picture formed in her mind, she nodded, “Okay, yes I’m with you. It sounds wonderful. I’ll work on some sketches, different angles and things then we can meet again and you can tell me if I was on the mark or not?” she suggested, she’d made notes while Sam spoke and drawn little designs which she would transfer to a proper design sketch.
"Eeeeeeee," Sam squeed, while bouncing in her chair a bit. Wedding planning so far was super, super exciting.
"I'm gonna need a swatch of the fabric we decide to use for the belt when we get there so I can play color match with it when I decide decorations and flowers and linens and stuff! But that's like... so far away from now. Okay! So that's settled, now onto the other thing I wanted to talk to you about!"
Sam clapped her hands together, and smiled, "I have a friend who's a dreamer, and she's got some dream superhero powers that uhm... well, they're hard for her to deal with. Her skin does this thing where if it touches someone else's skin she absorb's people's like... memories and stuff. Or I guess if they had superhero powers, too, she'd absorb that for a little while."
She waved a hand in the air, sounding for a second like she'd said something horrible and needed to correct herself, "But it's not like she steals them, it's more like she makes a copy in her head! She's not a bad person. Anyway, it's horrible and it hurts the person she touches, and she's becoming a shut in! I want to design some clothing and gloves for her that's made out of a material that's thin enough that she can still feel human contact through but still make a barrier between her skin and someone else's."
“We’ll make sure you have everything you need when the time comes to start matching colors” Portia assured her, loving how excited she was. It was always nice to see brides getting excited even if the actual wedding was a while away, there was always so much to do that time flew by.
Portia listened with sympathy and her heart went out to this woman, “Oh the poor thing. It must be dreadful, we can’t have her shutting herself away. Not when we can help” Portia had a kind warm heart and if there was ever anything she could do to help someone she could do it. She’d seen too much horror and suffering in her dreams that she never wanted to see it here.
“Some kind of latex based material would seem to be the best, maybe with a mixture of bamboo or organic cotton to make it breathable for the skin and allow her sensations but still provide that barrier she needs” Portia thought aloud, “There might even be something like this at the film studio, they have all kinds of materials there for different shooting conditions”
"Since she'll have to wear it for long periods of time, something that breathes is probably for the best, yeah," Sam agreed, nodding her head for emphasis. She'd worn a few things made out of bamboo before and the material was always somewhat springy and light. She thought that'd feel really nice on the skin, too, "A fabric like that will make it easier to convince her to wear it, too. I mean, she's been really iffy on everything and she's scared of trying this, but if it feels really nice on the skin I think that'll encourage her!"
“Absolutely” Portia agreed, thinking bamboo and latex would no doubt be the nicest mix but she’d experiment with the others until she found something she was happy with. “It definitely needs to be comfortable but reassuring for her. I can work on some gloves with a mix of the materials then she can try them out and whichever works and feels best we can then move onto the design and full body outfit?” she suggested.
"Yes!" Sam nodded her head up and down excitedly a few times, "That's exactly what I was hoping you'd suggest! Because you're amazing. I'm seriously going to throw all kinds of money and love in your direction. I mean... okay, I know the idea of just having money thrown at you isn't always nice, but I like supporting awesome crafts-people. And then I'll get Lara in your clothes, and... have you met a woman called Padme? She's huge into fashion, too! I bet she'd love some of your designs."
Portia laughed, “Thank you, though knowing my luck I’d end up with paper cuts if money was actually thrown at me” she teased, “Love however is always welcome and people enjoying wearing my creations is far better than anything else I could possibly receive” she said honestly, “I’d love to meet anybody who you think might like my work.”
Sam pouted for a few seconds, as if remembering some trauma for long ago. She lowered her voice and said very solemnly, "I've actually gotten a papercut with money before. It was super painful. The new twenties will cut you."
Then she perked back up, "I mean, I was like twelve and I really did cry and the nurse had to make a big show of treating it with neosporin and a bandaid. So you definitely don't want a bunch of those. But love is awesome and Padme got this whole wardrobe of stuff dream-her used to wear when she was a space queen. Some of the stuff you design has that kind of elegance to it and I really think she'd go nuts for your designs!"
“I’ve had a few but thankfully never from money” Portia smiled in response, “So I’ll try and keep it that way” She blushed a little at the compliment, “Oh well thank you very much, I try to bring some originality to my designs so I’m glad you think they have elegance. I’d love to meet your friend, her dreams sound fascinating”
"Padme is awesome. She kicks butt and she's totally dating space jesus, too." Sam replied, nodding her head like it was an unrefuted fact. Mainly because it was, and even Anakin admitted to it.
Her hands reached over the table and she started picking up all the inspiration scraps she'd brought so that she could give them all to Portia, "I have a folder I can put these in if you want to keep them while you sketch!"
Portia couldn’t stop a laugh escaping, “Space Jesus?” because she had to ask after that.
“Oh that would be great actually, I’ve made notes but it’s always helpful to have the visuals too” Portia nodded gratefully.
"Space Jesus!" Sam declared.
She tapped her collected material against the tabletop, then tucked it all away in the folder she'd brought it all in, and slid it over to Portia, "I'm not sure why he calls himself that. I think he's like... the messiah of his galaxy or something? But it's hysterical."
“Thank you, I’ll start straight away on both projects” she promised as she took the folder. “The messiah huh? Well that’s a new one on me” she grinned.
"The promised one or some kind of prophecy or something. I mean, it kinda sounds familiar, actually, but I can't really seem to place where I've heard it before, you know?" Sam shrugged a shoulder. She'd paged through her own internal movie files and things, but nothing clicked. It wasn't that big a deal, but it was pretty cool.
She got up from the table, and bounced on her heels, "OKay! I'm gonna let you work, because I've got to make about eighteen calls to Japan today."
“Mmmm I do, I find that happens a lot actually with some peoples dreams. Like a story I’ve heard somewhere before” Portia agreed, still being the chosen one wasn’t always how it cracked up to be. Katniss was a prime example of that. Though circumstances were different there of course.
“Yes, thank you” she smiled, “I’ll let you know when I have something ready for you” she promised, “Good luck with your calls and thank you for this opportunity.”
Sam grinned, "You bet! I wouldn't have wanted anyone else taking this on!"