Such a huge job for such a wee maxi dress - transporting me across the universe - all for the low, low price of $4.99 at local fabric mecca Dessew.
The dress is a new old stock garment made of jersey knit fabric so the plasticization effect that often occurs with old polyester is not quite as deliciously cringeworthy as it would be with a heavier-weight fabric. The triad of blue, striped middle, and bottom are cleverly sewn into unified magnificence. I love the shoulder pads in this too, which is odd because it's one of the first items to go when I buy a period piece.
Obviously I am continuing the space theme I started a couple of posts ago. I carried my gold bag out again to protect from cosmic rays, but I think in this dress I am impervious to meteor showers, cosmic rays, and other such space matters - except Dr. Spock.
Details of the outfit:
- new old stock maxi dress, fabric shop Dressew
- long-sleeved black T under short-sleeved dress
- black tights, retail
- Frump heels, retail
- universe, free for all
It looks like I'm falling from one world into another and orange energy is spewing out of my head. I sometimes feel like the expression on my face.
I didn't retouch these photos except to crop them - I simply curled onto my painting's surface on the floor under my camera, which was balanced (precariously!) on its tripod jammed into the painting rack. I don't have a remote so running back and forth with the timer was challenging - especially when the shot demanded absolute repose in the galaxy enveloping me.
Below is an excerpt of lyrics from the Beatles song Across the Universe:
Images of broken light
Which dance before me like a million eyes
They call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a restless wind
Inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universe
I did that painting a few years ago. It's big, and until now I never much cared for its galactic imagery; now I love it. If you've got art you are not fond of, try putting it on the floor and rolling around on it - and photographing the process. I guarantee you'll feel differently about it afterwards...
Gorgeous Patti is hosting her magnificent Visible Monday again. Of course Monday's there are great, but her blog is welcoming any day of the week: Not Dead Yet Style.
PS - If you couldn't watch my band's (Just Bad Enough) debut "music" video on your system, I've put it on YouTube. Fabulous Miss Simmonds commented already because I gave her a sneak peek, but sadly I took down the original (and her comment - so sorry!) because I reposted it with better quality. So if you haven't seen it yet and want to question my taste even more, go have a look. Watch out for Language.
What a fantastic dress! Love the stripes and the blue. I can't even tell that it's got shoulder pads.
ReplyDeleteYour floor pose is hysterical!
I love your idea about putting a painting you've grown tired of on the floor and rolling around on it!!! I wish I had your painting to roll on, it's just wonderful as are your "floating through space" poses. Again, another delightful dress that makes you look 10 feet tall.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about that Beatles song - weird and wonderful, eh? Love your new-old dress and your universal painting
ReplyDeleteI love the dress. I tried taking my own picture on a tripod without a remote. Absolutely exhausting. I have hired a photographer who works for his dinner since then.
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are so amazing. Your 'universe' looks so exciting and colourful! Love your dress too. It suits you so well. By the way, if you can you should really try a remote. They are really cheap and it makes taking portraits of yourself so much easier....
ReplyDeleteI love this whole thing. Like a trip through gloppy space. Where's your helmet?
ReplyDeleteConnie*
Your clothes always fit you so beautifully. This is an amazing dress amazingly displayed.
ReplyDeleteI'm no painter so I wonder if roll around on all my annoying fabric scraps I'll feel differently about them, maybe love them again like you do your painting:). I cannot stop looking at these amazing photos! I agree about the shoulder pads, they really work on this fecktacular maxi frock and I truly believe nobody could wear it like you do - gawwwwwwjussssss!! xooxoxxo
ReplyDeleteCool photos and the maxi is awesome.
ReplyDeleteYou are part of your work of art, my dearest Melanie.
ReplyDeleteI wish you had a PIN IT button to make me easier to pin you in my pinterest.
here is an easy link:
http://www.addthis.com/
Thanks for the tip Sacramento! I've added the new widget.
DeleteYou are a galaxy! Love the fun you put into fashion Melanie. I've since been working/thinking out my own cosmonaut space outfit. xo!
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ReplyDeleteLove your shoot through the stars.
Your posts always make me feel i should do something barmy with my day.
And thats a good thing.
That is the best compliment!! A bit of barmy is best.
DeleteOh good lord, Melanie, I finally got to see your video, it's BRILLIANT! More more more Just Bad Enough please. And for two gals who don't like to swear,you did a fucking great job!
ReplyDeleteOn to the frock, which is wonderful and makes you look even taller/longer/leaner than you already are. I like the shoulder pads in this dress actually, they add to the space vibe somehow.
I think I feel like the expression on your face in that last shot today. Debating whether rolling around in all the laundry that has built up will make me like it anymore, but suspect it won't work... Perhaps that strategy only works for fabulous intergalactic art! xxx
Groovy look! I love that song, ahhhh. I'm going to check you out! xo
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice dress. Love the middle that looks like a belt. Back in the olden days (1970's/1980's) there was a disco in Sacramento called Galactia 2000, it was painted like outer space inside. Trippy!
ReplyDeleteI do have art that I'm not keen on but it's all very small so many i could wear it instead of roll around on it. I love these photos, they're wonderful! You do look like you're falling through space. Thank you so much for your email and posting the video on youtube! I downloaded the tune so I could feel it's cathartic swearing powers on the way to work or play.
