Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations

When I found I was coming to New York for the summer, the first thing I did was google the dates for the Schiaparelli and Prada exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Both designers have been huge influences on me and my work, and I was incredibly excited to see how their very distinct styles could be put together. So I got together a plan and a friend, and we made our way to the upper east side to partake in this once in a lifetime event.

Trompe L'oeil pleating in Prada (left) and Schiaparelli (right)

The exhibit focuses on the idea of the two women being able to sit down together for a drink, and discuss their views on women, politics, and of course, fashion. Prada explains her focus on the "waist down", explaining that there are "so many things happening from the waist down, sex... giving birth, being attached to the earth"; while Schiap (depicted here by actress Judy Davis) explains that dressing from the waist up was important in her time, as cafes were becoming popular, and most women would be seen sitting down.

I really enjoyed this idea of these two women bantering on about their very distinct views. The videos (which you can view here, at the Met's website), combined with the quotes on the walls and in the exhibits, made them seem like dear friends that are comfortable enough with each other to tear down the other's work. A quote from Prada explaining why she would never collaborate with a conventional artist hangs right next to Schiaparelli's Cousteau and Dali inspired gowns.

"Fashion is art." ~ Elsa Schiaparelli

"Fashion is not art. Fashion designers make clothes and they have to sell them. We have less creative freedom than artists.” ~ Miuccia Prada

Images via vogue.co.uk

metmuseum.org

True North Calling Me Home.

So much for actually having time to blog and post about it! I've been in the city for over 2 months now and regrettably, this is my first blog post since getting off the plane. I'm not sure if it's because I've been too busy at work, or because I simply don't have much to say. Some combination of the two.

The View from my Midtown Apartment

When I first arrived I must admit I was a little disappointed by New York. Everywhere I've lived up until now has been relatively clean. Vancouver is incredibly clean, and the only time I've ever even witnessed littering was during fireworks or some other huge event (still, shame on you! Is it that hard to take your trash home with you?). I was expecting New York to be quite a bit dirtier by definition, but nothing could have possibly prepared me for this:

I'm appalled that some people take so very little pride in the place they live!

So yes, the city does take some getting used to, even after all my careful planning and deliberating. I found that once I left midtown Manhattan (or just Manhattan in general), everything gets a little more exciting and a lot less touristy. Brooklyn is quite clean, and the one time I went to Queens I had no complaints. Central Park is of course beautiful, but nature doesn't just wander up and find you here like it does back home. You have to make more of an effort to find it. And the more time I spend without nature, the more I find I need it in my life.