Valentino Couture, SS 2011

Dear Mr. Valentino,

I am guessing that you would not be amused that your beautiful couture dress makes me think of Dumb Donald, a Fat Albert Character.  Would it make you feel better knowing that it didn't at first?  First I was attracted to its light, flowy-ness and odd silhouette, but after I drew it the bell shape just kind of took on new pop culture meaning. You really did have a beautiful show.  Maybe after reading this Fat Albert will inspire your next couture show.  In which case I better go get me an oversized pink hat and be a trendsetter.  You heard it hear, Dumb Donald's hat style is the hottest trend next season!

Street Style, Chicago: 2011

Far from yesterday couture post, here is some 90's grunge style which is all over the place these days.  I believe it will become the art school uniform for the season.  Why its easy, comfy, cheap, and requires a hat to hid one's greasy hair.  This is another street style post and a first look at style from behind.  If her tights weren't ripped my cartoon self probably wouldn't be wearing her look.  It just gives the look an extra push in some imaginary style/inspiration direction.  Not that I am ripping all my tights, in fact I still get really upset when they tear, which happens often because I am tall and sometimes try to squeeze into too short of tights, damn legs.

Christian Dior Couture, SS 2011

                                                    

This dress is luscious.  I shouldn't be so frowny in the drawing.  Before Galliano was caught with a potty mouth it looks like he was looking back at classic Dior. 

On an art history note, the color scheme of this dress reminds me of Georgia O'Keefe's "Sky Above Clouds IV". 1965.  She was inspired to make the piece after being in a plane and looking at the clouds below her.  I have to agree, I always enjoyed seeing the clouds from that perspective.

I found this picture I took a long time ago on my way to Florida for my Opa's funeral.  Who knew I was channeling O'Keefe.  pale orange/pink and light blue what a color combo!

Seeking out style

I once read that you should look at a traffic jam or a delayed flight as unplanned time to just relax.  A long those lines, I have recently found myself paying attention to those parts of the day that I once thought of as just those connecting minutes or hours before something interesting happened.  This new found consciousness is in part due to the recent workshop I presented (along with Lesley Hawley) at where I talked about how to bring ones creativity to the workplace not just for clients and the organization, but for ones own sanity.

So now when I am riding the train, waiting for Peter, or find myself with time that use to piss me off because it was delaying what I had planned...I am looking, looking at people's style.  Not just fashion forward, straight out of lookbook, but how various people from various style tribes communicate to outsiders who they are and what they are about.  

For instance there is this train conductor who I am obsessed with who wears the traditional uniform, but has the name "Ruby" tattooed on his knuckles.  He stands out from the normal conductor, I can see the individual, or at least imagine the individual.

I like to guess what "style tribe" people belong too and its sad to see so much of the same blah, solid color look.  People don't know what they are missing!  Bring some pattern into your life!  I know not everyone thinks, wants, and or uses clothes to tell people who they are, but its way more interesting when they do!







Writing about this makes me think of the photographer Nikki Lee. Who's work plays with the idea of identity and collaboration.  "Lee immersed herself in various communities, taking on the style and mannerisms of groups as varied as urban-dwelling Hispanics, hip-hop performers, strippers, young Korean school girls and trailer park residents in Ohio. After becoming an accepted member of the group, she would document the project by having her newly made friends snap the photographs that became her art". artinfo.com, by Magdalene Perez.   All photos in this post are from Nikki Lee's series.

Street Style, Chicago spring 2011

So to follow up with my ever broadening search and interest in seeing identity through style I have decided to expand my series and begin looking at not just runway, but street style.  Again I am not so interested in documenting the fashion forward people as I am in documenting any individual, male or female, child or adult who's style shares a story and expresses something.  So to start things off....


                                                         

I saw this girl walking in wicker park.  The best part about her was that her lime green hair matched her lime green head phones. From a far I couldn't tell what was going on with her legs, but as she got closer I noticed she had on funky tights. 

Easter Bonnet MIA

What happened to the Easter Bonnet?  Can't Americans dress up for anything?  In general we are such a boring tribe and I think its getting worse.  I predict that our lack of style runs parallel to our increase eating of fake-processed-instant food.  We don't realize our food tastes blah, just like we don't realize that our style says blah.

