3 minute read
DEEP-DIVING INTO FASHION
A STORY OF COLLABORATIVE COUTURE
Nest volunteers, Sharon and Glenys look so effortless in their gorgeous Chanel-inspired jackets. But the story behind how they were made is one of determination, experimentation and even collaborative couture.
It was the Inside Secrets of a Chanel Jacket article in 2005 Threads magazine #121 that started Sharon’s addiction.
“I bought Vogue pattern V7975 and made three jackets. Karl Lagerfeld [Creative Director of Chanel] has always used beautiful-looking fabrics, but I was particularly inspired by those in his 2011 Spring / Summer collection. They were black, white and shades of grey with delicious flecks of silver scattered throughout. I wanted one but couldn't afford it, so thought ‘why not make one?’
When she couldn’t source the fabric she had dreamed of, Sharon went deeper into the obsession and made her own.
“I took a basic weaving class and purchased a small loom. Being an op-shopper and supporting resource recovery, I combed thrift stores for black, white, grey and silver yarns.”
She was able to source an amazing variety of yarns - alpaca, wool, silk, cotton, as well as glittery ribbon and artificial yarns.
The jacket she made from self-woven fabric won 3rd prize in the 2019 Ekka [the annual agricultural show of Queensland] weaving category.
More recently, while chatting with fellow volunteer Glenys, Sharon found they had a mutual love of Chanel.
Glenys asked Sharon to help fit her muslin as she was embarking on her first jacket. A month later, they both wore their jackets on their shift in the Haberdashery.
“Glenys complimented my black & white jacket, but you should see her beautiful hand stitching inside her green jacket. Perfection! It's fun exchanging ideas and interests - and time really flies”.
Even though Sharon took on the ultimate challenge to make a Chanel jacket, she is humble about her skills and simply describes herself as a ‘hobby home sewer’ who taught herself through online videos and her sewing group at The Australian Sewing Guild.
What Sharon has achieved may seem daunting, but as her sewing idol Joan says:
"If you’re a good sewer, all you need are straight and zig zag stitches"
"Dress shabbily and they remember the dress. Dress impeccably and they remember the woman" - Coco Chanel
