DREAMS 2024
Q: Congratulations on your upcoming fashion collection, DREAMS. I'd love to hear more about it. Could you start by sharing the inspiration behind the collection? What themes or elements have influenced your designs?
Taivy: The inspiration behind DREAMS comes from how I found myself preferring to stay asleep because my dreams were always more pleasant than my waking life. I was not happy with the way my reality felt and I was convinced life for me was better when I wasn't awake. So I decided I wanted to live my dreams and share that artistically. Some themes and elements that have influenced my designs include vintage style, nostalgic art, and using motifs to symbolize entire dreams that I had over the year.
Q: Thank you for sharing the inspiration behind DREAMS. It sounds like a deeply personal and unique concept. Vintage style and nostalgic art can bring a sense of timeless beauty to a collection. Could you elaborate on how you've incorporated these elements into your designs? Are there specific eras or artistic movements that inspired you within the vintage and nostalgic themes?
Taivy: Yes, DREAMS is the overall concept for 2024 for my brand, EMPRIS. My vision is that there are mini collections within DREAMS and each collection highlights a specific dream of mine. When it comes to vintage and nostalgia, I really tap into design elements that feel older. My use of corsetry, feminine shapes, and antique-inspired accessories speak to me. I love the Rococo period because it's so romantic to me. When I see the paintings I feel as though I'm viewing someone's dream for example. I also love surrealism because visually it can play with your mind and I think that is so fun.
Q: Your vision for DREAMS and how you've integrated specific dreams into mini collections within your brand, EMPRIS, is fascinating. The influence of the Rococo period with its romantic aesthetics and the dreamlike quality of surrealism adds a unique and artistic touch to your designs. It sounds like you're creating more than just clothing; you're crafting an immersive experience for those who engage with your collections. Can you share any specific motifs or symbols you've incorporated to symbolize certain dreams, and how they manifest in your designs?
Taivy: Yes I can! I definitely want people to feel as though they are experiencing what I see in my mind. For example, my first mini collection for DREAMS is called, "In a Bed of Roses." The motif I chose for this dream is a red rose. In this particular dream, I walked through a rose garden and lay down next to a large rose bush. Suddenly the rose vines began to surround me. It was beautiful until it became scary as the vines wrapped around me and I found myself lying in a bed of roses. I incorporate this motif as a literal 3-D fabric rose I stick onto a ruched skirt and matching top. I added ribbon or cording to symbolize the vines tying around me. Then I designed some beautiful chokers with red roses and chains on velvet ribbons. Each dream I share shall have some sort of symbolic design like this.
Q: "In a Bed of Roses" sounds like a captivating and evocative dream to draw inspiration from. The incorporation of a 3-D fabric rose onto a ruched skirt and top, along with the addition of ribbon or cording to symbolize the vines, creates a tangible representation of the dream. The attention to detail, such as designing chokers with red roses and chains on velvet ribbons, adds a cohesive and symbolic element to the collection. It's a wonderful way to translate your dreams into wearable art. Are there any other dreams you'd like to share or elaborate on for future mini collections within DREAMS?
Taivy: I want my supporters to stay tuned and excited for the DREAMS to come as I take my time letting them out one by one. Being patient has proved to be my best strategy when carefully designing my collection.
Q: Maintaining an element of anticipation and surprise for your supporters is a thoughtful approach. It allows them to savor each mini collection within DREAMS and appreciate the meticulous design process behind each dream-inspired piece. Patience in revealing your creations can indeed build excitement and curiosity. Is there anything specific you'd like to convey to your supporters as they await the release of each mini collection, perhaps a message or insight into your creative process?
Taivy: My message is, thank you for taking an interest in my art and sharing this new experience with me. I want you to dream loudly and reflect on what wonderful things your own mind can conjure up. Please continue to be patient with me, and know that my work is the most intimate and vulnerable space of my mind.
***Above is a conversation between the artist, Taivy and ChatGPT ai. In preparation for explaining the DREAMS project, Taivy wondered if ChatGPT could help her articulate her complex thoughts. ChatGPT is indicated by letter, "Q."***