Welcome back. Last week, we embarked on a captivating journey into the heart of creativity with the extraordinary dress designer, Resa McConaghy. Your responses and engagement were overwhelmingly beautiful, echoing the same admiration and awe I felt when I first laid eyes on Resa’s stunning creation made just for me. Today, I’m thrilled to invite you back as we continue this enchanting conversation in the second part of our exclusive interview.
In today’s post, we delve deeper into the essence of Resa’s artistry, exploring the challenges and triumphs that come with bringing ethereal designs to life. Resa shares with us the intimate details of her creative process, the profound connection between an artist and their creations, and how each dress tells its own unique story, woven from threads of dreams and reality.
Prepare to be inspired by Resa’s passion for design, her dedication to excellence, and her visionary approach to dressmaking that transcends the ordinary, making each piece a testament to the beauty and complexity of artistic expression. Through her words, we’re reminded of the power of art to move, to transform, and to touch the soul in ways that are profound and personal.
So, without further ado, let’s continue our journey with Resa, as we unwrap the layers of her creativity, dedication, and the unwavering love for her craft that makes her dresses not just garments, but works of art that leave a lasting impression on the heart.
Question 6: Collaborations in the world of arts are so exciting. What do you enjoy most about collaborating with artists like myself and others in the industry?
The camaraderie would be one thing. Sharing creatively builds a kinship, which is not to be confused with friendship. Although occasionally friendships ensue.
Satisfaction is on the list. Bringing an idea to life, to everyone’s delight is gratifying. This can come about from many points of origin: original creative inspiration, needs, wants, practicality, personal tastes, budget and on.
Collaborations between two creatives tends to be mostly shared fun. When multiple creatives are involved, say director, actor, director of photography and costume designer, the collaboration can become a negotiation. To that point, when it ends in everyone being happy, it’s exhilarating.
Question 7: Can you share any upcoming projects or ideas you have in mind for your future creations? We’d love to hear what’s on the horizon for Resa McConaghy!
Two things here.
The main focus is Art Gowns at this point. Reinforcing the idea of sustainability through the lens of “Sustainable Glamour” is my give back.
I see the Art Gowns as Ambassadors to this cause.
I have 11 Art Gowns (soon to be 12) that are wearable for gala events, fashion shows, photo shoots, etc. I’ll loan them out to individuals, charity functions or any entity that can use them to promote sustainability and/or other worthy causes in conjunction.
I have an idea for an Art Gowns fashion show. They would be the main attraction for an event featuring & selling the works of artists using sustainable materials, or whose art speaks to this.
Producing events is not my forte, and Charlotte, as you know from producing “Down the Rabbit Hole”, it’s a lot of work. Number one is the financing. I’ll be
meeting with an artist this week, who just had a showing in NYC. She said she has some ideas, and I’m a willing listener.
Two – I’ve been writing humorous anecdotes about my experiences in film. These “incidents” were not funny at the time, however, in retrospect seem hilarious. Many involve famous actors.
I’ve done first drafts on about 12 so far and another dozen are started. Thing is I get going, it’s fun and then suddenly it seems like I’m living my life over. At that point I put it away until the mood strikes again.
Question 8: Your passion for costume design is evident. How do you stay inspired and motivated in this constantly evolving field?
Honestly, I am somewhat jaded at this point.
Although not always the case, usually to be inspired I need a project that is more challenging than the ones before.
This can come in several areas: period design, important docudrama character(s), an amazing script, great actors, size of the production.
The union I belong to hasn’t been signing productions that interest me, since before covid, and now even less so.
This leads into your next question.
Question 9: As a designer, you bring characters to life through your costumes. Is there a particular character or production that you dream of designing for in the future?
Yes! This is why even though I am focused on the Art Gowns right now, I have maintained membership in my union, the ATAS (Academy of Television Art and Sciences, which does the EMMYS) and the ACCT ( Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, which does the Canadian Screen Awards). I am a voting member of both academies.
About a year prior to Covid, I was approached to possibly design the story of Ann Cole Lowe . She was the first black designer of note in the USA. She designed Jacqueline Kennedy’s wedding gown, and the entire female side of the
wedding party. She was not credited for this achievement until her later life, because she was black.
What a story! The script was beyond fascinating and tantalizing.
She did gowns for the rich, and Hollywood elite for the early Oscars and more. Many of her gowns are documented. The budget to reproduce her gowns alone is mammoth. Done right, this would have to be a big budget movie, with huge stars.
