henry darger - in the realms of the unreal

I fully admit to being way behind the curve on this, but I plead technical difficulties.  When In the Realms of the Unreal, the documentary about the life of outsider artist and writer Henry Darger first came out in 2004, I was immediately fascinated and couldn't wait to see it.  I didn't get a chance until it came to Netflix in 2005, but the DVD I received wouldn't play in my machine.  I remember being really annoyed, as I was so looking forward to learning more about this artist and his strange work.

I recently saw this post on Some Girls Wander with photos taken of Darger's room--which had been left as it was when he died in 1973, but has since been dismantled--and decided I needed to make an effort to see the film again.

Darger was the author of a 15,000-page manuscript titled The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What is known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glandeco-Angelinnian War Storm, Caused by the Child Slave Rebellion, which he illustrated with several hundred drawings and watercolors. 

Darger, who'd had a troubled, difficult childhood, spent largely in an asylum for "feeble-minded children," was a self-taught artist.  One of the most fascinating sections of the film is the description of the variety of methods Darger used to master his various characters: tracing, collage, and photo enlargement among them.  

I won't even try to describe the plot of The Vivian Girls.  It's epic.  The illustrations are by turns stunningly beautiful and nightmarishly disturbing. 

I found myself mesmerized by his use of color.

The film does a brilliant job of showcasing Darger's art, at times animating it, and in a couple cases incorporating it into old photos of Chicago (where Darger lived), in a film collage.

xo

K

look outside

I know you'll recognize

It's summertime

--The Flaming Lips, "It's Summertime"

Here's a summery, colorful, shop preview.  Some really cute sundresses, and a couple deadstock dresses, in this batch.  A decided lack of sleeves!

1950s pique floral stripe sundress, by Trude of California.

Canary yellow pintucks blouse, by The Pilot Blouse.

Deadstock 1960s cotton houndstooth print dress trimmed with rickrack.

1960s paisley print polished cotton blouse, by Adelaar.

1950s navy blue criss-cross bodice cocktail dress.

Calico floral and paisley print wrap skirt with buttons at waist.

1960s colorblock dress by Carlye, made with Moygashel Irish linen.

1950s cocoa eyelet blouse, by Heritage.

1950s diamond floral print button-front dress.

1960s tapestry maillot swimsuit.

1960s daisy print pique dress, by Katz Shift.

1950s embroidered button-back blouse with gathered neckline.

Deadstock 1950s striped cotton dress with diagonal button placket.

1970s Abercrombie & Fitch patchwork bellbottoms--a special listing to benefit the dogs and cats of Denver's MaxFund no-kill animal shelter.

1960s raspberry Ottoman vine print voile dress, by Bill Atkinson Glen of Michigan.

1960s pastel stripe sleeveless blouse, by Etonic Harburt.

Deadstock 1960s butterfly and flower patchwork print jumper/playsuit with belt, by Margy-Jane Loungewear.

1960s silk floral print blouse, by Capri.

Deadstock 1960s cotton rose print dress with rickrack trim.

 1950s sky blue cotton pintucks blouse, by Ship n' Shore.

1950s ikat tapestry print sundress with belt.

xo

K

good old summertime

PawPaw (my grandfather) and my dad fishing, 1950s.

Happy Independence Day to all the Americans celebrating!  My grandfather (above) would have been 111 years old today.    

Here's a little vintage summer fashion parade, courtesy my old family photos.

(And don't forget, the summer sale continues through midnight tonight with 20% off everything in the Etsy shop!)

My grandmother Edna, 1950s.

My grandmother Marian and my mom, late 1940s.

My mom (holding puppy) and lots of cousins, early 1950s.

Grandma Edna with my Dad, practicing sun protection, early 1940s.

My Tante (great aunt) Bernice and great uncle Charlie (rocking the Hawaiian shirt), holding babies Chuck and Ann, early 1950s.

Summer dudes.  My grandfather (with pipe and boater) and a couple uncles, 1940s.

Summer gals.  Grandma Edna holding my dad.  1940s.

Edna in the water, circa 1930s.  I sincerely hope that dress wasn't rayon crepe!

Double exposure photo with my dad (striped t-shirt) and my grandfather in it twice--in his swim trunks and his street clothes!

xo

K

hailee steinfeld for miu miu

Regular readers of this blog will know I don't often post about what designers are doing nowadays.  The clothes are far out of my price range, and I usually find street style fashion (and other bloggers' outfit posts) far more inspiring.  However, I've been posting images from this Hailee Steinfeld shoot for Miu Miu's Fall 2011 campaign on my Tumblr this week, and figured I should mention it on the blog.

These photos--these images and more from the shoot can be found on the Fashion Gone Rogue blog--just kind of have it all.  I loved Hailee Steinfeld in True Grit, and she makes a gorgeous model for these 1940s looks.  Which is another thing I love, the nod to the 1940s.  And the amazing bird print on that dress.  And I might kinda love the oversize bags, though I'm not sure.  I love them in the photos anyway.  Also love the train track setting for some of the photos (which, by the way, were taken by Bruce Weber).  Enjoy!

xo

K