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Monday 9 July 2012

Remedy for too much pattern


This dress had too much pattern for my liking so there was only one thing I could do: add more pattern. I desperately needed a distraction from the florals, and I found the solution in my lovely satin Oriental top with its own groovy motif. I added the little velvet tie belt to disrupt the red field on my torso and unify the overall flow. The pattern riot is then anchored by black shoes and Trusty Beret.



When I thrifted this dress for about a dollar it had big stiff ruffles lined with bright pink satin around the cuffs and hemline - hideously fun but seriously too hideous. I ripped them off immediately but kept them for future projects. This dress was obviously lovingly hand-made. The fabric is a polymorphoid blend, which is most probably water-resistant by the old feel of it.


Details of the outfit
  • polymorphoid thrifted maxi dress, True Value Vintage (gone now), about a dollar
  • red satin Oriental top, Wildlife Thrift Store
  • stretch pointy heels, new some years ago
  • black T underneath to shield myself from the rainproof fabric



This outfit looks much better in motion that it does static. As I kicked down the sidewalk this outfit seemed to say, "Howdy, howdy, would you like to join me for tea?" I wore this on Friday, July 6, just before summer descended at precisely 10:03 Saturday morning. 

And today I am happy to join everyone over at Patti's Visible Monday gathering. I look forward to seeing you there! Everyone always looks so brilliant. 

Other News

I gave my encore artist talk on Sunday at Baron Gallery and it went very well! The capacity audience was incredibly supportive so I felt very relaxed. An art critic also wrote a review of my work and my talk, which was published Friday in an online award-winning newspaper - it gave me a shock...and a huge grin! If you're interested, you can find it here. I wore my muu muu and beret, and of course Grushenka, my magic wand/pointer cast a lovely bubble of safety and goodness.



34 comments:

  1. Your description of the dress made me laugh - I'm sure the fabric is like iron!

    Love all the layers to this look - those Chinese tops are my absolute favourite. I have a red one very similar to this.

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  2. Congrats on the artist talk - and the very complimentary review, GO YOU, Melanie! Love your toned down floral dress -- no hot pink ruffles to distract -- and the satin top is so fine.

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  3. Hello! I returned from vacation and wanted to visit your blog. always amazing... I like your look of today and your Fuchsias lips! wonderful always!
    Hello! I returned from vacation and wanted to visit your blog. always amazing... I like your look of today and your Fuchsias lips! wonderful always! XOXO!
    www.clubmujeresreales.blogspot.com

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  4. That's a great review -- and a very attentive one, it seems to me.
    As for the fun looks you're Visibly sporting in this post, so glad you had your day in it before our current temps. Can't imagine such a thermonuclear fabric in this heat -- if it's waterproof from the outside, it's probably the same from the inside . . . .

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  5. Lovely pattern mixing. The red top tones down the floral nicely.

    Don't get to close to any open flames. That dress might end up melting!

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  6. Kudos on your art review and sold out encore art talk!! Not to mention your stripped down, layered up ensemble of red and black - it looks like it might even sound (swish, swish, sizzle...)

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  7. Another winner of an outfit! The beret really tops it off perfectly. If I saw you walking down the street I would have the biggest SMILE!
    Connie*

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  8. Well, the solution to too much of anything is ALWAYS to add more, right? Works for me! Congratulations on the review, and I'm glad you included the link. I enjoyed reading about your "other life."

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  9. Melanie, I loved the review and the accompanying photo! Agree with the conceptual problem of seeing with a child's eyes. I have moments of it happening, but they are always unbidden and surprise me. Have you ever heard Van Morrison's tune "Song of Being a Child" based on Peter Handke's writing? Check it out.

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  10. Even if you weren't a brilliant renowned artist, I'd still love to have tea with you, and a peep at your studio. And your closet.

    That wasn't too stalkerish was it?...

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  11. Brava - 'playful works by a serious painter.' Just as with your outfits! Your playfulness delights, surprises and inspires me. The combinations you create and the poses that you display. Everything with the eye of an artist.

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  12. More is definitely more! I love these kimono tops. I had one years ago and don't remember what happened to it. I do need another one and now have even more ideas on how to style them. It really works this way. I love that pose in the top photo too!

