#tbt Summer Sandals

Here I am, in my typical 1980's hiking attire:

Yes, focus on my feet! I am wearing Chinese plastic sandals.
You know, they're really great for hiking. Ha!

32 years later, I still wear the same style.

School may have started, but summer weather isn't over!
Add your summer-themed pictures and posts here:

China: Through the Looking Glass at The Met, Part 6 -- Moon In the Water

"The exhibition's subtitle, Through the Looking Glass, translates into Chinese as Moon in the Water, a phrase that alludes to Buddhism. Like Flower in the Mirror, it suggests something that cannot be grasped, and has both positive and negative connotations. When used to describe a beautiful object, "moon in the water" can refer to a quality of perfection that is either so elusive and mysterious that the item becomes transcendent or so illusory and deceptive that it becomes untrustworthy." -- from The Met's website

Calligraphy and China's export silk were featured in Galleries 215, 216, and 214.

Christian Dior, Quiproquo, 1951, Printed silk shantung

Sketches:

Alexander McQueen, fall/winter 2006, Silk jacquard

Christian Dior, Quiproquo, 1951, Printed silk shantung

Alexander McQueen, fall/winter 2006, Silk jacquard

Christobal Balenciaga, 1955-56, Hand-painted silk taffeta

Sketches:

John Galliano for Dior, spring/summer 2003 [not in catalogue]

Christobal Balenciaga, 1955-56, Hand-painted silk taffeta

Almost overwhelming was the moonlit garden staging of a lavish display of Galliano gowns.

Left to Right:

John Galliano for Dior, spring/summer 2003 [not in catalogue]

John Galliano for Dior, spring/summer 2003, Printed silk/synthetic jacquard

John Galliano for Dior, spring/summer 2003, Silk jacquard embroidered with silk flowers coat, Silk ciré ruff and dress

John Galliano for Dior, spring/summer 2003, Silk brocade dress, Gold lamé and synthetic crinoline

John Galliano for Dior, spring/summer 2003, Embroidered silk jacquard coat, Silk organza dress

Tomorrow I'll conclude my survey with some photos from the Wuxia section of the exhibition.

Note: I relied on the exhibition catalogue China: Through the Looking Glass and The Met's website for information, especially the details about the garments. Selected images from the catalogue can be viewed on The Met's Pinterest board.

China: Through the Looking Glass at The Met, Part 5 -- Porcelain

Gallery 213 paired blue-and-white porcelain with blue and white haute couture.

Guo Pei, spring/summer 2010, [not in catalogue] 

Sketches: 

Guo Pei, spring/summer 2010, [not in catalogue] 

John Galliano for Dior, spring/summer 2005, Embroidered silk jacquard coat, embroidered silk organza dress 

John Galliano for Dior, spring/summer 2005, Embroidered silk jacquard coat, embroidered silk organza dress

Left to Right:

John Galliano for Dior, spring/summer 2005, Embroidered silk jacquard coat, embroidered silk organza dress

John Galliano for Dior, spring/summer 2009, Silk satin and lace, skirt lined with embroidered silk satin [front detail view]

Valentino, fall/winter 1968, Printed silk satin

House of Valentino, fall/winter 2013, Printed silk organza

Left photo, left to right:

Roberto Cavalli, fall/winter 2005, Silk satin

Rodarte, spring/summer 2011, Printed hammered silk crepe and silk tulle embroidered with silk ribbon

Rodarte, spring/summer 2011, Printed silk ottoman, printed silk crepe

Left to right:

Jar, Porcelain [No info, not in catalogue]

Li Xiaofeng, Beijing Memory No. 5, Qing period porcelain shards, 43 x 35.5 x 25.5", 2009

More tomorrow!

Note: I relied on the exhibition catalogue China: Through the Looking Glass and The Met's website for information, especially the details about the garments. Selected images from the catalogue can be viewed on The Met's Pinterest board.

China: Through the Looking Glass at The Met, Part 4 -- Chinoiserie

Much of China: Through the Looking Glass exhibition (on view until September 7) is dispersed throughout The Met's second floor Chinese Art galleries. It became a bit of a treasure hunt, with the displays of garments tucked away amidst the antique objects. I enjoyed this part of the presentation -- the pairing of garments with ceramics, furniture, ancient statuary, and other items.

Yves Saint Laurent fall/winter 1977/78 collection and Opium perfume are featured in Gallery 210.

