My thoughts and feelings on Katrina five years later are still all mixed up. While I gather my thoughts to better express them to you, here's a little on what I saw yesterday during the 5-year anniversary celebration.
Five years to the day, yesterday, Katrina made landfall here in New Orleans. Katrina began a new chapter for New Orleans, and for the United States. The impact of Katrina attracts worldwide attention - one of the film crews in Jackson Square yesterday was filming for Aljazeera!
Well, this year the people of New Orleans have decided it's finally time to close the Katrina chapter, and to leave painful memories of flood and ruin behind. This lead to many mock jazz funerals held around the city, including the one at the Hotel Monteleone, where blue tarps and packaged meals were symbolically buried along with the old girl herself. The ceremony we followed featured a live jazz ensemble, mourners, and a tap dancer:
It was quite the festive weekend, what with the presidential visits and memorial concerts, ecumenical masses and the like. It's absolutely incredible to think where New Orleans is today. Five years ago, in the wake of Katrina no one could have imagined the courage and dedication with which the residents of this city would Rebuild, Restore, and Renew.
It's exciting to be starting a new chapter in my life just as New Orleans is opening the door on a new era. The ghosts of Katrina may still come knocking at our doors, but we as New Orleanians have made a vow not to let them in anymore, and not to rest until we've driven them all out of this city once and for all.
You will definitely be hearing more about this, so stay tuned! Nostalgically Yours
As promised in my Preview Post, this portrait was a project I've been working on for a while. You can see a thumbnail sketch in the preview post. As you already know I love anything old-fashioned, and I especially love the portraits of days gone by. Unlike modern photography, the portraits of yore were really big deals, and were reserved only for the wealthier classes. Portraits were considered a status symbol, and were hung in important places in the stately homes of the past.
Beau Brummell:
THE premiere Regency Gentleman
Anyway, to make a long story short, I decided to draw myself as a Regency Gentleman. If this makes sense to you, then by all means skip to the picture.
For those readers that don't know, the Regency Period is a broad term used to describe the fashion, architecture, literature, and culture of the years between the French Revolution in 1789 and the ascent of Queen Victoria to the British throne in 1837. Personally, I cut off the Regency period at 1820, and call the period between 1820-1837 the Romantic period, but that's getting a bit too specific. The Regency Period is most recognized and remembered through the works of Jane Austen. She wrote most of her works around 1800, and her novels (including Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, and Emma) have become indelibly linked with this period.
The Regency Period for women was defined by a high waistline, light flowing fabrics, and a generally militaristic and masculine silhouette in outerwear. The corset was less rigid than those of the prior centuries, and was intended only to soften the woman's curves, highly visible under clingy gowns. The bust was also lifted and separated by a wide busk in the front of the corset.
A Spencer Jacket
Ladies' Riding Habit
Two corsets of the time, one with busk
Menswear saw the creation of the modern suit. The collar was high and stiff, and was worn with intricate cravats the ranging complexity of which marked a gentleman's social standing. After the French Revolution, looking rich was not only a fashion faux-pas but could be dangerous. This made wearing jackets, pants, and vests of different colors quite popular. Also, thanks to the influence of philosophers such as Rousseau, the country became the place to be and equestrian styles dominated. This was also the time of Beau Brummel (expect a post on him).
The only Darcy that will ever have my heart...
Do we really need another menswear picture?
Since I love this period so much, I chose to use this as the setting for my first self-portrait. I've always thought I'd look dashing in a high collar and cravat - don't you agree?
How do I look?
Hope you liked it, and expect my review of Project Runway later today! Nostalgically Yours
As I've mentioned a few times since I made over my blog, I've officially offered my advice to anyone who has questions regarding etiquette and manners (Ask a Gentleman) and costumes, sewing, and theater (Ask a Costumer). After looking through my first few responses, I chose the following e-mail from a close friend:
Dear Nostalgically Yours,
My boyfriend's godmother died yesterday (it's okay, she's had terminal cancer for 10 years and just started to fade this year so they knew it was coming) and the funeral is on Friday. I'm not 100% that I'm attending, [her boyfriend] says he doesn't want me to have to go to a funeral while I'm here [...] but anyway, I don't know what to wear! Since I'm here in Europe visiting, I'm very limited on what I have, so I need your opinion.. I was thinking black dress with black leggings, and then I have a grey lace blazer and my green suede heels. They are the only heels I brought so I don't know if they work, but I don't know if flats or my grey suede boots are appropriate? It's pretty traditional here as far as funerals, and [her boyfriend] is wearing a suit, tie, and dress shoes.
I've only been to two funerals and my grandma didn't want any of us wearing black to our grandpa's funeral, and at my friend Alexis' funeral, no one wanted to wear black because it was already sad enough, so I really don't have a lot of experience.. I also have a black high wasted skirt I could wear again with leggings because I don't think showing legs would be appropriate, [...] with a black sweater so I'm not showing my shoulders, and the green heels. That's another option I was thinking about. [...]
His sister is coming here with his dad to get his dad something to wear so I'll ask her what she thinks ([...] she will be able to tell me if i need to be in all black or not). It will most likely me slightly chilly so the blazer would be fine. [...] I'm thinking I will most likely go with the boots but like I said, I will get another opinion from his sister.
