joseph albers dresses:
our first fashion shoot

shot by caleb wilson and marcus tanner [after a morning stranded on the highway with a broken radiator hose].
dresses by liz tapp. photo by caleb wilson and marcus tanner. worn by esther, rachel, farron, & liz

At the time this fashion spread was shot, we had no idea the magazine would actually make it into print. It was our first student-made issue, which we planned to run-off a few copies of on the school printer. Otherwise I think I would have been a bit more hesitant to put my own creations, much less wear some of them in the magazine. But looking at the shoot now, I'm filled with the fond memories of the amazing CALEB WILSON (perhaps the only person to be featured in every MULE) and MARCUS TANNER, who would be on our next issue's cover. On the highway between cities their van had burst a hose, and dear friend and this issue's model FARRON KILBURN would drive to their rescue. RACHEL WILLIAMS, ESTHER BOCKERT, FARRON, and I, gleefully struck a pose, while the shoot was documented with a large/medium format camera, 35 mm, and 2 digitals. Some of my favorite shots from the shoot were of ESTHER who just couldn't seem to keep a straight face and started to robot dance.

The dresses were made as an independent study, meant to re-contextualize the color theory patterns of JOSEPH ALBERS onto the human figure. They are my first true sewing projects, though I think I might have bluffed a bit in presenting the project to instructor RON BUFFINGTON. A close friend, PAUL THOMPSON's mother helped me figure out the right stitches for the garments. The actual pages in the magazine were geniusly designed by the wonderful VALERIE JOB. Here it is, our very first fashion shoot, look through and then feel free to read the accompanying essay by RON BUFFINGTON.

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