ReplyDeleteLanguage! It'll get you every time!
ReplyDeleteAnd how little do I know about Vanc'r! Had no idea that Dressew's wonders include full garments . . . and that one's very full!
Big sale at Dressew right now - Razzle Dazzle label in the basement, $4.99 all pieces I think. I got great hiking/work pants in blue there once for $1.99. And they had fabulous '70s ski pants, heavy duty plastic - wow - but no room in my closet. All of it is new old inventory.
DeleteI don't know what captivagted me more, your dress/ensemble or your writing! I feel like I have to go back over it a few more times. I've got some large abstracts, work of a man I once worked for, hidden away in my storage. Last year I was into the "paint everything in the house white to achieve that beachy/cottagey look" and now I'm bored with THAT. Time to unearth the abstracts and step it up a bit. Thanks for your continuing inspiration on all levels!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a star! I watched the vid again, just 'cos I fucking could!!! That dress is ace, the shoulder pads work well, I'm glad you didn't remove them!
ReplyDeleteGreat work with a tough camera setup.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why those are called Frump shoes - they are anything but! This maxi is an incredibly cool find. I also think I need to add black long-sleeved layering tee to my essentials list.
ReplyDeleteI really admire your dedication to getting the shots without a remote. I probably would have broken a limb :P
Oh man, I guffawed out-loud several times reading your post. Even when I scrolled backed, I did the same. Too much.
ReplyDeleteIs that like a cat rolling around in catnip, or maybe a dog rolling around in something nice and smelly he's found outside...? A great idea anyway. I will definitely have to try it, except for my sculpture.
Your dress is fabulous, your ensemble exquisite all across the universe.
I suppose it started out as dog and then ended as cat...! LOL
DeleteFabulous! It looks like you're floating away in space!!!
ReplyDeleteI watched the video and it made me laugh! Riot grrrls for the win!
Love the dress and your 'display'! Can't watch the vid as I'm at work and it may not go down to well!!
ReplyDeleteI was reading you worked hard indeed to get these brilliant pics!
ReplyDeleteThat abstract painting of yours i will say it again, i love it
I am trying to paint these days, but very hard, i do not know why...
The maxi looks so good on you - and love the blue Tee -
You are the the craziest shooting star I have ever had the chance to see. I also LOVED the video. You are my kinda rock star. I did a song once with with my husband and it was super dirty... influenced by PEACHES :)
ReplyDeleteAmong the light-filled cosmos is a fitting place for a superstar. :) That dress is out-of-this-world, shoulder pads too! I am envious of my fellow bloggers' shopping options but my closet space situation couldn't handle it. I personally appreciate timer-photography as its own medium and these shots are stellar examples!
ReplyDeleteYou continue to be a delicious surprise! The dress is outstanding and sometimes shoulder pads need to stay put! Your art is spectacular and am loving your process of embracing the beauty of this piece. When I initially viewed the first photo I thought you were floating in air, which really wouldn't have surprised me.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous maxi! Great colors and your photos are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteLove the first photo--and hope that you're able to return to orbit.
ReplyDeleteFound you on Visible Monday! Love the look and the art! Reminds me of the inside of my mind a lot of days!
ReplyDelete-Cristi
thenouxrejekt.com
So glad you put the video on YouTube, it's fantastic. Are you going to publish the lyrics? I feel like I didnt catch every word, although the swearing comes across clearly. The dress is also wonderful, as are the space pictures.
ReplyDeleteI'll spare the universe the lyrics in print for now. My mixing technique in the studio is poor so the vocals are muffled. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteI saw you flying over Ausberg, I swear I did!! I nearly choked on my milchkaffe und struedel!!! You look even better close up. I am crazy about black and blue, and the painting is the perfect, ummm, floor covering? Ah, now to come back to earth. BTW, I'm with you on Spock. I love a brainy guy.
ReplyDeleteOops, I think it's streudel? I've promised myself to work on my German!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis photos are amazing!
ReplyDeleteYou are a galaxy of deliciousness! I love this fab maxi on you - the lines and simplicity are magnificent. And as always, you are the posing queen of the universe! Sarah xxx
ReplyDeleteI love how out of the box you are, it's very interesting & refreshing!
ReplyDeleteI love this dress! It looks superb on you! And I love that crazy wild galactic universe of a painting you are rolling around on. You did that? Wow. Love it. My paintings are too small to roll on, but my beagle could roll on it and then tell me what she thinks. I think that would work. We call her Annie Fatso Beagle of the Universe, so it just might work.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Lynn
how cool is the dress! how cool music is!
ReplyDeletexx
Lyosha
Inside and Outside Blog
Thanks so much for stopping in at A Mother's Journal. I will tell Annie Fatso Beagle, or AFB as she is called in blogland, to get ready to travel! xoxo Lynn
ReplyDeleteYes, Yes, Yes! The magical dress is like be flying in the universe! I like the shoulder straps, scratches and that incredible blue, I love!
ReplyDeletewww.clubmujeresreales.blogspot.com
So I need to start painting, and any painting will do. Because I know my outfit will look better if I lie on the floor and try to figure out how to take pictures of myself that way. YOU ARE A CRACK UP MELANIE. A serious bust up. :-)
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