The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Costume Institute has gifted us with yet another spectacular exhibit, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. The 2018 Spring exhibition explores the influence that Catholicism has had on several designers, most of whom had been raised in the faith. The display of garments and accessories are clad with religious iconography that includes feathered wings, golden halos, and shooting stars. Although the current relationship status between the designers and the Roman Catholic church varies, the impact it has had on their work is unmistakable and undeniable. I truly believe that few things in our lives effect the psyche the way love and religion do.
Read moreFrom the Fashion Library - Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon
As I'm always browsing for new fashion books, I was pleased to come across Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon Musings of a Geriatric Starlet. The nonagenarian was the subject of the late Albert Maysles' Emmy nominated documentary Iris where we viewed her life and work. But, even after a full length film, I knew a spirit like Apfel would have more to give and I was certainly eager to learn.
We all know that she has been recognized for her uniqueness, having been the topic of dedicated museum exhibitions and a representative of major fashion and beauty brands, but it was endearing to read more shopping stories from her childhood and tales from her interior design days. Accidental Icon includes art work, marital advice, her love for embroidered fabrics, and the importance of accessories. Capturing and curating these types of fashionable stories is one of the reasons I created this blog. It is my most sincere wish that my daughter will one day pour over my pictures, my stories and memories with love. That she will know that ultimately, this is all for her.
I could not write about this book and not mention the relationship she shared with her husband Carl as Apfel was generous with intimate details of their marriage and the lifetime they spent together. Having been married for nearly 70 years, he was the supporting cast member in her love story.
Iris Apfel states several times that becoming an icon, a muse was something that she never expected. That she simply chose to live a life of passion and have courage in her convictions. She forced fear aside and dared to be interesting. At 96, Iris Apfel implores us to keep learning, to keep thinking, and to keep pushing. Perhaps if we all choose to live this way, we can all become icons and muses in our own right.
SPECIAL THANKS TO HARPER DESIGN.
Desert Rose
On my very first trip to the very hot and very dusty state of Arizona, I stopped to visit the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, home to several families of cactus, succulents, and small wild life. I was excited to see the collection up close, but really I was just looking for a reason the wear my new denim dress. Enter my Alexis Marikka asymmetrical hem wrap dress with pockets. The garden covers 140 acres, so naturally I decided to wear my red patent leather Valentino Rockstud pumps. They weren't the best option for walking trails, but fashion doesn't have to be about utility.
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