"A full collection of the artist's wardrobe is going on display in Mexico City after being locked away for nearly 50 years in her armoires and
dressers.
The women on the c-cktail circuit of the late 1930s were all curve-hugging dresses and gelled curls. Not Mexican surrealist painter Frida Kahlo. She
graced dinner parties and theaters from Paris to New York in ribbons, full skirts and loose peasant blouses embroidered with vividly colored flowers,
and her uni-brow was a bold contrast to the pencil-line eyebrows of the time.
Over the years, Kahlo's look has become as influential as her art, capturing the fancy of trendsetters from Madonna to singer Gwen Stefani and French
designer Jean Paul Gaultier. There are YouTube tutorials on how to braid hair like she wore hers, and Vogue Italy lets readers know where to shop for
Kahloesque skirts and jewelry.
"She has made stylistically a lasting impression on fashion and style in general because it had both: use of color and she was definitely an icon of
the feminist movement," said Misha Nonoo, a British designer who last month showcased her Spring 2013 collection with the concept of a fictional Kahlo
visit to Havana.
Now, a full collection from her wardrobe is going on display in Mexico City after being locked away for nearly 50 years in her armoires and dressers:
jewelry, shoes and clothes that still carry the scent of the late artist's perfume and cigarette smoke or stains from painting.
"She had a tremendous self-confidence. She was convinced that what she wore displayed who she was inside," said Alejandra Lopez, art restorer for the
painter's home, now the Frida Kahlo Museum, where the collection will be shown starting Nov. 22 in an exhibit sponsored by Vogue Mexico.
Yet Kahlo's clothing was also an armor of sorts. It was her ally in disguising a life of pain, both physical and emotional. She had polio as a child,
a bus accident maimed her at age 18, there were miscarriages, and she endured the countless affairs of her husband, renowned muralist Diego Rivera.
Her long, full skirts hid a tiny, thin right leg, and loose blouses covered the stiff corsets she wore for back pain.
"She described how she used her clothes to cover her body imperfections," the exhibit's curator, Circe Henestrosa, said during a sneak peek offered to
The Associated Press.
After Kahlo died in 1954, her husband ordered her clothes to be locked up for 15 years. He died three years later, leaving art collector Dolores
Olmedo as the manager of his and Kahlo's houses and she refused to give access to Kahlo's archives of letters, clothes, jewelry and photographs. They
were not unlocked until 2004, after Olmedo died.
Museum director Hilda Trujillo said three of Kahlo's dresses created a frenzy when they were shown in 2007, featured in fashion stories across the
world.
"The story of Frida started to change with the discovery of her things," Trujillo said.
Her life of suffering was the subject of her paintings, and it inspired books, plays and the 2002 movie "Frida" starring Mexican actress Salma Hayek.
Kahlo-mania outside Mexico started in the 1980s with the publication of her biography by Hayden Herrera that was widely read outside art circles.
Fashion designers and photographers have since been captivated by Kahlo and have put together collections, such as Gaultier's 1998 homage. As recently
as last month for Madrid Fashion Week, the spring 2013 designs of Maya Hansen featured corseted dresses, flowers and skeleton patterns.
The show, "Appearances Can Be Deceiving: The Dresses of Frida Kahlo," will include a black velvet short cape with lace border, a twist on the popular
capelet of the time; a worn silk blouse with square neckline of embroidered red, yellow and lavender flowers; and a purple cotton blouse with patterns
of red and yellow squares. Also on display will be a long purple skirt with white flowers that look like poppies, a yellow long-sleeved ruffle shirt
with a pattern of fall leaves and a muslin skirt of sangria color.
Poignantly, the exhibit will show the white corset that Kahlo featured in her self-portrait "The Broken Column." And there will be an earring that was
a gift from Pablo Picasso and was featured in another 1940 painting of herself. Its mate has not been found.
Restorers and the exhibit's curator say many of Kahlo's blouses were custom made. She bought the fabrics and took them to Indian seamstresses. Some
were made of velvet cherry, the fabric often used for traditional elegant dresses in Oaxaca region known as the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
Henestrosa, the curator, said the Tehuana dress, named after Indian women of that region, was Kahlo's signature piece of clothing. She wore it with
large gold earrings and flowers in her braided hair.
"It is not a dress she chose by accident. The women run that society. The women symbolize power," Henestrosa said.
