First off I will say, I love running my company, I. Buss & Allan Uniforms®. And over the years, I have been able to find a great team to back me up, and this has afforded me the opportunity to literally stop taking orders directly but rather oversee my team and delegate to them. I’ve always loved design and have incorporated this passion into the world of uniforms whenever appropriate.
About 15 years ago, Pipenn was born. Initially, it was going to be a funky T-shirt line with the images on the shirts made from my original artwork. Then over time, something else evolved. I found myself making these figures out of pipe cleaners (now, I probably have about 50 of them), photographing them, then importing the images into photoshop and creating more layered images. I began printing the images selectively but developed a library of hundreds of images.
All along I had been an artistic photographer and had a love of photographing images that struck me. So, in addition to the figures, I make out of pipe cleaners, I have hundreds of images that I have taken in my travels. I have also imported these images (for example the trees from Hyde Park) into photoshop and created art pieces out of them.
A few years later, I started designing my own clothes, and given that I have a full team of tailors, cutters, and a senior pattern maker, I could illustrate or come up with just about anything, and they were able to make it for me.
And then, somehow, the two began to merge. The visual images I had created with the pipe cleaners (as my friends call them, The Pipe People), and the images from my artistic photography began to look like fabrics to me. Little by little, I started manipulating my artwork to create my own fabric designs.
Why Pipenn?
As I started making my own clothes, the styles inevitably caught the eyes of other women who wanted to purchase a piece for themselves. In response, I’ve set to work designing made-to-order suits, dresses, and jumpsuits in custom prints inspired by my original artwork.
Each of the one-of-a-kind prints tells a story, most made from the pipe cleaners. Many of the figures I create capture a gesture of someone I know, but by the time these images become fabric designs, the figures are not too recognizable.
The result is a collection defined by elegance with a uniquely fresh beat, influenced by a love of photography, art and culture, and a belief that clothes are an extension of the woman who wears them.
Pipenn: Designs For The Urban Woman
At Pipenn.co, you’ll find a variety of powerful garments adorned with my Signature Prints, bold color blocking, and thoughtful details.
Dresses and suits. Top and bottom combos. Jumpsuits, vests, tunics.
Here’s a preview of some custom-made, fashion-forward looks that will empower any wardrobe:
Pipe Dream Tunic:
This silk paneled dress is printed with abstract shapes digitally manipulated from original art using pipe cleaners. It features a slit neckline with self-tie, concealed zip closure at back, and wows with an asymmetric hem.
The Golden Hour Cutout Jumpsuit:
An ultra-flattering colorblock jumpsuit, a perfect 30-second outfit day or night. Finished with a gold waistband to accentuate your shape, rust-colored short sleeves, and contrasting silver cuffs. Features zip closure and striking cutout at back.
The Marianne Suit:
Bold and bright, this two-piece monochromatic suit is nod to mod with its cropped asymmetrical jacket and skirt. The jacket is defined by its asymmetrical lapel, ruched detailing at shoulders, and back pleat. Cut with slanted panels on the front that fall above the knee, the skirt features belt loops for the wide tonal belt and oversized black buckle. Finished with a concealed zip at side.
See the full selection at Pipenn.co and follow Pipenn on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn or Contact us directly.
