design now (timeless pieces)

my sister invited me to the cooper-hewitt on wednesday night for a book event with natalie chanin (of alabama chanin), whose work is featured in this year's "why design now?" show. it was a surprising and inspiring night; particularly when it comes to art and designers, i trust that if my sister tells me i'll be interested in something, it will be so, but i think even she left the event with a deeper appreciation of the artist, the woman. she is just...a force.

a separate post on ms. chanin to come-- to offer a crisp but proper portrayal will require just a bit more time and thought.

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of course, there are so many interesting projects and innovations in this year's triennial, but the why angle is key, especially for a non-designer like me. like, what exactly is the importance of the samarth bicycle trailer? why create a vietnamese urban farm in new orleans? and, a soil lamp? really?

the museum has done a nice job in featuring them all online, so if you're not able to get to the cooper-hewitt between now and...january 9, 2011, you can read and interact online at the museum site.

and there is a companion book by who else, but pentagram.

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last summer, at a family reunion, my cousin christian said, "anita, you're so girly..."

i almost spit up my coca-cola. me? girly? i'm pretty sure no one ever called me that before. but i kinda liked it. it was new. and i think i understood what he meant.

i don't think he was talking about my wardrobe, but judging by these pictures (the few that i took from the show), i do seem to have some kind of eye/yen for girly things...

(i played with the contrast in all of these shots...)

shoestring dress, from maison martin margiela artisanal line.

made of 400 nylon or cotton shoelaces, and metallic tips...

elegant. hot.

from the fin spring/summer 2010 collection. fin is recognized as one of the the first fashion houses--from its inception--to use organic textiles and incorporate fair trade practices.

here: liu shirt, made of organic cotton voile; tasha skirt, of wild handspun silk.

and from painted (a dutch fashion collective), these delicious delicacies:

flower volant shirt. silk organza. needlepoint lace. cotton thread.

jacket, with detachable fur collar (detail).

treasure top: cotton batiste, silk, cotton thread, sterling silver necklace. patchwork, embroidery, crochet, needlepoint lace.

(do you know what batiste is? i had to look it up--it's the softest of the lightweight opaque fabrics, and made of cotton, wool, polyester, or a blend.)

cocktail dress: silk, cotton, linen, beads. needlepoint lace, embroidery, patchwork.

treasure top, a treasure, indeed.

it would be nice to figure out a scenario where i could actually wear something like this. but i believe it's called fantasy island...