By TINA WILSON
“Art has saved my life on a regular basis.” Carrie Mae Weems.
Art, film, literature, and fashion, they are our storytellers. They are barometers of our mood and mirror our times. I believe the diverse colors and infinite patterns I see all around are in defiance of the current dark tone we face, and are a reflection of us, the humanity and good still within.
It’s no coincidence that florals are everywhere, that they keep getting stronger and more complex. They were abundant at Curve, Interfiliere and currently on the streets. Flowers make me happy, they make us happy and I for one am craving happiness and hope. Christine owns the floral print on silk. She takes them and blurs them to muted perfection, she mixes them with fauna, she borders them and displays these works of art on shapes that are fluid and uncomplicated.
Other signs of happiness are geos; abstract and graphic. Hanro, a brand not known for prints or vibrant color is now dabbling in stripes and patterns that are wearable and timely. They are interesting enough to compete with nature and restrained enough to be worn inside or out in the world. Pluto has dots; bold, and mixed with stripes, the bigger the better. I’m a sucker for a polka dot, but it must be grounded in black or navy for full effect. I don’t like to mess with multi colored dots and such, they remind me of childrenswear, which is great if you’re 5 years old.
Sometimes an array of eclectic colors and a little lace is all you need when you have exquisite workmanship, such is the case with Keep It Silky, a new French brand that is causing a stir with their intricate lace applique and palette. The construction of each piece is priceless, I turned the garments inside out and frankly I don’t know how they did it, the inside was as pristine as the outside of the garment.
Paul Stuart, the iconic menswear brand is coming out with a line of silk robes and pjs for women. I am struck by the uninhibited palette, and the grand scale of some of the patterns, in particular the butterflies. I love real butterflies but not always printed butterflies, their interpretation can often seem cartoonish. These beauties make me think of “Butterflies Are Free”, a memorable movie from the 70’s starring Goldie Hawn and Edward Albert who play a blind man and the woman he falls for. The title is taken from a line in the Dickens novel “Bleak House”.
“I only ask to be free. The butterflies are free. Mankind will surely not deny to Harold Skimpole what it concedes to the butterflies.”- Charles Dickens
I believe we all can agree that we need more art, more colors, more diversity, more beautiful words and that we all want to feel free……..Peace and Happy Spring
