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DesigningCLOTHES


DesigningCLOTHES
Photo Information
Copyright: Els van den Berkhof (Hendrika) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1649 W: 517 N: 3791] (16626)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-09
Categories: Daily Life, Humorous, HPP [Heavily Post-Processed]
Camera: Sony Alpha DSLR 350, Carl Zeiss T* 18-80mm -F3.5-4.5
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Friday Theme 2008/06/13 "Clothes,Clothing", Tips and Techniques II, Freaky Friday Contribution [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-06-12 2:05
Viewed: 468
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 92
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Since JP (Japiey) taught me how to make beautiful stitches, I decided to design the Emperors New Clothes. I have been working day and night to get the whole outfit finished in time for the weekly theme, and when it was finished I carefully draped it on the coat-hanger, so there you have it: hanging there for all to see: The Emperor's New Clothes.
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For those who don't know the story, here it is ----once upon a time:
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Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress. He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes. He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, "he is sitting in council," it was always said of him, "The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe."

Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court. One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance. They gave out that they knew how to weave stuffs of the most beautiful colors and elaborate patterns, the clothes manufactured from which should have the wonderful property of remaining invisible to everyone who was unfit for the office he held, or who was extraordinarily simple in character.

"These must, indeed, be splendid clothes!" thought the Emperor. "Had I such a suit, I might at once find out what men in my realms are unfit for their office, and also be able to distinguish the wise from the foolish! This stuff must be woven for me immediately." And he caused large sums of money to be given to both the weavers in order that they might begin their work directly.

So the two pretended weavers set up two looms, and affected to work very busily, though in reality they did nothing at all. They asked for the most delicate silk and the purest gold thread; put both into their own knapsacks; and then continued their pretended work at the empty looms until late at night.

"I should like to know how the weavers are getting on with my cloth," said the Emperor to himself, after some little time had elapsed; he was, however, rather embarrassed, when he remembered that a simpleton, or one unfit for his office, would be unable to see the manufacture. To be sure, he thought he had nothing to risk in his own person; but yet, he would prefer sending somebody else, to bring him intelligence about the weavers, and their work, before he troubled himself in the affair. All the people throughout the city had heard of the wonderful property the cloth was to possess; and all were anxious to learn how wise, or how ignorant, their neighbors might prove to be.

"I will send my faithful old minister to the weavers," said the Emperor at last, after some deliberation, "he will be best able to see how the cloth looks; for he is a man of sense, and no one can be more suitable for his office than be is."

So the faithful old minister went into the hall, where the knaves were working with all their might, at their empty looms. "What can be the meaning of this?" thought the old man, opening his eyes very wide. "I cannot discover the least bit of thread on the looms." However, he did not express his thoughts aloud.

The impostors requested him very courteously to be so good as to come nearer their looms; and then asked him whether the design pleased him, and whether the colors were not very beautiful; at the same time pointing to the empty frames. The poor old minister looked and looked, he could not discover anything on the looms, for a very good reason, viz: there was nothing there. "What!" thought he again. "Is it possible that I am a simpleton? I have never thought so myself; and no one must know it now if I am so. Can it be, that I am unfit for my office? No, that must not be said either. I will never confess that I could not see the stuff."

"Well, Sir Minister!" said one of the knaves, still pretending to work. "You do not say whether the stuff pleases you."

"Oh, it is excellent!" replied the old minister, looking at the loom through his spectacles. "This pattern, and the colors, yes, I will tell the Emperor without delay, how very beautiful I think them."

"We shall be much obliged to you," said the impostors, and then they named the different colors and described the pattern of the pretended stuff. The old minister listened attentively to their words, in order that he might repeat them to the Emperor; and then the knaves asked for more silk and gold, saying that it was necessary to complete what they had begun. However, they put all that was given them into their knapsacks; and continued to work with as much apparent diligence as before at their empty looms.

The Emperor now sent another officer of his court to see how the men were getting on, and to ascertain whether the cloth would soon be ready. It was just the same with this gentleman as with the minister; he surveyed the looms on all sides, but could see nothing at all but the empty frames.

