JOURNEY OF A DRESS

I've long considered Diane von Furstenberg a role model, and an exhibition currently on view in Los Angeles establishes her as even more: a national treasure.  Including an extensive collection of artwork featuring her designs and Diane herself, Journey of a Dress also showcases the history of her timeless wrap dresses, which debuted in 1974 and completely changed the womenswear industry with the mantra "Feel like a woman, wear a dress!"  Diane is not only a fashion mainstay, but is also dedicated to several philanthropic causes and a fixture in the New York social scene.  Ms. Furstenberg continues to inspire me with both a desire to succeed and to give back, and with a lust for more of her flattering, feminine designs.

See another DVF wrap dress, featured lovingly on my blog last year.

The Journey of a Dress exhibition closes today, but you can find more information about it here.

Dress: Diane von Furstenberg Andy Warhol collection

Shoes: Belle by Sigerson Morrison Abra

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Photos by Jayne Clark.

ART TO WEAR: From the Runway

JC de Castelbajac

Aquilano Rimondi

Antonio Marras 

Beth Postle Alcantara 

Andrew Gn

A friend sent me this editorial from the Financial Times (of all places!) and it immediately sent me into an weeklong swoon.  These beautiful art-inspired ensembles are from various designers, and I love the way that each one used works of art (by Gauguin, Picasso and others) to inform both the shape and embellishments of the garments.  The price points prohibited me from snapping up every ensemble, but my Art to Wear inspiration is overflowing. Which look is your favorite?

Styling by Damian Fox, Photographs by Dima Hohlov

ART TO WEAR: Mondrian Loafers

Piet Mondrian, Composition of Red, Blue, Yellow, and White: Nom II, 1939

A proponent of the De Stijl movement in the early 20th century, Piet Mondrian loved simplification, both in his painting composition and in his life.  Perpendicular lines were his vice, and rumor has it that his easel was rendered unusable since it was positioned at a 90 degree angle from the floor.

I could use some simplification in my life.

See my previous Mondrian post here.

Loafers: City Snappers

Silk pants: vintage Diane von Furstenberg

Mondrian image from moca.org; shoe photo by me.

  

HANAMI: Japanese Cherry Blossom

"In the cherry blossom's shade there's no such thing as a stranger." --Kobayashi Issa

Cherry Blossom Viewing by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Boat Ride under the Cherry Blossoms, 1893 by Nobukazu (1874 - 1944)

In Japanese culture, cherry blossoms signify light, airy clouds, and I can't think of a better way to describe the feeling of finally seeing buds on the trees after a long New York winter.

  For an afternoon frolic through the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, I was inspired by Japanese woodblock prints depicting hanami, the ancient practice of repose underneath the blooming cherry blossoms, or sakura.

Sakura are a popular subject for traditional woodblock prints, which originated in Japan in the Eighth Century.  The prints are most closely associated with the ukiyo-e artistic period, but the methods and techniques are still used today.  Click here to see my Hokusai wave dress.

I'm wearing a handmade jacket my grandfather purchased for my grandmother in Japan in the 1960s.  It is one of my most treasured possessions, and her name embroidered on the inside makes it even more special. (See the last time I wore it on the blog, 3 years ago!)

Jacket: 1960s vintage

Silk tank: Diane von Furstenberg

Silk pants: Tallulah

Headscarf: Fendi

Sandals: Botkier

Fan: gift from a friend

Photos by Hannah Kauffman; Woodblock prints from fujiarts.com.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Swoon's Submerged Motherlands at the Brooklyn Museum

A fresh pair from Nicholas Kirkwood

Ai Wei Wei's he xie at the Brooklyn Museum

More Ai Wei Wei; exhibition opens to the public today

The Big Egg Hunt on view at Rockefeller Center (Egg by Cope2)

Another egg, from Olivia Phillips-Falk

Studio visit with Case Jernigan for the Twitter Art Project

More paintings at Case's studio

Just a quick post looking back at what I saw this week.  For more, follow me on Twitter or Instagram.

MUCHA, REVISITED

Now that it is becoming a bit more like spring in New York, I'm revisiting one of my favorite posts from last spring.  Inspired by Pantone's Champagne Beige, I evoked the image of Alphonse Mucha's muses at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.  View the full post here.

AFFORDABLE ART

Last night, I attended AAF After Dark at the Affordable Art Fair.  AAF is a great starting point for anyone who is newly interested in art, or loves art but doesn't have an unlimited budget for it (works start at $100).  My extremely affordable Warhol-inspired ensemble alluded to the original proponent of the democratization of fine art. Check out my previous Warhol post here.

AAF continues through Sunday at the Metropolitan Pavilion in NYC.

Muscle Tee (Under $15!)

Skirt (Under $20)

Pumps: Rebecca Minkoff

Bag: Cambridge Satchel Company

Photos by Kathy Paciello; Campbell's Soup image from jssgallery.org.

SOUNDSUITS in BOSTON

Over the weekend, I made a special visit to Boston to see the work of one of my very favorite artists, Nick Cave, at the Institute of Contemporary Art.  (See my original Nick Cave post from over 3 years ago.)  Luckily for me, my two very best friends also live in Boston, so I was able to kill 3 birds with one stone, as it were.

Nick Cave (b. 1959) has built his artistic career on breaking down barriers between visual art, performance, and costume.  His Soundsuits are some of the most beautiful things to behold, and take on an even greater persona when they are worn during Cave's choreographed performances.  I had the pleasure of viewing HEARD•NY last year at Grand Central Station, and discovered firsthand the wonderfully unique and mesmerizing movement of the Soundsuits.  The ICA show, on view through May 4th, includes a number of Cave's ubiquitous suits, which he considers armor for the body.  Also on view are some of Cave's newer works, which extend past the realm of the wearable costume.  I'll never cease to be hypnotized by the detail and beauty of his work, and look forward to seeing another performance where the Sounsuits come to life.

Dress: Vintage
Tights: Hue
Necklaces: Various, with bird ornaments
Pumps: Sam Edelman

Photos of me by Kathy Paciello; other photos by me.