A round-up of recent work..

A hiatus (where the work process on several .. and when I say several, I mean MANY .. projects starts) is followed by a deeply satisfying period of time where all of the projects are being finalised. A brief period of time in which outsiders who follow your work probably get the impression you're on a course of potent multivitamins or plain old trustworthy 'speed' (depends on personal taste). What really happens is that you go through a number of weeks where all the hard work of cutting and meeting and fitting and occasional swearing is being done and you have absolutely nothing to show for it in terms of pretty pictures (carefully cropped to avoid the cat-fur-tumble-weed, piles of bags, stray clumps of thread etc). Once that is done you are rewarded with a period of: being able to sit in the yard all day, soak up the sun, finish off the last few tasks like removing all loose threads, beading decorative pieces, hemming skirts etc . and to top that off, take photos of what you do and make it seem as easy as pie! This is one such project. A dress for my beauty pageant contender cousin.. the skirt of which saw me well into the early hours and through a bottle of wine (or perhaps a bit less than that.. I'm really a weakling when it comes to that). I took loads of photos of the work in progress in an attempt to alleviate the stress of having to cram in as much white tulle as possible whilst surreptitiously introducing colours.

On the plus side.. here's my all-grown-up-how/when-did-this-happen(?) cousin (yes we're related.. she's much taller and so much more toned.. end of story!) doing it justice on the catwalk.. It's good to see dresses where they belong. What's also very good is being given the opportunity to brush up on my tulle gathering skills.. it's nice to know that I can do it if the opportunity arises again!

This, on the other hand, is a more sober dress for a fitting occasion (no, not the other way round). I was 'wise' enough to scan the design for it (I usually lose/forget them) which the intended wearer selected from amongst four! .. I love how this turned out. Just what I had imagined. What was truly satisfying, though, was how well it fit .. I truly believe that this dress was meant to happen/become just for her!

.. And this is for her mother! I think looser fits are just as dressy and I'm out to convince people about this with this here outfit. The jacket's draping is longer in front than at the back and I just love the silhouette!

A while back I made a cat-inspired mask. A while later I created a matching metallic dress. It was all well and good. Then again, why not a red cape to match? I say go for it! .. especially if you have a music video to shoot!

This (and more) is what I do. This sunny day is proving lovely and productive. This sunny day made me realize it's high time I started thinking about my next personal 'object' oriented project. Meanwile, cold lemonade will do.

Patches aftermath and a couple of words

Let me just say.. it's really quite difficult to sit down and write about yourself and what you do. Even if it's what you (and many others) feel that you constantly talk (ramble on) about. Even if it's the thing you love best after rose water milk pudding and naan bread (and green tea ice cream, and curry, and grape fruit juice, and sun-dried tomatoes...) Having a word limit really gets you on your toes and all that. Here's an article, to this effect, which appeared in this month's 'Life & Style' ('Mument' newspaper supplement)





and here are the words that it contained should you be interested in knowing more:
(if not, there are some pretty photos at the end of the post)

I am Maria Muscat, the ‘maker’ behind project Babettopolis – a childhood dream I am proud to be pursuing. Babettopolis adheres wholeheartedly to the ‘handmade’ philosophy and is, to put it simply, a home-based brand which stands for what, in my humble opinion as a crafts- person, is aesthetically pleasing and does not necessarily break the bank.

My year is in part devoted to the collecting of 'unwanted(s)' donated by generous family members and acquaintances to be later torn apart and re-worked as seen fit into costume jewellery and other wearable or non-wearable decorative items which people may fall in love with and realize they ‘need’. The rest of the year revolves around sewing vintage-inspired made-to-measure occasion wear for clients who are on the look out for something beautiful, flattering and unique in cut and detail; the making of, perhaps, a slightly more daring array of one-off hats made out of recycled felt; varied work in clay – from pendants to be incorporated into my costume jewellery collections, to hand-painted pieces of pottery and even custom tile mural work. The list goes on.

In the past I’ve undergone training in pattern-making and shoe-making which have served me well to this day by way of informing my design strategies. When someone approaches me with the need for, say, an unusual pair of shoes – perhaps for special occasions like a wedding or even in cases where the person in question feels like treating him or herself to something personalized, well fitting and unique – I can approach the design process with my practical experience in the craft and with knowledge of the material and its limitations. I enjoy working with the client, getting to know what their requirements and preferences are; I enjoy sitting down for a chat and coming up with small design solutions to aesthetic dilemmas they themselves may not be fully aware of.

I also accept commissioned work that requires some TLC and a more personalized touch, or what I like to refer to as ‘up-cycling’. We all have items in our wardrobe that have seen us through a lot and for this reason it’s harder to part ways with those very items which you’ve come to love for their practicality and durability. Not only is it unwise to invest in cheaper and badly made alternatives to old favourites, but it’s also a shame to get rid of something which has stood the test of time. For example, an old, sturdy and well-made bag which you may have grown a bit tired of may be taken in for some re-vamping, polishing and embellishing – the Babettopolis way – and you leave with something unique (and a clear conscience!)

