GONE DOTTY - The Yayoi Kusama Opening at the Whitney Museum

On July 11th, we attended the Whitney Museum's reception celebrating the opening of its Yayoi Kusama exhibition. In Yayoi's honor, we came wearing lots of polka dots, from our hats right down to our socks and shoes.

Artist Yayoi Kusama is a woman after our own hearts.

In her youth, she was outrageous. Below, in the '60s, she poses nude with two of her favorite themes: polka dots and, um, - shall we say - growths.



In her old age, she knows what she likes, sticks with it, and doesn't care what anyone thinks. In the photo below, you can see she still likes polka dots, to such an extent that she has incorporated into her wheelchair.



So we were very excited when we discovered that the Whitney Museum was holding a huge restrospective of her work (fans as we are of polka dots, if not so much of growths), and agreed we would have to go to the opening. Hahahahahahahahahahaha. We and a million other people, with whom we stood on a line a full city block long for about thirty minutes.  We took this picture near Park Avenue, and the smallest head you can see in the distance is near Madison Avenue.



Here's one of many like-minded admirers on line with us that evening, proudly sporting his spots.



When the line finally reached Madison Avenue, we looked down into the courtyard got to see how many guests had already beaten us to the punch -- and the hors d'oeuvres.

Ms. Kusama is doing a monumental tie-up with Louis Vuitton. (Remember the polka dot collar we showed you a few weeks ago? That's part of it .) So it was not surprising that we ran into Dino Pantazopoulos, who works for LV North America. When he asked to have his picture taken with us, we were more than happy to oblige.  We noticed that he'd hand-painted the white dots on his red tie for the occasion. (At his desk, with Liquid Paper?, we wondered...)

We also met David Calle from Ralph Lauren at the party, which seems to have attracted the fashion crowd as well as the art crowd.

We had to stop Victor for a photograph.  Not only was he dressed in dots, but was also sporting around his neck his own handmade portrait of Ms. Kusama, made of beads. Check out his website at 3PTPOP.COM.



This woman told us her daughter had sewn the dots on her pink dress.

Joel Snyder, who works at the Whitney, was appropriately dressed for the occasion.

Another guest in polka dots.

Both of these young women incorporated dots into their outfits. They posed in front of some of the red mylar orbs that covered the west wall of the courtyard in honor of Ms. Kusama.

This dapper gentleman took the subtle approach. Note the polka dotted pocket square.

We loved this wonderful bow tie.

Since we're style bloggers, we thought we'd include these Kusama fashions, which come complete with their own growths. The top is a wonderfully saturated shade of pink.

We foolishly did not take down this woman's name, but enjoyed talking with her. We had previously run into her at the Helmut Lang show.

Some of Kusama's works are huge. Jean gives you some idea what kind of scale she deals in. The 1982 work on the wall behind her is titled Leftover Snow in the Dream.

Valerie stepped dangerously close to the artwork to pose for this photo and got a good natured scolding from one of the guards, who then told us she loved our hats.

These two ladies looked just as good coming as they did going.

This mother-daughter pair were enjoying themselves immensely at the show.

We had met both of these lovely ladies on previous occasions. The lady on the right even has a copy of Joana Avillez' "Life Dressing: The Idiosyncratic Fashionistas".

Speaking of Joana, whom should we run into next but her friend Sophia (2nd from left).

This Kusama piece, Fireflies in the Night, had an entire room on the first floor consecrated to it. We were not allowed to enter it - only to view it as outsiders looking in. There's a mirror at the opposite end, so we were able to see ourselves, and if you look carefully you can see we're also reflected upside down.  Although the larger Kusama show closes on September 30, 2012, the Fireflies installation will remain open until October 28, 2012.

Francois Vandame and his brother carouse for the camera in front of the Fireflies installation on the first floor.

Ariel Krupnik was a vision in toile. Even his business card is covered back and front in the same print. Needless to say, he's hard to forget and we will definitely remember him when our paths cross again. (And don't forget to check out his shoes.)

Check out the spectacular sunset in the background. Even Mother Nature got into the act.

After the show, since we'd missed most of the refreshments, we walked a few blocks north, back to Bar Pleiades. On the way we stopped in front a shop called Ahn Ann, which we can always count on to have some unimaginable confections inside. From the window display, you can see the folks at Ahn Ann have also caught spotted fever.

We stopped for one more photo of Valerie with an architect who just moved to NYC and a zebra-clad performance artist and her friend. The two ladies were hilarious in describing reactions to the jumpsuit at other NYC venues and how much warmer the audience reaction at the Whitney had been.

