2024 Happiness Make-a-long Designer sub call

 

Submission Deadline: February 25, 2024

In 2024, our last year of this collection, let before and after guide what we collectively imagine in the now. This concept is not only a reflection of the goals of this collection, but also of my focus in this final year: the 2024 Paris summer Olympic Games! As a matter of history, this will be the third time Paris has hosted the Olympics – 1900 and 1924 being the previous two years.

So, while our current trends lean toward fringe, bows, romantic flowers, and sheer openwork stitches (we are definitely in a very feminine, post-Barbie-movie moment), what might 1900 and 1924 tell us about fashion? How might we update past looks to reflect not only the time we are in now, but perhaps the direction in which we might want to go? Just as recently announced that bits of the Eiffel Tower will be embedded into the medals awarded at the Games, how can we embed the history of both the former Paris-hosted Olympics as well as the collective worldwide goals of this project into our designs?

This year please think (mostly!) quick, fun summer makes – socks, hats as well as other head wear, jewelry (statement necklaces and/or bracelets), flirty neckware, oversized  statement bags and/or small purses with large personality, accessories for shoulders with drape. Stitch patterns with open work/elements are definitely the order of the day; additionally, don’t be afraid of the accessory with a strong, red colorway – a statement piece.

I am looking forward to what each of you conceive!

Progress, Hope & Happiness 2024: Before + After = Now

 

Deadline for indie yarn dyer submission materials to be received:

Saturday, January 28, 2024

In this, our last year in this series, I want to explore not only the place at which we started, but where we are now. Our first collection, in 2016, was conceived amid the backdrop of Brexit and Trump’s unbelievable presidential win. That year I asked, in relevant part: “Is progress a straight line, an even progression of color values? Is it variegated, a seemingly random and incoherent jumble of colors? Might it repeat cycles, and if so, in what length?”

Fast forward to 2024: we have experienced a world-wide pandemic, an insurrection here in the U.S., the end of war in Afghanistan and the beginning of new wars in Ukraine and Israel, the loss of women’s freedoms around the world, and a U.S. president who, despite all odds, continues to attempt to lead in a positive and empathetic manner. In the face of so much loss, this call and collection has managed to not only bring dyers and designers together, but has sustainably grown each year. 

I keep revisiting my initial questions about progress and colors, and I find this is a good year for me, personally, to end this collection. I keep wondering if we are on the precipice of repeating the events of where we started, or continuing in a transformative line forward. I have gone through many changes since 2021 and I want to end on the latter – an ending that looks forward with warmth and happiness and joy. The inspirational color palette chosen reflects that warmth and joy – as well as a critical mass of blue.

So, dyers – have at it! Either create some new colorways, or use what is already in your colorway library. I look forward to seeing what you submit!

Please email submission materials (colorway photos + swatches) 

by the ending date to the email associated with this blog.

2024 - Happy New Year!!!