The King of Cool
20 Monday Jun 2011
Written by Jennifer in Art and Color Inspiration, Cool Associations, Nature and Color Inspiration, Travels and Color Inspiration
I’m NOT trying to dis Steve McQueen. Really. I’m just pointing out that the other [in]famous McQueen–the late, great Alexander–also deserves to wear the “Cool” crown. His was an edgy, haunting, provocative cool. If you haven’t yet seen the Savage Beauty exhibition at the Met, you’re missing the chance to experience his singular, sublime genius. I admire his enthralling showmanship, intense creativity and stunning technical skills (witness the impeccable cut of this cashmere jacket.) While some folks are preoccupied by the dark themes of fetishism and sadomasochism that snake through some of McQueen’s collections, I found many of his pieces to be ethereal, vulnerable and drop-dead gorgeous. Two of my favorites:
Left: Dress, Sarabande, Spring/Summer 2007, nude silk embroidered with silk flowers and fresh flowers. Right: Dress, Voss, Spring/Summer 2001, red and black ostrich feathers and glass medical slides painted red.
Random thought: the dress from his Sarabande collection reminds me of Jeff Koons’s Puppy:
Jeff Koons, Puppy, multiple installations 1992-2000, stainless steel, soil, geotextile fabric, internal irrigation system, live flowering plants.
The Met recently extended Savage Beauty to August 7, 2011. Go and be transported.