Cathy Benson | The Botetourt View

Genevieve Journell with a replica.

Genevieve Journell, a couturier who has a shop called Catrina Fashion's in Troutville, sews and designs beautiful gowns and wedding dresses and it is no wonder she had an honor bestowed upon her by the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals to create one of the half scale models. The ASDP sent the following news:

The Association of Sewing and Design Professionals announced the premiere exhibit of Vionnet Identique at the Association's convention October 18, 2009, Hilton at Indian Lakes Resort, Bloomingdale, Ill.

The exhibit includes thirty-eight half-scale styles designed by the world renowned couturier Madeleine Vionnet as featured in the book, "Vionnet," by Betty Kirke.

"Kirke is being awarded a lifetime achievement award for her work in the fashion industry and particularly for her book on Vionnet," said Journell from her studio, which is filled with beautiful ball gowns, evening gowns and wedding dresses.

Currently a Vionnet exhibit is being held in Paris which Journell plans to see. It opened this past summer and is described as, "Vionnet, dubbed the 'couturier of couturiers,' is being honoured with an exhibition, which opened in June at Les Arts Decoratifs in Paris, which spans her work from the setting up of her house in 1912 to the glory years of the Thirties," featured in the London Telegraph on June 24.

Each model will be represented in the toile or muslin drape and also in the fashion fabric similar to the original full scale model of the period. A noted master designer of the Art Deco era, Vionnet's innovative work is timeless and was a major influence upon the Golden Age of Couture. This is the first major U.S. presentation of Vionnet's work in the half-scale, and coincides with a significant French exhibit on Vionnet at the Musee de les Arts Decoratifs at the Louvre in Paris.

Association members submitted both a sample toile and a fashion sample using authentic fabrications and technique. Many of the designs feature silks and intricate handwork details and Vionnet's famous geometric patterning which emphasized the beauty of the bias cut. The designs are in the half-scale, and displayed on half-scale forms through an arrangement with Dress Rite Forms, Skokie, IL.

Journell made a reversible cape with fur collar in half scale for the exhibit. The garment is featured in the Kirke "Vionnet" book. Journell has been a sewing professional since 1991. She takes on work by appointment. From the results of her labors featured in her studio, she is a creator of highly finished garments with trimmings, beading and precise line and seam. The gowns are absolutely stunning and have been worn by prom queens to beauty queens to beautiful brides. There is little wonder why she was chosen to create for the important exhibit on Vionnet.

Not only have the sewing and design professionals gained new insight into the genius of Vionnet's work, but through the exhibit, others will also be able to better understand her brilliance. Seeing the garments on a 3-D form really accents the visual beauty of her incredible work.

Journell is a former national president of the organization and a member of the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals that is a non-profit organization, providing education and networking for those working in the sewing and design profession. For information on membership in the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals, please contact: membership@sewing professionals.org.

Submitted by the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals