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Lady Violette

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Archive for the ‘Manton de Manila’ Category

Some good advice from Martha Graham…

Sunday, February 20th, 2011

Martha Graham

Good dance teachers have been some of the most interesting people I have ever known. They not only teach you about dance, they teach you about life with their constant running commentary on everything. They are constantly working at motivating you in every way possible. It is a way of thinking and a way of life…I remember things that many of the ones I studied with said decades later.

Here is an examples – of one of those things a dance teacher would typically say in a class or a rehearsal, a philosophical missile from the dance world – from Martha Graham. And they apply to everyone, not just dancers.

” There is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist again through any other medium and will be lost.” Martha Graham

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Georges Braques, the French artist said,

Friday, February 18th, 2011

“There is Only One Valuable Thing in Art.

The Thing That You Cannot Explain.” – George  Braque, French Painter & Sculptor, 1882-1963.

He was so right, wasn’t he?

I think about this every day! I can explain and write about what I am thinking about when I make it, or how it comes to be, but I cannot explain the “Je ne sais quois!” factor, no one can! And I love that actually….

It adds to the mystery of the whole process…of making art and of experiencing art and life…

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Mondrian Tangentially Influences Rite of Spring 2011 Fashion

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

Mademoiselle Coco Against Mondrian Color Blocks with Beautiful Hair Clips

“Did Mondrian paint this Color Block golf shed? ” wonders Mademoiselle Coco her intense gaze fixed directly on the camera while she concentrates on channeling Picasso’s portrait of his Diaghilev Russian ballerina wife Olga with her dark hair pulled back and pinned with beautiful flower hair clips.

Mademoiselle Coco’s Spring 2011 Resort Collection Pour Le Sport is inspired by the artists, dancers and intellectuals of the Diaghilev Ballets Russes in Paris 1909 – 1929 seasons.

The romantic and feminine collection features le style sportif focusing on body conscious base pieces over-layered with ruffled and tiered dancer style skirts, wrap around tops and tie on aprons. The peasant influences seen in costumes for Le Sacre de Printemps, Les Noces,  and other folk theme infused ballets are visible in flower embroidered blouses and tunics colorfully trimmed with embroidery and ribbons.

In keeping with the peasantly balletic theme the model’s hair is decorated with flowers. We especially like the new way of using all the flower hair clips you have, all at once, all of the time! It is the  fresh new take on flowers in the hair for spring and everyone will be doing it!

Mademoiselle Coco and Lady Violette advise: “If you want to look fresh, and you do nothing else this spring, wear lots and lots of flowers in your hair!

Ribbon Hair Flowers Clips are designed by Lady Violette for Mademoiselle Coco. This spring the designer, Lady Violette, continues to explore Mondrian’s belief that the artist should “discard all non-essentials” and “restrict your work to natural forms of beauty” as this pertains to caring for, dressing and designing the hair. In other words, keep things fairly simple. Just wash your hair with a delicately perfumed floral shampoo and wear some flowers in it!

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2011 Spring Fashion Update – Coco Pour Le Sport

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

Golfing Costume by Coco Pour Le Sport for Her Resort Collection Spring 2011

The perfect ensemble for Golfing and Vogueing from Mademoiselle Coco’s Pour Le Sport Spring 2011 Resort Collection features a classically styled  black cotton knit dancer’s leotard paired with a full and feminine vintage inspired pale pink cotton gauze three tiered skirt, a la Marie Laurencin. It’s topped off with Coco’s must-have fashion accessories of the season – beautiful fancy flower hair clips hand made from satin ribbons worn in multiples across the head.

Hair clips designed for Mademoiselle Coco by Lady Violette. Leotard – vintage Danskin. Skirt – from model’s own vintage collection.

In this Spring 2011 Coco Pour Le Sport Resort Season everything is about being frilly and girly while having fun doing it with a respectful wave to the classic beauties of the past!

A Worldly Paris Left-Bank Expression finishes the look!

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” Real Flowers are Always Best!” for Wearing in Your Hair!

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

"She Wants Real Flowers Now!"

Here is a lovely 3 year old Coco showing us her latest favorite way to wear flowers! In her hair! She loves to put pretty decorations in her hair and is always experimenting. Upon request I made her a collection of hair ornaments using ribbons made into little flowers attached to clips. A big hit! And very easy to do. I’ll post a picture soon.

For inspiration we looked at some pictures of the film actress Dorothy Lamour who was famous for wearing flowers in her long brown hair as well as necklaces, called leis, which are made of real flowers and are worn in Tahiti and Hawaii. Dorothy was very beautiful and in her vintage flower printed  sarongs, with big tropical flowers tucked behind her ear.

So Coco wants real flowers now! Here she is with real flowers in her hair! So inspirational and pretty!  A real one is always best!  And the inclusion of a couple of buds is lovely and so artistic! They can often be had easily and free from your own garden or picked from an overhanging rosebush in a nearby alley. This one happens to be a morning glory from a vine down the street that some might consider a weed. We see it as an exquisite art deco embellishment!

Children often have great style and fashion tips to offer which seem to come to them quite naturally. They are great with color and offbeat combinations. One can learn a lot and have a lot of fun dressing them and dressing up with them. And looking for costumes and children’s vintage clothing for them! I’ve found quite a few interesting old children’s things and given them new life! Look forward to seeing some in future postings…

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