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Hi there!
Our wonderful Australian, Cate Blanchett, won a Golden Globe for her fantastic work in Blue Jasmine...
looking every inch the Queen of Hollywood in her beautiful and unusual Armani gown... Congratulations, Cate!
I though Lupito Nyong'o looked fantastic in her red cape/gown..
Sandra Bullock is already being named as a candidate for wearing the Worst Dress -
but I kind of like it - interesting construction, love the pink lining on the lower skirt, and isn't that pretty bodice Radiant Orchid, which is the Pantene Colour of the Year for 2014?
While we are in Hollywood, I thought I would show you a bit of the Summer Exhibition at the Qld. Art Gallery: California Design
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| Stahl House, Hollywood Hills, 1959-60 - Julius Shulman, photographer |
After the Great Depression and World War II, California provided an ideal environment for Modernism to flourish in a particular way: California Design developed out of a preference for living in a modern way.
Many European Emigre designers from Germany and Austria, fleeing Nazi persecution, fled to the USA and California, bringing progressive design training.
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| Paul Laszlo - Biomorphic textile, and steel frame chair |
The American design team, Charles and Ray Eames, are well-represented in the Exhibition - their classic chairs are popular to this day:
During the war, the Eames' experimented with moulded plywood, eventually developing a splint for wounded soldiers, more lightweight and effective than metal, and received a contract to supply the US Navy.
After the war, looking for other design uses for their moulded ply, they made only two of this prototype for a toy elephant. It did not go into production because of a perceived lack of consumer interest.
But it is wonderfully charming, and brings a smile to every viewer's face...
The 1950s, the time of the Atomic Age, and the Cold War..
These shapes are modular sculpture, to be used inside or out, as room dividers, fountains, or just flexible sculpture.
Strange attempts were made to domesticate and make the Atom bomb more consumer friendly..
A board game which captures the optimism and the dread of the era, and where the ultimate fear is nuclear annihilation.
Remember Sputnik, the first satellite?
In 1959, Mattel introduced Barbie, and in 1961, Ken..
The original Dream House for the world's most popular doll.
It is made of cardboard, except for that blue outfit in the wardrobe.
It appears to be a little swimsuit with overskirt...
Introducing the Playsuit, California's contribution to fashion...
This is a swimsuit with matching skirt, to move on for cocktails..
Jungle print sportswear
or perhaps for your caravan holiday in the California sunshine:
an original Air Stream trailer from the 1930s.
And what else is California known for?
Don't forget your Vitamin C today...
Have a great week
XXXX
I didn't watch the Golden Globes so will catch up on all the winners tomorrow morning. I adore Cate Blanchett; glad she won; have not seen the movie.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the trip down memory lane with the items from the exhibit. Personally, modernist furniture is not my taste but fun to look at anyway. Interesting post, Patricia!
Modernist furniture is not my taste either, Sanda, I'm an antiques girl all the way. However the social history in this exhibition is interesting and fun, and for oldies like me, a trip down memory lane as well. I notice many young girls coming to this exhibition who appear to love the designs, which are enjoying something of a revival these days.
DeleteCate Blanchett always looks stunning - well done to her.
ReplyDeleteThose clothes are now all the rage with the youngsters - the vintage look - I suppose that makes me vintage too.
We have a brand new replica Air Stream trailer which is parked in the countryside near here and has opened as a roadside cafe. It is called the Jolly Cafe, and I keep meaning to call in and have a coffee, it looks great fun.
Australia is very proud of Cate Blanchett, and she seems so normal and down to earth as well as stunning. Isn't it funny how that clothing, which looked dreadfully old-fashioned for many years, has become popular again. It amuses to see the young girls rather drooling over it at the exhibition. What fun to have the Air Stream trailer as a Jolly Cafe - I can really imagine that, they do have a very jolly appearance.
DeleteCate certainly does have good taste and style, and yes it is a fun show. One swimsuit is laced up the sides with cording, and they are made with cotton or an old fashioned satin/elastene.
ReplyDeleteI think Sandra Bullock's dress is out of balance but the colours are nice. If it had a straight skirt with even a fish tail it would be better, but the bodice looks fantastic. Thanks for the reminder of this exhibition... I have to go next week!
ReplyDeleteHi Summer, I see in today's Brisbane newspaper, poor Sandra is in the worst dress line-up - this dress will divide the commentators... I like the colours too, but understand they are not everyone's taste. Hope you enjoy the fun of California - and welcome to my blog.
DeleteOh I also wanted to say, I don't know who Lupito Nyong'o is but I love that dress!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteI like the Eames furniture to look at, but I'm not sure how comfortable it is to actually sit on and use. Those black chairs with the footstool are very popular and sell for a lot of money now though apparently, so there must be something in them! I like the toy elephant though!! xx
ReplyDeleteHi Amy, The plywood Eames chairs are regarded as comfortable, though I would put a cushion on if they were mine. There are some outside the Exhibition space for people to try them. The black chaise and footstool seem to have become perennial favourites, and the elephant is my top choice!
