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

 Gwen very Frida Fab!

Images: Fredrik Wannerstedt for DV Mode 

 Monica Bellucci - March 2013 Harpers Bazaar Ukraine

 Claudia Schiffer, German VOGUE, Photographed by Karl Lagerfeld

Giovanna Battaglia in Dolce andGabbana FW13 at MET Gala

Does FRIDA Inspire you?

Let Kahlo inspire your 'Kloset'

Vintage Caftan - $38

Vintage Printed Hostess Gown - $75

Vintage Bead and Lion Pendant Necklace  - $48

Vintage Gold Tone Rope Necklace ~ $34

Vintage bright printed maxi dress ~ $70

Vintage cocktail ring - $60

VIVA FRIDA: Part 1

On this day in 1907 one of my SHE-Ro's was born in a small suburb of Mexico City (Coyoacan) - Mexican Painter Magdalena Carmen Frieda Kahlo y Calderón AKA Frida Kahlo. Her life story began in the same place where it ended. She was born in her parents home in Coyoacan, known as Casa Azul or The Blue House. Pain and suffering was the backdrop of her life from the early age of 6 when she contracted Polio and suffered at the hands of bullies and critics for her "bad leg" which she hid under pants and later long skirts for the rest of her life.  

Frida age 12: 1919

At 18 (Sept 17, 1925) she was involved in a bus accident that nearly took her life but after surviving it left her with a lifetime of injuries. The bus she was riding on with her then boyfriend collided with a trolley car.

Frida age 18: 1925

Due to her immobilization after her accident she began to sketch and paint to occupy her time. She spent months confined to her bed in various body casts.  She would return to bed and the casts over the course of her life as her health deteriorated. Always with paint brush in hand.

Frida painted her first self portrait in 1926 

"Self Portrait in a Velvet Dress" 

Once "back on her feet" Frida's next life milestone came in the form of famous Mexican Muralist painter Diego Rivera, 20 years her senior, a mentor, a lover, a tragedy, a husband, and a friend. 

They met in early 1928 and were married (for the first time) August 21, 1929 to the total disgust of her religious mother. She commemorated the event in a portrait.

"Wedding Portrait" - 1931 

Currently at the San Fransisco Museum of Modern Art

She was a VERY multi-faceted individual. She was intelligent, brave, and courageous. She was an eclectic mix of the masculine and feminine. 

She was openly bi-sexual, she drank, smoked and cursed like a sailor in a time where "ladies were ladies" and such behavior was seriously frowned upon, especially in her conservative homeland of Mexico with women's traditional roles.  Her dress defied the "trends" of the time. I will talk about Frida's fashion in another piece where I can get more in depth.

Check out this 3 min synopsis video about Frida!   

Want to see the real thing??? Here is a list of the the locations of Frida's Works and where they are today!

LEARN more about Frida:

WATCH:

The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo - PBS Documentary

A&E Biography: Frida Kahlo

Hollywood Bio-Pic: Frida *Watch all the special features too - AMAZING how they made this*

READ:

Biography of Frida Kahlo By Hayden Herrera

Diary of Frida Kahlo: An Intimate Self Portrait

Frida Kahlo: The Paintings By Hayden Herrera

VISIT:

Frida Kahlo's Home - Now Museo Frida Kahlo

Frida & Diego's Home/Studio

Largest private collection of Frida & Diego's work: Delores Olmedo Museum

*I have been to ALL 3 of the above places in Mexico. AMAZING! A MUST see if you love and appreciate Frida*

VIVA FRIDA PART II  - will examine her later life, more of her work and her relationship with Diego up until her death.