One Hundred Dresses

Last night on my way home from work I stopped off at Cafe Vita and spotted an art opening postcard that piqued my interest.

One Hundred Dresses

Kumiko & Sanae Ishida

at Gather in Columbia City

January 10th-February 8th

Described as, "toddler wear meets haute couture". This is a unique auction of artist Kumiko Ishida's beautifully handcrafted dresses made from recycled textiles. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to local charities.

The story behind the art is that artist/grandmother, Kumiko Ishida began making clothing for her granddaughter. She started salvaging textiles and recycling them into exquisite little dresses. Before she knew it, she'd pieced together hundreds of little dresses, many outgrown by her granddaughter before they were ever worn. Which sounds to me like the beginnings of a sweet old-fashioned fairy tale.

Originally from Tokyo, Kumiko practiced art in Germany and New York before moving to Los Angeles. In addition to her very prolific sewing, she paints and gardens every day.You can preview the dresses and meet the artists (Grandmother, and her daughter Sanae, who is a painter) at a reception beginning 2 p.m. Jan 10, at Gather.

(Gather is located in Columbia City at 4863 Rainer Ave. South in Seattle.)