Before you get all excited and concerned, this is not a post sponsored by anyone but me - coinage had to be shelled out for that volumne sitting on my work table. It just happens that it has provided my brain with some choice art-related thoughts as regards fashion and writing...and both so handily encased within these 758 pages of the Vogue fall issue.
Because girls like fashion and I'm a girl [listen, it's not a news flash that females remain girls-at-heart no matter what age they are. I remember my grandmother, in her 80's, feeling pretty in a new shawl] - yes, a girl, who does have an interest in fashion.
First I need to address the frivolousness of fashion. Fashion is something a person can pay attention to when they have the means to do so. When you live in survival mode - as so many do in many parts of this world - fashion simply applies to the idea of covering your body and keeping warm or protected from the elements. There was a time in my life when my children were young when money was tighter than a smartly tuned snare drum. The only way I could clothe them for school that year was a trip to the thrift store and "fashion" had nothing to do with the clothing choices.
However, I also know that the female psyche, when given the least opportunity, will put into play that inner desire to feel pretty. The year following the thrift store wardrobe I could afford the next step up to a discount store and believe me, these two little girls spent quite a bit of time finding what matched and trying to find what would suit their individual ideas of themselves. As the years progressed and our finances stabilized, we could shop "up" a bit, but always on the clearance racks and on sales days. ["Riches" have never been a part of my life. No complaints, just how it is.] Then when they were grown I would get phone calls like "Mom! Guess what I found at the bebe shop!" Of course this daughter would also proudly tell me she got it off the clearance rack for 60% discount. So. I know.
Here's an aside: as I was doing a bit of research I came across the new book by author James Mollison titled "Where Children Sleep." I was struck by the chasms caused by money and lack thereof; the gulfs between the priviledged and those without current choices- see the photos of the 4-year old in Japan compared to that of the 7-year old in Nepal . What a world in which we live.
Now back to fashion and Vogue. I decided to take my artist eye through this issue and I must say, I was treated to some dazzling designs and subjected to some awful misses. Remember, this is my commentary, my eye alone, but I'd be curious to know if you agree with some of it. Since this issue is the big Fall Fashion Extravaganza I figured it would give a wealth of current fashion choices.
The Dazzling Designs:
- Very soon into the magazine I came across a Bottega Veneta dress that just blew me away - it's the dress that caught my eye. I think it's part of their Women's Fall-Winter 2011/2012 collection although I couldn't tell in the slideshow if this dress was there although others similar were. It is artistically stunning with layers and folds and softness and brilliant imagination. The model is wearing the Peridot Pollock Print Silk Bejewelled Shoe - I think...and it looks as if that is also the print in the dress. My whole point is that this dress is artistic fashion to my eye. I want to also mention the photography of the two-page spread because it was done by acclaimed artistic photographer Robert Polidori.
- Next came the pages for the Donna Karan Fall collection. Are these dazzling designs? In one way no, but in another yes. I find these designs elegant and clean and almost architecturally artistic. One in particular is quite beautiful, the 'Look #39.' This gown could almost have been sculpted in marble. The only thing I wish...from an artist point-of-view...is that "they" would have made this dress in a real size and modeled it on a woman who has more curves; that would have done the design so much more justice.
- Now Escada has been around awhile and not all their designs are, to me, dazzling; rather many seem variations on themes already done...having said that, however, a coat on one page is just plain appealing. It is spare in detail, uber long in length with a skinny belt a bit above waist high. Artistically it is clean and exact. [I would have looked great in it when I was 25.]
- This one...I'm not sure if it's the dress or the page layout, butthe photography is beautiful...moody, atmospheric, evocative of poetry and novels read late into the night. The model is sitting wearing a long dress and long cloak. I think the dress is the one from the Leon Max collection at maxstudio, 'Long Halter Dress.' Couldn't find the cloak. But my artist eye was drawn to the setting...it is very like a painting.
- The next dazzling design isn't an article of clothing...it's a watch. By Bvlgari. A Serpenti quartz watch with "...an 18kt pink gold case set with round brilliant-cut diamonds. It features a black sapphire dial and a one twirl 18kt pink gold bracelet set with round brilliant-cut diamonds and onyx...." Artistically this is just gorgeous [come on, pink gold!]. I love the play of black and white, smooth and angled, and organic and mechanical. If I did indeed have "riches" this is a watch I would wear.
- My final choice of mention isn't women's clothing, it's men's. This particular page in the magazine features a rather dashing fellow [reminds me of the actor Peter Gallagher who I've been watching on the tv series Covert Affairs] in an ad for Brioni, and wearing a simply beautiful vested suit. If I thought my husband would wear a suit...well that will never happen - software engineers don't wear ties don-cha know! Artistically I mention this one because I love the color play of the gray scale. As an artist you learn much about color by studying gray, black and white.
Now for the awful misses...well, here at Mosaic Mandalas it isn't my policy to dwell on the negatives. Allow me to say that most of the footwear for women shown on these models would never find their way into my closet. Come on! Really? Imagination is one thing, sure, but parady of design is something else again. The only miss I'll mention is actually a segue into the Intriguing Writing portion of this post. And for that you'll have to wait until next time!
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