DOGSTAR 07 3210 1665
www.dogstar.com.au
ARTISAN MART DESIGN STORE 07 3215 0808
GREEN TANGERINE
HYATT REGENCY COOLUM GALLERY SHOP
URBAN COW STUDIO 08 82332 6126
KICKARTS 07 4050 9496
PORT HEDLAND COURTHOUSE GALLERY
" Each piece I create is like a thumbprint. "
"No two pieces are ever the same and each piece becomes attuned to the individual style and personality of the wearer. My work is designed to be timeless and with no gender preference. The ethos is to inspire the appreciation of the artisan and the beauty and value of an object that has been passionately individually crafted by hand."
In the late 1980's Roz worked as a theatre costume designer and was challenged with a brief to produce lightweight performance armor for a Shakespearean theatre company.
Roz un-earthed the medieval leather armor technique 'Cuir Bouilli'. This process enabled the leather to be moulded and formed into a lightweight hardened state, so strong it could shield against arrows and swords.
In the mid 90's from her Brisbane based studio she resumed the process to produce her first leather fashion accessory collection of bands and cuffs without the need for stitching or wire.
Roz Fenson's art practice is an explorative journey in the adaptation of the ancient technique and its design potential as a contemporary craft. Her usage of colour, texture and even translucency is truly innovative. Roz's work is transforming the boundaries of modern leather production techniques and given her ownership of an artform that is truly globally unique and innovative.
Roz's work was chosen along with five other Australian Artists to represent Australian Craft and Design at L'ARTIGIANO FEIRA in Milan Italy 2009.
The 'Sheer' collection is made from Kangaroo leather and celebrates a new technique in the adaptation of "Cuir Bouilli" as a result it has enabled Roz to not only develop a translucency, but also present the range using vibrant colours inspired by Australian bush landscapes, earths and skies.
ITEM CODES
Hold the curser over the image to see the code for each piece or click to englarge
Celebrating an ancient technique in the adaptation of the process "cuir bouilli", this collection is made from cow hide and utilizes the more robust qualities of this type of leather. The bands wrap the arm or wrist.
This range is without question for the individual that is prepared to wear their 'art' on the sleeve and willing to make a statement.
TWO TONE COW HIDE
MULTI COLOURED COW HIDE
DRENCHED BLACK COW HIDE
Made from cow hide leather, this collection , is inspired by the trend of wrapping a strap of leather around the arm. The bands are made from a single coil of leather that can be wound onto the arm. They are designed to be worn stacked on the arm in clusters of single or multi colours.
Roz encourages all to embrace the necklace. No matter what size, they make an impressive statement. They are delicate yet robust. Some creations measure over two meters and are made from a variety of leathers dependent on the texture and colour required for the design.
Rooband was the original label Roz used when she started producing bands from Kangaroo leather over seven years ago. True to Rooband the collection this year reflects her earlier pieces but with a improved elegance in form and finish. In addition Roz has introduced a style within the collection where she has begun to explore the decorative potential of studding the leather with tiny sterling silver balls.
A broche, badge or medallion can secure a scarf, or hold a skirt together, decorate a hat or be attached to a ribbon and transformed into a necklace. The medallion collection is like the necklace collection made from a variety of Australian leathers dependent on design requirements.
In 2009, inspired by the negative space of lace and weaving, Roz explored the cut away element in her forms. Designs that created the most demand have been included on the website. However, whilst they are no longer a stock item, retail outlets can request from this series when placing and invoice purchase order.
Click on the image to enlarge and the code will appear
In Egypt leather artifacts have been found intact inside tombs where they were buried beside their owners thousands of years ago. Your leather piece has the ability to also last beyond a life time. However leather is susceptable to climatic change. If it is very dry the piece may shrink slightly, or conversely if it is humid it may soften, or if your body produces a lot of heat it may stretch slightly. All of these results are easily rectified if you know the 3 main principles of product care and you always open your piece starting with pulling each end anti clock wise or twisting away from each other ranther than coiling your form on and off your arm . This will cause the form over time to stretch. Never bend the form back on itself as this make cause breakage.
1. RESIZING YOUR BAND
Should your piece shrink or become stretched during wear siomply coil the form and secure it with a rubber band or a clothes peg. Place in the sun until you can feel heat in the form .(depending on the season, this may take a couple of hours)will take a couple of hours ) With your form still secured, remove it out of the su and place in a shaded area until the form has cooled. Again depedent on the enviromental temperature is this is best left a couple of hours before wearing.
2. CONDITIONING TO RETAIN YOUR PIECES ORIGINAL PROPERTIES
All leather products benifit from being regularly conditioned. Roz Fenson products are exactly the same. Oiling the surface of you product will increase the colour vibrancy and density and in the case of some collections assist in maintianing the elasticity. It is not necessary to buy expensive leather products. A common kitchen or massage oil will suffice. Add a essential oil, or finish by spraying the surface with your favourite perfume, and your piece will permeate the aroma for weeks. This is a great trick and particularly great on necklaces.
3. STORAGE OF YOUR PIECE TO RETAIN THE ORIGINAL FORM AND SIZE
To retain your band in its original form during long periods of storage wrap around a solid form. A common household object like a aerosol can is perfect. Also never leave your piece enclosed in a humad enviroment. Leather will attract mould under these conditions.
AUGUST 2010
View images from a recent DOGSTAR photo shoot, where their latest "Laika " collection was accesorized using pieces from Roz's collections. Glide your curser over the images to select and click to enlarge. Read the blog interview with Roz on the DOGSTAR website
Each piece of Roz Fenson's work is individually handcrafted by her. To that end, no two pieces are ever exactly the same. Whilst a similarity in form or style can be achieved, and a process copied, there is always a variation in colours and texture. Hence her product is only available from stockists where it can be viewed, touched and selected for size and style suitability.
Roz has selected outlets which understand her product and customer. Listed below are stockists around Australia that carry her collections. Click on the store and you will be directed to their website or email address for locations and contact detail enquiries. Most stockists have online store facilicilities. If there is a particular style you are interested in, run your curser over the image in the collections page and a code will appear that you can use as a reference. If your nearest stockist doesn't carry that particular collection, they will be able to place an order for you to view the piece in store within a couple of weeks depending on its availability.
