Evolution Revolution: Frida Kahlo

Showing posts with label Frida Kahlo. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Mi Vida: Frida Clutch

My Clutch and SJP Collection Fawn 70mm

I love to share my style adventures, my DRESScapades and my shoe stories. Today is all about this amazing clutch!

During my digital tenure on Facebook I have encountered a wide array of artists, creators, dreamers, warriors, haters, and advocates. Karina Hesketh is a true artisan who designs and hand crafts one-of-a-kind clutches and purses of all size, color and print. I have waited a long time to acquire one of her pieces and its now in my clutches.

The image of Frida on this bag makes me think about life as her runway and it truly was. Frida dressed authentically, defied convention and trends. Her personal style has always been an inspiration. The necklace and bird are taken from her 1940 self portrait "Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird"

The 3-dimensional textural details of the flowers and fringe sealed the deal for me

It is no secret that one of my personal inspirations and SHEro's is Mexican Artist Frida Kahlo. I will have to share my Frida Approved birthday bash details in another post.

The "Mi Vida" (My life) Frida Kahlo themed clutch was one of a series of 4 she recently created. These are the two still available. $100 GBP plus shipping

SHOP

Karina has been designing bags since 2007 and creates the most unique pieces!

FIND KARINA ON FACEBOOK

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Selfie-Absorbed: No Shame In My Game

Top: Vincent Vangogh, Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun

Bottom: Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo

I laugh when I read articles about "studies" that suggest people who take "selfies" AKA Photos of themselves are narcissistic and exhibit psychopathic characteristic like lacking empathy. See an example of such an article here, recently published by the Huffington Post.

It is a sign of our times and another form of self expression to me. It is not to blame on the narcissists of the world or on the iPhone either. I remember taking "selfies" with friends on a camera with film long before the Iphone when there was not another person available to take our photo. I don't feel that it is narcissistic to want to capture moments with our friends and family or those we experience ourselves. If selfies are "selfish" why not question any image taken with you in it? that family photo from last Christmas, you dare not display unless you are behind the camera. Give me a fucking break! People have WAY too much time on their hands to criticize, I have very little time so snapping a selfie is a perfect photographic solution for me.

Selfie's are this generation's lazy alternative to the self portrait. It is so quick and easy to snap a selfie when there is no alternative photographer to take the picture or a great way of sharing YOU, your outfit, makeup, location, friends, experiences and the like. The art of portraiture and documentation of life have been part of our cultural landscape since the Ancient Egyptians but self-portraiture a more recognized genre in Renaissance Times (15th century). According ti Wiki, Portrait of a Man in a Turban by Jan van Eyck of 1433 may well be the earliest known panel self-portrait.

Israhel van Meckenem, Self-portrait and Wife, an engraving

Germany, signed, around AD 1490

Selfie of my Daughter and I - 2014.

One of my personal favorite self-portrait artists, Frida Kahlo spent the majority of her life painting images of herself that continue to delight today.

The Two Fridas/Los Dos Fridas 1939. Oil on canvas 67" x 67".

The Three Fab's /Los Tres Fab - Friend Selfie. 2015. Iphone.

Recently there was an entire movement of women taking 'selfies' and nominating others to do so sans makeup to make a statement of solidarity against cancer and to raise awareness for breast cancer. Lacking empathy? self absorbed? I think not.

Thanks to the makeup maven and cultural chameleon Rose Shock for this post yesterday:

"For some reason there are plenty of people who think selfies are self-absorbed and look down on people who post a lot of pictures of their face. It's stupid, because we all should proudly post selfies and never be ashamed to do so! Think your hair looks good today? Post a selfie! Think your eyeliner is on point? Take a selfie! Nailed your outfit today? Take a selfie! Having a good time with your friends? Take a selfie together! I personally love faces. All kinds! I love seeing all amazing people here sharing their style with the world and also giving inspiration by posting their pictures. Need inspiration? Just open Instagram! Feel like nothing looks good on you? Well look at that fine as fuck selfie you took last week and realize you are amazing! ‪#‎selfiecelebration‬

COMMENT HERE BY POSTING A SELFIE! LET'S HAVE A SELFIE PARTY!!"

Of course I RSVP'ed with a recent selfie moment. Thanks Rose Shock for reminding me to show my face!

Rose Shock

Why NOT snap a digital self portrait and celebrate yourself? You don't want to be regarded as selfie-absorbed? then don't do it, just don't judge others for taking a snap. We all should be seen in what we deem the best light possible and against the standard that we alone set for ourselves, society at large be damned. Having a GOOD self concept, caring for yourself and wanting to express and share your life does not make you a narcissist, psychopath, self absorbed or selfish. Carry on with your fab selfies and be sure to SHARE!

There is NO SHAME in my selfie game.

You get the picture ....

and I even SHOEfie ...

Wearing SJP "Daphne" & "Fawn"

What say you on the Selfie? Are you as Selfie-Absorbed as me?

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Kahlo's Kloset: Inspired

I have always been drawn to wild prints, unique textiles, over the top jewelry and headpieces/hats. Recently my affinity for these things makes me think a lot of one of my SHEro's: Frida Kahlo. Fashion is just another way I have always felt connected to her. I always admired her style as the only rules she adhered to were those of her own creation.

She was very multi-faceted and her style ran the gamut from androgynous to historically haute, wearing traditional dresses/costumes of Mexico. She celebrated her heritage at a time when it was not so chic to do so and her counterparts in Mexico were heavily influenced by European fashion trends of the 1920's and 30's.

She also celebrated who she was, in a raw way by choosing not to remove her facial hair or mono brow. She spent a lot of time alone due to the physical aftermath of a teenage accident and lifetime of associated health concerns. She expressed herself and feelings through not only her passionate paintings but her adornment as well (clothing/accessories)

I wanted to showcase some of Frida's looks and how she STILL influences fashion. If you want to see her Kloset LIVE you have time to get to Mexico before the exhibition closes on November 22, 2013.

Her parade of long, traditional Mexican dresses was three fold based on my research. She, always a rebel loved to wear the traditional Tehuana 'costumes' as a non verbal announcement of her leftist identification with the underclass (she had Communist views), also as a symbol of power and will as according to legend Tehuana women were the real figures of authority in their society. Diego (her husband and love of her life) adored this traditional dress. She also wished to hide one of her legs that was atrophied and underdeveloped due to a bout of Polio at age 6.

Her accessories were as bold and bright as her garments and I read somewhere that you could 'hear" Frida coming before you could see her due to the layered necklaces and bracelets. Her styling philosophy was obviously 'more is more' and did not shy away from wearing fist fulls of rings, stacks of necklaces or multiple flowers and ribbons atop her head.

Photo: Miguel Tovar

Necklaces - C. 1932 On display

Her influence on fashion remains strong today with MANY fashion editorials styled in the spirit of Kahlo. Her style has definitely had an impact on me.

A hand made Vintage dress a-la-Frida. PURCHASE