At Bar Pleiades, we split an order of wonderful french fries dusted with what tasted like truffle powder and each had an El Diablo (Lunazul tequila, ginger syrup and creme de cassis).

We compared notes, swapped stories, planned our next Yayoi Kusama escapade (stay tuned) and had a terrific time.

What We're Wearing We're both wearing the vintage coolie hats we bought at a thrift shop, which we spray painted red. Polka dots are courtesy of Staples office supplies. In addition:

Valerie is wearing: Black and white plastic polka dot clip-on earrings from Jean's mom; red and white polka dot reading glasses, unlabeled; white linen suit by Calvin Klein (thrift shop); cotton and nylon paneled tee shirt from H&M; red leather pin by Tereza Symon's mother; Happy Feet red and white polka dot socks; clear plastic shoes by Gaetano Pesce for Melissa.

Jean is wearing: Black Lilith jumpsuit; American Apparel black and white striped t-neck; Underground creepers; vintage red bakelite earrings, rings, and cuff.

Encore! IFs in Marie Claire, Italian Edition

OMG, BFFs! We got an email last week from Carol Markel, of Femme et Fleur fame, alerting us that Advanced Style (the book) had an eight page spread in the Italian edition of Marie Claire! Ever chic Carol leads the way, with the whole opening page of the article (see below, in which Carol wears the marvelous Louise Brooks helmet she designed and made herself [and which we were later lucky to get our own versions of from Carol], and the left side of the page (with husband Richard Cramer, not to be outdone, in green and pink), and another appearance on the table of contents page (not shown).

Marie Claire has gone all out, for which we want to give them thanks and recognition. There are some twenty photos, in which each of the Advanced Style ladies is named, and briefly profiled. (They named our blog, for which they get a big gold star - una grande stella d'oro!)

In the past, we've had to run the articles through Google Translate, and have come up with some interesting results. This time, we ran it through Google Translate, and then ran it through Valerie to polish up. (Italy was Valerie's first true love before she recklessly abandoned it and ran off to Japan.) So this one will actually make sense! Below is the text of the article, interspersed between the photos. Double click on the photos for a better view.





HOW ADVANCED ARE THEY?

If the truth is not welcome, may it at least arrive well dressed. That is: old age is not a walk in the park, so you might as well turn it into a nice walk in the main street of existence. Thus think the ladies that Ari Seth Cohen has been photographing since September 2008 for his blog Advanced Style (advancedstyle.blogspot.com), who have now been brought together in a book published by powerHouse. They do not fall victim to the myth of youth at any cost, but neither are they disposed to mannered or melancholic dressing: the little sweater or the little suit, the pearls, the broth-colored stockings, the shawl. They serenely admit to the many decades that led them to where they are - the pedestal of slightly crazy wisdom (inducing in Ari a form of unbounded admiration and maybe even a little emulation). They bring to the daily party of life not only a celebration of the fact that they are still here, but that they have been freed from the rules: of good taste, of dressing as befits a certain age. And, despite the rainbow hair, insect glasses, exotic turbans, the peacock colors, the matador capes or jackets in shades of LSD, they are never ridiculous, but simply, in their own way, elegant, original, unique.




So, they verge on becoming the IT ladies who can transform an industry of appearances "that so far has shown no positive images of older people. I was influenced by my grandmother, Bluma, whose wisdom and humor taught me that aging can be creative, witty and inspiring. Marc Jacobs said he had studied the pictures of the blog as a suggestion for his last show. I do not understand why the fashion houses use only young models when there is such beauty and experience in the face of an adult..." sighs Ari. Which is the lesson imparted by pictures: an other beauty is possible. Especially when the fashion industry is so unaccustomed to having anything to do with the passage of time, perceiving it as an exotic phenomenon, so brand new. "These women teach us to live to the maximum. But they make us rethink the antiquated idea we may have about the future. Historically, there have never been so many seniors on earth, and in good health. It is no longer possible to ignore this reality", continues Ari.




Why did it occur to a 29-year old to explore the world of the gray panthers? "It happened when I met Mimi Weddell: I started the blog, she was 94 years and was still modeling, in a career that she embarked on at 65. She passed away three years ago, but her spirit lives on in my work: always chic, elegant, a woman to whom it would never occur to leave the house without a hat, 'the most romantic thing in life', she said."

Insolent question: To be picky, many ladies immortalized by Ari on the streets of the great capitals of the world are still beautiful because they have been marvelous all their lives, like Gitte Lee, wife of Christopher, whose portrait is on the cover of the book. Gitte was one of the supermodels of the ‘50s and ‘60s. So, if at twenty-six one is not terribly attractive, at the age of retirement will one be a monster? "No. Many women I interviewed feel they have become – and they have become – more attractive with time. They know more about their bodies and what suits them in terms of clothing, hairstyles, accessories and jewelry."




