Tuesday 25 January 2011

Pomegranates

I've got a bit of a thing about pomegranates at the moment.

I love their colourful leathery skin and the way inside they are divided up into neat little compartments containing jewel like seeds.

And I love those seeds - crunchy and juicy at the same time. This was part of my breakfast this morning... not a chocolate muffin in sight!

But this fascination with pomegranates is not something new and these are drawings and prints that I made a few years ago.

while I researched the myths and lore associated with this exotic fruit.

They are considered symbols of fertility and have associations with the Greek myth of the goddess Persephone.

At the time I toyed with the idea of creating a garment that could be worn by Persephone while she spent her winters in Hades waiting for the return of spring. Something bright and colourful to remind her of warmer, brighter days.

But my plans for a bodice for Persephone never really got beyond the drawing and sampling stage.

I started my degree and suddenly my focus was elsewear*. But recently I've unearthed the drawings and have started to think about Persephone's "pomegranate" bodice once more. I've moved a long way from my original ideas and I'm still a long way from finishing but I have made a start.

Which is just as well, as I need this finished by the beginning of March. I thought if I told you it might make me get a move on!

*As pointed out by chocolatefrog "elsewear" is a bit of a Freudian typo... but I liked it so have kept it in!

29 comments:

  1. Awesome! I love Pomegranates! There is one in my fridge right now thatI was going to treat the way you treated yours!

    You have done an amazing job!

    Hugz

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  2. That bodice is going to be amazing Gina. You really are so clever. Lucy x

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  3. Love the ideas. I like pomegranates too.

    I really must dig out some of my old ideas sometime and see where I can take them now. Or maybe I should just finish the things I have already started? Sound familiar? :)

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  4. I agree such wonderful colours. What a treat to go back through your work and find such wonderful and inspirational work to develop.

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  5. "elsewear" - was that on purpose or a wonderfully apt typo?! Love it either way.

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  6. It feels a bit like Hades here today, so thanks for all that gorgeous colour to lift the grey!
    Well done on the healthy breakfast option!
    Vivienne x

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  7. So glad you went back to those earlier drawings and ideas Gina - they are stunning and the bodice will be amazing. Having told us all about it, you just have to come up the goods, don't you?! No pressure!!

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  8. Beautiful work so far Gina, it will be lovely to see it finished.

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  9. Looks stunning already. And I love the drawings. K x

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  10. That's the good thing about not binning ideas you have got onto paper isn't it? I am really looking forward to seeing how this works out Gina and love that burst of colour x

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  11. Wow, what a fabulous piece of inspiration! I love pomegranates too, but I just eat them.

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  12. how lovely to see the developement of your design evolve and grow Gina. such a lovely rich colour. I just want to touch the stitched sample. lol

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  13. Pomegranates are like a gift from the gods. It's like a little secret you've discovered the first time you taste one. They are so beautiful in color and taste so wonderful...each little jewel. You bodice will be beautiful!

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  14. I always think its a good sign if you find previous work and it still inspires you...... looking forward to watching it progress...

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  15. Why have I never eaten a pomegranate?

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  16. Your sketches and your beautiful WIP are such gorgeous colours. Are you Gok-ing Persephone then?

    I've never eaten a pomegranate. I need to sort that out!

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  17. wow you are clever, your sketches are so vibrant !! I quite fancy a pomegranate now.
    twiggy x

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  18. What a great inspiration - and I love the detail in the last picture. I, like silverpebble, have never eaten a pomegranate either so I too must fix that!

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  19. i haven't had a pomegranate since i was a child - makes me want to eat one now! Love your bodice!

    xx

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  20. How exciting, I'm looking forward to seeing this piece of work progress.

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  21. Are all those drawings yours Gina? They're beautiful. My 11 year old is constantly designing dresses and outfits - must show her your designs.

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  22. oh wow, looks amazing already... i love pomegranates too.

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  23. Goodness me, you never cease to amaze me with the things you come up with. The Persephone dress is a wonderful concept and I hope you do manage to finish it, you'll feel so good if you do.

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  24. Yum...Pomegranates -- can't wait to see that bodice!

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  25. Oh how lovely, your work is wonderful....

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