not that I would wear any of it ;)
I have been on the road almost constantly since my last post so have lots of new travel tales but haven’t had any time to commit them to paper. My summer project… thought I would start with some exhibitions that are current in case anyone is inspired to check them out…
I was one of those children who made clothes for my dolls. I didn’t have access to Vogue. I’d never seen a designer dress. I didn’t even know the concept. My fashion inspiration came from the Simplicity and Butterick pattern books my grandmother brought home from the dry goods department where she worked when the new ones arrived. I learned that I could put in a request and I could have my very own collection. I poured over all the shapes and styles, noting the subtle changes that transformed the base pattern. It was an early education in tailoring – and perhaps the reason I lean toward Armani rather than Galliano.
Most of the photos of me as a child show me dressed in embarrassing outfits. I have no idea why they want to bring the 70’s back. Those were some scary moments in fashion…
But it was a time of high drama, especially in western countries. The 60’s ushered in the concept of social change but most of it happened in the 70’s. I was too young to appreciate most of it, especially as I lived in a remote rural community where not that much was changing. One thing I did know about was David Bowie. Before the internet, information was hard to come by. I didn’t even know the Talking Heads existed in 1977, let alone that I should be buying that album.
My first fledgling teenage romance was with a drummer. It was a headbanger rock kind of town so most of his favourite songs just sounded like noise to me. But then he played “Changes”. We had common ground – and I liked him a little more… It became part of the soundtrack of my life.
I am not particularly interested in famous people and think most of them would likely prove to be quite boring in person – but Bowie is an exception. He was my first decent musical choice so I know quite a lot about him but never really thought much about his social impact. Being a big Bowie fan, I was intrigued when I emerged at Gare du Nord last month and saw intriguing posters of him all over the station. Luckily, I had dinner the next night with friends from Vancouver who informed me there was an exhibit at the Philharmonie de Paris.
philharmonie de paris
I was worried that – in the age of the internet – my lack of research and preparation for Paris – would render me ticketless but the Philharmonie is new and in an area of Paris I have not yet explored so worth the trip even if I couldn’t get into the exhibition. It appears there are still some tickets reserved for people willing to make a journey to the ticket office in person. You need some patience but eventually you get in…
It was definitely worth the wait. The exhibition originated at the Victoria and Albert Museum. It’s called “David Bowie is”. It’s hard to describe, as mercurial and enigmatic as Bowie himself. You walk through a series of objects, videos, photos and costumes depicting Bowie’s biography. You have headphones and the music changes as you roam to put the right soundtrack to the particular part of the exhibit in which you find yourself. It includes the expected key points in his biography and the musical history but what makes it really resonate is the analysis of Bowie’s influences, collaborators and social impact.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/t/touring-exhibition-david-bowie-is/
I am one of those people who have spent a lot of time searching for the meaning to life. For me, it’s been a combination of art, culture and relationships. So it was fascinating to see how Bowie was influenced by books, music, travel and the people in his life – and how his achievements were generally part of a collective of talented, intelligent, interesting people. He was just the most famous name in the group.
Anyway, go check it out for yourself. It closed on May 31, 2015 at the Philharmonie de Paris but it’s touring internationally so see if it’s coming to a location near you…
The Victoria and Albert Museum featured heavily in my May sojourn in Europe. They have also put together a killer exhibit on Alexander McQueen called Savage Beauty. It’s on until August 2, 2015. I would recommend booking in advance. I’m not sure if I just got lucky, or if my friend Monica’s E&Y connections scored us tickets, but they are definitely in high demand. Seeing the exhibit I could understand why. While there are very few items of clothing or accessories I would have any interest in actually wearing, it is fascinating to be inside Alexander McQueen’s head as he dreams this stuff up.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/exhibition-alexander-mcqueen-savage-beauty/
The V&A has made it very atmospheric so it doesn’t feel like a museum but rather a strange trip into a dark, gothic Romanian forest where you are wary that Dracula might jump out from behind a mannequin and bite you on the neck. The coolest part is a room staged like a cabinet of curiosities. On the walls, items are placed in boxes like a giant Renaissance cabinet of curiosities. In the center, there is a 21st century bank of monitors playing video from multiple McQueen shows on a continuous loop. It’s a perfect embodiment of his sensibility – strange old-fashioned exceptionally English clothes modified for the 21st century.
If you also made clothes for your dolls – or just are really interested in fashion…
There are two more stops for you in Paris. The Fondation Pierre Bergé Yves Saint Laurent is hosting an exhibit “Yves Saint Laurent 1971 – the Scandal Collection” until July 19, 2015. It’s for fashionphiles. It’s basically a chance to look into the archives at a couture house. You can see the entire design process for one of the finished garments and see sketches and mannequins displaying some of the pieces from the collection as well as watch some very old-fashioned fashion videos.
http://www.fondation-pb-ysl.net/en/Exhibitions-196.html
The 1971 collection was heavily critiqued because many felt Saint Laurent was glamorizing the Nazis and the
marvels of paris museum route
war was still fresh in the memories of the people who could afford couture. Like Bowie, he was pushing boundaries and making people feel uncomfortable.
