Bonding Over iPad

Yes, there is an iPad in the house. Though I hardly touch it, it has proven a lifesaver during times of threatening boredom and Those Two's getting all cranky with each other. At least Those Two are occupied, and make it a point to play nicely, lest they get iPad time-out. ;)

Them Two indulging in a current favourite: Ludo

Happy Monday!

Monthly Giveaway

This month's giveaway is a mini version of my signature Chic and Unique hoops. Crafted from non-tarnish brass wire and topped with 14K goldfilled ear wires. And for a pop of colour, a glistening faceted lime-green glass bauble.

Just leave a comment at this post if you are interested in receiving these for free! The winner will be announced on August 7th's post, so you have until then to leave your comment... Good luck!

Mary Katrantzou Fall 2010 RTW

Aren't these just the most beautiful ever? I am completely turned on by her neo-baroque sensibility - so rock chic, olde worlde, and just plain genius-gorgeous.

(via style.com)

The MAYA & RUHI Madame X Collection

“Madame X”. The sex appeal of sweet ambivalence. The exploration of art’s subjectivity. The duality in society’s say that holds every artist, to an extent, prisoner.

I picked John Singer Sargent’s “Madame X” for this collection because I was bowled over, not entirely for its art, but for its story. The young-It-girl-by-celebrity-portraitist formula seemed fool-proof at the Salon of 1884. But judges and critics alike dished out scathing remarks and derogatory comments, in between gasps of disgust and politically-correct affirmations-of-the-moment.

You see, in 1884, Paris was in the midst of a sea-change...

"Rendezvous by Day"

"Rendezvous by Night"

The “Belle Epoque”, or Age of Beauty, was a glorious age in Paris. During this time, Paris enjoyed an unprecedented economic boom brought about from a well-meaning and efficient government.
And with economic boom comes retail therapy. The concept of the department store was borne. Yes, the French invented Shopping. And although everything was “prim and proper”, this was also the age of clandestine affairs and widespread infidelity. Parisians were feeling pretty invincible.

"The Affair"

"The Garden at Midnight"

"Reverie"

By 1884, the “Belle Epoque” was shutting down. And who would feel it most would be the rich and the cultured. The nonchalance, the pride, the self-satisfied notions were wearing down with economic and social decline.

"Salon 1884"

"Persuasion"

And this was when “Madame X”, unfortunately, presented to the public. Needless to say, it took the brunt of society’s bad mood. All of a sudden, the dress was too skimpy (when nudes had been exhibited with success), her skin was too sickly (when a paler-than-pale complexion had been The Look), and the composition and technique of a reigning master questioned inside out, because Parisians were losing their patience with expatriates.

"En Rouge"

With all the dastardly brouhaha, both John Singer Sargent and his muse, Madame Gautreau, withdrew from society. He escaped to England where her recouped with fellow artists, before returning to America to continue his successful career. Madame Gautreau, on the other hand, tried to step back into the limelight after it had all died down.

But famed cannot be sustainable where there is no real talent. By then, younger and fresher faces had appeared on the socialite scene. Madame Gautreau never really got her groove back, and lived out her life pretty much a recluse.

"Papillon", in black and pink
(also available in blue and lavender)

As such, I marvel at how much art can be at the mercy of social and economic climates. Fair enough, as far as one is part of a society, there is bound to be boundaries and norms. But the tearing down of “Madame X” was pretty much overnight, which left both artist and subject reeling in shock. Madame Gautreau because she had worked so hard at being the “it” girl, and Sargent because he is known to have said, “I do not judge. I only chronicle.”

Unfortunately, at the Salon of 1884, he, his muse, and his work, were judged. And judged based on a “norm” that changed while the painting was being painted.

Fascinating.

From the (clockwise from top left) "Belle", "Amelie" and "Cherie" series

The MAYA & RUHI Madame X Collection is now available in KL. To find out exactly when, where and how, Rachel is your go-to woman. To see the entire Collection, click here.

Sunrise From My Window

It has been raining much. So much so that the usually super-efficient Singapore drainage system can't cope, and we're suffering the "embarassment" of flash floods. So much so that nowsadays, sunrise looks like this when I hang out the laundry. Only to have to take it in again in a couple of hours, still wet. I do so hate laundry drama. :S

Pretty skies, though. :)

Bag To Die For

The updated LV Speedy from the Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 Collection. Absolutely genius. *slurp*

Happy Monday!

(pic via icanread)

Ruhi's Dream Report

Ruhi emerges from her bedroom this morning, all sleepy-eyed, and tells me this:

Ruhi and her "Third Eye"

"You know, Mum, I was dreaming of eating pasta. And as I was eating more and more, I was thinking, "Hmm, this pasta is so parmesan-y". And when I woke up I was chewing on Maya's blanket! O_O"

Makes Me Think

(pic via icanread)