ABOUT  THE  DESIGNER - TWAIN REVELL

Twain Revell is a designer who involves herself in all aspects of fashion design.  Not only will Twain design for you, but she will teach you how to do it yourself.  To share her enthusiasm for the fine art of   spinning, Twain gives an informative lecture called “Where Do Our Clothes Come From?” complete with videos, the demonstration of plucking an angora rabbit, and unraveling the cocoon of a silkworm.

A native Chicagoan, Twain Revell moved to Washington, DC to attend Howard University majoring in marketing.  An education which proved to be the ammunition with which she makes the fashion business of Twain’s Twines.  Originally focused on custom design, Twain’s Twines has established itself as a unique fashion house with an educational component.  Having a spinning curriculum for beginner, intermediate, and exotic fibers, Twain Revell has taught for the Weaver’s Connection in Savage, MD and the Springwater Fiber Workshop of Alexandria, VA.  The classes are available as four week courses and intensive weekends.

After living in the Washington, DC area for twenty years, she relocated to New York where Twain’s Twines produces one-of-a-kind mudcloth coats with knitted sleeves and hoods from her handspun yarns.

The designs of Twain’s Twines have been published in Jumping the Broom by Harriet Cole, former Fashion Editor of ESSENCE magazine; the cover of BLACK ELEGANCE, October 1993; ACCESSORIES, January 1994; and McCall Pattern Magazine Winter 1994/95.  The line of afrocentric accessories have retailed at Marshall Field’s Chicago; Hudson’s Detroit; Rich’s Atlanta; and Nordstrom’s New Jersey stores.  ESSENCE BY MAIL featured the Mudcloth Wrap by Twain’s Twines in the Spring 1994 catalog from which The McCall Pattern Company purchased and requested to license the pattern for the Mudcloth Wrap.  The Mudcloth Wrap and other original accessories from Twain’s Twines by Twain Revell for McCall Patterns was released worldwide November 1, 1994.

While Corresponding Secretary of the New York City Chapter of the National Conference of Artists in 1995, Twain traveled to Senegal, Africa to gain first-hand knowledge of the handicrafts of African artisans.

Twain’s Twines contemporary mudcloth accessories for men’s formal wear were featured on the television soap opera One Life to Live on February 14-15, 1995 for Hank and Sheila’s wedding.

As a featured artist for Kwanzaa Fest ’96, Twain appeared on television’s ABC Eyewitness News and NBC’s Today Show.

July 1997, Twain Revell was commissioned by EXPLUS, Inc. of Dulles, VA to create title panels and two 6x8 foot maps of ancient Africa made from her patchwork mudcloth.  These works are on permanent display at the Horace M. Peterson III Visitor Center of the Jazz Museum at 18th & Vine, Kansas City, MO.

August 1998, the Harlem Venture Group voted Twain Revell Entrepreneur of the Month.  For the holiday season 1999-2000, Twain’s Twines opened a store at the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market in New York City.

Twain Revell is a featured artist at the following venues: New York City’s Autumn Crafts Festival on the Plazas of Lincoln Center September 9, 10, 16 and 17, 2006.  One-of-a-Kind Show and Sale at Merchandise Mart, Chicago, Illinois December  8-10, 2006.