Let Music fill the air

Monday, June 7, 2010

Find your chic somewhere amidst pettiskirts, Coco Channel and Karl Lagerfeld








I don't know what it is about crinolines and tu tu's but i think they are so crazy beautiful. I remember wanting to be a ballet dancer when I was little and I had this lovely white dress for a commencement dance I had to perform. I think I must have been maybe 7 years old. I'm not sure about the grace, or how well I listened, but I still remember that dress so that must have meant something. Maybe that's where my love for fashion and style began - not sure.
There are certain designers that still embrace the frilly underdressings and I figure if Betsy Johnson can pull it off then heck why can't I. I'm not talking about wearing one to the grocery store or anything but lately I beat to my own drum anyways - so I bought a black one and it is currently being worn by my iron body form in my living room. I topped the crinolin with a vintage sweater that I bought in Savannah, Georgia at a thrift store. The sweater has an ivory fur collar and pearl buttons. I like them together.
So this love affair with these "pettiskirts" continues as I stumble across photo's of tu tu's that Karl Lagerfeld designed for the ballet some time ago. This designer is eccentric but really a genius. He took over as designer for Channel in the early 80's when he says that the empire was a "sleeping beauty". He said it was like reviving a dead woman. Sometimes he got violent reactions to his ideas but he believes "a violent reaction is at least a reaction - and no reaction at all is death". I watched a documentary on him on the Fashion Channel and learned some interesting stuff about how he sees things, what he believes and where he has come from in his lifetime. He says he doesn't go to bed with his head swirling with ideas as people think. He needs time to himself to re-charge, understanding that you can't be with people 24 hrs a day. Of his designs... he says I just come up with the ideas. The seamstresses do what I can't and he admires them immensely. I think that is so amazing for someone with such power and influence to recognize other's that help in his success. When asked if he is a loyal friend, he says, "yes, but I am not stupid. Relationships shouldn't be trivial. Indifference is a cruel existence. He doesn't want people to ever really understand what he is all about - not even those closest to him. That is a true eccentric for sure. He seems funny in many ways, and loves advertising photography. He says he would be a photographer if he wasn't so involved in the design field and he has a good eye for that too. Visiting him in one of his homes, the camera took us into his bathroom for a minute to reveal a sign painted and hung that says "pissing everywhere isn't very Channel". That takes a sense of humor. On success? He says it nullifys you. You then have to do it again - only better. And he feels that if you really feel that things use to be better, then why bother with anything more. You might as well give it up. He is not of that persuasion. He claims to be rather pernickity but likes disorder when he works on design drawings. Of all the pens he uses when sketching, a white out pen is one of his favorites. It shows tule and satin well on the paper. ( That's a nugget for design students). He is know for framing his drawings with a colored felt. (saying it is his Toulous Letrec side)


( Toulouse Lautrec Parisian artistist )




(THESE ARE KARL LAGERFELDS BALLET DESIGNS)

These people are interesting. Weird to many. Considered not important and living a spoiled life. I don't agree. They work hard at something they are passionate about and success unfolds in front of their faces. Sometimes a lucky break is all anyone needs but I think the inspiration here is to never give up what you love. Keep chipping away and if you are incredibly lucky enough to make a living doing what you love then you have mastered one of life's greatest satisfactions.

Wasn't this about finding your Chic? I got lost as usual somewhere between petticoat skirts and designers. It all makes sense to only me, try to stay with me.

8 comments:

BECKY said...

Just poppin' by to say Hi Julie!! Hope all is well up there with you!!

Too much going on here! May head to the beach tomorrow for some sunshine and serenity!! It just soothes my soul like nothing else!

Blessings and hugs to you!!
Becky

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Julie! How fun! My daughter was always a tu tu girl growing up! You day tu tu amd I am immediately pulled back to seeing a Degas statue of a ballerina with a real tu tu and ribbon...such a great combination of textures! I hope you are doing well! Still thinking of the fun of meeting you and Claudie in person! Happy week!....hugs...Debbie

C'est moi Claudette said...

