Rich Beautiful Exhibits Everywhere

No need to tell you I've been busy and still grieving unexpectedly when alone, so I just couldn't write. But so much is happening in fashion exhibits that I must send this brief note.

Something to See in Every Corner
Until June 5, Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave is on exhibit at the Legion of Honor Museum, San Francisco. If you go to www.amazon.com you will find several books by de Borchgrave and others. I have ordered the book Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave by Jill D'Alessandro and was hoping to review it for you. But it hasn't arrived yet. There is one review that indicates it's a good book.
Ms. D'Alessandro is curator of the exhibit and gave a lecture earlier this year to the Textile Arts Council. I've heard wonderful comments both about the work and about the exhibit. I hope to see it soon and will tell you all about it. Meanwhile, I found a blog that has photos for you:
tomandlorenzo2.blogspot.com/2011/04/pulp-fashion-by-isabelle-de-borchgrave.html

Until July 4, Balenciaga and Spain is on exhibit at the de Young Museum, San Francisco. This exhibit is curated by Hamish Bowles, European editor-at-large of Vogue magazine, featuring nearly 120 haute couture garments, hats, and headdresses designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895–1972).

I came upon a newspaper review with a few photos:
www.examiner.com/fashion-in-oakland/field-trip-balenciaga-and-spain-exhibition-at-the-de-young-museum This is another show not to be missed, even if I have to walk to get there!

An opening day symposium included speakers Hamish Bowles, Pamela Goblin, Miren Arzalluz, and Lourdes Font. I wasn't able to go, but all is not lost.
The conference was filmed for on-demand viewing. Pay $9.95 USD and you can watch the symposium for the duration of the de Young exhibition which ends on July 4. I watched the preview and wish I could have the whole thing on DVD! This is almost four hours of watching time but that's why you want to be able to go back again and again. Wonderful stuff!
http://fora.tv/conference/Balenciaga_and_Spain

Until June 19, Scaasi: American Couturier, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
www.mfa.org/exhibitions

Until July 10, Yohji Yamamoto, Victoria & Albert Museum, London UK. A retrospective of this most innovative designer. www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/yohji-yamamoto/index.html

Until July 31, Origin and Heritage of Ainu Culture, Burke Museum of Natural History
and Culture, Seattle WA. I just love their clothing designs! www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/exhibits/

May 4 – July 31 Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. A grand retrospective for a brilliant talent lost too soon. www.metmuseum.org/special/se_upcoming.asp

June 16 – Sept. 18 Bojagi and Beyond, an exhibition of traditional patchwork Korean wrapping cloths and contemporary interpretations. Museum of Craft and Folk Art, 15 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco. 415 227-4888 www.mocfa.org

John Marshall Has A Blog!
John Marshall has decided to write a blog. He's doing what I like best in his classes, tells how he got to where he is now as an artist and shows us examples of his and others fine art. I mean, it took him six months to dye a piece of fabric for a jacket! It was six months before he could wash out the soy wax. Me, I'm lucky if I leave the fabric sitting overnight. And therein lies a huge difference in the end product. Have a look at John's blog. He makes me feel ok about writing my long ones! http://johnmarshall.to/blog/

More of the Eye Candy made by Priscilla Kibbee
I get so much pleasure from Priscilla's blog (http://priscillakibbee.blogspot.com) but also just as much from her friends' links. These two recorded recent events. At one Priscilla was helping/teaching one of her students, and the other records a recent Priscilla fashion show. Enjoy!
https://picasaweb.google.com/Elizabeth.Brandkamp/20110310GvqcMarchMeeting##

http://www.decampstudio.com/

New Folkwear Patterns
I heard from Kate Matthews of Folkwear Patterns. They have two new patterns coming out. One is a hat that looks perfect for garden parties or summer weddings, or to wear embellished to a street festival. The middy blouse has a flared hemline and sailor collar and also seems ideal for wearable art--more later when I see the pattern. www.folkwear.com