"Does not the stuff appear as beautiful to you, as it did to my lord the minister?" asked the impostors of the Emperor's second ambassador; at the same time making the same gestures as before, and talking of the design and colors which were not there.

"I certainly am not stupid!" thought the messenger. "It must be, that I am not fit for my good, profitable office! That is very odd; however, no one shall know anything about it." And accordingly he praised the stuff he could not see, and declared that he was delighted with both colors and patterns. "Indeed, please your Imperial Majesty," said he to his sovereign when he returned, "the cloth which the weavers are preparing is extraordinarily magnificent."

The whole city was talking of the splendid cloth which the Emperor had ordered to be woven at his own expense.

And now the Emperor himself wished to see the costly manufacture, while it was still in the loom. Accompanied by a select number of officers of the court, among whom were the two honest men who had already admired the cloth, he went to the crafty impostors, who, as soon as they were aware of the Emperor's approach, went on working more diligently than ever; although they still did not pass a single thread through the looms.

"Is not the work absolutely magnificent?" said the two officers of the crown, already mentioned. "If your Majesty will only be pleased to look at it! What a splendid design! What glorious colors!" and at the same time they pointed to the empty frames; for they imagined that everyone else could see this exquisite piece of workmanship.

"How is this?" said the Emperor to himself. "I can see nothing! This is indeed a terrible affair! Am I a simpleton, or am I unfit to be an Emperor? That would be the worst thing that could happen--Oh! the cloth is charming," said he, aloud. "It has my complete approbation." And he smiled most graciously, and looked closely at the empty looms; for on no account would he say that he could not see what two of the officers of his court had praised so much. All his retinue now strained their eyes, hoping to discover something on the looms, but they could see no more than the others; nevertheless, they all exclaimed, "Oh, how beautiful!" and advised his majesty to have some new clothes made from this splendid material, for the approaching procession. "Magnificent! Charming! Excellent!" resounded on all sides; and everyone was uncommonly gay. The Emperor shared in the general satisfaction; and presented the impostors with the riband of an order of knighthood, to be worn in their button-holes, and the title of "Gentlemen Weavers."

The rogues sat up the whole of the night before the day on which the procession was to take place, and had sixteen lights burning, so that everyone might see how anxious they were to finish the Emperor's new suit. They pretended to roll the cloth off the looms; cut the air with their scissors; and sewed with needles without any thread in them. "See!" cried they, at last. "The Emperor's new clothes are ready!"

And now the Emperor, with all the grandees of his court, came to the weavers; and the rogues raised their arms, as if in the act of holding something up, saying, "Here are your Majesty's trousers! Here is the scarf! Here is the mantle! The whole suit is as light as a cobweb; one might fancy one has nothing at all on, when dressed in it; that, however, is the great virtue of this delicate cloth."

"Yes indeed!" said all the courtiers, although not one of them could see anything of this exquisite manufacture.

"If your Imperial Majesty will be graciously pleased to take off your clothes, we will fit on the new suit, in front of the looking glass."

The Emperor was accordingly undressed, and the rogues pretended to array him in his new suit; the Emperor turning round, from side to side, before the looking glass.

"How splendid his Majesty looks in his new clothes, and how well they fit!" everyone cried out. "What a design! What colors! These are indeed royal robes!"

"The canopy which is to be borne over your Majesty, in the procession, is waiting," announced the chief master of the ceremonies.

"I am quite ready," answered the Emperor. "Do my new clothes fit well?" asked he, turning himself round again before the looking glass, in order that he might appear to be examining his handsome suit.

The lords of the bedchamber, who were to carry his Majesty's train felt about on the ground, as if they were lifting up the ends of the mantle; and pretended to be carrying something; for they would by no means betray anything like simplicity, or unfitness for their office.

