Nope, this post is not about apples, onions, curry or tea. It’s not about the Lantern, Hornet or Acres. And not about Eva, Seth or Al. It’s about green, the color. Since I recently wrote an ode to pink, I naturally owe one to its preppy complement.

It just so happens that the Textile Museum is currently showing an the exhibition called Green: the Color and the Cause.

The Textile Museum on a beautiful summer day

During my visit, I learned that “despite the prevalence of green in nature, no single plant produces a color-fast, deep green dye.” (Maybe that’s why no one in the 18th century was wearing J Brand’s vibrantly-colored skinny jeans.) Two pieces of artwork in particular caught my eye. The first one was a basket that the artist formed over a home-grown gourd. Not only does it look like a whimsical cantaloupe, but the artist’s first name, Jóh, is my initials. Gotta love that!

Jóh Ricci, Earth Day 2008, rayon, cotton, nylon; knotted

My other favorite was a modern tapestry depicting Shea Stadium. For artist Susan Martin Maffei, “green is the color of the baseball field whose mowed surface mimics the weaving patterns of check fabric and tartan plaids.” By combining sports and sartorial inspiration, she’s a gal after my own heart (except that I’m a Phillies fan).

Susan Martin Maffei, Sports Series: Who’s Not on Second?, 2004-2007, cotton, linen, wool, silk, polyester; tapestry woven, stitched

On my way out, I observed the museum’s front façade elegantly displaying its own green flourishes.

Flashes of green at the entrance to the Textile Museum

And a few weeks ago at a friend’s house, I noticed these dew drops captured in a silvery cobweb on a bed of vines, which in turn reminded me of a Kate Spade beaded cardigan I’ve been eyeing:

Luminous dew drops

Kate Spade Kati beaded cardigan, in Vivacious Green

So, I guess even the soothing color of harmony, nature and sustainability comes full circle in my mind back to fashion. Hmm, now how to come up with enough greenbacks to keep me rolling…

Green: the Color and the Cause runs through September 11, 2011.

The Textile Museum | 2320 S Street, NW | Washington, DC  20008 | 202.667.0441 | www.textilemuseum.org