Alexander McQueen:Savage Beauty

Alexander McQueen has been one of my favorite designers since early 2000s.  I was saddened by his sudden passing back in February 2010.  Over a year later, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York City, presented an exhibition of the iconic designer.  To all those who were able to attend, always remind yourself you were witnessing true fashion genius.

“Alexander McQueen was best known for his astonishing and extravagant runway presentations, which were given dramatic scenarios and narrative structures that suggested avant-garde installation and performance art,” Andrew Bolton, the Curator of The Costume Institute, said in a press statement. “His fashions were an outlet for his emotions, an expression of the deepest, often darkest, aspects of his imagination. He was a true romantic in the Byronic sense of the word–he channeled the sublime.”

"Mr. McQueen challenged and expanded the understanding of fashion beyond utility to a conceptual expression of culture, politics, and identity. His iconic designs constitute the work of an artist whose medium of expression was fashion. The exhibition features approximately one hundred ensembles and seventy accessories from Mr. McQueen’s prolific nineteen-year career. Drawn primarily from the Alexander McQueen Archive in London, with some pieces from the Givenchy Archive in Paris as well as private collections, signature designs including the “bumster” trouser, the kimono jacket, and the three-point “origami” frock coat are on view." - Metropolitan Museum of Art Blog

“You’ve got to know the rules to break them. That’s what I’m here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.”

—Alexander McQueen

"McQueen doggedly promoted  freedom of thought and expression and championed the authority of the imagination. In so doing, he was an exemplar of the Romantic individual, the hero-artist who staunchly follows the dictates of his inspiration. One of the defining features of McQueen’s collections is their historicism. While McQueen’s historical references are far-reaching, he was particularly inspired by the nineteenth century, especially the Victorian Gothic. “There’s something . . . kind of Edgar Allan Poe, kind of deep and kind of melancholic about my collections,” McQueen noted. McQueen’s collections were fashioned around elaborate narratives that are profoundly autobiographical, often reflecting his Scottish heritage. Indeed, when he was asked what his Scottish roots meant to him, he replied, “Everything.” McQueen’s national pride is most evident in the collections Highland Rape (autumn/winter 1995–96) and Widows of Culloden (autumn/winter 2006–7). Both explore Scotland’s turbulent political history. Highland Rape was based on the eighteenth-century Jacobite Risings and the nineteenth-century Highland Clearances, and was the first collection to introduce McQueen tartan. McQueen’s romantic sensibilities expanded his imaginary horizons not only temporally but also geographically. As it had been for Romantic artists and writers, the lure of the exotic was central to his work. Like his historicism, McQueen’s was wide ranging—India, China, Africa, and Turkey all sparked his imagination. Japan was particularly significant to him, both thematically and stylistically. The kimono, especially, was a garment that he reconfigured endlessly. Remarking on the direction of his fashions, McQueen said, “My work will be about taking elements of traditional embroidery, filigree, and craftsmanship from countries all over the world. I will explore their crafts, patterns, and materials and interpret them in my own way.” Throughout his career, McQueen returned to the theme of primitivism, which drew upon the ideal of the noble savage living in harmony with the natural world. It was the focus of his first runway collection after graduating, Nihilism (spring/summer 1994). He said of the collection, “It was a reaction to designers romanticizing ethnic dressing, like a Masai-inspired dress made of materials the Masai could never afford.”  Nature was the greatest, or at least the most enduring, influence upon McQueen. It was also a central theme, if not the central theme, of Romanticism. Many artists of the Romantic movement presented nature itself as a work of art. McQueen both shared and promoted this view in his collections, which often included fashions that took their forms and raw materials from the natural world. For McQueen, as it was for the Romantics, nature was also a locus for ideas and concepts. That is most clearly reflected in Plato’s Atlantis (spring/summer 2010), the last fully realized collection the designer presented before his death in February 2010. Inspired by Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species (1859), it presented a narrative that centered not on the evolution of humankind but on its devolution." - Metropolitan Museum of Art Blog

Alexander McQueen's contributions to the entire world will resonate for many years to come.  Posthumously, he is a legendary fashion icon who many around the world admired and emulated.  His fashion made you sit up and take notice.  He not only made artistic statements but he made political ones as well.  He was an irascible figure whose style was known for it's flamboyance and homage to other historical periods, which he revolutionized to include innovative and original interpretation.  This exhibition which ended in early August was an attempt to fill the void from the loss of a brilliant mind.  Let's hope many learn from his 19 year career and incorporate the themes and approaches he utilized throughout it all.