Babettopolis is all about statement design pieces that tell a story and in the long run, come to define or accentuate your personal idea of style. To commission or purchase a unique handmade item for yourself is something one rarely does in today’s world where a quick fix from a high-street store is mistakenly believed to serve one just as well. Until you do put on something that’s made for you, you may never truly understand and benefit from the luxury of a well made, personalized cut and fit. All I can promise, is to do my best to meet all of your design requirements and perhaps even surprise you in the process.

For more information about current projects you may visit my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/babettopolis

Or visit my blog for an insight into what goes on behind the scenes and in the making of some of my favourite pieces of work:
http://babettopolis.blogspot.com/

or e-mail me directly with related queries on:
babettopolis@gmail.com

Here, as promised are some pretty photos that sum up the past few days..


This is LOUIS.. (Otto the Globe Trotto's cousin) knitted by Carla of Rita Cholita fame
~ bought from last Sunday's edition of PATCHES-the special market.. it went swell.. overall, I can safely say that the organizational stress paid off.. next time round I have very ambitious plans of remaining on the organizational team whilst setting up a stall. Let's see how many energy drinks it'll take. I am now experiencing some withdrawal symptoms, the patches aftermath brings with it a suspicious lack of e-mails and urgent phone calls. Maybe I should stop awhile and let the cicadas at it.. it's good to take a day off and do absolutely nothing but soak your blistered feet and hands.





Here are more gifts that came my way .. of the chocolate-y kind and the paper-y kind. Very satisfying when consumed together.





And to top it all off a nicely put-together vintage dress that fits (no not like a glove but) as every tailored shift dress should. The top moulds itself round the shoulders just enough to cap them discreetly, the stiff fabric juts out just enough to leave lee-way in just the right areas.. it is just chevron-perfect!

Reverse Inspiration

I am not a fan of compiling inspiration boards. That is not to say I do not enjoy coming up with them and saving them as my desktop background. I just do not sit down to come up with any before I start sketching/sewing something. What usually happens is I come up with ideas on the spot, shop for material and get on with it. It is only after I finish things that I realize what might have gone into that particular item.


Case in point:


Here's a mood/inspiration board I urged myself to sit down and come up with after I finished the dress below (the dress matches a cat-inspired mask I posted about a while back.. and yes they belong to the same lady!). What actually made it to the 'board' are pictures of things I chatted about with a friend yesterday, some classics, some things people were reminded of when they saw the dress. Things just come together in one's head. It's no use planning too painstakingly.. it's more fun to dream in retrospect.

YEWS' silver faux-leather tunic dress/pod/tunic/etc

Walk - You are Heeled!

This place here is the recurrent setting for many of my day-dreams, this is where I spent some blissful summer mornings cutting shoes for myself and trying to keep my wits about me as I dived, perhaps over-enthusiastically, into piles of leather scraps. This is the shoemaker's place I rave on about .. yes he makes shoes.. but more importantly.. he's patient enough to listen to what I have in mind, does exactly that and goes over and above by donating me colourful scraps for me to turn into birds and all manner of decor to go on the finished shoes. Joe, the Man United fan, is an impeccable craftsman, the place is home to a well-fed cat and everywhere smells of drying glue (which is a very good thing in my books). Moreover, the sheer magic of the process('magical' - because few, if any are still au courant with it. We were born into an alienated generation largely accustomed to finished products).. so yes, it is sheer magic to experience something being made. Call me biased but walking through the workshop (any workshop for that matter) feels like an education.. it's a lucky find, an archaeological site where one is bound to find the very same object at different stages of production. Time stands still in this place and I can play shoe-god.















And here's a textured grey pair I'm very looking forward to pick out of its pristine white box, in its very first stages of measuring and cutting. (as well as a big pair of panto shoes that just complemented the colourscheme)





PS: a shoe god assembles heels and leather at will. belief in a shoe god requires the strength of blind acceptance of all manner of forms and colours, cuts and fashions, braids, pearls, buckles and more (oh so tough!!) Believers are often said to be heeled on the spot.


Get in touch if you want a colourful confection of a pair for this summer on babettopolis@gmail.com. There's a piece of banana yellow suede I'm going back for very very soon but I can share! ;)

Fujiko and tales of fancy bedlinen

I am no textbook romantic,however I do appreciate the odd romantic gesture every now and then. I enjoy being surprised by a packet of skittles, I also love fresh flowers, but it's hard for me to sit and look longingly into someone's eyes. With cats, now that's a different story. Instead I opt to commission embroidered dowry items my family all but forgot to save up for. In truth, any excuse is a valid excuse to have something made by Sarah of The Secret Rose come my way! These pillowcases were commissioned and finished a while back and my initial plan was to find some contrasting material to create a stiff backing for them. However no material I came across was particularly exciting or even up to par with the embroidered side so I opted for the same light blue linen (yes.. I crossed fingers all the way to the textile shop hoping they hadn't run out!)