The film has not been made, yet. It must be made, whoever does it!
This led me to think that I would love, love to design a movie about Vionnet, Elsa Schiaparelli, Worth or Erté.
Question 10: Finally, could you offer a sneak peek into your creative process? What are some tips for aspiring designers looking to develop their own unique style and artistic vision?
The creative process varies, project dependent.
In film or theatre it could begin with a presentation of sketches (which do not need to be works of art, but just enough to express an idea) and/or tears, fabric samples or clothing samples. There would be discussions of ideas with the director. It grows from there.
For the Art Gowns, it begins with whatever fabrics or clothes to repurpose I have on hand. Iput together pieces that somehow visually and texturally work together. I play around with those on my judy. Eventually, I get inspired into a direction. After that, the gown almost designs itself. It’s like painting with fabric.
I have never done a sketch prior to making an Art Gown. That happens after.
Young designers; immerse yourself in all or any of the arts. Go to art galleries & museums. Go to contemporary art shows, fashion shows, music events, interactive art events. Read about clothing in history books, browse through new and old editorial & fashion magazines.
One can see most of this online, but there’s nothing like the real thing.
Be aware of what’s happening in the urban streets of bohemian areas. Check out how the counter culture is dressing! Use yourself to try new styling ideas when you go out, be it a party or a walk in the streets. Be brave!
Last year, my Alma Mater found me, and did an article about my “sustainable glamour” Art Gowns. You can read a little more if you click through the link below.
You two have really been unveiling magic!
Thank you Charlotte for this wonderful interview with Resa. It has been an enchanting journey indeed.
Resa, dahling, my admiration for you is limitless.
Charlotte, once again, you look divine in ‘Midnight Nightingale’!
Love and hugs to both!
❤️🤗❤️🤗
Thank you Marina, you are too kind. 🤗❤️🤗
Best wishes always
Charlotte
All true and my pleasure, Charlotte! Best wishes to you too! xoxo
Dear Marina,
Thank you for coming along on this journey! What a fabulous trip it’s been, from a piece of sequin fabric, to these wonderful posts by Charlotte.
From sewing to song, this has been a gratifying experience.
xoxoxo
From sewing to song, this has been an amazing journey to follow, my sweet friend! xoxoxoxoxo
Thank you! xoxxoxoxoxox
I have to say it again, you are stunning in Midnight Nightingale. Wonderful Q&A. I would love to see an Art Gowns fashion show. One of my wife’s former students came by for tea on Friday. She is reserved 17 year old who wants to publish her stories. We mentioned blogging as a way to get her stories out in the world. When I opened a new WP tab to show her different blogs, your post from last week came up. When she saw you in Midnight Nightingale her face brighten up, she became a little more animated, and said, “Wow! I want to wear that gown!” Art and beauty is irresistible.
Thank you Timothy, I love blogging, I just wish I had more time now because visiting other blog sites, learning from others, widening your horizons and discovering all sorts of new styles of writing, photography, people and places is so brilliant.
Best wishes
Charlotte 🤗❤️🤗
Thank you, dear Tim!
Yes, art and beauty are irresistible.
A fashion show is a dream, a carrot held before me. Seeing Charlotte perform live is another dream.
Yes, I emphasize to the 17 year old, blogging is a great way to get around and meet people. xx
You look so beautiful in that lovely dress, Charlotte! ❤️❤️😊
Charlotte is spectacular in “Midnight Nightingale”!
Thank you, John!
You’re welcome. ☺️
🤗
A fabulous interview with one of my favorite people, Charlotte. Resa shows deep concern for sustainability as evidenced by the lovely gowns she designs. Thank you so much for having Resa explain her processes and beliefs.
Dear John,
Charlotte is a renaissance woman. I’m thrilled and honoured to have done a project with her.
Having her host these interviews with me, and model “Midnight Nightingale” has my head spinning (in a good way).
I’m so happy you read both of her posts.
OX
I am so happy for you. OX
I’m so happy for you. OX
OX OX
😊
Thank you Charlotte and Resa. It’s a joy to read this in-depth interview, to learn more about Resa , the past and future. Her creativity has taken her to fabulous heights and the sky is the limit for you dear Resa. I’m delighted with this collaboration of two such gifted and beautiful ladies. Charlotte, you are a vision in this gorgeous gown created by our lovely designer. I look forward to hearing more of Resa’s anecdotes and encounters in such a unique and exciting career. Cheers and many thanks to you both. ❤️
Dearest Holly,
Thank you! You are a beacon to me. Since the first poem I read by you, I knew our creative souls were in sync.
