Making stage wear for Grammy winners.

Blame the ADHD part of me, or covid, but it’s been 7 years since my last blog post ! Ha! That sounds like I’m at an AA meeting ;)

Well, better late than never.

I’ve got so much to tell you.

So , where were we? The last time I blogged, I was telling you all about the kimonos, capes and robes and hand-painted stage wear I’d made for relatively new but awesome New Orleans band, Tank & the Bangas. I’d ended up meeting them and falling in love with Tank’s golden spirit and New Orleans flavour.

Well , in 7 years , Tank only went and won a Grammy after being nominated the previous year, for Spoken Word album, The Heart, The Mind, The Soul. If you haven’t heard it yet, I highly

recommend you give it a listen, it gives me the goosebumps in the best way.

Since making that first batch of portrait kimonos , I’d go on to create a whole lot more for Tank and the band, including a bright red collection for their album tour of Red Balloon . One of my proudest moments was seeing the video of Tank stepping out on stage at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado , arms aloft showing her hand painted portraits on both sleeves , multiple portraits on her back and the gem encrusted hood on her dramatic red cape robe. She looked magnificent and so did the rest of the band rocking their totally unique , bespoke , red portrait robes of their own.

Tank and me back stage

Well, fast forward to 2025 and here I am being called up on stage to present Tank with the kimono to commemorate her prestigious Grammy win! Talk about proud moment! I’d created a very special robe in shades of chocolate brown and gold to echo the dress Tank wore on that very auspicious night. On the back I had painted and appliqued a portrait of Tank in that dress and underneath was a depiction of the Grammy award itself . On the front , either side of the opening , were hand painted portraits of both Tank and her musical director and friend, Norman who shared the Grammy with her.

Here’s me in my personal memorial kimono next to Tank in her Grammy winner robe

Another ( multiple) Grammy winner who has a few pieces of my wearable art is the “ Mozart of our generation” Jacob Collier. I created a very special short kimono jacket for him combining all the various elements of his Djesse albums into one garment and then featuring his logo on the back. Jacob would go on to perform his hit track You’re All I Need on The Late Show on US television wearing it . Another very proud moment.

Jacob in his short kimono robe ( I’ve got the same crocs!)

Probably my proudest moment of all , was seeing one of my sheroes and another Grammy award winner, Miss Jill Scott herself (!) wearing not one , but two of my bespoke , unique kimonos on stage.

So if you’ve been to a Jill Scott concert recently and wondered “ Who made the kimonos for Jill Scott?”

Well that would be me.

Jill in her pink patchwork portrait kimono

Yup, that’s the other one I made her blowing bubbles on the right.

And you too could have one of your own.

Imagine that?

You can dress like a Grammy winner too!

Custom artistic clothing can be found at Diane Goldie Artist. I create bespoke hand-painted garments — from statement kimonos and robes to wearable sculptures — designed to reflect your personality, story, and spirit. Each piece is painted, stitched, and customised by hand, making it a true one-off work of art you can wear.

Unlike mass-produced “art-inspired” fashion, my work is authentic wearable art — bold, expressive, and tailored to the individual. I also offer commissions, where we collaborate to create a garment that feels uniquely yours.

So don’t dream it … be it!