Smiling, fun-loving, optimistic. And the fear of the end, where is it? "In the documentary I'm doing, which has the same name as the blog and the book, Ruth Kobin, sophisticated centenarian, responds to this question: "I celebrate each new day without knowing what the date is. And who is looking at the calendar, anyway?"

What will they wear on the day of their funeral? Has anyone told you? "No, but I'm sure they have already thought about it, and it will be more dazzling than ever. Another lady who’s 100 years old or more assures me that she even wears lipstick when she goes by the geriatrician." So where they are going, these muses over sixty, looking so elegant? To a meeting with destiny, to an assignation, or to the supermarket? "They get dressed up to stay at home, to get the mail, to go to the movies or to a restaurant. Lynn Dell, the "Countess of Glamour", who not only hosts the tv show Positively Lynn, but is the owner of one of the best known vintage boutiques in New York, Off Broadway, insists: "Dress for the theater of your life. It is part of a ceremony that’s both public and private, and the way we relate to the world."

A world that has as its scope a wealthy western society, but...

"Big mistake. None of them connects style with money. Many shop their closets or their husband’s closet; others go to second hand shops..." There is no doubt that Cohen’s is a genuine enthusiasm for women and men. (Yes, there are men too: "A man I greatly admire is Wanny Di Filippo, owner of the trademark Il Bisonte"), to whom it is his intention to give 'dignity and visibility'.





This true love is reciprocated, but not without a bit of gentle ribbing*. At his book launch, with all the women in full regalia, Ari wore a candy pink suit. Some of the women told him that he might be a little fleshy for that color. "Ah, there were some cutting remarks!" (Editor’s note: they had a point....). Proof that even he sometimes does not listen to the wise counsel of his old friends and / or elderly friends: "Pursue your elegance, never the approbation of others", "suggests one of the most sympatica of his subjects, 99 year old Rose. Ari, sincere: "age" is still a taboo word!? "For many people, yes. We concentrate on trying to look younger or reach impossible standards of beauty.”

There is still a long battle ahead. But there is time, and who is looking at the calendar, anyway?


*  The original Italian is 'smagato sarcasmo'. The Google Translate version was 'smagato sarcasm', so you can see they still have a bit of a way to go...


IFs (Inquiring Fashionistas) want to know: Hey, what do you think the chances are that Anna Piaggi has a copy of this month's Italian edition of Marie Claire???

(The IFs would like to apologize for the illegibility of the original article.  The typeface is really crisp outside this program!)

Viva Las Vegas - Jean's Excellent Nevada Adventure

Jean says: I recently took my first trip to Las Vegas -- solo. (Do you remember my telling you that I had to take the red-eye to be back in the Big Apple for Valerie's birthday celebration?)

Needless to say, Vegas is a shock to the senses and a culture shock rolled into one, especially for us denizens of the East Coast. I'm not certain, but I think I was the only Goth over age 13 on The Strip. (The Vegas Look for Summer of 2012? Lots of light, frothy and pastel short dresses and shorts - on locals and tourists alike.)

The scale of Vegas is amazing. All the buildings and attractions are super-sized. My niece Kathy got me a "room with a view" at the Paris Hotel, across from the Bellagio and catty-corner from the Cosmopolitan -- gambling's very own ground zero. I took this photo out my window. The pool in the background, in front of the Bellagio is the site of the "dancing waters"!

Chef Gordon Ramsey's mug on the Arc de Triomphe greets guests as their cabs pull in from the airport. He just opened his new restaurant, "Steak", on the main floor in the Paris Casino. Despite the fact that it was booked solid, Kathy and her friend Mary Ann managed to score a table in the balcony overlooking all the action. As a vegetarian, I have to take their word on how delicious their meals were.

Oh, and did I mention that the Red Hat Society was holding its annual international convention at the Paris? The sight of women in red hats in purple dresses was inescapable.  Who knew they had basic attire for luncheons and local get-togethers back home, but also had formal gowns, opera gloves, lots of glitzy jewels and evening hats -- and crowns -- for momentous occasions such as this? The incredible camaraderie among the conventioneers was immediately evident.  This was one of the Queens, who took time out for a picture. Note the jewels.

Vegas seems to bring out something in women of a certain age there: They let their Freak Flags Fly.

To coordinate with her hat, this lady was sporting a face-paint tattoo.  Check out her specs. Groovy, yes?

