vessel

Hello.

You may or may not know that I am currently building a collection of dresses in collaboration with the artist Irena Komadinic. We have been working diligently since January to produce twelve very labour intensive dresses inspired by the human heart. Our collection is called Vessel, and it will show May 29th. We have been extraordinarily lucky in friendship, family and support to have come this far. However, Irena and I are career artists, and our incomes reflect that. So far, we have funded this entire project out-of-pocket. And our budget exceeds what we can manage on our own. We hope that crowd-funding may help us reach our vision. By appealing to our community, we hope to create a sense of ownership and involvement in something that would not be possible otherwise. All donors will receive a gift in thanks, and will be given the option of choosing where their money is spent. We have included a breakdown of what expenses we are yet facing. And regardless of whether a donor chooses a specific destination for their money, we will still post where it goes. In this way, donors can see exactly how their dollars have affected the project, and can point out "Hey - that thing? That's mine. I paid for that." After all, bragging rights are pretty fun.

Sincerely,
Breeyn McCarney

Due to the restricted capacity of the venue, the show is an invite-only event. There are ten invitations available in addition to gifts. The first ten donors to request an invitation to the show will receive one.

For full details and to donate, click here

donate

Due to the restricted capacity of the venue, the show is an invite-only event. There are ten invitations available in addition to gifts. The first ten donors to request an invitation to the show will receive one.

Donation Categories

Materials
$300 : Any donations that are directed towards materials will be noted in specifics. For example, if a donor contributes $25 and it is spent on yarn, the dress in which it is used will be noted. If a donor contributes $5 and that five goes into a purchase of fabric for a dress, we'll point out which fabric. You'll own* that small section of dress.

Event-related
Lights - $75 : The lights that will be at the end of the runway, to light the models for the photographer.
Glasses - $25 : For beverages
Fabric - $80 : For curtains to hang in the venue, to separate the runway area from the communal area.
Paint - $25 : Paint for the venue. It is a gallery space, and requires some white-washing of the walls.
Benches - $150 : Seating along the runway

Staff
$200 : Runway photographer
$100 : Backstage photographer
$150 - Hair

PR - (non-admissible)
We are contractually unable to disclose the dollar amount we are being billed for PR, but I can assure you that it is by far the largest expense of the entire project. It is a crucial element to holding an event of this nature, and worth every penny it costs. It far outstrips the total of all the other elements listed here put together. All donations directed toward the PR of this project will be regarded as an investment in the future careers of both Irena and myself, and very greatly appreciated.

*waiving all rights to it, of course.

There are a million more costs included in a show, but we've managed to defray or finagle all those already.

Donation Guidelines

Donations can be made through Paypal.
Donors have the option to remain anonymous.
Donors can request their money be spent on a specific aspect of the show.*
All gifts to donors will be created by either Breeyn or Irena. Donors may request which artist creates their gift.
All donors and donations will be posted on the site reflecting our strict accounting of dollars.

*If that expense has already been covered, the donation will be directed to the next most pressing item.

Donation Prizes

invites - The first ten people to donate $10 or more and request an invite will receive one

$0-$25 - unique sketch from either artist of a collection garment

$25 - $50 - unique drawing from either artist of collection garment in a frame

$50 - $100 - choice of accessory produced by the artists, including cufflinks, brooches, rings and necklaces.

$100-$200 - choice between art work created by Irena or custom item created by Breeyn

$200 - dude, if you contribute $200 or more, you can have whatever you want.

credits

We will be sure to thank all those who donate here.

Please check back often for updates.

Thank you to the following donors:
Sofi Papamarko : $30 towards yards and yards of red tulle
Renee Sylvester-Williams : $50 towards PR
Cynthia Scratch : $400 towards Materials
Amanda Buckeiwicz : $51 towards General
Melissa Bernais : $30 towards PR
Randy Chung : $30 towards General
Nick & Beth Marquis : $250 towards General
Anonymous : $300 towards General
Dawn Mandarino : $30 towards General
Dave Evans : $30 towards General
Jennifer Wigg : $50 towards Event costs
Jennifer Fung : $50 to general
Dominic Carlone : $50 he wants his going to the curtains in the venue
Mike Couch : $25 to our alcohol permit
Mike and Kim McFarlane : $25 towards general
Tabatha Southey : $40 towards general
Anita Cordeiro : $50 towards General
Keith Lobo : $200 towards Event costs
Ukamaku : $100 towards General
Christopher Lewis and Laura Brehaut - $200 towards General