Sketches:

Yves Saint Laurent, fall/winter 1977/78 [not in catalogue]

Yves Saint Laurent, fall/winter 1977/78

Yves Saint Laurent, fall/winter 1977/78

Feng Langgong, Summer Palace, Folding screen of lacquered wood, gilded and painted 9.75 x 20 ft, 1690

Left to Right:
Valentino, fall/winter, 1990/91, Silk satin and organza embroidered with sequins, beads, and crystals
Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, fall/winter 1996/97, Silk organza embroidered with sequins and beads

This McQueen gown, in Gallery 207, was paired with a sculpture from the Tang Dynasty (618-907):

Alexander McQueen for Givenchy, fall/winter 1997/98 [not in catalogue]

Gallery 208 was devoted to this gown by Guo Pei, with statues of Buddha rimming the space

Guo Pei, spring/summer 2007 [not in catalogue]

Tomorrow, I'll feature the Porcelain section of the exhibition, both with my sketches and photos.

Note: I relied on the exhibition catalogue China: Through the Looking Glass and The Met's website for information, especially the details about the garments. Selected images from the catalogue can be viewed on The Met's Pinterest board.

China: Through the Looking Glass at The Met, Part 3 -- Manchu Robe Inspired

Left: Chanel, ca. 1930, Reconfigured Chinese robe of embroidered silk gauze 

The next section of the Anna Wintour Costume Center housed a vast display of antique Chinese imperial robes paired with modern couture. Some, like the above Chanel jacket, showed obvious direct inspiration for motifs on the fabrics. Mirrors were strategically placed, to enable viewing all sides of the couture garments.
In the center of the room, clips from Betrolucci's The Last Emperor were projected on parallel walls, paired with a looping cut from the soundtrack, "Open the Door" by Ryuichi Sakamoto.

Chinese Mantle, ca. 1917-20, Embroidered silk satin with applique of rooster feathers and silk flowers

Sketches:

Chinese Mantle, ca. 1917-20, Embroidered silk satin with applique of rooster feathers and silk flowers

Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, fall/winter 2004/5, Printed silk chiffon with silk chiffon applique, silk velvet ribbon, mink

Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, fall/winter 2004/5, Silk satin embroidered with sequins, fox fur

Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, fall/winter 2004/5, Printed silk chiffon with silk chiffon applique, silk velvet ribbon, mink

Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, fall/winter 2004/5, Silk satin embroidered with sequins, fox fur

Dries Van Noten, autumn/winter 2012/13, Wool/silk hammered satin and wool twill

Center: Chinese Festival Robe, late 19th century, Silk and metallic tapestry

Sketches:

Dries Van Noten, autumn/winter 2012/13, Wool/silk hammered satin and wool twill

John Galliano for Dior, autumn/winter 1998/99, Embroidered silk jacquard (front and back)

John Galliano for Dior, autumn/winter 1998/99, Embroidered silk jacquard

Right: no information, not in catalogue

Left: Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, autumn/winter 2004/5, Silk satin embroidered with sequins

Tomorrow, I'll feature the Chinoiserie section of the exhibition, both with my sketches and photos.

Note: I relied on the exhibition catalogue China: Through the Looking Glass and The Met's website for information, especially the details about the garments. Selected images from the catalogue can be viewed on The Met's Pinterest board.

China: Through the Looking Glass at The Met, Part 2 -- Qipao Inspired

This is the Qipao [cheongsam] Inspired section seen in the Anna Wintour Costume Center at The Metropolitan Museum.
Taking photographs was difficult with all the reflections and crowds of viewers, so I pulled out my sketchbook.

Sketches, left to right:

Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton, spring/summer 2011. Black silk duchasse satin embroidered with tassels. [see on Met's Pinterest]

Floral chiffon qipao over a black slip. circa 1920s-30s (not in catalogue)

Brown cut velvet qipao, circa 1920s-30s (not in catalogue)

Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurant, fall/winter 2004/5, Silk satin embroidered with sequins.

Qipaos worn by Hu Die (Butterfly Wu) circa 1920s-30s (not in catalogue)

Brown cut velvet qipao, circa 1920s-30s (not in catalogue)

Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurant, fall/winter 2004/5, Silk satin embroidered with sequins.

Left to right:

John Galliano for Dior, autumn/winter 1997/98, Silk jacquard embroidered with beads [see on Met's Pinterest]

John Galliano for Dior, autumn/winter 1997/98, Silk jacquard embroidered with beads 

Jean Paul Gautier, autumn/winter 2001/2, Lacquered silk satin and embroidered silk tulle

Tomorrow, I'll feature the Manchu Robe Inspired section of the exhibition, both with my sketches and photos.

Note: I relied on the exhibition catalogue China: Through the Looking Glass and The Met's website for information, especially for details about the garments. Selected Images from the catalogue can be viewed on The Met's Pinterest board.

China: Through the Looking Glass at The Met, Part 1 -- The People's Republic

The fantastic exhibition "China Through the Looking Glass" at The Metropolitan Museum in NYC closes on September 7th. I saw it when I was in New York a couple of weeks ago and have been trying to work out how to present my findings. It's a very impressive array of fashion, art, and Chinese artifacts, scattered through multiple levels and galleries of the museum, including the Egyptian Galleries, the Chinese Galleries, and the Anna Wintour Costume Center. It is a multi-media extravaganza with garments (couture, costumes, and antique Chinese), thematically related art pieces from the Met's vast collection, and movie clips curated by director Wong Kar Wei.