I adore the crinoline you have on Madonna. I forgot about that vintage sweater too. I remember it now from the pic's you sent me after your Coco Chanel night.
I think you would be "one of those chic designers" Julie. I think your passion lies there. You could be like Karl, putting his head down on his pillow to sleep, but waking up with swirls of ideas in your head. Heck what's the sense in wasting your talent on the little things in life when you could be thinking of designing. Your in your prime now, drop the photography for a awhile and pick up some crayons. Start drawing. You live in a funky city where fashion lives and breaths. I'm sure you could show your designs to some stranger on the street that would care : )
I care and miss you.
Love Me
xoxoxoxoxox

Sherri said...

I love your style! I love Betsy and frills and ruffles. I was playing dress up and house at school today with one of the little girls. And we were putting hats and scarfs and pearls and gloves on and I thought to myself why did we stop dressing like this just because we grew up?? We looked a little mismatched but we looked good dammit!! And that was one of the funnest afternoons I've had in a while : ) Your dress form is gorgeous! I was driving past that Rewind store and they had a white one in the window. They actually have a few inside too. Very pricey though I think the big one is $179.00 . I'm with Claudie. Would you not just die to have a creative job? Something that you are talented at that you could make a living at? Those are the lucky ones!! You have so many talents that you will excel at whatever you do : )

Teresa said...

Hey Girlfriend!
You are so right. I know how lucky I am, to make a living at what I love. Love your tutu on the iron maiden. I hope you are doing well. I miss you and Claudie so much.

love you bunches!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Fun post, Julie!

Did you buy one of those crinolines in St. Augustine, or was that Claudie? Or did you both get one???

Thinking of you and hoping all is well...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Jeanne said...

Hello dear Julie, I received a lovely surprise in the mail today. I love, love, love, the poodle pin. Thank you from my heart to yours. Come to my post, I hope you like what I did.

Your post is awesome today. Or maybe you wrote it another day, I didn't notice. Anyway, I love your wire dress form with the fashions you love on display. Your text is so interesting to read about the world of design. You are a wonderful writer and I mean it.

I have not visited in a while. I'm sorry I missed some of your posts. Life here on the mountain is busy like heck. Too late to give you details. Trust me!!! HA!

It is past my bedtime time my dear sweet friend. Good night 'Trust me' again, you will never be forgotten.

BIG loving smiles and hugs just for you. xoxoxo,
Jeanne

~CC Catherine said...

Hey Sweetie Pie Juliet! Yes, this all makes PERFECTO sense to Moi! I loved reading every word of it and I like his philosophy! He does beat to his own drum, for sure. That bathroom sign about (it going everywhere) was a Hoot! I too amy crazy about Petticoats and crenalins, anything like that. And the sweater in the photo on your mannequin ROCKS with the crenalin. LOVING IT! :) I emailed you today to tell you "I GOT THE PKG!" Honey Girl- you made my day, my week, my month...all heck, you made MY YEAR! :) Don't you feel Hugely Important? Yes...cuz you are! Not because you mailed me the lovelies...but because you're YOU! The poetry you wrote for my autograph book is PRECIOUS and I hung on every word. I re-read it then to Johnny. The baby is due "anytime" now - my sons baby that is. :) Can't wait to share the event with you and Claudie! How I miss you guys! For only seeing the two of you for two days...I think of you both so often.......we are such kindred spirits and our hearts were truly knitted together as you all visited. One of my favorite moments were in my office late one evening when you were sharing and tears came to your eyes. Tears make one transparent and when that happens, I just think it's the Best gift one can give a friend...being Authentic! You are such a blessing Julie/Juliet..I hope you realize that! Every time I see my Recipe book stand, I think of you; every time I see or wear my blue vintage hat, I think of you...every time now I will wear my Eiffel Tower necklace..I will take you with me. :) Love you sweetie... ~CC Catherine