My final foray into European fashion was at the Palais Galleria Museé du Mode, a new addition to the wonders of Paris. Until August 23, 2015 they are hosting an exhibit on Jeanne Lanvin. I know the name but that was about it until I went to the exhibit. The clothes are stunning – the antithesis of H&M. She started as a milliner so there are lots of hats. The clothes are sumptuous, full of embroidery, topstitching, cut-outs and other couturière virtuosity. Nothing I would ever wear but easy to appreciate the craftsmanship.
http://www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr/en/exhibitions/jeanne-lanvin
What was most fascinating though was her business acumen. She was a 19th century titan of commerce, a self-made woman in a world in which women couldn’t even legally vote in most places. Apparently she was very customer-focused. She was a real estate tycoon. Jeanne started the whole craziness of dressing toddlers in mini-me designer clothing 🙂 She branched out into lingerie, menswear, interior design. She created her own fragrance. She opened shops to sell her wares to the public. She had a distinctive logo. Jeanne Lanvin knew how to brand herself before the concept was even a concept 🙂 An inspiring lady.
There is much to be inspired about right now so start making your travel plans…
p.s. if you are a fashion junkie, there is also a Jean Paul Gauthier exhibit at the Grand Palais – but I discovered it is closed on Tuesdays – but the walk to the other museums was worth it.
http://www.grandpalais.fr/en/event/jean-paul-gaultier
life on planetm 
reading between the lines
Today was my aunt’s memorial. As regular readers will know, my method of trying to reconcile death is to write about people as if I could talk to them. My mom delivered the news. This was her much older sister who didn’t figure into her life that much as a young child but became a pillar by the time she was an adult. Bizarrely, it was through my aunt’s death that I found out my mother had been wildly excited about her trip to DisneyWorld (you will hear about it in due time, complete with photos 😉
That nugget of information was gleaned because my mom noted that my aunt didn’t express her emotions much in nice clear diction so that the rest of us could be sure what was going on. There is much to be celebrated about northern Europeans but emotional intelligence is not a strength. I realize it might harm art and literature but life would be so much easier if people would just talk – and hug 😉
my aunt smiling!
My aunt did hug… but talk… not so much. Of course, it made her more mysterious. When someone dies, you have to reconcile your emotions and your memories of that person. Death sucks – but at least the pause can force us to think in a more metaphysical way than we might do on a regular day.
My aunt always seemed to be one of those people who wanted to fade into the background. I always wanted to see her bolder, more confident. But everyone has to follow her own path and we all have our own unique DNA.
North American culture celebrates loudmouths and show-offs. I sometimes fear we forget the valuable role that the quiet, unassuming nurturers play in the world. My aunt Shirley was the anti-Kardashian. She never sought the spotlight. She never appreciated how amazing she was.
trying to get my aunt to smile for a photo 😉
But she taught me stuff that Kim and Kayne will likely never figure out…
She cared deeply about people and her house was open at almost any hour to anyone who needed a place to hang out – or a hug.
She didn’t judge and opened her arms and her heart to people who had made mistakes – or who were in a tight spot courtesy of other people’s decisions.
She was one of those sunny, happy people who never yelled or ruined your day.
She did it all in a really quiet way that snuck up on you and, sadly, left her underappreciated.
She was the first adult other than my parents that I really remember hanging out with (she babysat me as a small child). I can still remember every inch of her house. I spent hours playing with dolls or playing doctor in the various bedrooms. I grew up in a trailer park so I realize now it resonated with me so strongly – my aunt was the lady who tried to feed you constantly, made twelve different kinds of yummy treats for Christmas and lived in the same house her whole adult life. She was like a real life Hallmark film.
She – and that house – was a place of stability in my gypsy childhood. And her sole daughter was like the ultimate big sister. She was the coolest teenager I have ever known. She treated my sister and me like we were not just little kids – when we really were. She was one of my first great loves. My sister and I continued the tradition with her daughter, treating her a bit like a living doll 🙂
a living doll!
We all just live. Things happen. There are family events. Mostly we just sleepwalk through them. As I’ve grown older, I’ve become more aware of the influences in my life and how people and events shape us.
Shirley definitely inspired me to spend more time in the kitchen. She taught me to be kind and forgiving and to care about others. She kept buying me cool Christmas presents even though the family had declared it not necessary (her husband owned a record shop so she shaped my musical taste). Her children inspired me. The people in your life matter. They help to shape and define you.
Thanks, Shirley.
Actions speak louder than words. That’s how I know she loved me. And I loved her. You don’t need to say it out loud for it to be true…
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shining examples, social commentary
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