This past Sunday at Easter Mass, my above prediction was all around me.  While I was secretly excited to see some killer Easter attire, I was extremely let down by the lack of color and hats!  Most people had on black, and I only saw one Easter bonnet on some squirmy girl. 

At the initial time of writing this I was awaiting the arrival of dinner guests to celebrate Easter and to my surprise and delight Maurene wore a bonnet.  Not technically a bonnet, but it was sassy and filled my need to see something marvelous on top of one's head.  Thanks Maurene.  I have already decided that next years Easter dinner will have mandatory hat wearing and if you don't have a hat we will have a hat making craft area with feathers, glue, flowers, and bedazzling things. 

Givenchy Couture, SS 2011

If I had known that the processed-instant-style congregation was not going to have some true Easter attire spirit I would have asked Givenchy if could borrow the look below.  I'm not sure what would get me more looks, the hat or see through top, but I would be willing to take the risk, to get us back to wearing some Easter bonnets and actually dressing up for a change.

Side note: If you watched the Oscars this year, Cate Blanchett wore a dress from this collection.  It got mixed reviews, because it was not the typical Oscar dress.  She took a risk, but she should of gone full over the top by wearing the above number. 

image from here

please note a fashion typology first of exposed cartoon breasts.  Even though its just a drawing, I am a shy girl and showing myself in cartoon form with my breasts exposed is anxiety provoking, but if any look deserved to be drawn as is, this one does.  I need a tshirt that says "I'll show my breasts for Givenchy"

Giambattista Valli, Spring 2011

No its not a torso disconnected from legs, its a shear top over white bloomers.  Below is a comic demonstrating my art complex regarding selling rocks and string for $10,000

Band of Outsiders, Spring 2011

Dear Band of Outsiders, 

You challenge my notion that I can find everything I need at a thrift store.  In my perfect world I would stumble upon this dress at the Salvation Army marked 4.95 and it would be a sales day so I would get it for half that.  I would love it even more.  I think this would be an amazing sales campaign....kind of like Willy Wonka's Golden ticket.  A designer could donate designer goods to the Salvation Army and we the public could go crazy looking for them!

artist-slumber party

If I played Skeleton’s in the Closet at an artists-sleepover, my revealing news would be, I quickly right off most art.  If it doesn’t interest me in 2 seconds I am not going to spend any more time trying to get it. It is this type of thinking when it becomes perfectly clear to me that I don’t have an MFA.  I’m not sure how it happens but in grad school it appears that one grows the ability to have invisible trust in the art, to accept it or at least spend time looking and trying to accept it. That is a magical, mystical power to have.  At times I have this power, but its not consistent. 

Maybe my trouble isn’t my lack of an MFA or patience…its my narrow definition of what should be in a gallery.  If I get dressed up to go to a gallery, I go with the hopes of feeling inspired (and getting free wine and cheese), but so often I feel uninspired.  Which then leads to me thinking its bullshit, which then leads to me questioning the pricing, which then leads me to wondering how this got in a gallery to begin with.

I just had a MFA-furry-lovable-guy read this post and he says “People viewing art may all have the same gut reaction, but its how one articulates their gut reaction that makes the difference”.  He also added that its about time I get over my “lacking an MFA complex”.

More art commentary to come…In the mean time what skeleton would you reveal at an artist-sleepover?

Holly Fulton, Spring 2011

Love the cloudy motif.  Its the perfect dress to wear when you arrive to a chic sleepover.  Who would be at a chic sleep over...Anna, Marc, Vivienne, etc.  How much do you want to bet that Andrew Leon Talley shows up with a Louis Vuitton sleeping back (watch the September Issue if that reference goes over your head).  

Speaking of slumber parties here is a classic 90210 slumber party scene when the girls decide to play Skeleton's in the Closet...oh the drama!

David Koma, Spring 2011

This past weekend when I was ranting at an artist’s price sheet (10,000 dollars for rocks and string on the floor). I was quickly reminded to not just throw an artist under the bus for their over priced objects and was told a story with an art-moral to help the drive the point home.  Once upon a time there was this artist who was selling crude drawings for 5,000 dollars a women went up to this artist and said “How long does it take to draw this?” The artist replied “about two hours”.  The women then said “how can you charge 5,000 dollars for a drawing that only took two hours?”  The artist replied, “because this drawing took me 33 years to make.”