Vintage Hats

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I have a passion for hats, especially vintage hats.  Today I thought I'd showcase some hats from the early to middle 20th Century.  You can purchase some lovely vintage hats at Dorothea's Vintage Closet .

1940s Black Velvet wired asymmetrical wrapped in black ostrich plumes and trimmed with iridescent green/black coq feathers

Pleated 50s clam shell hat in black with velvet trim and bow.

Stunning black sisal 50s New Look platter hat with down turned wide brim, shallow crown and twisting black velvet band. 20" across. Wired "clip" inside crown secures to head (hair pins may be beneficial!).

Chic black velvet 60s wide brim cloche style hat with top stitch detail around deep brim.

 

Angled, asymmetrical 1970s fedora in bright stoplight red. Flipped up on one side with unusual sculpting at crown, side bow where brim turns down.

Pink silk 20s cloche with gilded details. Slubbed silk cloche has golden metallic embroidered band around crown and layer peeking from beneath around face, gathered into fan shape at one side. Small metal painted accent above fan. Lined in silk twill embroidered with name "Lady Supreme"

Earthquake hits the East Coast

So there was an earthquake today on the East Coast.  The epicenter was in Mineral, VA, but it could be felt as far away as Washington DC, NYC, Ohio, and North Carolina.  I'm a native New Yorker and I didn't feel a thing.  It could be that I was walking around at the time...moving friskly...with a friend in Queens at the time NYC felt the quake.  I feel cheated that I missed out on it.  However, I did feel an earthquake in Southern California back in 2000.  It felt like a large truck was barreling down the street.  So I have experienced an earthquake, just not in my hometown.

The Earthquake was recorded at 5.8 magnitude, 3.7 miles deep.  Another reason why I may have not felt the earthquake was because I was walking on street level.  A lot of people in the subways and on the streets didn't all feel the earthquake.  However, people in buildings on higher floors did feel the earthquake for a good 20 seconds.

I didn't even know there was an earthquake until someone called me and asked me if I was alright.  So I turned on the news and watched as New Yorkers seemed panicked.  They kept showing a news clip of Manhattan District Attorney, Cy Vance's press conference.  He was giving a statement when people started getting up and leaving the room.  He tried to assuage their fears and told them he lived in Seattle and experienced earthquakes like this before and they shouldn't be alarmed.

Apparently, it was Manhattan that was affected the most.  Many buildings were evacuated.  A lot of people went on to the streets and left work early.  Mayor Bloomberg gave a press conference and basically said we were very lucky that there wasn't any significant damage.  He did mention that there was a partially collapsed chimney in Brooklyn, but responders were sent there to inspect and investigate.  I also went online and read articles about the earthquake.  I discovered that a NYC building on 125th Street and 7th Avenue was evacuated and cordoned off because it has a major crack in it, as can be seen in the photo up top.

My major concern when I heard about the earthquake was transportation.  I was worried bridges and tunnels and the subway were affected.  They did close the tunnels for a bit.  And they sent responders to inspect all bridges.  Everything looks structurally sound.  I'm glad to report the subway appears undamaged, but in the back of my head I keep thinking, next week I could be on an underground subway and part of the tunnel will collapse on top of my car.  hehe.  I mean I'm not sure how they can check that there's no damage in underground subways.  But I do hope they check thoroughly.

Supposedly the last major earthquake in NYC of this magnitude was back in the 1880s.  A Columbia University Seismologist, Won-Young Kim, stated back this past February that NY was long overdue for an earthquake.  Freaky.  But then again, that's Columbia University for you =)

My thoughts and prayers with the people who were truly affected by this earthquake (NYC just got aftershocks), especially those in Virginia.  Damage in that area was obviously more significant.  

I guess NYC made such a big deal about earthquakes because we're not known for them like California.  I read articles about West Coast people making fun of East Coast people.  One person said, "We have 5.8 for breakfast." lol.

So NYC has to better prepare and equip itself for earthquakes too.  I'm just glad it wasn't worse.  And I still feel cheated I didn't feel it.  hehe

Japanese Street Fashion

I love looking at Fashion from all around the world.  Today I thought I'd showcase Japanese Street Fashion.  Japan began emulating Western Fashion back in the middle of the 19th century and within the past 25 years it's evolved to what's termed as "Japanese Street Fashion."

