Wednesday 10 March 2010

Fasting, strife and colour

Never did I think that fasting would be a fashion statement. Okay actually technically it is more of a bank statement. My bank statement needs to be back in black. Black must be the new bank statement. Red, which is my favourite colour, is so last year. Red got me in the red. It was worth it though, but now I'm on a fashion fast. When I say fashion fast I really mean not buying any items.

Like food, if you have too much of fashion you get greedy, full or sick. I have to confess to being very full bordering on sick. Not that this means I'm berating the fashion industry. Equally I couldn't bear it if fashion and trends didn't keep happening. How could one be for something or against, into it or not. I love the polarisation of views, it is so subjective and therefore individual.
My fashion sickness is born of artistic turmoil. It is the moment when you go all caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly. Unlike real caterpillars, my process is a bit longer and more drawn out. I think I'm on a 5 year cycle! It sort of started in 2007 but didn't really get going until 2008 and now I'm in the part where I really crack it, so I'm hoping that in 2011 or 12 I will emerge butterfly like into a new era of personal style, have regained a better rapport with fashion and pushed a few boundaries.

Yesterday I visited the Van Gogh exhibition at the Royal Academy. Petit Garcon and I traipsed the cold streets of London to meet Papa MDS who is a friend of the Academy and therefore can get me in for free. It was packed. However the exhibition is a journey in one person's artistic endeavours, evidenced by letters, drawings and paintings. One of Van Gogh's most memorable paintings stem from his time at a mental hospital in France, a popular tree. His twists and turns on his painting style are no different to the twist and turns of a fashion designer. He became influenced by many things and his progression from Religious influenced work, to solitary studies of figures, the impact of the Impressionist movement and Japanese art to a dedication to painting of Nature is explained and exhibited clearly.It gives me hope even though his demons got him in the end, (I have none, other than a fear of consigning myself to domesticity, Mumsnet and Johnnie Boden) that artistic endeavour is always for a reason even if it is never recognised or successful. And the tortured soul element is better understood when you see the effort and endeavour put in by Van Gogh to his painting. Before the exhibition I took his work for granted, in the same way I took Alexander McQueen designs for granted.

His subdued and stylish show for a few in Paris yesterday showed a heartfelt artistic understanding. If you get the time go to the Tate Britain or National Gallery to view Medieval portraiture and the referencing of McQueen is there to see in this his last collection. Like Van Gogh he could research, interpret and produce. I love that yellow makes a strong appearance - it is the colour of hope and joy.


image:Style.com

18 comments:

  1. "I have none, other than a fear of consigning myself to domesticity, Mumsnet and Johnnie Boden"

    Can I give you a big hug for saying that please? I fear those things as well, even though I'm not even remotely near to any of that happening.

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  2. I agree with Miss Peelpants, that sentence so made me laugh, which shows my darling Kate, that you certainly haven't lost your sense of humour!
    You have achieved so much this year and we are only 3 months in and yet I feel an undertone to your posts that you are not really happy at the moment. Spring will soon be here and that will lift your spirits no end. Just put on that Hermes wristband OH bought you and look at Petit Garcon to know that life is great with so much more to come for you. xxx

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  3. Mrs Fab - awh its me you are worrying about! I'm not sad more frustrated but yes Spring will make a massive difference. I am a tortured artist at times!! xx

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  4. The McQueen outfit and the Van Gogh painting look good together. Nice work!

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  6. Beautiful post MDS! Your writing on your blog is your art too.. You may feel frustrated but to others your inspirational!xx

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  7. Gorgeous post! I love both Van Gogh and McQueen and I am ecstatic when art and fashion come together!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  8. Hi my dear-the exhibition really looks wonderful and I so get what you mean about 'fashion sickness', I have a love/hate relationship with it a lot of times, LOL!!

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  9. You know I like the medieval look...

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  10. What a great resource!

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  11. You are right, bank statement in red is so last year. : )

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  12. So inspirational! Lovely post!

    xx

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  13. Stay strong you're doing a great job - frustration is a chore but you have access to an inspirational city, a lovely husband who knows what to gift you and a super cute son xx

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  14. Hi Make Do Kate,
    I just read your oscar post comments. How do you handle comments that annoy you? I got an annoying one the other day that bothered me.... I keep thinking of your commitment to thrift and really want to get on board. cheers, FF x

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  15. I'm on a fashion fast too. And I wish it to end, yet the time isn't right.

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  16. So: there is a summer frock in the Boden catalogue that I would really like. It happens once about every 2 years, but oh dear.

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