So now the Emperor walked under his high canopy in the midst of the procession, through the streets of his capital; and all the people standing by, and those at the windows, cried out, "Oh! How beautiful are our Emperor's new clothes! What a magnificent train there is to the mantle; and how gracefully the scarf hangs!" in short, no one would allow that he could not see these much-admired clothes; because, in doing so, he would have declared himself either a simpleton or unfit for his office. Certainly, none of the Emperor's various suits, had ever made so great an impression, as these invisible ones.

"But the Emperor has nothing at all on!" said a little child.

"Listen to the voice of innocence!" exclaimed his father; and what the child had said was whispered from one to another.

"But he has nothing at all on!" at last cried out all the people. The Emperor was vexed, for he knew that the people were right; but he thought the procession must go on now! And the lords of the bedchamber took greater pains than ever, to appear holding up a train, although, in reality, there was no train to hold.
www.classicread.com.
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Hope you enjoyed reading the story as much as I did weaving and sewing ^-^ --enjoy the theme and hopefully a good weekend.
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eosnut, manujmehta, mesquens1, nishantdavid, chrisJ, shelbeesmom, vandana2923, Silke, Royaldevon, joopschotsman, boonie, norenastramus, Refugee, inunguak, Fortuna, harpya, Dingo, ErikSven, wilth, boomcat, MickoAna, Frieda, Beger, JohnTulip, c_rapp has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To boomcat: restedHendrika 1 06-18 04:56
To JohnTulip: ho stopHendrika 1 06-17 23:49
To Dingo: nit-pickHendrika 3 06-17 13:12
To karith: floodHendrika 1 06-15 22:27
To glint: needlewomanHendrika 1 06-14 10:48
To Frieda: naaienHendrika 1 06-14 10:18
To Silke: funHendrika 1 06-14 01:25
To inunguak: sadHendrika 1 06-13 01:14
To Royaldevon: hahahaHendrika 1 06-12 09:31
To jawa: geen excuusHendrika 1 06-12 09:13
To shelbeesmom: fursHendrika 1 06-12 05:38
To japiey: sewingHendrika 1 06-12 04:38
To Patricia: once upon a timeHendrika 1 06-12 03:22
To eosnut: so you can...?Hendrika 1 06-12 02:32
To pozaru: thoughtHendrika 1 06-12 02:27
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Critiques [Translate]

  •      
  • pozaru Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3296 W: 662 N: 1893] (15833)
  • [2008-06-12 2:14]
  • [+]

Another great work of yours; congrats !

v
ps.This story was my first thought when heard the theme but haven't enough time for stiching ...

v

Oh Els,
I started this critique half an hour ago...I've forgotten what I was going to write;)
What a crafty pair of weavers, as they say, you can fool some of the people etc.
I remeber now...a clever one for the theme, well seen????
Pete.

Olá Els,
Great and delicious Note and a fine art work.
Great post.
Bravo
Raimundo

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3115 W: 211 N: 6561] (25952)
  • [2008-06-12 2:52]

Great story. Trust a child to tell the truth:
"But the Emperor has nothing at all on!" said a little child.

Well designed image Els. Your PP work is really good,
Janice

Hi Els
Wonderful addition to the theme!
Great woork

Regards
Tracey

Hello Els, Very clever work! I can see that you have worked your fingers to the bone creating the 'Emporer's new clothes'!
Congratulations on a super image.
Cheers, Pat.

Hello Els
exemplary artwork. You have been successful in giving this image an imperial touch as you desired. The result surely justifies the pain you went through.
A very aristocratic capture with royal and elegant looking hues and feel.
well done.
tfs

  • Great 
  • Janone Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3231 W: 78 N: 2471] (17020)
  • [2008-06-12 3:26]

"Hang on", Els.
I will read your story when I got a few spare hours.
Ja, alleen het beste is goed genoeg, toch ?
Groeten van jan

Hi Els,

Fantastic !!
Beautifull concept for the theme..
BEST !!

jp

Excellent design, beautifull idea and realisation Els, well done, creative work!!!

TFS

Reagrds!

  • Great 
  • chrisJ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4047 W: 207 N: 3459] (26357)
  • [2008-06-12 4:38]

Hallo Els

Good sharpness, graphism & reflections with superb pp work in this surrealistic image. Tfs!

