Nike's Black History Month - limited edition shoes - Does LeBron quilt?

Nike is celebrating Black History Month with an international flare. They are focusing on three different, emotional moments for players of color from the USA, Brazil, and Kenya. For the US side, the moment is the Women's Basketball team won gold at the 1996 Olympics.

Nike has also issued a limited edition set of Black History shoes. Yeah, I know this is a quilt history blog. But, check out the LeBron 9 BHM shoes. What a fabulous kente cloth inspiration. It reminds me of the 1998 landmark exhibit "Wrapped in Pride: Ghanaian Kente and African American Identity" Have a look here at the Nike Insight site to see the other shoes in the Black History 2012 collection - they also have a quilt-theme going on.

Quilters on the court!? Football great Rosey Grier did needlepoint. Do you think that LeBron quilts? What kind of quilts would LeBron stitch? Traditional, story? hand or machine? What say you!? Enjoy!

Jae Jarrell's Urban Wall Suit, ca 1969

This righteous "Urban Wall Suit" was stitched by textile artist and clothes designer Jae Jarrell ca. 1969.

According to David Lusenhop, an independent scholar who focuses on the Black Arts Movement, "This garment was exhibited in the first AfriCOBRA exhibition at the Studio Museum in Harlem in 1970. Jae plays off traditions including quilting, graffiti, and high fashion... It's an important work, and represents the extension of the AfriCOBRA ideas in to the street, where one can represent in public, and not just in visual arts venues like museums and galleries."

Now my appetite is whet to learn more about Ms. Jarrell and about AfriCOBRA! Do you know much about the movement? There's a Fans of AfriCOBRA on Facebook - have a look at the nearly 100 photos. I wonder where the Urban Wall Suit is today. Do you think quilted fashions can make such a political statement today? Do tell! Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of the Azzi-Lusenhop Black Arts Movement Collection, Chicago. Thanks Mr. L!

Chloe Patchwork Dress $4,740

In this past Sunday's NY Times magazine, I had to tear out and find online to share with you - an example of when high fashion meets quilting.

From the Summer 2007 Chloe collection - this khaki lace and embroidered patchwork dress. The fashion ad said the price is $4,750. Funny as it may seem, I'd wear this dress! I like that it seems to have two deep pockets - and the various large buttons or pin on brooches are fabulous.

What do you think - would you wear this dress?

San Fran's MoAD Museum - A Must See

Saturday, Sept 9, 2006

The Museum of the African Diaspora is a MUST SEE stop whether you live or are visiting San Francisco. Located at 685 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA, 94105 (phone: 415.358.7200), this nearly year-old museum seeks to share experiences of people worldwide.

Carrie Mae Weems: The Louisiana Project is on exhibit until October 9. A thought-provoking exhibit featuring photographs, film, as well as silhouettes. There's two fierce self-portraits featuring Ms. Weems looking into a hand-held mirror wearing an original log-cabin patterned quilted dress! The portraits are titled "I looked and looked and failed to see what so terrified you."

I want that dress!

I was in town to share a few thoughts about African American Quilt History at MoAD. The lecture hall was packed! So good to meet the stitching sisters from the African American Quilting Guild of Oakland. Good also to have my mother there, along with a studious cousin at San Fran State U, a life-long friend from Hallmark days, and a dear 2nd cousin, twice removed in the audience.

Also at MoAD is "PATTERNS: Traditional West African Textiles and The Art of Gee's Bend Quilts," a companion exhibit to the Gee's Bend exhibit at the deYoung Musuem.

Check out the latest MoAD exhibit at www.moadsf.org/exhibits !