Do you see the art lesson in the story? I am currently repricing my drawings to now match my new theory on how 29 years of insecurity make these fashion comics possible.  It’s a nice theory, but its not going to become artistic law anytime soon in my book.

Pedro Lourenco, Spring 2011

The kid is just so talented I couldn't resist drawing another look.  Not only is the dress beautiful, but it could be the perfect option for a woman with a flabby underarm.  The upper silhouette can cover the problem area...score.

Pedro Lourenco, Spring 2011

This Brazilian designer is 19 years old!  What was I doing at the age of 19? Its amazing that at such an early age you can have such a distinct, original look.  Remember being 19 and thinking it can't get better then Cindy Sherman?  Ok, maybe you don't but I do!  It will be fun to see where he goes and what comes of such an early career.  Pedro, please take a clue from Britney and Lindsey, stay focused...don't let it go to your head.

artist identity

My parallel worlds are colliding this week, just as I was stressing about feathers being attached to my hair, I have been preparing to present (with Lesley Hawley) at Mount Mary’s Art Therapy Symposium.  The title of our presentation is “Sustaining Creativity: Invigorating Your Therapy Practice by Maintaining Your Artistic Connection”.  Basically how can you use your artist identity to inform your art therapy practice. 

The whole point of the lecture is to challenge the audience to identify aspects of their artist personality/interests that they can bring to the work place.  It’s funny that I am lecturing on such a topic and at the same time stressing about feathers in my hair. 

So I am going to take some of my own advice and listen to the support and much needed slap-back-to-reality from my two supervisors, Barb and Lesley, and start really focusing on how I can bring even more of my artist identity to work.  Nurtured artist equals happy therapist.  Time to go get more feathers put in my hair.

Some images of the oh so cool and artsy Bower bird. picture from here.  If you had to be reincarnated this wouldn't be a bad choice, that is if you get a choice.

Sportmax, Spring 2011

Sonia Rykiel, Spring 2011

Love the color combo and love this top, if thats not an endorsement I don't know what is.  p.s. Sonia you can send me the top, since I have provided my readers with this wonderful review. 

Feathers

Two weeks ago I wrote about my love for Frieda Kahlo inspired hair do’s, since my hair is not long enough I have not been able to try it out for myself.  However, if I was to be fully honest EVEN if my hair was long enough I don’t know if I would try it,  Its one thing to walk around in the comfort and security of my house, but another to take it to the streets.  This cautious part of my personality is something I have been trying to challenge lately because it feels less like Its protecting and more like its constraining me.  The powers that be must of known I needed a little shove in the “go get them” department because when I got my hair cut this past weekend I was approached in the salon to see if I wanted feathers put in my hair.  The cautious side asked “is it permenant” and they replied no, which made me believe they must be feathers placed on a barrette.  It wasn’t until I was getting feathers placed in my hair that I realized they were there to stay….at least for a while.  I did not have the safety of a barrette and the choice to remove them and was only told that eventually they would come out.  Many thoughts went through my head, such as what will they think at work? 

At home I liked my feathers, but I debated whether I should take them out (some how), so I didn’t have to risk the questions or disapproval looks at work.  Instead I had a pep talk with myself and decided that these feathers were brought into my life for a reason, to challenge my cautious side and take chances showing my artsy side.

I’m not going to lie it was nerve racking walking in.  But to my surprise people liked them and I got a lot of compliments.  The lesson that I learned was, yes at times it makes sense to listen to the cautious voice, but when it completely shuts out the little art voice – that’s not good either.   

So Today’s challenge dear 16 followers, is to challenge your cautious voice and try and listen to that creative voice that says “go for it”.  Its scary, but you will be practicing being true to yourself, which will bring more happiness then hiding and just surviving. 

More on this topic to come…

Cynthia Steffe, Spring 2011

If fashion had a camouflage they might use this print or you could just wear the dresses below, for those days when you just want to blend in.

California based artists Artists Adrienne Pao and Robin Lasser made these "tent dresses" In there artist statement they say "We are interested in the land and the body as sites of seduction. Dress Tents are a fusion of architecture, the body and the land played out through living sculpture, moving images and still photography".

For more info or to see more tent dresses visit their website.

Cynthia Rowley, Spring 2011

Here is my hip suburbia dress, which I am sure Cynthia Rowley did not have in mind when she picked the silhouette, but who knows.  What will make me hipper then the other soccer moms is the circle cutouts near the hemline.  To get us all in the suburbia mood, lets look at Bill Owens series called...you guessed it "Suburbia".

