2012 Beyond the Pattern

Joolie Cahill has been making catastrophes stylish since 1984. Growing up in Portsmouth, RI, she quickly realized that she was eccentric, artistic, and very silly, while her town- Portsmouth was extremely conservative. Joolie brought all of her favorite things together- designing everything/anything and the environment, to start her own company- creating handmade, one-of-a-kind- apparel, art, and accessories, using mostly recycled materials.

CarrieSewFancy has been working with a sewing machine since she was a young girl.  A self-taught dressmaker, she enjoys using vintage and up-cycled fabrics to create marvelous handmade clothing, accessories, and gift items. CarrieSewFancy specializes in custom made dresses; and believes that every lady should feel comfortable and beautiful in her clothing.

JoAnne Coppolo creates exotic styles that are influenced by her travels abroad. She employs textiles collected from all over the globe making her own version of world inspired fashion. Seeing the potential in a garment she also reinvents or uses parts resulting in an original and unique piece. This show will display the diversity of her clothing and what she produces for her company JoJo.

Nicole Donson has been painting on silk using dyes for more than 15 years and creates one-of-a- kind colorfast hand-painted silk scarves, garments and wall hangings.  Her work is available at The Cambridge Artists Cooperative in Harvard Square, Artitudes Gallery in Newton, MA and 13 Forest Gallery in Arlington and she has participated in numerous juried craft fairs and open studio events throughout the New England area.  She has been an active member of the Washington Street Art Center in Somerville since 1998.

Shana Goodman is a passionate cosplayer and lolita fashion enthusiast.  She began by making clothing and costumes for herself and friends.  Today, Shana's passion for cosplay has led her to create clothing and costumes for commission and to selling her work at conventions through her own business, Threads of Fate.

Basil El Halwagy creates wearable art that explores the intersection between sciences and spirituality. Using costume, El Halwagy invents characters that straddle the line between shaman and superhero. By adapting patterns to the contour of the body, his characters become embodiments for ideas about nature, cosmic interplay, or human beings and their environment.

Pauline Lim is an artist/musician who lives and works in the Brickbottom Artists Building in Somerville, MA. The winner of numerous art and music grants, she has been creating and designing her own clothes since middle school. An avid cyclist who travels with a folding bike, she designs functional athletic wear elegant enough to wear to restaurants and museums.

Barbara Wheat is a designer and creator of custom artisan clothing, which is impeccably constructed, using the very best materials, with uncompromising fit and finish.  At the SOS show she will be presenting a new line of bridal wear, “100 Years of Style,” inspired by vintage designs and visions of a sustainable future.  She is the owner of Anchorage Nine Custom Clothing, www.AnchorageNine.com, and a founder of Boston’s Apparel Artisan’s Cooperative.

Anna M. Zamarripa began her sewing career creating costumes for local dance companies and understands the need to design visually stunning garments with impeccable fit that allow for movement and comfort. She enjoys working with a variety of fabric and styles but she can’t deny her love for the beautiful styles of the 1950‘s, which serve as inspiration for her collection.