Charlotte’s voice and songs are wildly inspiring.
What wonderful connections you both are!
xoxo
(Been editing the FW piece…. soon come!)
I love these interviews , I have such admiration for both of you. Of course it’s magical seeing your gorgeous gown on Charlotte, so perfect.
You are truly an inspiration for me, not to mention a barrel of good fun.
Waiting patiently for your next project!
They always amaze and lift my spirits and often invoke a laugh out loud you crazy Diamond. 💎
xoxoxo
Aww, thank you Holly! The feeling is mutual.
1 drawing left to finish, and I just mailed you my FW story.
Hope y💎u love and laugh! xoxoxo
I enjoyed reading both interviews, Charlotte and Resa. And thank you for the link to the article on Resa in the the Sheridan College Newsroom page. Many hugs and best wishes to you both!
Thank you Lavinia! Hugs and best wishes to you too, and extra thanks for reading my alma mater’s blurb on me.
Wonderful. Love the idea of an Arts gowns show… 🤞🏻
Thank you, Brian!! ❦
I went back to read it in order. I learnt so much from reading it. Great questions and insightful answers.
Hello Alex!
Thank you so much! What a treat that you read both parts of the interview. Be well!
It was a joy to go to your blog again
Likewise! it’s cool how pals come and go and come back again. xx
For sure! Expect a lot more visits!
Yay! That will help me to not forget!!! Even just likes, I get an email.
Thank you Alex, lovely to hear from you. Happy New Year have a great one.
Best wishes
Charlotte
And you! 🙂
Beautiful gown
Thank you!
Intelligent and insightful questions to which Resa has responded well, with especially good advice for aspiring creators
Thank you, Derrick!
Great job, Charlotte. You seemed to know exactly what to ask.
Thank you GP. In another life I would have chosen costume design or art so I’m fascinated with Resa and her career. I did a fine arts academy as well as the performing arts academy in my High School which was used as a Guinea pig to trial a new method of teaching. My only wish was that meant less time for foreign languages in the timetable, which I then had to study privately outside of school (I guess the one to one teaching I had though helped me to learn more in depth), although I still studied both English subjects, Maths, three sciences and information technology at High School I was sad when I had to drop the fine arts academy in the last two years.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a wonderful interview & with stunning photos of you in Resa’s amazing dress! Greenwich as a background is perfect. 🤗😘💌🙋♂️
Thank you, Ashley! The location is stupendous. Wow!
Charolotte, this is a wonderful, mindful, and inspiring interview with Resa. I’ve been blog-acquainted with her for years and admire her heartfelt and endless well of creativity. Hugs to you both.
Thank you Teagan for visiting my blog and leaving your lovely message.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hello Teagan!
Thank you so much for this lovely comment!
Hugs back to you!
Again, Charlotte, you look absolutely stunning in Midnight Nightingale. I cannot imagine the thrill of having one of Resa’s designs made just for you. I love that you chose her to design it for you.
This in-dept interview has been wonderful.
Resa, your story is magical in itself (and I cannot wait to read your stories!)
Yes, please, we want to see a fashion show of all your beautiful gowns! Oh! I think I would drive to Toronto to see it live!
Dear Thunder,
I’m happy you liked the interview. Charlotte managed to squeeze a lot of info out of me.
So, I sew on! The new gown is now about 75%. When I hit about 85%, it gets exhilarating as I work towards light at the end of the tunnel.
Anyway, None of the venues I’ve seen will work for what I want to do with the Art Gowns. So far they have been too, small or way to big and expensive.
Still, I’m liking the newness of the challenge. xxoxo
Dearest Sorceress,
Absolutely! I am glad she did 🙂
Sew on, My lady, sew on! How exciting.
I like to think that the perfect venue will eventually appear! xoxoxo
xoxoxo
💞
Resa, just a thought, in the UK they hire out rooms in museums and put on unusual shows see the Victoria and Albert Museum, with your recycling and reusing themes you should try to interest them in a dual project.
I will check that out! Thank you, Charlotte.
I also found this group I’m going to join. https://www.weadartists.org/ I’m so busy these days!
Great interview, Charlotte, and a beautiful gown.
Thank you!
Great second half of the interview! I do hope Resa continues with her “memoir” book – I think it would be a fascinating look behind the curtain from a point of view few would would have thought about before. And I hope that the Art Gown fashion show can become a reality soon! Great peak into a creative mind 🙂 And, yes, it goes without saying that the ‘Midnight Nightingale’ looks fabulous in your shots.
