Red hot at the Met

by Patsyfox on June 21, 2012

Prada: Women always try to tame themselves as they get older, but the ones who look best are often a bit wilder.  Thinking about age all the time is the biggest prison women can make for themselves.

Shiaparelli: Ninety per cent [of women] are afraid of being conspicuous and of what people will say.  So they buy a grey suit.  They should dare to be different.  Although I am very shy… I have never been shy of appearing in public in the most fantastic and personal get up.

34 degrees on its way to a predicted 36, what felt like 100% humidity, and everything chafing.  Undeterred and taking in a record number of Starbucks iced lattes on the way, we trekked uptown today to the Met Museum and took in the delights of Shiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations.

While it never would have occurred to me to group these two designers together in a show, I have to admit the similarities in their approach and scope is striking.  The Met Museum never fails to mount an excellent and thoughtful exhibition, and they have access to an incredible archive of garments.

Baz Luhrmann has directed a series of orchestrated conversations between Elsa Shiaparelli and Muccia Prada which play out on the walls behind the garments.  Somewhat contrived but interesting nevertheless, Judy Davis plays the role of Shiaparelli.  One of the more interesting points raised was Shiaparelli’s conviction that the upper body was the most important and therefore where she concentrated design features.  Why?  Because a woman in society was generally sitting at a dinner table and therefore only seen from the waist up.  Hence the heavily beaded/embroidered jackets, shoulder pads etc.  In contrast, Prada is more interested in the lower half of a body, saying it is the centre of more power – sex and birth for example!

The beautiful cloth-bound catalogue was selling for $45, or if you’re not dropping by NY in the next little while you can grab yourself a copy through Booko for around $38.  Do yourself a favour.

Thank you to the guards who were so slack in spotting the sneaky photographers!  Needless to say, you’ll find much better in the book.

{ 2 comments }

kayb 06.24.12 at 2:06 pm

What a global super star you are. Each year celebrating your birthday in another major city of the world. Last year Paris, this year NY!!!
Happy birthday you precious wonderful woman. Much love KayB

Patsyfox 06.24.12 at 2:43 pm

Aaaw, thanks gorgeous Kay! I do love a summer birthday I must say. See you soon when I get back and toodle up for a visit. xox

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