The dress became her signature look in her many self-portraits - copied by women worldwide.
"This is going to amplify her influence much more," said Trujillo, the museum director."
[Edited on 10-10-2012 by mcfez]Skipjack Joe - 10-9-2012 at 03:37 PM
I thought only guys had unibrows.DENNIS - 10-9-2012 at 03:59 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
I thought only guys had unibrows.
She was a Private First Class in Diego's army.Skipjack Joe - 10-9-2012 at 04:14 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
I thought only guys had unibrows.
She was a Private First Class in Diego's army.
She lovingly called him 'panzon'.Skipjack Joe - 10-9-2012 at 04:19 PM
Somehow I get the feeling that this is a person our Eli greatly admires.DENNIS - 10-9-2012 at 04:47 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
She lovingly called him 'panzon'.
He was a notorious womanizer so she probably called him lots of things. Paula - 10-9-2012 at 08:51 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Somehow I get the feeling that this is a person our Eli greatly admires.
Eli wouldn't be the only one.
Iv'e always felt that the greatest and most interesting art is not always pretty, and can at times be disturbing. Frida suffered much in her short
life, and her paintings are self-expression on a deep level, stories and feelings revealed in the way she knew best. And her style made her beautiful
and mysterious: with her tiny, broken body she could never have pulled off the fashions of the day, and might have gone unseen and unheard at the
gatherings she so loved to be a part of. I've found it sad that so many people can't appreciate her unique ways. She was incredibly strong and
fragile at the same time, and really not a threat to anyone.
As a person who loves Mexican atesania, and recognizes that the old techniques are less and less available, I sure hope to see the exhibit some day,
both for the insight into Frida's life and the workmanship of the artifacts on display.Skipjack Joe - 10-9-2012 at 09:14 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Paula
I've found it sad that so many people can't appreciate her unique ways.
Perhaps. But I don't think her work is easy to like. Some is easier than others. It's like Salvador Dali. Not everyone finds those melting clocks that
meaningful. That picture of her lying in bed with an umbilical cord rising from her womb into the heavens is pretty strange. I understand how it
relates to her life but the painting should stand on it's own merits.
But I really haven't put enough time and effort into appreciating what she brings. I've changed my mind many times about art. It's the sort of thing
that the more you look the better you understand.
I did find the film on her life to be really well done and largely underappreciated. It was done with a real understanding of mexican culture.
Hollywood has stereotyped this nation so much that even our best films like "Treasure of Sierra Madre" shows the people as caricatures.DENNIS - 10-10-2012 at 07:07 AM
A question stands out: had she not been associated with Diego, would her psycho-babble "art" have ever been even discussed?
I see her work as more self analysis than art. I never did care for it. Still don't.elizabeth - 10-10-2012 at 07:47 AM
"A full collection of the artist's wardrobe is going on display in Mexico City after being locked away for nearly 50 years in her armoires and
dressers.
Great information, but something seems to be missing, or I somehow skipped over it!
Where is this exhibition...when is it? México City is a big place, some more specific information would be nice.Ateo - 10-10-2012 at 07:51 AM
Yeah Frida was a hoax, just riding the wave of her husband. BULLCR@P!!
Come on people, her art was legit. She was the first artist I was interested in as a teenager. Maybe you don't like her unibrow or her clothes or
her arse but the fact is she added to the human record. It's not like she murdered little babies people. She was an artist, relax!!!DENNIS - 10-10-2012 at 07:59 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
the fact is she added to the human record.
And...who that has advanced beyond the Coma stage, doesnt?DENNIS - 10-10-2012 at 08:07 AM
If you like Frida's monkeys, you have to love Big Bird.
It's a good thing Big Bird wasn't around for Frida to enlist. He was probably to large to fit in her head as the Simians did.
I think the term, "ART," has become meaningless. It defies objective interpretation.Ateo - 10-10-2012 at 08:29 AM
Until your face is on a national currency I'd keep your art opinions to yourself, Dennis.
I know, I know -- my statement is technically flawed. Having your face on a national currency of a country is no measurement of artistic prowess.
Just thought I'd get a jab in, because I disagree with you. Natalie Ann - 10-10-2012 at 08:37 AM
For me the joy of art (or craft) is how it moves my heart and soul, the way it speaks without words.
