Fashion
Another favorite from the Jean Paul Gaultier show. Who doesn't need a hat that also functions as a jacket?
Plus a sampling of what I'm listening to now.
Enjoy.
[spotify id="spotify:user:1265985763:playlist:3MKab9weAPGNWULOyx9f0m" width="300" height="380" /]
Ribbons have always fascinated me. Light bounces off the curves of a twirled or twisted silky strand, glowing electric white at the peaks and darkening deeply in the valleys. This high contrast of light and dark makes the ribbon one of my most favorite subjects to draw.
At the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at The Brooklyn Museum of Art, I was struck by an exquisitely-made corset sewn together with salmon silk ribbon.
Ballooning over a woman's hips, blossoming above her full breasts, the ribbons in the corset highlight and accentuate the beauty of the female form. The corset is both delicate and tough at the same time; the sensual, curvilinear lines in the garment are balanced by a tightly bound, hard lacing that shapes the body into near-impossible ideals. Tightly wound at top and spilling into beautiful chaos below.
She is bathed in pink luxury, exuding a strong, confident sexuality... while still retaining a touch of vulnerability as she comes undone.
Shot at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. All photos by Nicole Weiler.
Another piece from the ink drawing series I began a few years ago {first seen here}.
Both sketches are inspired by fashion advertisements - the woman on the left was discovered in an old Ralph Lauren ad and the lips on the right were cropped from a David Yurman feature.
What initially drew me to these images was the sense of drama inherent in each photo. Each seemed to harbor a secret, somewhat foreboding story. Further cropping the subjects with my pen, I accentuated and heightened the sense of mystery and danger lurking beneath the surface. Together, the sketches speak to each other and create an even more complex and dark tale... left for the viewer to create.
A colorful silk scarf is my go-to accessory, oftentimes the final piece I throw on to complete an outfit. An instant mood booster, a quick pop of color, a conversation starter... I love a good scarf.
That being said, I am very excited about Alexander McQueen's collaboration with Damien Hirst.
The fashion house has teamed up with the artist to create a collection of 30 limited edition scarves incorporating the iconic McQueen skull and elements inspired by Hirst's Entomology series.
While I am not always the biggest fan of Hirst's work (depends on the piece), I do love his Entomology series. The exactingly symmetrical overall patterns Hirst constructs using butterflies, beetles, and other entomological specimens are stunning. For me, they recall ancient mural works and weavings.
"Tityus" by Damien Hirst, 2012
Hirst's trippy, kaliedoscopic patterns translate beautifully into scarf designs.
And the film shot for the collection by Sølve Sundsbø {below} is just as beautiful and inspiring.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK_-Ycn69sg&w=560&h=315]
{scarf images courtesy of www.damienhirst.com}
Fashion is transformative. Personal styling is a form of communication, a way to express one's own unique view on the world, a tool to enhance self image and boost career.
My wardrobe choices reflect my emotional state, my plans for the day, my goals for the near future, my current art or music obsession...
But beyond expressing different aspects of my personality and mood, my outfit choices are used to raise my spirits, encourage me to take risks, and completely change the course of my day.
Every year I feel a certain sadness as summer transitions to fall. While I treasure autumn the absolute most of all the seasons (the crisp cool air, the buttery yellow and fiery orange leaves, the excitement of starting anew), I always experience a sense of loss as summer slowly dies away.
I need my sartorial choices to not only combat the increasingly chilly temperature but to also battle melancholy.
An instant mood booster? Leopard kicks. Always.
Shot in Williamsburg. All photos by Chris Weiler. Wearing {a comfortable and quirky ensemble, two prints that never fail to make me smile}:
Anthropologie floral print blanket sweater, American Apparel black tank, J. Brand jeans, Opening Ceremony x Keds leopard pony hair sneakers