Some websites you can visit to learn more about Japanese Street Fashion:
Fashion Japan 
FRUits 

"Though the styles have changed over the years, street fashion is still prominent in Japan today. Young adults can often be found wearing subculture attire in large urban fashion districts such as Harajuku, Ginza, Odaiba, Shinjuku and Shibuya". - Japanese Street Fashion

 There are 6 main subcultures of Japanese Street Fashion.
1. Lolita:  Gothic Lolita is heavily influenced from Eastern and Victorian Goth Style.  Liberal use of dark colors, bats, spiders, ruffled or lace-trimmed blouses,knee length socks, bonnets, brooches, and a parasol are common among Goth Lolitas.
Sweet Lolitas are characterized by sweet, child-like fantasy themes. Inspired by fairy tales, baby animals, and Hello Kitty, Sweet Lolitas wear pastel colors, huge head bows, cute purses, elegant parasols, and stuffed animals.
Punk Lolitas are an experimental, deconstructed style.
Classic Lolita is very traditional. It is very mature and business-like and focuses on light colors, such as red, green, and blue.


2. Gyaru, more commonly known as ganguro, today is primarily known for huge girl-glam fashion, breaking the rules of what's considered pretty and making liberal use of man-made fashion (wigs, fake eyelashes, fake nails, etc.). Gyaru is heavily influenced by Western Fashion and styles. Gyaru is about doing what you want, and not letting anyone get you down.  Live free, have fun, be the center of attention, have high self-confidence, and be there for your friends. There are many types of Gyaru; from hip-hop to Goth. Ganguro street fashion became popular in the early 2000s.  A typical look for a "Ganguro Gal" is to wear brightly colored outfits, mini-skirts, and tie-dyed sarongs.  The Ganguro style consists of bleached hair, a dark tan, fake eyelashes, black and white eyeliner, bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces, and platform shoes. 
Kogal (kogyaru) is based on a high school uniform, but with a shorter skirt and loose socks.  The gals call themselves gyaru.  This style was prominent in the 1990s, but since has declined.

3 Bōsōzoku: This style is caricatures of popular anime, manga, and films.  It hasn't been real popular since the 1990s.  The typical bōsōzoku member is often depicted in a uniform consisting of a jumpsuit like those worn by manual laborers or a tokko-fuku (特攻服), a type of military issued over-coat with kanji slogans. These are usually worn open, with no shirt underneath, showing off bandaged torsos and matching baggy pants tucked inside tall boots.

4. Visual Kei: This style consists of striking makeup, unusual hairstyles, and flamboyant costuming. Adrogyny is a popular concept, especially within the entertainment field, like the band Dir En Grey.  

5. Dolly Kei:  This style is newly emerging and is liberally influenced by Japan's view of the Middle Ages and European Fairytales, like the Brothers Grimm.  Style consists of vintage dresses, skirts, and sometimes religious symbols.

6. Fairy Kei: A more sweet lolita, decora blend, with the hint of the '80s, wearing mostly bright pastel colors.

Information for this post was taken from Wikipedia.

Kogyaru

Goth Lolita

Gyaru

Bōsōzoku

Classic Lolita

Sweet Lolita

Gyaru

Visual Kei

Dolly Kei

Fairy Kei

 

Time Magazine's Top 50 websites for 2011

Time Magazine's Top 50 Websites for 2011

So this week Time Magazine released it's Top 50 websites for 2011.  Many were interesting to note and included was Google Plus.  Definitely worth a read to see what the up and coming websites are for this year and to get connected.

I'll showcase my 3 favorites: Proust, Big Think, and Smart History.

Proust is a blogging site where you can write down your autobiography. The site provides you with writer prompts, like what your first day of school was like.  It's a good site to get your family and friends connected.  You can all share your life experiences together.  The set-up is easy and the design is quite lovely.  I highly recommend it.

BigThink is a website that offers articles and information on just about every subject imaginable by resident Big Thinkers who are renowned experts in their chosen fields.  You can read their thoughts and interact with them, as well as learn a lot of useful information from distinguishable scholars.  A definite site to visit if you are looking for quality information on a particular subject.

SmartHistory is a wonderful website for those interested in Art History.  It provides illustrations, photos, and a plethora of information on Art History from the Cave Paintings to Modern Times.  A beautiful website for art aficionados around the world.  Definitely worth a visit.  Viewing beautiful art work is soothing to the soul.

Those are only 3 of the websites from Time's 50.  There were many wonderful websites to check out in areas ranging from music, education, sports, gaming, shopping, and more. 

