The write design
Wellingtonian Fifi Colston has the WOW factor. She is a successful illustrator, designer and writer.
CHILDRENS writer Fifi Colston describes her participation in the World of Wearable Arts show as “a little bit mad”.
She’s entered 17 garments in 15 WOW shows over the years, and has been a top five finalist in the Children’s, Bizarre Bra, Illumination Illusion, and Pacific sections.
The idea for this year’s piece, Lady Curiosity, was sparked by a novel.
“I was reading Magpie Hall by [Kiwi] Rachael King, and I was inspired by the imagery in parts of the story,” says Colston.
The “modern day ghost story” follows an amateur taxidermist and collector of tattoos and vintage clothing, grappling with her unfinished thesis and the death of her grandfather.
“In the book the wife has tattoos… my garment is heavily tattooed.”
One of 30 Wellington finalists in WOW this year, Colston is a prolific artist and writer who has illustrated more than 25 books, served as the President of the NZ Illustrator’s Guild, is a Storylines Festival committee member, a TV presenter, and has written three books for children.
“As a visual artist I do a lot of two-dimensional work, however I have a lot of ideas that I find hard to express, and that is why three-dimensional works so well for me. It’s a different way of thinking. It’s definitely a brain worker when you try to maximise the opportunities 3D presents.”
The Hataitai resident says there are few similarities between clothing design and writing books – besides the creative element.
“Generally when I illustrate children’s books, I’m asked for quite realistic drawings, but wearable arts are off the wall. It’s so different.”
Colston is about to start working on the illustration of a children’s ANZAC book due for release in 2012.
CHILDRENS writer Fifi Colston describes her participation in the World of Wearable Arts show as “a little bit mad”.
She’s entered 17 garments in 15 WOW shows over the years, and has been a top five finalist in the Children’s, Bizarre Bra, Illumination Illusion, and Pacific sections.
The idea for this year’s piece, Lady Curiosity, was sparked by a novel.
“I was reading Magpie Hall by [Kiwi] Rachael King, and I was inspired by the imagery in parts of the story,” says Colston.
The “modern day ghost story” follows an amateur taxidermist and collector of tattoos and vintage clothing, grappling with her unfinished thesis and the death of her grandfather.
“In the book the wife has tattoos… my garment is heavily tattooed.”
One of 30 Wellington finalists in WOW this year, Colston is a prolific artist and writer who has illustrated more than 25 books, served as the President of the NZ Illustrator’s Guild, is a Storylines Festival committee member, a TV presenter, and has written three books for children.
“As a visual artist I do a lot of two-dimensional work, however I have a lot of ideas that I find hard to express, and that is why three-dimensional works so well for me. It’s a different way of thinking. It’s definitely a brain worker when you try to maximise the opportunities 3D presents.”
The Hataitai resident says there are few similarities between clothing design and writing books – besides the creative element.
“Generally when I illustrate children’s books, I’m asked for quite realistic drawings, but wearable arts are off the wall. It’s so different.”
Colston is about to start working on the illustration of a children’s ANZAC book due for release in 2012.
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