Part of a collaborative series, fine artist Larry Rushing’s painting was used as an inspiration for a textile print and unique apparel design. The original artwork named “One Handed World”, took Rushing about three months to paint. The painting was chosen because of a curiosity about how the hands that appear in it could wrap around the body in the shape of a dress. The painting was copied digitally, and a small section was used as a tile for a print, designed by Della Reams using the mirror method of repeat on Photoshop. After numerous trials, the final pattern was digitally printed onto 100% cotton woven fabric. The printed fabric was then draped on a size 6 dress form by Reams, creating a form using the print as it relates to the body. The name “Treasure Palm Dress” comes from the bodice front, where it appears that four hands are reaching for a ruby placed over the heart. The intention of this work is to illustrate the direct influence of fine art on fashion design in a future exhibition – featuring a series of related paintings, textile designs, dress designs, and fashion illustrations.
Top photo by Monet Cavanaugh, center Hisham Dawoud, bottom by Della Reams