News & Events
Friday, June 17, 2005
Read about Najah Clemmons in the June 10 issue of Press & Standand (p. 3A), a Colleton County, South Carolina periodical. Najah is one of Sourire's recently licensed artists and designs notecards for women.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Photos from the 17th Annual Louie Awards.
Greeting card designers Chrysalis and Kim's Creations teamed up with Sourire last month to unveil their unique vision of couture -- a vibrant spring top with matching earrings made from postcards and tote bags made of greeting cards.
Their greeting card fashions were among a dozen card couture designs that models wore in a runway fashion show at the greeting card industry's annual LOUIE Awards. Bridget (above left) models the fashions and !works it! on the catwalk (above right).
Thursday, May 12, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marlene Reed
718/573-4624
Greeting Card Chic: Chrysalis, Kim's Creations, and Sourire
Turn Greeting Cards Into High Fashion
Makes Tops and Totes out of Cards for NYC Fashion Show
Local greeting card designers Chrysalis, Kim's Creations, and Sourire will jump into the fashion world next week to unveil their unique vision of couture -- vibrant spring wear, matching earrings, and tote bags made from postcards and greeting cards.
Their greeting card fashions will be among a dozen card couture designs that models will wear in a runway fashion show at the greeting card industry's annual LOUIE awards on Monday, May 16, in New York City. The fashions will also be on display at the National Stationery Show inside the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from May 16-18.
Clymenza Hawkins of Chrysalis, Kim Sudderth of Kim's Creations, and Marlene Reed of Sourire collectively spent approximately 80 hours to design and fabricate these greeting card tops and totes. "It's surprising what one can do with cardstock!" says Reed. "I've cascaded humorous postcards to create a vibrant sleeveless off-the-shoulder top with matching earrings. The neckline is trimmed with French ombre taffeta ribbon that falls off the shoulders and is also tied around the waist. Clymenza's handbag celebrates feminine freedom. She has enforced her greeting cards of butterfly women with art canvas and adorned them with silk flowers, and the bag is accentuated with decorative bamboo handles. Kim's shopping tote takes symbolism a step further and addresses manhood. With her handmade fabric greeting cards, she represents men with handkerchiefs and brother-to-brother themes."
The idea of pairing greeting cards and fashion design was sparked by the "Always in Fashion" theme of this year's LOUIE awards, the Greeting Card Association's annual competition to recognize creative and publishing excellence. "The greeting card and fashion industries are closely related," explains Michael Oleskow, LOUIE Awards Chairman and co-owner of Max & Lucy. "Putting the two together seemed like a fun way to create and allow the spirit and relevance of the greeting card industry to shine."
Chrysalis, Kim's Creations, and Sourire are three of New York City's African American greeting card designers. Combined they have over twenty years experience in designing greeting cards and their designs can be found at retail venues such as 4W Circle of Art (Brooklyn), Logos Bookstore (Upper East Side), and Studio Museum in Harlem (Manhattan). For more information regarding Chrysalis, Kim's Creations, and Sourire please contact Marlene Reed via telephone at 718-573-4624 or email Greetings@CardsOrBust.com
###
Monday, April 11, 2005
Read about Najah Clemmons in the April issue of Skirt! (p. 82). Najah is one of Sourire's newly licensed artists and designs notecards for women.
