Project Minima:

Friday, September 26, 2014

It Was Twenty Years Ago Today...

that I was here, wearing this, oh. my. 
You're looking through the gallery window at my opening reception.

Can you guess which one is me?  Hint: the hair is the same even after 20 years, but all else has drastically changed.

Shelley, of Forest City Fashionista fame, recently posted about a book she's in that sounds like a must read/ have:  Women In Clothes.   The question she threw out made me immediately think of this particular dress.  (sigh)

with lace armlets, no less

"Tell us about something in your closet that you keep but never wear.  
What is it, why don't you wear it, and why do you keep it?"
 
monkey in the middle

It has, unfortunately, grown much too small for me over the years.  Nevertheless, I still have it.  And the unitard I wore under it too.  woo-hoo.  Perhaps it's because of the exciting things that transpired  due to the event.  Maybe I'll do a follow-up post about that another time...we'll see.

All I gotta say is enjoy it while you can.  It's amazing what 20 years will do to you down the road.

Cheers!

18 comments:

  1. Thanks for these photos from your past. I only know you now as a brilliant creator so this glimpse into your origins adds another layer. You look like a sprite, not a monkey. You still do. I love your dress and the works visible on the walls. I'm looking forward to that follow-up post... I agree, Shelley's book sound like a must-read.

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    1. That particular piece that shows up is now a kimono, or rather, I turned all those large painted canvases into sewn kimono painted hanging pieces about 10 years later. ooo, I must say, 20 years ago was hardly my origins, Melanie. By then I was middle aged and could no longer be called an emerging artist, much less a Miss. whatever.

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  2. Cheers back to you! I spotted you right away in your elegant ensemble that does not even remotely resemble a tablecloth dress. Little did you know here how prolific at sewing you'd get on top of all the paintings. Or did you know?
    I too want to read more about the event in a follow-up.

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    1. Well, I guess it could've been an old lace tablecloth dyed black...but I hadn't thought of that then. I don't believe I was sewing just then. But I had started in high school and my Mom sewed. My artwork started incorporating sewing into it, sewing pieces of painted canvases together to form kimonos and then the caged dress. Some parallel sewing, kimonos for me, or Asianesque styles, and artwork sewing. Eventually, it was all clothes sewing - the last 4 years.

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  3. You have the same hair. That makes me so happy because it is very nice hair. Oh yeah. 20 years!

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    1. You know, I'm one of those old people that still have the same hair style as they did in their youth. At least it's not the ratted, hairsprayed, dyed look!

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  4. Instantly recognisable after 20 years! That dress is gorgeous, how good that you still have it. xxx

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    1. Oh Vix, I'm sure you have some antiques going back to your ancestors! 20 years back and you were a mere babe, and blonde. Now you're a ravashing raven-haired vixen!

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  5. Fascinating to look back 20 years!
    I was newly moved to Canberra and childless, although married. In the midst of being housebound with sensory overload, although my psych misdiagnosed it as panic attacks, and being told we couldn't have kids!
    Now look at us :-)
    Your hairstyle is so classic, and suits you so well. No wonder you didn't change it. I love you in black lace. Would you have wanted to know what 20 years would bring back then?...the internet! :-D xo JJ

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    1. Ha! You're right, technology infiltrated everywhere.

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  6. I picked you out in the black lace immediately too. I've had a similar version of my current haircut for about 15 years although it's shorter now than ever. 20 years ago I was in my early 30's and wondering if I was ever going to have a real job....

    Thanks for the shout out and answering the question on my blog.

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    1. 20 years ago I was in my early 40s and wondered if I was ever going to have a true love...I do.

      Thank you for your inspiration, Shelley.

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  7. Love the pics! In browsing I thought they stills from a movie!

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  8. You are LUMINOUS. Both then and now.

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    1. Perhaps I have more of a patina now. Among other things...

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  9. Gorgeous dress and why change the hair if it works for you? I thinks it's awesome you still have this dress! I don't have anything from my 20's that I held onto, I do however have a few things from my 30's. I'm getting better about just letting stuff go.
    Xxoooo

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    1. I had amazing pieces that I gave away when I was younger. I think it's the realization that I'm never going to be able to wear them again combined with denial that makes me want to hold on to them. For me it's about aging. Perverse, isn't it?

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