Mini-trend: Style Counselors-as-Art-Teachers. It’s happening!

Next up: Local designer Michael Cepress and the latest iteration of his Wearable Art and the Body workshops. (To take a look at the fruits of past workshops, scroll through Cepress’s blog.)

The two-day intensive aims to move students through an art-centric history of cultural dress, figure drawing with a live nude model, ways of thinking about the form as inspiration, the translation of inspiration to design, exercises in design and implementation, and more. It takes place on Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11 from 10 to 6 at the University of Washington Art Building, Room 301, on the North end of Campus.

Class size is limited to 15 people and the cost is $180. Necessary materials are provided but students are welcome to bring their own favorite art supplies as well.

Here, three questions from hypothetical potential workshop-takers, and Cepress’s replies.

WWW: So, let’s say I really can’t draw at all. Like, I can hardly sign my name. Can a person really see an improvement in their pencil-and-paper skills in a one or two day setting?

Cepress: The idea of not being able to draw is usually something we start carrying around with us thanks to a snarky remark from an insensitive teacher in elementary school. If you can hold a chunk of charcoal and drag it across a piece of paper, you can draw, design, and succeed in this workshop!

Now, let’s say that I’ve never touched a sewing machine. Will machine-aided garment construction come into play at all?

I’ve designed this workshop to be a "think tank" for all things wearable, and our two-day timeline leaves little to no time to sew a single stitch. Instead we draw, brainstorm, refine, prototype, and energize the experience so you can work for months thereafter feeling inspired.

What if the term ‘wearable art’ seems a little…wonky to me? I’m interested, I’m following, but I don’t know that I’ve ever donned anything that I’d call ‘art’ and I don’t consider myself an artist, though I do fancy myself a pretty imaginative dresser. Do you think I’ll walk outta day two with an African-inspired neon-pulsing breast plate and a headpiece that references the Dutch headcoverings of my ancestors? Is that the goal? How will this class apply to everyday life? That might be my question.

Great question! I call this Wearable Art because I like to remind us all there there is an art in everything we wear. All ideas are welcome in this workshop, and if you’re looking to really cut loose and free yourself into breast plates and headpieces, now is your chance! If you want to keep it in step with your office job or a Sunday picnic with friends, we’ll draw up the most perfect cotton dress or skinny suit you have ever laid eyes on.

For more on Cepress’s credentials, see his CV and his bio. For more information on the class, or to sign up, contact info @ michaelcepress.com or call 206-334-7602