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  13. Oh I want to be in a bubble of safety and goodness.
    You have inspired me beautiful Melanie, I wore two dresses on Friday and thought of you.
    This floral sweetie is perfect and I love the red with it.
    Love v

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  14. Such a creative fun outfit again Melanie. You always surprise me with your outfits! You look amazing.

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  15. I think the fabric of which you speak may be Crimplene! I love it (got a Crimplene maxi skirt on today) as it's so low maintenance, keeps its shape, dries fast, and the colours never seem to fade.
    I love the floral frock (I might even have been tempted to keep the ruffles!) and styling it with the black top and red Cheongsam shirt is brilliant. Makes it more you.
    Great review - playful intelligence is a good way to describe your approach to art - and getting dressed! xxxx

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  16. Melanie, You're a star! Congratulations on the write up.
    Who would think to pair an Oriental top with an already floral patterned maxi and have it look fabulous - only you.

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  17. Brilliant! Though I am wondering what will become of those pink ruffles? I hope they don't start wandering the streets looking for a place to add fashion flare!

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  18. I love the words used to describe in the article... "joyous, playful, dancing, serious". These are the adjectives and mood conjured from painting, drawing, to fashion. They're delightful and intelligent.
    The kimono is an unexpected, but wonderful choice for the floral dress. You always surprise and then make me sit back and go "ahhhhhhhhh, of course". Your vision so exceeds my own...so it's enlightening to be allowed into your world a bit through your fashionable creations.

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  19. I used to have a polymorphic-blend scarf, I hated the print but the name sold it to me.
    That maxi is divine, I'd loved to have seen the satin frill, some 1970s accoutrements definitely need a 2012 remake and that dress is perfect as it is, let the florals & the beret and the Chinese satin top do all the work for you. You could never be invisible.
    Off to read your review! xxx

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  20. Ha, somehow it all works! I agree with Vix, would have loved a before photo of the dress. "Polymorphic" sound like a sickness. "My life was wonderful, until I caught polymorphic"

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  21. oooh that's a good review! Polymorphoic sounds like a skin condition - oh wait - polymorphic light eruption! I love this whole look, you tend to look fantastic in anything though, except those lips.

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  22. I love how you paired two prints that are hard to style & made it your own..you look great!

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  23. Brilliant layering. Diluting an overall print like that with another printed piece is such a good technique. The slightly-high belt and "framing" technique of the hat and shoes works perfectly here.

    I'm glad Grushenka is getting a workout. Would love to see the Muu-muu, or did I miss it somehow? I'm also on my way to visit your link now. I think the comments above referenced "playful work by a serious artist"? I'm there!!

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  24. Melanie: You find the best clothes. Especially like the print on the dress - the flowers kind of glow. The reviewer I think did capture your spirit - you do seem free, at ease and yet serious - it must show in your art.

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  25. Hia, I just wanna say thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment, I really appreciate it! :) I have never thought of balancing a print with another print, what a great idea! :)

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  26. This is some serious "Flower Power"! Excellent idea to reign it in with the red chinese style jacket. I really enjoyed reading the review of your talk - the combination of "Playful and Serious" definitely is evident in your blog.

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  27. Congratulations on your successful talk!

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  28. the floral print is lovely on you :)


    kisses A.

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  29. I love the mixed prints and the contrast on the red and black. You look beautiful! Great write up too you should be very proud of yourself!
    XXOO
    Krista

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  30. Just refreshing and rockin' up here - in any way high flying. The whole package fits like a glove - the story, the time, the art and the brain. No more words needed. It's not a coincidence, that you've met Dr. Paul Swingle. Keep on - I'll be watching the gain.

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  31. Hi Mélanie!

    I have missed this post!
    Very, very imaginative outfit! love it
    I love that you mix everything up and end up coherent! i guess you paint like you dress or you dress like you paint???:)
    Congrats for all that is happening to you, you deserve everything coming to you - you are so great!

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  32. What a great article..and I love the photo to go along with it! :D And I think it goes without saying, I love the beautiful satin top, over a fantastic maxi. Beret brings me joy. :)

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  33. I really like this combination!
    I read the article about your work and I wish I could be there to see it too.. sounds incredibly fascinating.

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  34. That is so AWESOME about the Baron Gallery and the art critic! So, so exciting! :-D I simply love that last photo. The pose and the way the outfit looks is just beautiful.

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