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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Revealing Fashion



Having grown up in a world of school uniforms, followed by a decade and a half of "careering" with horses, a dressy outfit consisted of wearing riding breeches and leather boots rather than jeans and muddy Wellies.
My fashion sense has barely progressed since then, as I am now in a construction-related business. I'm more worried about having enough pockets to hold tape measure and cell phone than in how to keep up with brown being the new black etc. My scarves are not artfully draped or knotted, they are to keep me from freezing in a half built house with no windows or doors.
A week ago I had never heard of Cristobal Balenciaga. A chance encounter with an interview on Talk Radio, as I drove from here to there, had me enthralled and wanting to learn more.
Now I can opine about how memorable the creations of this Couturier truly are. The early imprint of his Spanish beginnings show through in the echos of Toreador and Flamenco traditions. Known for his ability to structure a garment into a sculptural statement, Balenciaga well deserved the nickname "Picasso of Fashion".
It is impressive that Balenciaga refused to be interviewed; maintaining that his clothes should be sufficient to speak for themselves. They certainly spoke to me.
If you hear of the "Balenciaga and Spain" exhibit in a museum anywhere near you later this year, I highly recommend taking a tour.

25 comments:

  1. Now that's a change of pace... and it looks like not only did he create some totally striking attire, but had someone do some lovely photographs of it all... Any idea who did the photos ? They are gorgeous. And yes, a long way from muddy wellies...

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  2. The name of Balenciaga, the spanish haute-couture designer is well-known in Europe. Indeed,he wasn't interested in press coverage -and that , they say, was bad for business.
    His creations were sculpture like.

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  3. A friend was talking about him just last week. Now I am intrigued

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  4. Owen, The photos were gleaned from google search. We were not allowed to take pictures at the exhibit. There were 60 or so creations, many we could circle around to see from all angles. They also presented images of a Miro painting that inspired one dress and pictures from Spain pre-1935'ish to show other deep seated influences.

    Duta, apparently, even here amongst the heathen (USA), I am one of few who had never heard of Balenciaga. I am catching up though.

    Legend, The Guest Curator is eloquent, witty and doing a great job of promoting with interviews left and right. Hamish Bowles is (hope I get this right) Editor for European Vogue. He has written a book to go with the show. Quite a tome, from what I saw. He is brilliant.

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  5. Oozing with style and poise. so clean lined and sure of itself too. Very impressive.

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  6. I love the top pic, très chic!

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  7. Ah.
    The Former Days of True Glamor. This is how women were supposed to look when "dressed." In my 1950s young-childhood, ensembles and makeup like those pictured were the standard to which women aspired.
    Isn't it beautiful to see fashion that exhibits style more than cleavage?

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  8. True elegance from a time when ladies wore little suits , gloves and a hat whenever they went out and no man would have dreamt of going out bareheaded .
    But what's really intriguing me is the age of the model . She's not a waif-like fifteen year old ! Very cheering for the more mature among us .

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  9. My dream is..no, was....to be in Vienna at a ball with a man taller than me, and wearing a Balenciaga gown.

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  10. Elegant indeed, but then I have always thought of you as having both class and excellent breeding.

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  11. Steve, coming from modest beginnings, Balenciaga learned to sew from his seamstress mother and was himself a tailor for a while. That gave him the knowledge to cut and fold and work fabrics in a way that no other couturier could accomplish.

    Di, For something that was created decades ago it is still relevant and wearable today. I'm so amazed by this stuff.

    June, Style in Spades. I agree.

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  12. S&S You are right. The model is an adult. She fits the sophistication of the clothes perfectly. (By the way, I do try to dress smartly for travel. Old fashioned English thing)

    Deborah, The gowns were incredible and very varied. There were elegant sheeth dresses with "crown of thorns" silver embroidered overlay. There was a big-skirted gown with a bustle-train decorated with ermine tails. I liked a pink silk that went knee length in front to sweep the ground behind and had some ruffles around the edges. It sounds as though you may have already seen some of these.

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  13. Jimmy,
    Something of a back-handed compliment, as our roots are not so different. I will take it anyway, with many thanks. I'm quite proud to call myself a peasant. No swan neck or long fingers. All stubby and practical. Balenciaga might find me a worthy challenge to dress:)

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  14. Ah, yes, the world of haute couture...the question I always have about the fashions is, "Are they actually wearable??" Most of Balenciaga that I've seen seem to be and he certainly was a master at creating shapes and artistic visions in his clothes.

    Some of the haute couture stuff today....eek! And if you aren't stick thin, it would look dreadful on you...or rather me. *lol*

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  15. Irving Penn photographing his wife, Lisa Fossagrives in the outfits by your new/old favorite designer, je soupçonne.

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  16. Trust the pliers...

    Where are those pliers pinching reality these days anyway ??? Sunny south of the border ???

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  17. Jean, Luckily, we don't have to be able to wear it ourselves to appreciate it.

    Ms. Pliers, Missing you. Thanks for the knowledge.

    Owen, I wouldn't want a world without Pliers, would you?

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  18. I'm into counting pockets too. Too much time in the barn I guess. LOL

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  19. Rainbow, pocket knife, mane comb, piece of baling twine. Did I guess right?

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  20. Well, ya those are important but I also need a place for my cell phone and id since I school my horses by myself in a public park. Hopefully if I get hurt I'll be able to call for help and if I can't they at least know who I am and where I live.

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  21. i saw the devil wears prada, and pret a porter - and there my knowledge of fashion starts (aside from the David Bowie song of the same name)

    But i guess we're all influenced by it somewhere along the line - and i love these photos

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  22. Rainbow, my professional horsey days were pre-cell phone. The ID is well thought out.

    Pixie, I enjoyed Devil Wears Prada & the Bowie song. I just love how creativity is rooted in Life.

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  23. I wouldn't even know where to begin wearing a dress.. or anything even vaguely feminine.. I envy women who can wear clothes with confidence and panache.. sometimes i wish i could be elegant and sexy just once, just to see how it feels.. :-)

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  24. Watercats, It's too hard to have to remember not to wipe your dirty hands on your clothes, when wearing a dress.

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  25. those two pix give me an idea for our Hallowed Weenies halloween endurance ride!
    - The Equestrian Vagabond

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