"A Tale of Silk and Feathers . . . "

Greetings,  

Last week's visit to New York holds many great memories . . . but, easily one of the most profound was an afternoon visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art - to experience the "Savage Beauty" exhibit.  And I use the word 'experience' instead of simply 'viewing' or 'seeing.'  True art should move you.  Should transform you.  Should alter the vantage point from which you see life.

And seeing the retrospective of visionary Scottish fashion designer Alexander McQueen did that exact thing to me.

Alexander McQueen - (1969 - 2010)

“Alexander McQueen’s iconic designs constitute the work of an artist whose medium of expression was fashion,” said Thomas P. Campbell, Director of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. “This landmark exhibition continues the Museum’s tradition of celebrating designers who changed the course of history and culture by creating new possibilities.”

                                                                        - from the Alexander McQueen Website

The large installation consists of almost a dozen smaller galleries - with various examples of McQueen's work gathered by theme and inspiration more than simply organized by season or collection.  It very clearly highlights many repeating themes that ran throughout his career.  

Following are a several images from the exhibit - as well as some of my all-time
personal favourites from McQueen's runway shows . . .

"Widows of Culloden" Collection, Fall 2006

"Oyster" Dress, Spring 2003

"The Widows of Culloden" Collection, Fall 2006

Savage Beauty Exhibit, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Savage Beauty Exhibit, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Fall 2006

Spring 2007

Alexander McQueen and Sarah Jessica Parker, at the
Metropolitan Museum  Costume Institute's Gala in 2006.

"I will always remember him arriving and walking up the steps to the Metropolitan Museum with Sarah Jessica Parker and the two of them were both these two visions in matching tulle and tartan and he was just so excited and thrilled to be there."

                                                -Anna Wintour, Vogue Magazine 

The following video is an amazing tour through the exhibit.  

Cheers,
Scot

"National Tartan Day, 2011 . . . "

Me, in all my tartan glory.

Greetings,

For those of y'all who are regular readers - you'll know that we do things big and plaid here each year on April 6th.  The date was chosen as "National Tartan Day" for those of us of Scottish descent to celebrate our highland heritage.  If you hear bagpipes in the distance, it might just be me!

And as usual, I've decided to embrace the day and post a flurry of my favourite plaid images - enjoy . . .

Polo/Ralph Lauren

Barrie Benson, from Domino Magazine
(photo credit - Laura Resin)

SMW Design, Holiday 2008

"Plaid is the New Black" featuring my home and some good friends

Rue Magazine, Nov-Dec 2010.

My Own Bedroom.  
(photo credit - Nicolas Smith)

The Draper's Kitchen, from Mad Men.

The late Alexander McQueen and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Summer Thornton, Chicago 

SMW Design, San Francisco
(photo credit - Nicolas Smith)

Hackett of London.

My own home - dressed for dinner,  Holiday 2009

From Country Living
(photo credit - Keith Scott Morton)

Michael Bastian, one of my favourite Menswear designers

Charlotte Moss, for Elle Decor
(photo credit - Pieter Estersohn)

SMW Design, San Francisco.  Holiday 2010
(photo credit - Nicolas Smith)

And the now, ubiquitous image of tartan sheep.

You might also enjoy "National Tartan Day" posts from previous years.  Here's 2010 and 2009.

Cheers,
Scot