Fashion as Art

Living in a big city can be a drag.  The traffic is terrible, everything is expensive and sometime you have to pay to park at the grocery store.  I’m lucky to live in a tiny house on a postage stamp-size piece of land.  I keep trying to remind myself that if my house was an apartment in Manhattan it would be HUGE, but here in Southern California it’s just darn small. There are perks however…

…like being able to walk to gallery openings!  Above is one of Mary Jo Matsumoto’s couture dresses inspired by the artwork being exhibited as part of the show “Artist’s Edition: Works on Couture” at the Stephen Cohen Gallery here in Los Angeles.  I spent a few wonderful minutes wandering through the gallery for the opening on Saint Patrick’s Day.  I’m not sure what I liked more, the artwork on the walls or the people watching.

I like the way this woman’s “Santa Fe” style contrasts with her bright blue nail polish.

The art wasn’t just hanging on the walls.  This girl had some on her body. Was it inspired by Mondrian do you think? I’ve seen a lot of tattoos, but I’ve never seen anything quite like this.  When I saw her the refrain from Grace Jones’ song “Art Groupie” (from the album Nightclubbing, 1981) filled my mind.

“I’ll never write my memoirs,
There’s nothing in my book,
The only way you see me an Art Groupie,
I’m hooked.”

To tell the truth I find gallery openings really intimidating.  If it hadn’t been for Mary Jo I would never have had the courage to enter.  She is one of the only Los Angeles fashion bloggers who responded to any of my comments on her blog.  In my experience L.A. fashion bloggers aren’t very interested in interaction with fellow bloggers. It’s sad to say, but having lived here most of my life, I don’t find it all that surprising.  Most of my blogging friends live elsewhere in the world, so meeting in person isn’t all that easy.  But here was Mary Jo showing her designs in a gallery not too far from my house, how could I not go?  So I plucked up my courage, got dressed in my coolest black plus black plus more black outfit, and headed out. Even though I took a few photos, somehow I missed getting one of myself and Mary Jo, so if you’d like to see some more photos of the event and the very beautiful, chic Mary Jo herself, please check out her blog, “Trust Your Style“.

Though I’m fond of the skirt and matching wrap above, I think I like the hot pink mini and tiny purse even better. Oh, the photography on display was wonderful as well.  Below is one of my favorites.

Do you like gallery openings?