I have not yet formally introduced Fujiko to my blog, have I? .. so here goes.. my new dummy Fujiko, a birthday gift from a lovely curly-haired friend in a flattering screen-printed apron by Alexandra of alexandraaquilina.com.. Fujiko is one luck girl.. first week in and she has been showered with gifts!





see what I mean.. she also got to try on this lovely silk dress before me.. Thanks Lara [Hey Birdie-pie!].. you just sorted out my summer wardrobe for good.. this is so light and airy I suspect it'll be difficult for me to go out in anything else come summer.





sun is shining and we're busier than ever!

oh (de) mon-dion!

This is no food critic's blog, however, this post in particular, is a food appreciation post. I've been treated to DE MONDION and I felt compelled to share the spoils..

__Starter__

Saffron and Langoustines
Organic Risotto with Hand-picked Saffron Stamens
Sautéed Local Red Prawns and Baby Spinach, Langoustine Beignet
Asparagus Emulsion and Fried Beetroot
(i.e. a risotto to make you forget all other risottos.. also who would have thought fried beetroot would taste that good .. I could have easily gone for the peppered scallop, the taste of which is in my top three favourite tastes, but after a series of disappointing risottos I, as a fan of the dish, needed something to restore my faith in it)

__Main__

Duo of Local Rabbit:
Roasted Loin filled with Tomato Chutney
Confit Shoulder Spring Roll flavoured with Ras el Hanut
Potato Terrine, Turnip and Spinach Purée
Shimiie and Grapefruit Rind Confiture Vinaigrette
(i.e. could easily pass for an ironic nod at the poor rabbit's habitat.. yes the plate looked like an edible shrubbery of sorts with the roasted loin and spring roll creating burrow-like entrances to the purée by leaning on the terrines. Yellow edible flower thrown in for full effect.. Poor delicious rabbit! I'm sure Mr. Blumenthal would have served this on a furry plate and rabbit ear headband)

-state of stomach=critically and unexpectedly full).. still we proceeded to

__Dessert__
(*no not desert, but dessert Mr.soft spoken-ITS trained-lad)

a delicate tower of raspberry turreted jellied apple compote with a spoonful of raspberry sorbet on top of a precariously thin biscuit scaffold. I fear I shall be craving that sorbet for a long time to come. Just my kind of tower.

You know a place is on to something really special when even the butter tastes divine. Here's a quick sketch of myself, armed with big cutlery (intended to symbolize the extent of my hunger/excitement/eventual bliss) and surrounded by non justifying renditions of what think my plates looked like. Last sentence loosely translates to: couldn't be arsed to take my camera I just wanted to taste the food!



and for the sake of balance and much sought after equilibrium I'd suggest they kill the 'oh la la french' version of miss spears' TOXIC off the playlist, use masking tape on the panes before whitewashing the windows (unless it's a style element that I didn't pick up on) and urge the super talented chef to create a 'rose-scented/tasting' dish .. for that I would definitely return .. after I nurse my piggy bank back to health ..

also .. thumbs up for the salty caramel chocolate .. I was to full to consume much else after all this however I managed to get a taste the foie gras and terrine and wild boar tenderloin and the sesame crisp from the other plates ordered.. and they were (of course) yum!

that was a good birthday meal!

*PS: I hope you excuse the lame joke (it does not deserve to be called 'pun') in the title.

My perfect dress..

.. and by dress I do not mean wedding .. a perfect dress would see me through most of my make-believe 'occasions'. I find little scope in dealing with practical sartorial issues .. I do practical everyday .. I stick undergarments into each other, wear fuzzy tights on everything .. and therefore, especially here, in the virtual realm where nothing is what it seems etc etc; I will not dwell on 'the perfect blazer that'll see you from day to night' (especially since i have an inkling that the best one for me is vacuum packed somewhere in the YSL vaults - so out of reach it's numbing).

Instead I choose to attend to other useless and delightful sartorial dilemmas.

I want to find the perfect dress that'll see me through an audience with Cleopatra and the inevitable grape and honey stains down the front from lounging about whilst stuffing my face. I'm talking about the perfect dress for the perfect dream setting. A dress so timeless it could see me travel back and forth through time, making a nuisance of myself, stuffing my face but looking impeccable in the process. If I had to exist as a virtual model of myself in another dimension (i'm sure there's a word for this, and it's escaping me), this is what I'd fashion myself into.



A classic columnar dress by the (*bow head down in reverence) inimitable Madame Gres and a gold headdress to set it off.



(this is not a 'costume change', I haven't been invited to a ball at the Gangi palace, but a picture of something that surprised me. I've just realized I had to take some words back. There's yet hope for Dolce&Gabbana on my (also imaginary) staircase to designer heaven)



Call this, on the other hand, what you like.. cape, veil, curtain (it is a curtain afterall).. it gives me so much joy to play with it in natural light. The best kind of fun I could get for 2 euro.



*disclaimer: I just spent a very 'real' morning of 'real' scrubbing and 'real' washing, dusting, vacuuming. I need to look at wonderful things to nurse myself back to a comfortable part-imaginary state. Thanks for listening.