Thanks Trent!
This is a wonderful comment.
AND thank you for being along (putting up with me) while I smiled and gave constant updates on “Midnight Nightingale” Charlotte’s Art Gown that she looks absolutely smashing in.
Cheers!
Putting up with you? No, I enjoyed being along for the ride and loved your enthusiasm! Yes, Charlotte does look smashing in Midnight Nightingale 🙂
🙂🙂🙂
Thank you, Charlotte and Resa, for this wonderful part 2. Again, Charlotte you look stunning in Resa’s fabulous gown. Resa, I love hearing more about your creative process and your past and future projects! Great interview!
Thank you, Merril!
I enjoyed Charlotte’s questions. What an honour to be interviewed and featured on her blog.
You’re welcome, Resa!
A wonderful interview… I have long admired the work that goes into Resa’s Gowns, as I have a background in textiles, so know the amount of work both designing and making such exquisite gowns entail..
I loved learning more about Resa’s process and inspiration… Many thanks to you both.. <3 xx
Wonderfully done, Charlotte. A toast to Resa’s dedication, creativity, kindness, and pleasant demeanor.
Thank you, Frank! What a treat to be featured on Charlotte’s blog!
I look forward to her wearing the gown, as a whole or mix’n’matched with other pieces in performance.
Cheers!
She’ll definitely look better in it than I would.
Duhh…ya! Lol! Clink!
What a beautiful interview!
Another wonderful interview, Charlotte and Resa! You both make such a creative duo! Charlotte, again, you look stunning in Resa’s gown, and Resa, you continue to amaze me with your gorgeous gowns! I love learning more through these interviews. Congrats to you both! Hugs xo
Thank you Lauren!
Your hopping over toCharlotte’s blog and reading this means a lot to me.
This has been a fabulous adventure! Hugs xo
You are so welcome, Resa, and I wouldn’t miss this adventure! I’m so happy for you both! Love and hugs coming your way! xoxoxoxoxox
xxoxoxoxoxo
Great questions, Charlotte, and fascinating answers, Resa. I was most intrigued by your current projects (or ideas for projects) – an art gowns fashion show (can anyone attend?), and your writing about your film experiences. I can imagine how some of those would have been stressful at the time, but are hilarious now. As always, your support of sustainability and creativity shines. Charlotte’s dress is stunning. Thanks to you both for the fun.
Dear Diana,
Charlotte asked great questions. It was interesting for me to read my answers. 🤔
Anyone could come. However, as I consider my gowns “art”, I’ve got something more like like an art show mulling around in my head.
The run of the show would be a mixed media event, Art Gowns on risers, some kind of booklet w/ pics of gowns, drawings of them and a manifesto. There’s art for the walls as well. Anyway, finding a venue is being elusive. I’ll just keep working on it.
Opening night would see host models in Art Gowns.
There’s lots to consider and execute.
That sounds AMAZING. I hope it comes together. I’d fly to Toronto with my guy and make a vacation out of it. 🙂
How I wish I lived closer I would come and sing for your event.
Thank you! That would be fabulous! ❦❦
This is a fabulous interview. I learned so much more about Resa and her creative process here. I understand her need to be inspired and grow from new projects completely. I am the same and must keep pushing towards greater heights of achievement or the project holds no interest for me. I love her art gowns and their sustainability factor. I am a champion of Southern African wildlife which is in a similar vein of passion. Thank you, Charlotte for sharing these wonderful posts about the amazing Resa.
Thank you Roberta, what a great comment I wish you well championing your wildlife project, it is very important to have a big interest outside your normal day to day life to inspire and energise you.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I couldnt agree more 💚
Thank you, Robbie. We are so different, yet there is a crossover. It’s to do with nature and the ideaof sustainability.
I am thrilled with Charlotte’s posts. She is amazing!!!
Yes, Resa, there is definately a cross over. There is also passion. 💗
Yes!!! 💗💗
PS The post is marvelous 🌺
🌺🌺
This is probably the best on-line interview yet. I’m impressed with both the replies and the questions themselves. Well done, you two!
Thank you so much ☺️
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank you so much!
A beautiful way to summarize the backstory of Resa’s creativity and talents – you two are a perfect match, as your stunning photographs show. The questions you posed and Resa’s thoughtful replies give such a beautiful story to the art of creation.