Diversionary Tactiles

Hello from your phantom blogger.

It is insanely gorgeous (and a little hot) in Los Angeles these days.

And I have been mostly silent and absent during a month of mostly bad news day after day.

It's a little bit of hyperbole for someone in such a comfortable situation as myself to say that I feel

sometimes like I'm living on a knife's edge.

But uncertainty and threat and change is on our doorsteps....which seems to make retreat frivolous

and shameful.  But let me suggest that the "thread", both fragile yet enduring, of the traditions and making all illustrated here provide profound comfort in their constancy.  We as humans persist in the activities illustrated here.  And meditating on the necessary mindfulness that goes into these makings

suggests solutions, resolution and solace if only in the day to day fabric of our lives.

All pics above variously happened upon via the following Facebook pages:

https://www.facebook.com/LondonEmbroiderySchool/

https://www.facebook.com/fashionandtextilemuseum/

https://www.facebook.com/SilkDamaskConsulting

https://www.facebook.com/rit.maes.37?hc_ref=NEWSFEED

Other good textile pages:

https://www.facebook.com/Flavigny.Algranate/?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/SelvedgeMag

It's a great year for creativity in fashion, I've been thinking.  

As the old Chinese proverb goes:  "In every crisis, opportunity".

This is what is also understood as "disruption."  I'm grabbing hold of the good bits.

In Case You Missed It - Josef Frank at London's Fashion and Textile Museum

This show continues until May 7, 2017 at London's Fashion and Textile Museum.

If you're close and you love color - and the voluptuousness of nature - don't miss it!

Some of you may know that I have lived in Hawaii part of my life.

In fact, I started my life there and this exuberant version of color and nature is actually a

necessity of life for me.  Like food and love and sunshine.

How though, I had to wonder, did a man whose life was spent in mostly cold and colorless places

develop such a happy affinity with vivid and vigorous forms and tones

and chromatic harmonies that have stood the test of time?   And who stands out - from arguably

thousands of other artists engaged in the textile and homewares industries - because of the liveliness of his designs.

The museum also showcases a series of watercolors - mostly still lifes - that Frank did during his

travels - summer holidays off from his work at Svenkst Tenn and gorgeous renderings in watercolor

of his fabric patterns.  In which you are able to see just that little bit more of the artist's hand.

It's a delightful show.  If you haven't, catch it if you can.  If you can't there's more about Frank and his work here, and here, here, here.  

The Jazz Age at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London

Located on one of the oldest streets in London.....(Bermondsey St.)

where you'll find lots of little shops and restaurants of every kind.

Just steps out of London Bridge Station and about a half mile

from Borough Market and Shakespeare's Globe.

The Fashion and Textile Museum is not the biggest, or best known museum in London.

But it is almost required revisiting for fashionistas, nostalgic types, textile junkies, you know who you are.

Last time for me, it was the Missoni Exhibit.  And now, my favorite fashion era...the Jazz Age.

Comfortable, feminine clothes.  That bespeak simplicity, elegance and panache

all at once.  Floaty too.  Who doesn't love floaty?

And next up - for the New Year which is coming faster than we'd like.......

Josef Frank!  What you can't see on that poster are the words spelling:

BOOK NOW!

Floraisons, Part One

Just 'cause.  You know I have a weakness for flowers.  Or any reasonable facsimile.

L'Heure Bleue - That Time in Between Daylight and Sleeping

Taking a break from the travel posts, how about a collection

of blue-ey images to celebrate

the passing of the seasons and the transition from blue summer skies

and sea, to cool rooms

and chilly toes.

Gray days inside

and dozing dreams of summer past.

How many hours will you require to sketch out your future and fill in the outlines of a New Year......just two months away from us now?  Will you be ready for it?

Summer in September

Lest Summer rush away from us too soon and leave us in September

 (via Ulrika Randel at Seventeen Doors I think)

misery, cold, damp and bereft......

 (via the London Fashion and Textile Museum)

Here are some summer-gleaned images from around the world and web to prolong the Summer glow.

(via Selvedge - this and the following pic)

To cheer the heart and make us wonder

 (pencil shaving flowers: FOR REAL!?)

"could we do that?"

 (via SF Girl by Bay)

To remind us.

(via Print and Pattern)

That we CAN have our cake and eat it to.

(via Posie Gets Cozy)

That we CAN make the life of our dreams.

(via Vintage London/Handpicked)

That we CAN go where goats roam.....and we CAN be many people.

Summer dreams can become reality.  Just try it!  (And report back to me what you find and do!)

More Missoni Maybe

Mmmm  Mmmmmm ..... now where did I find these......

My photo file notes say "Text Muse"

I tried to track back and google Textile Museum, Textile Muse, Fashion and Textile Museum - 

But couldn't track down my source.  It's possible they came through the Facebook page of the latter, or via Selvedge's ... links to both here!  Anyway, you get the idea.  Thought you might like these.  Makes you want to dance - yes?

HAPPY HAPPY WEEKEND !!!