Marc by Marc Jacob, Spring 2011

My short curly hair looks like a hot mess.  Its kind of bride of frankenstein.  Here is what the experts have to say "Alongside a lovely selection of full-skirted, even demure, sundresses (the last outfit was irresistible) was a new take on the sweater girl (purest rah-rah when he belted a navy jumper over short shorts)". style.com, Tim Blanks

On another note I figured out my "drawing someone running" dilemma. First I had to muster up some patience, easier said then done and then I took out my trusty pencil with an eraser.  Five years ago I would never have the patience to use a pencil, too time consuming.  If as you read this you question how an eraser could be at all time consuming then you don't understand how little patience I can have.  Eventually quality trumped time and I began drawing with a pencil and then used pen over that, which is what I currently do for my fashion comics.  Below is an example of when I first started drawing comics and now.  The kid-like style is still there, but it has become a lot cleaner.  My goal is too be as descriptive as I can be with the fewest lines.   

I continue to hate the process of improving, but I have to admit it does feel satisfying to look back and see how far I have come.  To show myself that time can change things and practice can change things I recently reattempted to draw Jughead.  It was a fast sketch, but I think I could do it if I tried and if I took the time to use a pencil, which I didn't do.  So now I need to go back in time and tell my sad little kid self that maybe not today, but one day you will be able to draw Jughead, relax...practice...and be kind to yourself throughout the process.   

left real Jughead, Right my quick sketch.

Marc by Marc Jacobs, Spring 2011

MJ, you made a great summer dress with the perfect pop of color.  I tried to recreate the puffy, frizzy hair that was in your collection...but its hard to draw frizz.  

On another note, Wythe the world's best cat, loves to hang out and draw with me.  It was kind of hard to focus and draw as he layed on my back, but how could I resist his cuteness.  I don't consider myself a cat person, but I am definitely a Wythe person.  

Tsumori Chisato, Spring 2011

This dress really represents a type of Japanese style that relies on manga references, knee socks, and little girl dresses.  Would you call that harajuku? Visit Japanese street's website to see more street fashion from Japan. 

This look makes me think of Takashi Murakami, who's art also references the pop culture of Japan. 

Heres what the experts have to say: "The look was a sort of mixed-up, manga version of the Parisian gamine/sophisticate, with smartly girlish dresses in bold childlike prints, finished with proper little hats and fab spectator oxford wedge booties. And the preponderance of sailor stripes, rendered in multiple quirky knit forms, seemed a nod to quintessential hometown girl Sonia Rykiel" 

    style.com, Meenal Mistry

Tsumori Chisato, Spring 2011

All these hot pants,  who will actually wear them?  I keep drawing them, but reality is another story.  I'll take a rain check on the shorts, until I actually get in shape...correction even in shape these shy legs of mine will never wear hot pants.  I will however go for the socks and sweater.   This sweater has a sweet shoulder cut thats hard to resist. 

image from abcgallery.com

Possible Art Muse... Joan Miro, The Nightingale's Song at Midnight and in the Rain

Tsumori Chisato, Spring 2011

 

As you know I really edited down this season to the bare essentials, so many of my favorite designers only get one look shown in comic form.  Any designers with an issue with this plan, feel free to send me free anything and I am sure we can rearrange things, wink-wink.  One designer who made it past the brutal edit was Tsumori Chisato.  This week I will be showing three looks.  I love the playfulness of her work and the cartoon quality.  I took a look at her fall collection and it looks as amazing.  

I want the world...

But I want it now.  This past week I have been organizing and getting images ready to put on my non existent, but soon to be website. 

I soon became frustrated when I was attempting to redraw a comic of me running.  The whole process reminded me of being little and attempting to copy and draw Jughead, from an Archie comic.   No matter how hard I tried I couldn't get the face right. I felt like a failure. I was pissed at my lack of skill and angry that I would have to practice to get better.

I bring it up not to say how far I have come but how far I still have to go. This feeling of knowing where I want to go, but not having the skill to get there reminds me of a comic I made when I first started working as a therapist.

I hate the process of getting better, the work it takes to get where you want to be. Hearing that voice in your head that is dissapointed and expects more.

Ok enough whining I have to go figure out how to draw a figure running.