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Thursday 29 September 2016

Camp stool, chips, a Herrera gown, and Alley Oop

Money, models, class, decorum, and who decides what's what, all of this in the midst of fashion week mania and surreal politics - I had to make a video or let my angst and creative juices rot me away from the inside. So I grabbed my Carolina Herrera gown, unworn since I bought it for an obscenely low price at My Sister's Closet close to a year ago, and let whimsy take its course.
Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, Herrera gown

Black beehive hair, blue lips, blackened eyes, drawn-on lashes, mitten clips, and a faux-fur collar which I upcycled with long red ties - the "costume" came together in minutes, which happens when I'm at an expressive threshold.

Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, Alley Oop

The outfit was an instrument, not something I would normally wear, especially the wig and makeup. And while a gritty alley would have worked for the location, it felt too predictable. The newly-painted alley (Alley Oop), on the other hand, was terribly cheerful; in fact, so cheerful with this outfit, it was bad - oooh, lovely.

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The VIDEO. Click:

Music: Behind Closed Doors with Otis McDonald. 
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As props for this fancy dress I chose chips and my camp stool, and my role would be to bridge or merely play in the rough gulf between them all, emphasis on play - transforming grossness into a morning of fun and free expression. The following are all stills from the video.

Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, video still

Feeling slightly vulnerable in a costume, on my way downtown it was important to maintain my creative spark and strength. A focused, confident and smooth stride took care of that; I was a woman on a mission after all. And my Chanel sunglasses hid my steely gaze. Heh.

Melanie Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, video still, eating chips

Shockingly, I received quite a few compliments, probably because I owned my image despite walking outside my comfort zone - strength is a draw. Plus, those who didn't like it at least had the good graces to stay out of my way. Heh.

Now that I've mastered the wearing of this outfit, I could wear it again without that sense of theatricality, even with the extreme makeup. Probably I won't, but attitude is everything. It's magic!!


And I gave away some business cards, the very first one to a woman I met in Alley Oop, Eyoälha Baker. She was there taking photos for her Jump for Joy Photo Project. You'll have to see it to appreciate it, here. So much positive energy!! I'm glad my first card went to her.

That's all. My second post in less than a week. !!! I loved editing this video. I learn something new every time - it's such a challenge. This photo is from my concrete box when I got home.

Melanie Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, Herrera gown

I hope you are all having a good week and doing what needs getting done to get through your day - whether it's making a video or a pot of stew.


44 comments:

  1. Oh, I can't wait to watch the video! They're always schpectacular! I love the bright purple/blue of the dress, your blue lips! the hair/mop!

    It's amazing what we can pull off when we stride with confidence. Ye olde "Fake it till ye make it" (I do not know why I have lapsed into fake olde Englishe). But you own this! And you're just an amazing person. Good vibes atcha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Okay, now I have watched the video and it's even more spectacular (also, I want chips). I thought you had graphically edited/whiz-kidded that alley into all those colours, but they really did paint it?? WTF? What is up with painting urban environments? Why not just dress more colourful?

      Also, I want to draw on my eyelashes.

      Delete
    2. Oh yeah, drawing on the eyelashes was lots of fun and something I had been wanting to do for a long time. Try it!

      And that alley is AWESOME. I've been by a few times since and lots of people are using, for photos, basketball - there are several hoops. It would be great if people dressed more colourfully all the time though.

      Chips: Ruffled All Dressed in this case only because there was almost no selection in the shop. Pffft. I had to force myself to eat them, I wasn't hungry. Well, I didn't really EAT them; most fell all over the ground and my dress. Heh.

      Delete
  2. LOVED the video! It is like a psychedelic dream of how to unfashion your fashion. How to desperately not be a housewife while kicking ass in the back alley.

    And how not to eat chips while at a runway show. I think most of those shows would be better if they did hand out snacks beforehand. Everyone is too accustomed to deprivation. Gluttony before the show would be such a surprise. They could make it RAIN in chips! nachos and chips! Then when the models come down half of them would have their mouths open trying to catch a few chips and the other half would be making very satisfying crunching sounds as they walked all over the chips. YUM!!!

    I think I just had a chip-o-gasm.

    You audacity to carry off a look like this is so very far beyond my capabilities.

    Your video editing is ACE, and I love the music you chose.

    The blue of the dress is a gorgeous colour on you.

    Must go and see if I can scrounge up some chips in my house.

    bisous
    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yeeeah, I would love to see that fashion show with the raining chips. Hahaha!! And pudding, but passed out in little cups, not raining (glopping) down from the ceiling. I imagine the chips like beautiful snowflakes, so they couldn't be barbecue.

      Delete
  3. Hate to admit my fav part of the video was the music you chose. Right on!
    After your video played, YouTube suggests other clips to watch. Seems it was kind of confused about what to suggest after that - YT offered the following:
    Stephen Colbert, a graphic of a man on a toilet (say what?), Robin Williams, and an episode from Will and Grace. See what you've inspired!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They would like me to watch "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" - I think they're saying Melanie is like an alien!

      Delete
    2. Hahaha, toilet man, I saw him too! Whaaa? Hahaha.
      What they mean is my force awakens you. Heh.

      Delete
    3. Oh, and yes, Tami, the music, I LOVE that music too! It's one of the rights-free offers in the sound libary.