DeleteWhat a wonderful exhibit! I would LOVE to see that in person, but I really appreciate your photos. I love Eames chairs and I had heard about the elephant but never saw it before. That was pretty neat! I like Sandra's gown, personally. I think it suits her, she's quirky and earthy and I think she looks good in something different like that.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennifer. Eames chairs certainly have not lost their popularity. The elephant is just gorgeous, and what a shame they did not put it into production. Surely people would purchase it! Well put, re Sandra - she is quirky and so is the gown!
DeleteLovely post Patricia. I think the red cape dress is gorgeous and suits her beautifully. Thanks for sharing that wonderful exhibition with us.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
Thank you P, I wonder how Kate Middleton would look in the red cape dress - I think it would suit her, too!
DeleteBeautiful Cate is one of my favourite actresses - a star - she is a very worth recipient of the Globe!
ReplyDeleteI don't like the style of her dress - the fabric is exquisite and a simple unfussy style would have made it a 'stand out' gown (that's my humble opinion P)!
Poor Sandra, she usually looks stunning but not this time and gets my worst dress vote too!
The exhibition looks like fun - we have an Air Stream trailer outside Auckland airport where you can grab a cafe latte 'to go' - it looks fantastic!
Shane x
Hi Shane, Isn't it wonderful that Cate won - now on to the Oscars! You know, while I love the lace of her dress, I actually would have preferred it in another colour - white or blush, or even navy. The black seems a trifle heavy for such delicate fabric. Sandra is dividing the masses! Another Air Stream cafe at Auckland! I'll look out for it next time we go over the ditch :) xx
DeleteBeautiful Cate is one of my favourite actresses - a star - she is a very worth recipient of the Globe!
ReplyDeleteI don't like the style of her dress - the fabric is exquisite and a simple unfussy style would have made it a 'stand out' gown (that's my humble opinion P)!
Poor Sandra, she usually looks stunning but not this time and gets my worst dress vote too!
The exhibition looks like fun - we have an Air Stream trailer outside Auckland airport where you can grab a cafe latte 'to go' - it looks fantastic!
Shane x
A lovely fashion post in more ways than just clothes! I rather like Sandra Bullock's dress too. It's very daring and unconventional in style - very her! You should be proud of your cate too! Thanks for the photos of the design exhibition. I now come here to have my fashion and taste knowledge updated :-) Your posts are just glorious, Patricia!
ReplyDeleteThank you Val. Another vote for the quirky Sandra! Unconventional will never be a crowd-pleaser, though. Oh gosh, my fashion and taste knowledge is pretty random and uninformed, so you are taking a risk there :-) Glad you are enjoying the fun of blogs!
DeletePatricia, I watched the Globes. Critics take fashion too seriously. Sandra Bullock usually looks glamorous and just wants to have some fun. You have enlightened me about California design. I did not know the facts you shared!
DeleteSandra is a fun girl, and I think this outfit suits her personality. California Design is very West Coast, and similar to that of the coast of Queensland, near where I live. I think the Retro movement inspired the Los Angeles Museum to mount the exhibition.
DeleteThanks for all those pictures of California Design. When I think of all the stuff that my relatives got rid of when it went out of fashion and what it sells for today I am shocked. I'm so glad you pointed out the contrast skirt lining on Sandra Bullock's dress because it explains the mullet hemline, which is the one part of that dress I didn't like. I can not believe everyone liked that red cape dress - it just looked so awkward and difficult to move in on the runway. (To me it looks like when a kid uses a towel or pillowcase for a cape.) But when you see it on one of the most beautiful women in the world standing in one place, it looks better.
ReplyDeleteHi Beryl, my parents bought a heap of the California Design stuff also, and most of it was thrown out too. We were glad to rescue a couple of lamps from the old home, which are now right back in vogue. One sits on my desk. I don't like mullets, either, but it is redeemed by the pink lining :) As for cape dresses, I like the effect in a still picture but really can't imagine what happens when you try to move around in it - perhaps the chic effect disappears! Hope you are enjoying Hawaii.
DeleteGreat post, enjoyed the CA design stuff as it is all very familiar to me. I think the elephant is great but then for some reason I'm attracted to elephants.
ReplyDeleteDarla
Thank you Darla, I am sure the CA stuff is familiar, and maybe still used in many cases. The Elephant is Best in Show, imo, and he is a real charmer.
DeletePatricia,
ReplyDeleteI saw a show last night that showed all of the dressed worn at the Golden Globes. I didn't care much for Sandra's, but I did like Cate's. Oh, there's the Barbie!! Do you know I used to play with them all the time growing up? My mom made a few outfits, and to this day, I still have my Barbie doll. Can't part with it. Yes, California is known for the sunshine state, but it also rains and even snows during this season, especially in northern California. I'm not complaining, I love the wintery weather.
Your post was delightful to me today, Patricia. I have two funerals to go to this week (friend's moms) and your post brightened my day.
Love,
~Sheri
That is very special Sheri, that you mother made special outfits for your Barbie - lucky Barbie! I didn't know you lived in California - but now I do :) I love winter too, most of the time. So sorry about the funerals, but it is good to support your friends at this time. xxx
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