One is lead to the portal tucked away amidst the Egyptian Galleries (Gallery #132, very hard to find).
This first section references the era of The People's Republic of China.

Inspired by Mao left to right:

Vivienne Tam, Dress, spring/summer 1995, Polychrome printed nylon mesh

Any Warhol, [12 versions] Mao, Acrylic and silkscreen on canvas, each 12 x 10", 1973 [?]

Vivienne Tam, "Mao Suit", spring/summer 1995, silk jacquard

Unidentified Artist (Chinese, active 1960s), retouched by Chen Shilin, Chairman Mao, Gelatin silver print, 12 x 9.75", 1964

My blurry photos don't do these garments justice --
at that point I didn't realize the "no photography" edict was not being enforced.

Vivienne Westwood, Ensemble, spring/summer 2012, cotton poplin

John Galliano for Dior, Ensemble, spring/summer 1999

 Jacket: silk shantung with red piping and gold metallic frogging, Skirt: silk jacquard

After this gallery, one is then lead to the lower level Anna Wintour Costume Center.
Once there, I pulled out my sketchbook, to help examine garment silhouette and construction.

I took photos as well, though I have found that sketching really helps one focus on what one is observing when it comes to garments. I guess it's the great training that I had at Otis, where Jack Handford, our History of Fashion instructor, insisted that we sketch during his slide presentations.

Tomorrow, I'll feature the Quipao Inspired section of the exhibition, both with my sketches and photos.

Note: I relied on the exhibition catalogue China: Through the Looking Glass and The Met's website for information, especially the details on the art and garments. Selected Images from the catalogue can be viewed on The Met's Pinterest board.

52 Pick-me-up: Frozen

PURCHASED/ GIFTED/ PURLOINED/ 

It's nowhere near freezing here in LA. It HAS become chilly, however.

"Let it GOOOOOOO"

I'm linking up with Visible Monday.

What are you wearing to keep warm? Link and tell!

Foot Fetish Friday: Complementary Color Edition

LINKS/ PURCHASED/

The 52 Pick-me-up prompt this week is Complementary Colors.
I woke up this morning with visions of a color wheel of footwear... but I'll spare you [and myself].
Instead, let's get right to this:

Christmas feet!
Disclosure: the green toes are courtesy of Photoshop.

How about a color wheel of my feet in the Chinese sandals?
Ach. Don't get me started!
I've already created a color wheel of paint tube sketches.

Sporting complimentary colors on your nails? Add to the link-up! 
It's not just for your closet... and it doesn't have to be from this week.

Foot Fetish Friday: Chinese Plastic Sandals

4.28.10
Yangtze Plastic Sandals
------
1992  Monkok, Kowloon, China
------
I use these as my studio shoes. Some of the straps are broken. They [are] good for gardening too. 

*********
These are 20 years old? WHAT?

Here I'm standing on some studio garments.

V-Day Shenanigans

PRESS SAMPLE/ PURCHASED/ GIFTED/

Remember how I was kvetching about not getting comments on my outfits at work?
It took this! I snagged THREE!
Some thought it was for Chinese New Year.
Some guessed correctly that it was for Valentine's.

I wore this on Wednesday (2/13) because I don't go into the office on Thursday,so the confusion is understandable.
The Lucky tee is very old and getting faded.
I got the Chinese jacket in San Francisco's Chinatown.
I have not seen this style jacket in either LA or Hong Kong (circa 2004). Believe me, I have looked!

Here I am, sitting in my car at lunch.
Like my smiley blankie in the background? That's my sun shade.
Oh yes, FCC guidelines require that I say my sunglasses frames are c/o DITTO.
The prescription certainly wasn't c/o -- it cost me $650!!!

A close up that I Instagrammed. The necklace was made from a Slinky!
I got it at the Santa Monica Art Museum gift shop - they no longer carry them.
It didn't last on my neck all day. It started to drive me crazy.
The skirt was a dress in the morning. I hacked off the top as I put my ensemble together.
So much better as a skirt.

WOW! You get a close-up of the "torture" clogs and the pom pom socks.
The clogs I bought in a shopper's frenzy to wear to the Lucky FABB West last April.
They are too tight. This is the second time that I've worn them.
I deliberately sat at my desk all day and didn't fetch any color printouts.
Vickie gave me the socks from her church resale shop in Providence, RI.
I think they go great with the clogs. I was hoping they'd help stretch them out.

How about that? Head to toe info! I was a proper Fashun Blogger today!
All I'm missing are RED LIPS!

Don't miss the action over on Patti's Visible Monday!
How much red and/or pink will we see this week?

Speaking of Patti, she had a contest and I was the winner!
OMG!

I let you know what I think of it after I try it out.