The Naomi Clutch "Butterfly" ~ Monyan Forevermore Collection 2011 (NFS)

The Monyan Forevermore Collection is composed of 5 handbags, each individually unique in style, all of which are composed of fabric belonging to my client's grandmother. This collection was designed to recreate Monyan's avante garde style she eloquently and effortlessly modeled in her lifetime. Through photographs and long conversations with my client, she helped create an image for me of Monyan's character, that of which I personified in handbags with the use of her dresses, clothing Monyan made for her daughter, curtains and loose fabrics she owned. Each handbag evokes a different look at Monyan's colorful and original style. With this, I give you, "Monyan Forevermore."

Most of the symbols of the Resurrection derived from nature are linked to spring, a season of new life. In Christian art, the butterfly represents the Resurrection. Its life cycle from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly symbolizes the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Monyan had a beautiful dress made of the butterfly fabric. The indigo fabric on the flap and back of the clutch are also from one of her dresses. The gathering you see (and the seams on the back, in photo below) are original to the garment.



Click on the photos for a larger image. The seams on the fabric are original to the bodice of Monyan's dress.

The side panels are taken from an halter top that Monyan made for her daughter (my client's mother) when she was young.





The inside flap of the clutch exhibits my signature cascade of fabrics (although small). Delicate black lace was taken from trim on Monyan's butterfly dress. The retro fabric used for the pocket came from an halter top Monyan made for her daughter.

A closer look at the details.

Inside the clutch, I stitched in the Union Made tag that was original to one of Monyan's dresses. It is still intact to the fabric it was attached to during initial manufacturing.