Always I have been deeply moved and inspired by the work of Frida Kahlo. Her art - including how she dressed, the colors and decor of her house - all
illustrate the deep pain visited upon her as well as her tremendous courage and lust for life.
I believe she was an amazing artist!
nenaSkipjack Joe - 10-10-2012 at 09:22 AM
Do you find this to be beautiful?
Natalie Ann - 10-10-2012 at 09:46 AM
Beautiful? Do not recall saying that I find all art/craft beautiful.
Do I find it moving, does it speak to my heart and soul?
Yes! In so many very personal ways.
nenaDENNIS - 10-10-2012 at 10:22 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
Until your face is on a national currency I'd keep your art opinions to yourself, Dennis.
Just thought I'd get a jab in, because I disagree with you.
Ohh yeah......I'll keep my opinions out of sight. Sure!!!! Skipjack Joe - 10-10-2012 at 11:19 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Natalie Ann
Beautiful? Do not recall saying that I find all art/craft beautiful.
Do I find it moving, does it speak to my heart and soul?
Yes! In so many very personal ways.
nena
She's not very subtle, is she? And her work isn't very elevating. I suppose it doesn't have to be. It's her misery on canvas.
I find that women seem to be more drawn to Frida's work than men. That's evident here at nomads. Do you think that that's likely due to the subject
matter she chooses?DENNIS - 10-10-2012 at 11:51 AM
Some interesting background on Frodo.....oh, excuse me...Frodo was a Hobbit. I meant to say [with all intent to reflect Mexicanese] Frito.
Hey....I can hear Frijolita laughing her broad butt off. She's a moo-hair with a sense of humor. If only she had painted some of those monkeys melting
like Dali's clocks.
I like Frida's work - maybe because I learned more about her personal story that drove her art. When I was working in Mexico City years back I had the
chance to be given a private tour of Frida's home by the compadre of a neighbor who was working on a project there connected with UNAM. I later heard
that he participated in the discovery of a bunch of items/documents that were found hidden behind a plastered wall.
Over the years I lost contact with my old neighbor but always wondered what it was they found. Anybody here know/hear anything???bajafam - 10-10-2012 at 05:46 PM
Not all art is beautiful to all people. In Kahlo's art, there is beauty in the starkness of the pain, in the open and rawness of the emotion. She was
very influential and I believe would have been even without Diego, though I highly doubt she would have seen such fame in her lifetime. Not because
she lacked talent, but because she was a woman. Such is the case with many artists of multiple mediums throughout history. Art doesn't have to be
"beautiful" to be art.Skipjack Joe - 10-10-2012 at 06:25 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by bajafam
Not all art is beautiful to all people. In Kahlo's art, there is beauty in the starkness of the pain, in the open and rawness of the emotion.
I am sorry but I don't believe this to be true. At least not as I perceive it.
Merely displaying meaningful or emotional information does not comprise art. The objects around the bed are just evenly spread out without any visual
continuity. It's ugly. The fact that it reflects her depression and sadness over a miscarriage is irrelevant.
Actually I hate talk about "what is art" because it kills it for me. You simply react. But there are basic elements that are always there.
It looks to me like she gets kudos for being personal and revealing. Like showing the most private parts of your diary. But beauty, it lacks.
Apparently she felt that was unimportant. So, I guess, she brought something new to the table. The surrealists brought something new as well but they
do nothing for me.
Although, who knows. Sometimes you actually see the real canvas and are overwhelmed about something you never liked before. Gotta leave the door open.Mulegena - 10-10-2012 at 06:49 PM
To say her art is personal and subjective and perhaps unschooled isn't incorrect, imo.
It is striking and evokes strong emotion in most anyone who views it.
Her efforts have gained her a permanent place in Mexican history.
In her choice of dress she artfully and with awareness incorporates and blends the styles of indigenous Indian women, the Spanish donas, and the
Revolutionary Adelitas. I've never really considered the reasoning behind her dress, that it was crafted to disguise her illness and disfigurement. I
always just assumed Frida to be a kinsman to myself and other earthy, free-spirited women.
To view these artifacts of Ms. Kahlo is one of the few events that would draw me back to Mexico City. Anyone care to go this winter?BajaRat - 10-10-2012 at 07:39 PM
We should all wear the same clothes, drive the same cars, live in the same houses.............. Oh and yes have the same impression of art. Not.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I wouldn't have it any other way.