  • Great 
  • azaf1 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 564 W: 39 N: 631] (3960)
  • [2008-06-12 5:17]

Nice pp work, Els
Lovely colors and idea so successfully materialized
TFs
Argiris

I have a couple of this nice coat hangers from my aunt who was big into furs! HA! It's WAY too hot here in Houston for furs, even in the winter! Nice work on the theme Els, interesting to use the flood tool, were you planning on hand washing this coat??
B-)
Linda

LOL Els.
I know that story :)
Very nice idea, and love the color tones here. TFS
Vandana

hello dear els

congratulations for great pp work
very nice stitching job
very creative
good note too.

good for theme

tfs
js

  • Great 
  • jawa Gold Star Critiquer [C: 1632 W: 0 N: 1] (10453)
  • [2008-06-12 8:04]
  • [+]

Hallo Els
Mooie lekker simpele foto al had voor mij die reflectie niet gehoeven.
En wat een verhaal?

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3213 W: 265 N: 6004] (22402)
  • [2008-06-12 8:06]
  • [+]

This is one of the best contributions to the theme that I have seen yet :)
The composition stand exceptionally well on its own and you have made it perfect with your stitched framing, elegant signature and the flood filtered reflection
Simply perfect and an instant fave
TFS
silke

A very clever allusion to this famous fairy story, Els. I think there are lots of examples in the modern times when reference can be made to this story!!

Another of your wonderful pieces of pp work!The colours, the delicate fabrics, the precise stitchwork and the classical design are parrallel to that of the top couturiers. I can see exactly how you made it!

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Hiya Els

Loved this story sinced I was a child and your take on it is just superb. This shot is incredible your creativity and PP work goes from strength to strength I love it

TFS and for joining in the theme

kind regards Helen

:-) Mooie variant op het verhaal, Els.
Het is ook weer rete-origineel. Erg goed weer ... zoals we inmiddels van je gewend zijn !
Prachtig PP werk.
groeten,
Joop!

Hoi Els,
The Emperors new clothes....? You must have read my discussion?!
Anyway, great idea well presented. It's particular the powerful compilation and framing which makes this picture. Stunning! ....I will never name you Henkie again, except here.
Hans

  • Great 
  • boonie Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1145 W: 42 N: 1127] (5704)
  • [2008-06-12 11:00]

Glad to see your contribution to Friday's theme - Have found this to be a tough one to deal with. Wonderful PP work as usual Els and of course Love the story. Great to hear it again.

Dan

Hi Els.....
What a large details for the theme:)
excellent idea and reflections..
Beautiful contribution for the theme.
Well done my friend.TFS.
Greetings
H.Ayhan

  • Great 
  • glint Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 530 W: 2 N: 342] (2407)
  • [2008-06-12 12:25]
  • [+]

Hello Els,
creating stitches eh? a needlewoman as well as a photographer. Multi talented. This si a very creative and highly original contribution to the theme.
regards
Bev

Nice PP work Els although I find the upper part a bit soft. Good tones and textures and a fitting submission for the theme. TFS,
David

Hi Els,
This really made me laugh and I needed it:
"The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe." :)
Thank you!!
Very creative image to go with the story and the theme.
TFS and have a nice weekend which is just around the corner.
Regards,
Lurdes

Hi ELS:
I must be a simpleton because I see no clothes hanging on the clothes hanger;op another really fun creation with PS, the colour theme is wonderful with the gold black and ocher shades... nicely composed and presented ... thanks for recapping the emperors new clothes for me, I haven't read it since 1897... thanks for a smile Els....Roman:0)

  • Great 
  • ttreen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1562 W: 116 N: 3521] (14072)
  • [2008-06-12 19:10]

Hey Els
WOW those are some NOTES! You have been very busy with this one.. All that sewing! Few.. I love how it came out in the end!