"You can fool me, but you cannot fool Ernest Hemingway!" - Gil Pender

Gil Pender is a Hollywood writer, who is vacationing in Paris, France with his fiance Inez and her parents.  An affable, self-effacing character, Gil is torn between moving to Paris to write a great novel or to live in Malibu with Inez and continue to work in Hollywood.  He is enraptured by Golden Age thinking.  He's in love with Paris in the 1920's.  Coincidentally, the plot of his novel revolves around a protagonist who works in a nostalgia shop.  While his fiance is enjoying Paris night life, Gil Pender finds himself traveling back in time at the stroke of midnight.  He meets famous literati, like Ernest Hemingway, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein.  They feed his obsession with moving to Paris and living in the place that epitomizes his ideal world view.  He tells his wife Inez that he's walking the streets of Paris as inspiration for his novel.  His wife is too preoccupied with friends and excursions to suspect anything else.  While Gil travels back to 1920s Paris, he meets a beautiful woman named Adriana.  He starts falling in love with her.

I'll stop there.  The movie has a stellar cast with the likes of Kathy Bates and Adrien Brody.  Adrien Brody plays a phenomenal Salvador Dali.  You learn a lot of superficial information about Paris in the last 150 years and encounter notable artists of ages gone by.  This is by far one of Woody Allen's best movies and I highly recommend going to the theater to see it.  After watching the film, I was reminded why I fell in love with Paris, France all those years ago when I first visited it.  A must see for all Francophiles.  The movie presented Paris in the present and in the past.  And it was all glorious.  Do go see it.  It would be money well spent.

Midnight in Paris

" A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous." Coco Chanel

I adore French Fashion and Chanel is one of my all-time favorites.  Although, I personally, prefer vintage Chanel (when Coco Chanel was still alive), I daresay Karl Lagerfeld's revolutionary vision is enticing.  His Fall collection is a mix of street urchin/hipster meets NY young socialites.  Karl Lagerfeld's trompe l'oliel "layered" jackets married a shrunken version of the classic Chanel tweedy cardigan over the boyfriend jacket.  What's interesting to note in the apparel in this collection are the arms/sleeves.  Those were eye-catching accessories with innovative variations.  Instead of wearing pantyhose on your legs, you can wear it "fingerless" on your arms.  Some sleeves were cut slightly before the wrists and then reconnected.  The dresses weren't your usual extended gowns, with puffy waists and such; instead they clung to your body.  Even one ensemble had a long sheer skirt.  Most of the models were wearing over-the-knee spiked black boots.  Hats were used liberally too.  This collection reflects the styles seen in the hipster enclaves all over the world.  It certainly doesn't reflect the tastes of those in my generation, but I'm definitely going to invest in arm and hand accessories.

Notice the fingerless sheer gloves and extremely high boots

I imagine Society Mavens will don this without the boots and arm gloves.

I don't like that the boots match the dress. Overkill.

Hipsters would love this.

I'd wear it without those shades and boots.

This mix and match doesn't do it for me.

Interesting detailing of the skirt.

I love the sequined top, but I'd match it with something else sans boots.

I guess this is the Fall's new little black dress.  Reminds me of BDSM bondage.  hehe

I like how Lagerfeld cut the upper arms out.  Trendy look.

That scarf/cowl she's wearing...I must have.  Trendy.

I can't see underneath the skirt, but I bet she's wearing boots.

I like this outfit, but I wouldn't wear it with the boots.

Why do all their sunglasses look like masks?

Very Hipster-esque. Must have those fingerless arm gloves.

No boots!

Something to wear to bed?

Classic Coco Chanel Tweed Redux.

This outfit I'd wear..including the boots.

I can imagine myself walking down St. Mark's Place in this.

Imagine the dress without the arm gloves.

" If I died tomorrow, I would be a happy girl." - Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse

L.A. based artist Jason Mecier has captured Amy Winehouse in this incredible portrait made out of 5,000 multi-colored painkillers.

I think the legend of Amy Winehouse will be around for a very long time and she has and will influence many artists now and to come.  RIP Amy.

We just know inside that we're queens. And these are the crowns we wear. (Felecia McMillan)

For the last two years hats have been all the rage here in NYC.  I own quite a few pairs myself.  There was a day and age when hats were every day accoutrements.  I'm not saying we're seeing a comeback, because I may be blinded by Golden Age Thinking.  However, it's refreshing to have another option when formulating your ensemble for the day.  The perfect hat can make or break the fashion statement.  There are a couple of wonderful milliners here in the city.  Today I thought I'd showcase some lovely cloches and invoke your inner flapper.  All hats can be purchased for a mildly expensive price at Barbara Feinman Millinery.

Bondage Cloche

Classic Cloche

Crochet Cloche

Sunny Cloche