Getting Your Frida On
She's back. She, being Frida Kahlo, is back in fashion as a fashion trend and, while normally I'd have something to say about super-saturating pop culture with a particular artists' image while ignoring their art (i.e. Warhol, Van Gogh....), I'm actually sort of pleased that she's as much a fashion icon as she is an iconic artist. While she had a very tragic life, it's true, I reject the notion that that is solely why she painted herself with such dramatic flair or why she painted herself so often, though. Let's face it, there's more than just a touch of the melodrama about her. A passive/aggressive sort that would make any husband think twice before asking for a divorce.
But that not withstanding, a girl doesn't adorn museum walls full of her deepest,darkest moments, in pose, without being pretty darn sure of how fabulous her own personal adornments were. The woman contemplated fashion and beauty.....ALOT! While not exactly a trendy sort for her time, she could give Madonna a how-to on molding one's own image for mass recognition. And it was a fabulous image. Vivid colors, large earrings, floral head-dressings, over-sized traditional wear....what's not to love?
I figured it was just a matter of time before the pop-icons of now ran out of other-cultural beauties to emulate before they finally looked to Frida for inspiration. And, lo, we got Gwen Stefani in Frida-esque form both in video and on tour for her latest album. So what a joy to see that in this season's Knit.1 they've served up a slew of patterns directly inspired by Ms. Kahlo and her traditional wear. Even a headdress, no less! But should that not be enough to make you consider joining the Frida Kahlo cult (No kidding!), then you can always super-saturate your wardrobe with Frida smocks and skirts (again.... No Kidding!). Gotta love it and while I am of the large-earring variety, I just don't think I'm ready for the cult....seems too aggressive and not enough passive for moi. Maybe I'll change my mind after the Mexican rock opera. Rock on, Frida, rock on....
But that not withstanding, a girl doesn't adorn museum walls full of her deepest,darkest moments, in pose, without being pretty darn sure of how fabulous her own personal adornments were. The woman contemplated fashion and beauty.....ALOT! While not exactly a trendy sort for her time, she could give Madonna a how-to on molding one's own image for mass recognition. And it was a fabulous image. Vivid colors, large earrings, floral head-dressings, over-sized traditional wear....what's not to love?
I figured it was just a matter of time before the pop-icons of now ran out of other-cultural beauties to emulate before they finally looked to Frida for inspiration. And, lo, we got Gwen Stefani in Frida-esque form both in video and on tour for her latest album. So what a joy to see that in this season's Knit.1 they've served up a slew of patterns directly inspired by Ms. Kahlo and her traditional wear. Even a headdress, no less! But should that not be enough to make you consider joining the Frida Kahlo cult (No kidding!), then you can always super-saturate your wardrobe with Frida smocks and skirts (again.... No Kidding!). Gotta love it and while I am of the large-earring variety, I just don't think I'm ready for the cult....seems too aggressive and not enough passive for moi. Maybe I'll change my mind after the Mexican rock opera. Rock on, Frida, rock on....
posted by Red Rocket at 8:37 AM
2 Comments:
Hi! She has scarier eyebrows than Brooke Shields!!
I love Frida and her work. I have since I was a budding art student close to 20 years ago. I also think that her look was fabulous. Her eyebrows are part of it...
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