WARMING Into Spring
Cultural & Charitable Catch-Up: April 2015
Text & Photographs © Jill Lynne, 2015
Designer Palph Puuci and "The Art Of The Mannequin" at MAD, DIOR & I, the new Fashion Docu spotlighting Designer Raf Simmons, Mademoiselle Chanel by C.W. Gortner, JOY by Jen Patou at Bergdorf's, Women's History Month celebrated at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Art Fair Week's SCOPE...
Spring has sprung!!!
After an arduous winter, New Yorkers are dancing-in-the-streets; colorfully clad, out-&-about, popping into social, cultural and charitable events...
Creator Ralph Pucci with his Iconic Pucci Mannequins at the MAD Opening of "The Art of The Mannequin: Three Decades of Pucci Mannequins."
We attended the opening of "The Art of The Mannequin: Three Decades of Ralph Pucci Mannequins," at one of our favorite museums, MAD, the Museum of Art and Design.
The 1986 "Olympian Goddess" a Collaboration with Andree Putman
The 1999 "Birdie" by Designer Ruben Toledo -- a breakthrough in showcasing Designer garb for plus-size women
The 2000 Collaboration with Artist Kenny Scharf
Through artistic innovations involving important collaborations with the likes of Kenny Scharf, Diane von Furstenberg, Lowell Nesbit, Isabel and Rubin Toledo, Christy Turlington, Andree Putman, Veruschka, Pucci expanded the very concept of the traditional mannequin as a mere formulaic tool on which to display garments.
Instead he transformed the mannequin into a dynamic sculptural form. With innovative stylization and whimsy, Pucci has proven himself to also be an artist-par-excellence.
The 1995" NILE" Collaboration with Designer Patrick Naggar
The Acrobatic Mannequin by Ralph Pucci
The Pucci Mannequin Sculpting Studio
The fascinatingly curated exhibition -- by Curatorial Assistant and Project Manager, Barbara Paris Gifford, displays 30 of the iconic Pucci Mannequins as well as recreating the actual Sculpting Studio, with scheduled Live Sculpting.
Project Manager and Curatorial Assistant Barbara Paris Gifford
Look for the Live Sculpting of celebrated Fashion Designer Mary McFadden on April 23rd, 6-8pm, and (tentatively scheduled) award-winning Furniture Designer, Vladimir Kagan on May 7th.
The Ralph Pucci Showroom, located at 44West 18th Street, showcases not only these memorable mannequins but also edgy collections of Designer Furniture, Home Furnishings and Art,
While on the subject of Fashion, I recommend the fascinating documentary DIOR AND I.The film takes the viewer on a journey through the creation of the Debut Collection of Raf Simons, the new Artistic Director of DIOR.
Designer Raf Simons Inspects His Designs for his Inaugural Haute Couture Collection for The House of Dior, Paris
The film also marks the directorial debut of Frederic Tcheng (also co-director/producer of two additionally impressive Fashion docus, Diana Vreeland: The Eye and Valentino: The Last Emperor).
This amazing work introduces the viewer to a behind-the-scene-look at one of the few remaining Paris-based Haute Couture Design Houses- the long-term dedicated individuals who take pride in being integral to the trials and tribulations of bringing the Collection to show, and the actual fabulousness of the over-the-top runway presentation
(An entire mansion is refurbished and decorated with walls of beautiful blooming live "fleurs")...
The Collection also Represents the expertise and collaboration of the dedicated Dior Couture Team
At the conclusion of the gorgeous spectacle, as the now "proven" Designer Raf Simmons walks-the-runway, we too feel a sense of tearful exhilaration and exhaustion.
Mademoiselle Chanel is the wonderful new historically-based novel by C.W. Gortner.
Drama, Passion, Tragedy and Beauty infuse the imagined intimate life of the renowned Designer Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel -- who rose from rural poverty to becoming one of the 20th century's most influential and controversial figures -- building an empire of relentlessly "moderne" break-thru fashion.
Raised in a strict convent/orphanage, a self-taught seamstress, whose torch-singing garnered her first wealthy beau and patron...Chanel became the creator of the very notion of "The Little Black Dress" as well as the global brand of Chanel No. 5.
The intricately detailed descriptions of the actual fabrication of Chanel's garments and the resulting fashions, underscore C.W. Gortner fashion background. This exceptional novel is a must-read for fashionistas and all who just luv a good-read.
Thomas Fontaine, the In-House Perfumer at the Paris-based Jean Patou Laboratory comments on the History of the Perfume JOY.
Recently we stopped by Bergdorf Goodman (considered by Moi to be the equivalent of a Retail Museum of Living Purchasable Fashion) for the celebration of JOY by Jean Patou, benefitting The Museum of The City of New York.
The popular Mark Gilbertson, Director of The Museum of The City of New York's Directors Council, addresses Attendees (including Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff -- on the right)
Ironically developed at the height of the Depression, the legendary JOY, created by Jean Patou in 1930. was considered the most luxurious of scents. Every ounce required 10,600 Jasmine flowers and 28 dozen Roses.
During NYC's Art Fair Week, we peeped in at the 15th Annual, edgy SCOPE Art Show.
Midst the maze of confusing exhibition corridors we did manage to find three aesthetic marvels.
2015 Installation "Geggenstrom (XXL) by Swiss Artist Marck, created from LCD, metal, plastic and movie loop presenting an endless figure swimming in water, is beautifully mesmerizing...
"German Culture v2 1903" by incredible Kerry Miller, 1958 is a detailed intricately cut collage in a book.
Reflecting on myself in the mirrored surface of of Peter Gronquist's Art
To celebrate Women's History Month, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Celebrated Four very special Women with a gala Multicultural Event at The architecturally inspirational Temple of Dendur.
Honoree, The Remarkable Edith "Edie" Windsor, who at age 86 brought her case to the Supreme Court and defeated the anti-Gay rulings under DOMA:
On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision declaring Section 3 of DOMA to be unconstitutional "as a deprivation of the liberty of the person protected by the Fifth Amendment.
Honoree Gail Bruce, a long-time advocate for Native American Education and Rights, and Co-Founder of The American Indian College Fund, pictured with her Producer Husband Murray Bruce.
The Charismatic Honoree Playwright Vy Higgensen recognized for The Harlem's Teens Choir
At The Podium, Honoree Melissa Mark-Viverito, Speaker of The New York City Council and an Advocate for the Latin/Spanish-speaking Community
Officiated by Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer, Director Thomas P. Campbell and President Emily K, Rafferty, the Honorees included Gail Bruce, for her Native American Education Activism, Vy Higginsen for the Harlem Teens Choir, Melissa Mark-Viverito and Edith "Eddie" Windsor for her Gay Rights Activism.
President The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Emily K. Rafferty (who is soon to retire from this position...)
This is a season of New Light -- celebrated in Easter, Passover and many spiritual traditions.
Let us all recommit to be the bearers of that light -- doing our very best to en-LIGHT-en ourselves and our world...
Graphic Installation from MADE at Milk Studios
All Photographs © Jill Lynne 2015 Available for Purchase
Contact jilllynne1@mac.com
www.jilllynne.com