      Delete
  4. Oh my, I just finished off my bag of chips (before dinner too). True story. I feel so in tune with the fashion world now. contented sigh. You look ravishing and crazy at the same time. I luv the toilet schematic that comes up after viewing your video showing that he should be sitting rather than standing when peeing. Who knew? You are always pushing the envelope, dear Mel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pushing the toilet paper you mean. ???!!! Too funny. I saw that graphic too. Yes, chips always make me think of high fashion. Hahaha. Well, they do now. Well, not really HIGH fashion - alley fashion. A man peeing in the alley as I walked past him today apologized, Oh, lady, I'm sorry, but when nature calls.... ???!!!

      Delete
  5. Hahahhaaahahaa! What utter fun! Many thanks from one of the back roads of Vermont where the stew pot is coming out of the cupboard after a well deserved summer break...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh stew, I love stew! You are quite welcome, big mamabird. Good to see you. I hope you enjoyed that stew.

      Delete
  6. The outfit is such delightful fun! You OWN that place!!! I look firward to the video back home when I'm not on a train!x

    ReplyDelete
  7. I will watch the video at home when I can turn the volume WAY up. It's amazing what you can get away with wearing if you have the right attitude and really own the look, which of course, you do. La Swinton would be proud.

    Mmmmmmmmmmmm, chips.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You understand the power of attitude as well. Sigh. Yes. It's magic. Yes, I think I must collaborate with Swinton. Heh. I could carry her water or buff her shoes.

      Delete
  8. the next clip that came up after your awesomeness was "Will Sansa Marry Jon?' Say what?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Who is Sansa? Who is Jon? I am so out of it. Heh.

      Delete
  9. Your videos are always the best! I love the dancing at 20 sec - you should do more of that. But then you'd have to redo your cards to add 'Dancer'.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Failed dancer, you mean. I am such a klutz. But I liked that part too. People were watching so I had to so something to freak them out.

      Delete
  10. magic!!!
    you are doing wonders by wearing clothes and makeup!
    love the video - and envy you for that cool alleys you have - i´m a bit bored with the greenery here ;-)
    (hence the red wall) will steal the idea with that fur collar and laces.........
    huge hugs! xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was one awesome red wall!! You looked so good in front of it. Bam!
      I get bored of alleys sometimes and wish I had good, non-urban, safe greenery within walking distance. Oh well. I'm glad that I at least have the alleys... xoxo Thanks, Beate.

      Delete
  11. I love the video!!!!!!!!!!! And make-up!! I feel like the make-up added so much. So good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks. I'd been wanting to do those eyes for a long time now. I was going to do coloured brows too but I forgot!

      Delete
  12. Radical in every possible sense of the word. <3

    - Anna

    www.melodicthriftychic.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Darling, I hate to say this to you, but you are totally on trend in fashion. I just read Vogue Italian, September issue (including the accessory part). And the Vogue French October issue. And you are totally on trend. With everything. The eyes, the colours, the mixing and matching. That is why I say, I hate to say this. I know you don't want to follow fashion trends and create your own stuff. Which you do, but apparently you have a six sense for what is going on in the world.
    Love everything. And I wished I could do such videos. Haven't got a single idea how to do it. Will have to follow classes when I am retired.
    Greetje

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't believe I'm on trend. Gaaa!! Their messages are infiltrating my brain through the air. Eyes? Colour too? Well, I HOPE more women dress on trend in my city. This was certainly fun.
      You don't need videos, Greetje. Your posts are incredibly entertaining as they are.

      Delete
  14. How cool is your Alley Oop, I love the paint job!! Big thumbs up. Of course I loved your video, you truly are the very best. And you gave away a card!!! How exciting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My very first card. I made a big deal of it and maybe she wondered if I'm okay - that was after she watched me filming my chips scene. It's a fantastic! alley. I LOVE it. I checked and people are in there every day playing basketball, taking photos...

      Delete
  15. I'm so far behind I don't know if I'll ever get caught up! So happy to be back to your site to enjoy your magnificent talent and style. Love the video and of course, your ensemble. And your spectacular new cards. Brava. xoxo Judith

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's okay not to get caught up - I keep telling myself that too. I'm at the point of surrendering to the chaos in that regard. But I'm happy that you were able to drop by just the same. Thanks, Judith. xo

      Delete
  16. Gads Blogger hates me.
    I want to see you frow next to Anna in this - don't worry - I don't think she eats chips

    Elaine Monkeypaints

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. By the time I have my way with Anna, she WILL be eating chips, dag blammit. Heh.

      Delete
  17. WOW! Your great big beautiful eyes are communicating a crazy, lost quality in this video. You've stepped off an edge but you survived despite eating too many chips. Perhaps the chips were key to your survival.
    You are a very determined woman, that's for sure. Your blue dress is spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I felt so good after filming and then even better after editing. Clean. Chips are not even my favourite junk food. As it happens, these chips were All Dressed because that's all that was available; how appropriate given that I was all dressed too. Ba-duh-bump. I am determined.

      Delete
  18. yES YES YES! that video was so coooool!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Woohoo! Spinning! Creatively crazily fun (and stylish)!! What flavour chips work best with this??? xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Elizabeth, these were rippled All Dressed chips to match my all dressed outfit. In fact, that's all they had that I liked, or Doritos but Doritos don't have star appeal, do they. Heh. Thanks for writing. xox

      Delete
  20. Wow... interesting, amusing video with nice blog. You are looking wonder by wearing clothes with fur collar. I have frailty on fur accessories and thanks to Amifur, an online store for providing some fur accessories with inexpensive prices. Anyway, you should do more of that video. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh My Gosh!!!! You have just snapped me out of my coma. Thank you!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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