Frida Kahlo's Style

Like so many others, I adore the paintings of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. I still remember the first encounter with one of her works: it was in my Danish class (yes, actually..) and we were presented with various paintings to analyse like we did short stories and novels. 

It was this The broken Column from 1944 and it was so striking to me. I had never seen a self portrait like this before. All I knew was the beautifying and glamourising portraits or the royal portraits. But this!? Exposing one's vulnerability and pain in a serious painting was something which blew me away. It also had a closer resonance to me as I have always suffered from spinal pains and I could very well imagine how it must feel to have your spine shattering to pieces.

And now following the will of her husband Diego Rivera, her locked up closets have been opened and many of her items are curated into an exhibition in her house in Mexico. Alas, I am probably not able to see it before it closes later in the year but examples of her most significant and iconic attributes are featured through Vogue Mexico online; her dresses.

When ever we think Frida Kahlo, we automatically have her colourful dresses and head pieces in mind. I have for long wanted to draw a paper doll of her so these dresses will be my first go to material and then her paintings and photographs of her.

If you follow the link at the bottom you can see a higher resolution of her wonderful wardrobe.

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Art inspired Advertising

Yesterday, I discovered these beautiful ad shots from Christian Louboutin's new Autumn/Winter collection via Fashionista and The Telegraph.

They are coining the old masters as well as the notion of Louboutin's work being thought of as works of art, and incorporating Louboutin's works into the art. Beautiful. Wouldn't mind having a pair myself - or one of the ads for that matter. I really like when both fashion and art work together like this. They enhance and compliments eachother. I wouldn't mind if more designers or companies thought in these lines. I think ads would become more appealing at least to me. And I can't see a downfall of distributing more awareness of great art - through museum or fashion advertising, it doesn't matter.. It makes the world a prettier place.

Photo: Peter Lipmann

Image text: Olivia Bergin via The Telegraph

 Georges de la Tour's Magdalene and the Flame sees the subject staring longingly at the 'Puck' boot

 Francois Clouet’s Elizabeth of Austria rests a ‘Catalina’ sequinned clutch bag (£795) and a golden spiked ‘Pigalilli’ platform (£2,295)

 A leopard-print shoulder bag has managed to find a home nestled under the arm of Jean-Marc Nattier’s Marquise de Pompadour portrait

 Francisco de Zurbaran’s Santa Dorotea carefully holds a fruit platter bearing the new ‘8 Mignon’ strappy sandals (£765)

 Arrangement in Grey and Black: The Artist's Mother, by James McNeill Whistler, has been given a Louboutin makeover. Under photographer Peter Lipmann’s eye, instead of clutching a hankerchief, Whistler's Mother can be seen holding the fashion-forward ‘Tootsie’ ankle boot (£1,895), adorned with roccia leathers and studded piping.

Marie-Guillemine Benoist’s Portrait d'une Negresse totes a ‘Balda Booty’ (£695)