Meet Trudy

The few people who have modeled designs for me know that it is an undertaking not for the faint of heart. I grab an innocent and unsuspecting victim, forcibly drape them in a shawl or festoon them with a hat, and then prod and turn and mutter and mumble and occasionally take a picture. (There’s a reason why I’ve never designed menswear—I know my younger brothers simply won’t stand for it.)

Enter Trudy.

I used to make fun of the nicely upholstered, decorative mannequins that I saw by the dozens in home goods stores. “What does anyone do with those?” Well, now I know; and I have eaten my words with bitterness, for the minute I decided “I need one of those!” they were gone. The dozens disappeared like Smurfs at sight of the cat. To make matters worse I wanted something very specific—white or off-white linen upholstery, white trim, and black findings. After months of ransacking every home decor or craft or bargain shop I entered, I wised up and checked that great hodgepodge of great and terrible—Ebay. After a few minutes of search Trudy appeared. A week later she was dropped off at my gate and I ran up in the rain to pick her up. I even dropped shawls over her immediately and took some pictures. They’re pretty dreadful; I couldn’t care less.

As for why her name is Trudy (or why she got a name at all), it seemed like a good idea at the time. And a lovely seamstress friend of mine named her dress form Audrey, so I am not the originator of this silliness—merely an admiring imitator. (Thanks, Em!)

Some pictures taken in a better frame of mind:

Trudy will be doing the majority of my modeling from here on out, so she’ll be making many an appearance in the coming months (including a very special project which I’m working on for this year…). So much to look forward to!

What Trudy’s wearing: Facets Cowl in Chroma Worsted; Fenestra Shawl in Alpaca Cloud Lace; Swallowtail Shawl in Luminance Hand Painted