Cynthia Rowley, Fall 2010

Ok my last post about being home (I promise).  It just was a week of firsts

1) First time (last time) I turned 30

2) First time selling comics

3) First time presenting at the national art therapy conference

4) First Iphone

5) First time seeing a Mcqueen dress in person

6) First time teaching my nephews and niece how to catch lightening bugs

and one more first, which is relevant to this blog....

7) First designer purchase!

Over a year ago Cynthia Rowley collaborated with Gagosian Gallery where she had some of her runway looks photographed and then superimposed on fabric.  I was really taken by the idea and the discussion it brought up about the current state of fashion, appropriation, and the speed that information is handed to us.  All this thinking in one dress, it really symbolized for me fashion as art, which at its best it is.  So a season later I found myself in NYC (to see the Mcqueen show) and finally decided that I had thought about it long enough and that I was going to get one of the fabric panels!  I am a frugal gal, so this kind of decision doesn't come often.   

           

                        

My poor mother who came into the city with me and who is more frugal then me (how do you think I became that way) was stuck with hearing me justify my need for this purchase.  She didn't really question it, maybe she thought it was one of those art things that she was just going to take my word on.   The supportive mother she is, went along with it and watched as I had the Gagosian staff search for their remaining stock of fabric panels, so I could choose one to take home.  I decided on this yellow number, because of the lace detail, yellow color, and hint of pink (a color I am growing very fond of, which would of made my younger tomboy self cringe).  Later my mom being the bargain hunter that she is, told me that she was going to ask the staff for a discount since it was from a past show I told her how thankful I was that she didn't...If she had I would of possibly let out a teenage whining voice that said "mommmmmmm" and emphasized that she was being totally uncool.

                      

Technically it is meant to be cut out and resewn as a dress, but I like it in the panel form and plan to hang it on the wall as is.  Thank god for an artist husband who doesn't mind it being hung above the couch.  

After I bought it I thought about this as my first designer purchase and how backwards a purchase it was....to be hung on the wall and not even worn on the streets.  Oh well, maybe my second purchase will be a more functional item.  

For now I am happy....now any ideas how to frame fabric :)  stretch it like a canvas?

Alexander Mcqueen, Spring 1999

When I was home a few weeks ago I was fortunate to go see the Mcqueen show at the MET with my mom.  It was so amazing and moving!  The ambiance was like I had never witnessed before in an art show.  One gets so use to seeing art surrounded by white walls and silence, this show was the complete opposite.  The music and overall look of the show really held my attention and helped me to stay in the moment, which if you know me isn't the easiest thing for me to do.  It was great to see everyday people admiring his work.  I'm sure the ambiance helped them stay present too and not rush, but slowly take in the show.  The show offered non-fashion people a chance (possibly the first chance) to experience fashion as an art form.  I wish I had paid the extra money for the headphones that offered additional information while you walk through.  There was so much to look at within the show, that at the end I was exhausted.  I wish I had the time to go back to NYC and see it again.    

The above look was exhibited in the show and was accompanied by a video of the dress being created.  The construction of the dress is amazing, I love the back and how its synched in with a belt causing the front to bellow out, which you can't see in this drawing so you might as well check out the video below to see what I mean.  If you are going to be in NY go see this show, seriously unforgettable.  

Anna Sui, Spring 2011

This past weekend I got to celebrate my 30th birthday with friends in Chicago.  It was a very relaxing fun time hanging out on the beach lazy like.  I was planning on posting a style memory look based on what I wore as a child on one of my birthdays, but the majority of my photos are on the east coast and without the photos I have no idea what I wore.  Have you ever wondered what would you actually remember without photos to trigger it?  So instead, I dreamed up what runway look would I wear to my BBQ birthday party.  I would definitely be over dressed for the event and no doubt would drop ketchup on it, but I think I would have to wear this Anna Sui number.  It seems light and breezy and the crown of flowers could substitute for a birthday hat.  Love the 20's feel, gorgeous.

Dear Ms.  Sui as we know you are an avid reader of this blog and before you feel bad for forgetting just know its never too late to send me a birthday present...have your assistant call mine.  ciao, Seeley

Street Style, Chicago: 2011

Went to a Burger fest this past weekend, no one really stood out except for this little lady.  I love that for her a butterfly collar is the perfect thing to wear when eating a burger.  Very Janeane Garofalo from Reality Bites.  

Vivienne Westwood Red Label, Spring 2011

" Mam tells us there was a terrible flood, that the rain came down the lane and poured in under our door.  They tried to stop it with rags but they only turned sopping wet and let the rain in.  People emptying thier buckets made it worse  and there was a sickening stink in the kitchen.  She thinks we should stay upstairs as long as there is rain.  We’ll be warm through the winter months, and then we can go downstairs in the springtime if there is any sign of a dryness in the walls or the floor.  Dad says its’s like going on our holidays to a warm foreign place like Italy, That’s what we’ll call the upstairs from now on, Italy. " Angela's Ashes, p. 96

I find myself thinking of Angela’s Ashes and this particular passage while in my apartment these last few sweltering days.  To combat the heat Peter and I have been living in half our apartment with the AC running.  Luckily, a hallway door can be closed to make this possible.  Our AC unit could never cool down the whole place, so this set up makes our apartment comfortable,  boy does it make a difference!  I have been avoiding the kitchen and other half of the apartment, which is humid and might as well be India.  I think I will name our new little apartment, Alaska.  

Above is the perfect look to wear while living in Alaska.  Its breathable and a bit tribal, the kind of combination you need when you are living in only a portion of your apartment.  

Street Style, Washington D.C. Spring 2011

Not only did I go to Maine, but I also found myself in D.C. last week attending, presenting, and selling comics at AATA national conference.  It was my first time presenting at the national conference and my first time ever selling comics, both experiences caused me to be excited and nervous at the same time.  Below are some shots of my wares.  I made a "kit and kaboodle" kit, which included 5 art therapy themed comics.  I was so happy when I sold out of these.  I think the best part of the experience was seeing people read the comic and hearing how they relate to them.  It reaffirmed for me that what I thought were personal feelings, thoughts, and questions are really universal and relatable to most.  I am inspired to make more!   If you can't wait to get your hands on my goods, check out my etsy store.

I kept reminding myself to not focus on sales, but to be proud of the fact that I made it to this point.  Two years ago when I started this series, I never knew where it would take me...I still don't, but I am enjoying the journey.

Another first in D.C. was seeing some killer style.  I always associated D.C. with suits and was surprised to see some girls walking around with a sense of style worthy of this blog (I kid, I kid more like worthy of Sartorialist).  Friends and I went for a marathon walk around the Mall and other monuments.  I saw the above number while visiting the Lincoln Memorial.  The wearer was speaking french and apparently has a thing for stripes and bows.  

out of focus...sorry.  I was so excited when I had my first sale that I took a picture of me and my amazing first customer (recent SAIC grad)

rodarte in upstate NY

Something I have been playing around with...inserting the character into the scene that I am writing about.  Let me know what you think of the idea.  Are you a fan of the all white image or do you like this added layer?