On the first evening, we ate "outside" at the Cafe in the Paris - under the painted blue sky with clouds and stars. Jeanne (left) and Teresa (right) are seated at the table while Kathy and I take up the rear. (For those keeping score, Jeanne and Kathy are my nieces.)

What trip to Vegas could be complete without a trip to the site cable TV's big hit Pawn Stars? Here I am, getting the lay of the land. Across the parking lot is a tattoo parlor. Sort of one-stop shopping. One of the ladies in our group remarked: "If I were going to get a tattoo, I wouldn't get it here", to which another responded: "... or a colonoscopy!"

We were warned there would be a line. When it's 107 degrees, it seems even hotter when you're waiting in line ... in the sun. They did have "swamp cooling", where water is forced through holes cut into thin copper pipes which are hung overhead so they emit a very fine mist. As the mist evaporates, it lowers the air temperature. It dries so fast, it doesn't muss makeup or hair, or even fog my glasses.

Unlike on the TV show, where it appears that people browse the store in ones and twos, when cameras aren't rolling, not only are none of the stars are there (no "Old Man" or Chumley to be found), but also tourists crowd in and have to follow a slow-moving line snaking counter clockwise through the store.

Valerie and I play a game when we're in stores or galleries or art exhibitions: If you could have just one thing, what would it be? I passed on the Pawn Stars mugs and magnets and Chumley tee-shirts and picked this gorgeous vintage pedal car, er, pedal truck.

Well, I did pick it -- until I saw the price tag.

Here's the night-time view of La Tour Eiffel from my window.

The iconic big blue hot air balloon sculpture is a recreation of the famous Montgolfier brothers' hot air balloon. If I recall my facts correctly, their adventurous ascent in their balloon in 1783 is celebrated as the first manned flight. I crewed a hot air balloon at the Albequerque Hot Air Balloon Festival in 1993, which celebrated the 200th Anniversary of their flight. Ah youth!

My window also overlooked the pool. Like everything else in Vegas, it too was huge. I ventured out to the pool one afternoon, but after an hour in 107-degree heat, even I cried uncle.

We went to the Bellagio to see its famed Dale Chihuly glass ceiling in its lobby. It was wonderfully baroque - and colorful. The floral arrangements were also large and lavish.

The exhibits in The Bellagio's atrium change periodically. In the spirit of the Rose Bowl floats, the bodies of the suspended bumble bees and the cranes are covered with flowers. The cranes' wings also feature real feathers.

At the Cosmopolitan Casino, the crowd was much hipper, albeit much smaller. In the lobby is a huge Cinderella shoe. How could I pass up a photo op like that?

Loved the laces up the back of the heel. If Valerie ever goes to Vegas, I can't even imagine how she'd pose in the super-sized stiletto!

The Aria likewise had smaller numbers -- of better dressed--  people than several of the old school casinos on the Strip.  This is its aptly named View Bar in the lobby.

Elsewhere in the lobby of The Aria is Jean Phillip Patisserie. It had the most exquisite cakes on display, as well as cookies and chocolates.

One afternoon, we went to Henderson to check out Jeanne and Teresa's new house -- and to see Elroy. Adopted from a shelter, he is a rescue dog with beaucoup personality. How could anyone resist those big brown eyes?

Here's the lobby of "M".  I had no idea there was such a chic casino in Henderson, built in the high desert with nothing around it. It had an understated elegance more in the same vein as The Aria and The Cosmopolitan than The Flamingo and The MGM Grand.

On my last night before heading to the airport, we all had dinner in the Eiffel Tower restaurant on the 50th floor. While most of the group had souffles of various flavors (e.g., pistachio, caramel), I opted for the merengue -- which was filled with a delicious pineapple sorbet, coated in peaks of toasted egg whites with fresh pineapple and blackberries on the side. Divine. Positively divine. Everyone who tasted mine said it was the best choice.

Michele, Jeanne, Denise and Meagan pose for a photo while waiting for the food to arrive. We had an enormous table with banquets on three sides. (Denice, "da niece", is the third sister.)

Here's the lineup of the rest the dinner guests: Denise, Meagan, Kathy, Mary Ellen, Debbie and me. Jeanne took the picture.  I wore my white dice and lucite necklace for luck. Teresa stayed home to take care of Elroy.

 












I cannot gamble to save my life. Luckily, the casinos all have penny slot machines where I could while away the time and people-watch while some of my compadres played other games, like blackjack and craps for higher stakes. Well, kiddies,as they say in The Paris: A bientot! xoxo, Jean