Been a while!!!

Suffice it to say that a number of things have thwarted my blogging lately...summer heat (in the southern plains it's been like the surface of the Sun), summer storms (that build up in a second and dissipate that fast causing downbursts of winds and storms causing the interruption of electrical services and there is no such thing as a gas iron or gas sewing machine!), catching up and enduring the last dogs days of August have all plotted to take my most valuable and precious possession - time!

But I saw this article and couldn't resist a short post:

There's rumors that the famous Alexander McQueen show that was in New York is coming to London.

Here's the article, but alas very little exhibit info, just that it might come.

If it does, and let's hope the karma of the universe is with this project, then this is a must for all my friends and readers across the great pond! 

Although a common refrain I heard from a lot of museum-goers at the exhibit, was "I would never wear that," or "Why would anyone wear that?"  For me this was just the cursory viewer and not really the crux of the show.  The show could not have been as popular as it was if it was not important, and folks, I'm here to tell you it is important. 

If you are anything close to a sewist or someone who sews, you have to attend this exhibit, and plan to spend at least 3 hours in the exhibit, whether it's crowded or not.

There were so many things that impressed me about the exhibit - not only the way it was set up (which in my mind is an art in itself - displaying and setting up exhibits and museum shows can often be as important as the art itself that is shown), but the massive problem-solving that went on in this designer's head and that we are allowed a brief look into that mind.  Problem-solving has always been a highly prized commodity for any market, and McQueen doesn't disappoint, from lace and plaid to muscle shells and butterfly wings. 

Although the common viewer's lament of not being wearable is probably true, it's not the point of the exhibit.  For any anyone with one molecule of creative and willingness to look outside the box for just a couple of hours, there is so much inspiration to be had here, that you will want to take a small notebook with you to debrief afterwards.  I did.  I'm glad I did.  I like to schedule a lunch or tea or something after an exhibit to sort of let it digest and then write down some of my more emphatic thoughts and ideas after the show. 

There's so much to take away here - like McQueen's penchant (OK, maybe obsession ) to challenge himself to ever more hard-to-accomplish/realize designs and materials....then his execution of his challenging ideas not only to see it accomplished, but execute them in such a way as they were attractive and made the wearer and the viewer feel beauty....albeit savage beauty.

So this is heads up - McQueen is probably coming your way, and it's well worth your time and $$$ to visit the show - and when you do - just take a look at this hat and dream of how many hours it took to make it!!!

Alas, not all of us have the time or will to travel...you can buy the exhibit book, which is a very, very nice alternative (not a replacement) for seeing the show. 

My copy is well ensconced with my Chanel, Geoffrey Beene, House of Lesage, Southeby's Sale Catalog of Diana's Gowns, and Jackie K's Exhibit at the Met !

 

Comments

[Mary]

I was completely blown away by the exhibit last month. I was particularly struck by the vast number of materials he employed with such amazing skill!

[JustGail]

Runway fashions are not for wearability, but to show what's possible. I don't know where I read something along those lines, but after I did, I looked at runway fashion in a whole new light.

I wish I could get to the exhibit, I'll have to check out the book.

[JustGail]

I was wandering through an antique store a couple weeks ago, and saw a gas iron. So between that and a treadle, you'd be set to sew without power. Hmmm, I'm halfway there (have the treadle), maybe I should get one of these. You never know...