Tricia

ps.. had to change my theme idea this week.. the markers just did not do the cast justice :)

Really good and creative work with simple things. Nice composition and lighting.
TFS
Mario

hello Els
creative work with a long story note, it took me sevaral minutes to finish it.
nice presentation friend.
nice texture of the cloth.
Arty work

regards
:)soon

Elegant and sofisticated.
This is a wonderful work.
Exelent!


sabina

Very beautiful composition. Light, sharp, colours and framing are perfect.
Best wishes,
Achim

  • Great 
  • harpya Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4998 W: 178 N: 5838] (31259)
  • [2008-06-13 7:49]

Hello Els

Very well elaborated and idealized.
Interesting details, although not
we see a lot of skins for here.
Good work, beautiful in the colors and details.
We can say of an elegant one to look for that.
I liked Designed by Els.
Congratulations!

Sérgio

Wonderfully creative design and pp work! The contrasts and composition work well, although I'm not completely sold on the flood effect in the context of the image. It all holds together well, though, especially with the stitching:) Now I have to go learn how to do that! I like your concept and workmanship (er...workwomanship!) very much. Excellent!

  • Great 
  • Dingo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3196 W: 365 N: 2641] (11371)
  • [2008-06-13 13:24]
  • [+]

Well, this must be a first: a photograph of... nothing! (I mean the ENC, of course). A lovely story, and a very creative way to photograph invisible clothing, Els. I also like the stitches you use as breaklines, and the ripple filter you've applied.
My nit-pick 'of the day' would be your text: it sort of drowns in the picture on top, especially the clash with the clothes hanger's hook is a lost battle, and below you lost a bit of the l of Els on the right...
As for idea and general processing: your usual high level!
TFS

  • Great 
  • Cyn Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 45 W: 0 N: 10] (288)
  • [2008-06-13 14:25]

Hey els,mooi werkje! goed gedaan ,heel creatief,daar hou ik van!

Interessante lectuur Els, maar de foto treft me nog meer: gewoonweg prachtig hoe jij met naald en draad overweg kunt! Schitterend kledingstuk! Ik bestel er dadelijk één!
;o)
Erik
PS: overigens een mooie compositie met harmonische kleuren.

Olá Els,
Excellent PP work and a great contribution to the theme!
Congratualtions and TFS,

Sergio
on friday

  • Great 
  • wilth Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 209 W: 28 N: 309] (1148)
  • [2008-06-13 22:07]

Hah, I immediately thought of the "emperors clothes" when I saw this theme but came up empty on how to show it.
This is very good, well composed and presented.
Good idea and presentation of same,
TFS,
Wilt

hello Els,

this one of the story that i don't read repeatly because of the emperor silliness. very good idea for this week theme, Els.. you must be very tired from the weaving.. hope this weekend will give you enough resting :)

regards, terry
pl :D

Els, sooo interesting, and elegant :)

Hallo Els,
Wat een geweldig mooie en orginele foto!
en ik heb genoten van het sprookje.Wat een werk heb je daaraan gehad!Maar je hebt er veel mensen plezier mee gedaan,mij zeker!
veel groetjes,
Frieda.

  • Great 
  • Beger Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2949 W: 546 N: 3224] (14342)
  • [2008-06-14 20:09]

Hi Els,
What an excellent research on this theme! Perfectly thought and done! This story is a classic and it is brilliant idea you had to associate it for the theme. I especially like the rich brown tones and the filter effect.
Congratulations! Annie

Hallo Els
Een prachtig stukje PP en leuk verhaal.
Cursus ' licht' van je werpt vruchten af
Compliment Els
Groet
John

  • Great 
  • jone Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1766 W: 61 N: 0] (16203)
  • [2008-06-18 4:37]

Hi Els dear friend ;)
Excellent artwork...I like it, TFS
Best regards,
J ;)

Well composed shot. Very good details and exposure. Well done.

  • Great 
  • c_rapp Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1011 W: 17 N: 1146] (6392)
  • [2008-06-30 18:54]

Loved that story as a child and the picture you have created beautifully here would have made the perfect front cover. This picture is WOW! Great work. TFS
Christan

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