Tao Couture – California Fashion-wise

“Beauty is the flower of virtue,” so exclaimed Greek historian and fashion hound, Plutarch, over 2,000 years ago.

Talking with San Francisco-based fashion designer, artist and couturiere, Colleen Quen, gave me new insight into that sentiment.

“Each piece I create has a purpose.  Often it is related to celebrating a woman’s spirit in some way,” explained Colleen.

“The piece should have a natural elegance, like a flower, and not decorate excessively.”

“As I create a new design I visualize a living soul inside the garment.  It is my responsibility to adorn it and bring out and empower her inner spirit.”

Can such lofty sentiments succeed?

One could easily form an affirmative answer by looking over the long and notable list of customers, awards and commissions Colleen has claimed since launching her own business in 1996.

But it would be more in the spirit of her work to find the answer from a purely personal perspective – from what our own inner spirit speaks, as it savors, for example:

Bird of Paradise Gown – Colleen Quen

“I was meditating on a Bird of Paradise flower in my garden.  I thought what a blessing its beauty was.  And I thought it would be wonderful if I could help a woman feel blessed by such beauty in a gown I created for her.”

Perhaps my new understanding of Plutarch’s assertion about virtue giving flower to beauty is making more sense to you now.

Colleen roots herself in the practice of tai chi, meditation and the influence of Taoism.

“I believe it is our duty in life to give good intentions and send good wishes.”

As if to prove the point, Colleen explained that in designing one of her most notable works, the Butterfly Dream Gown, she did not start with the explicit goal of creating something beautiful.

Rather, “I wanted to send a message of compassion.”

This dramatic gown is covered with over seventy hand-made butterflies shaped like flowers and ready to take flight, spreading blessings to the world.

Butterfly Dream Gown – Colleen Quen

What is fascinating about creative people is that they are often profoundly motivated by what seem to be little things that the rest of us don’t see.

When asked to describe one of the favorite things she has ever created, she referred back to the collar on a dress that she created over thirteen years ago.

“I was inspired by the movement of flower petals.  I wanted to do something both organic and sculptural.”

Black Fleur Collar Dress

“It was a creation where I was able to fully realize and express a feeling and intuition I had.”

Do creative people ever become frustrated that they can’t express such feelings and intuitions?  Is the muse sometimes lurking stubbornly in the fog, hiding behind a tree?

“Sometimes I do get frustrated that I can’t express an idea.  When that happens I want to honor the feeling.  I try to relax and accept what is happening.  I find it’s an excellent time to have some tea and a little chocolate.”

Colleen is a graduate of both the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and the Simmone Sethna School of French Couture.  She is currently doing couture work from her atelier in San Francisco as well as working on museum and performance commissions.  More of her work can be seen and she can be contacted through her extensive website at www.colleenquencouture.com.

Colleen Quen