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Weekend Reading: Womanly models, mortality, and communist fabric
Last weekend, we took a drive out to the Maryhill museum. After getting my socks knocked off by the Rodin collection, we stumbled randomly into the collection of Théâtre de la Mode.
Théâtre de la Mode was an exhibition of 1/3 scale models and clothing crafted by the top fashion designers in 1945, and intended to help revive the French fashion industry after world war II.
I’d always wanted to see this collection, but had completely forgotten that it was part of the museum. The dolls were absolutely stunning, as were the displays and tiny-sized couture they wore. I highly recommend a visit if you are ever in Oregon or Washington.
I hope you find some serendipitous inspiration yourself this weekend.
Weekend Reading:
- Yves Saint Laurent “seemed to go for character and womanliness, no matter what the color or nationality.”
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Communist imagery in textiles from the 1920s and 1930s (ht @lowriann66)
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I was recently reminded of these beautiful vintage fashion illustration prints. It’s time to decorate some walls.
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How being reminded of your mortality influences the way you consume.
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One of my favorite vintage shops, Adored Vintage, is having a 30% off moving sale. If you have a 24″ waist, you should definitely buy this dress.
For more links every week, you can follow me on Twitter, where I’m always posting interesting tidbits I find.
image above via colettepatterns on instagram
Comments
justine
July 25, 2014 #
I always enjoy your weekend links. Thanks!
Christy
July 25, 2014 #
Oh, how wonderful! Theatre de la mode has been on my bucket list for ages. You’ve given me a great idea for a weekend road trip!
heather
July 25, 2014 #
Oh! My family just took a camping trip to the Gorge a couple of weeks ago. I doubt they’d be as interested in the museum as I am though :(
maddie
July 25, 2014 #
I love adored vintage! Thanks!
Lianne
July 25, 2014 #
I already made my Adored Vintage moving sale purchase last week, but you are so right about that dress. If only!!
Ultrahedonist
July 26, 2014 #
Ripper. I love those communist textiles!
The piece on consumption and mortality made me think about the Buddhist practice of meditating on death, which, quite like the research in the article suggests, seems to kind of shore up your values and give you impetus to act in line with them…
Betty Jordan Wester
July 27, 2014 #
I love Saint Laurent, probably bc I love Catherine Deneuve.
One of my favorite Saint Laurent stories was when he was asked about women. At first the english interviewer thought he said, “My dolls.” But when he asked him to repeat it bc he was so soft spoken he said, “My idols.”
Mary Jacobsen
July 27, 2014 #
Yes, these are a Washington Secret Treasure. I have seen them many times over the past 40 years. Nice to see they are still in good regard. Their history to its current residence is interesting.
Juliana @ Urban Simplicity
July 28, 2014 #
Where is the communist textiles link? I just get a general twitter feed when I click the link listed. I’m a Soviet historian, so I’d love to see this!!
I always love your link lists.
Sarai
July 28, 2014 #
Sorry about that, I guess it was cut off. I added it back in. :)
Heidi
July 29, 2014 #
I’m really lucky to live in London so I try and get to most of the amazing exhibitions they have on there. The most recent one was wedding dresses from 1775 – 2014. It was stunning. http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/wedding-dress-1775-2014/