Thanks a bunch,
Hopelessly Under-packed
Dear Hopelessly Underpacked:
Whereas even fifty years ago the etiquette for events such as funerals and weddings were clearly marked by your culture and country, today it is extremely difficult to tell exactly what to wear to these sorts of things to avoid offending anyone. This is especially true about funerals - anything involving the death of a loved one is bound to make family members high-strung already, so the last thing we as guests of the funeral party want to do is make a spectacle of ourselves. Luckily there are still some general guidelines one can follow when having to go it alone, or when wardrobe is limited, such as it is in your case.
Your first instinct in terms of modesty are correct. It is inappropriate to show too much skin at a funeral, so if you must resort to wearing something shorter than knee-length, you should at least cover your legs. Shoulders and hair are generally acceptable in most situations, especially during the summer months, but it is important to double-check with the family and/or the location of the religious service to ensure there are no modesty requirements. Though I'm not worried about this with you, "H.U.", I will remind anyone else reading that cleavage is never acceptable at a funeral. Strapless dresses are also generally frowned upon.
Color is an issue that can vary widely. Though this doesn't apply to you, some Eastern cultures wear white to memorial services and funerals. As you mention in your e-mail, color can vary greatly depending on the deceased and his or her family. Though it's generally best to stick to black, grey and white, if a family member gives the okay for other colors, by all means go ahead. For your specific situation, "H.U.", I would nix the green suede pumps in favor of your flats or boots in neutral colors. More conservative crowds will find colorful accessories or bold prints to be disrespectful.
Since we know each other, I have trust in your taste. My only pieces of advice are to keep it covered, keep it simple, and keep in touch with the family.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon and welcome to Post number 74 headed to Nostalgia and Thoughtfulness. Emergency exits are located in your task bar and in the big red "x" in the upper right hand corner of your window. We ask that you kindly take your seats and make sure that Facebook is safely stowed in another tab or under the seat in front of you. All electronic devices must be turned off at this time, except for the computer or mobile device you are using to read this entry. Thank you, and enjoy the flight.
A century ago, everyday people such as you or I would never dream of sitting in giant metal flying machines, being hurled across the country at thousands of miles per hour. One hundred years ago, the words "airport" and "airline" were almost completely unheard of. In 1910 we could never in a million years have fathomed a situation as unpleasant as the Steven Slater JetBlue incident.
At the dawn of the last century, just before the first world war, the only ways to travel were by train or boat. Neither cars nor planes were considered objects for extended travel. In fact, planes were still just odd scary contraptions that were used in spectacles and air shows. Comfort and safety were unheard of in these early flying machines. It was not until the Great War broke out that planes were seen as viable tools of war and were taken seriously. The twenties saw the beginnings of Air Mail and Air Travel, though passengers came second to the mail cargo. Finally, the Ford Motor Company bought out an aircraft manufacturer in 1925 and began producing 12-passenger "Ford Trimotors", and just like that airline travel was born.
Until the end of World War II, airline travel was successful, but not in any huge scale. Air travel was still relatively dangerous and expensive, so it was reserved only for a select few. The late forties through the seventies were the golden age of Air Travel. This is the same life-span that the Flight Stewardess lived as a sex symbol:
Note the glasses and how the food cart actually fit down the aisle without killing anyone.
This was also the Golden Age of Legroom and Comfort:
Here's another, much longer clip you can skim through. It's another glimpse into a very different time. I really got a kick out of seeing the "modern" communications technology they kept touting throughout the first half of the film:
Not by coincidence, the rise of the airplane saw the end of the golden age of ocean liners. Ships became too slow for Jet age travelers, so more and more they opted for a small sacrifice in comfort for a huge boost in speed. As a result ocean liners were turned mostly into a vacation industry now that the transatlantic crossing could be achieved in a few hours instead of a few days. More on this later. It was also around this time that trains and buses began to suffer huge losses because everyone was taking planes. Naturally it follows that inter-city bus lines began shutting down and the train system was simplified to carry mostly freight. Now, I have nothing against air travel in principle, but pretty soon the airplane literally became the only way to travel... As demand for air travel increased, it killed other modes of transportation, which in turn created more demand for air travel - it had become a vicious cycle which continues to this day.
At the peak of the Jet Age was the Boeing 747 - the Jumbo Jet. These would have been quite a site to behold. Even the steerage accommodations seem more comfortable:
Ironically, this also marked the end of the good old days. The American deregulation of airlines starting in 1978 was what eventually created the modern airline experience. Once economic downturn hit in the 80s, most of the major airlines were bought out by large conglomerate corporations just as a slew of small airlines began emerging thanks to the deregulation. The newer companies couldn't compete with the big money, and were mostly stamped out. More people were flying, and the parent companies wanted to increase their profits, so they had designers fit more and more seats into their planes, including the 747 which is still used today.
So, air travel was getting pretty cramped, no big deal right? Companies have to make a profit off their investments, don't they? It's part of the deal, isn't it? Just wait. There's more.
After the attacks that occurred on September 11th, 2001, security in airports and on aircrafts increased dramatically. Which is completely understandable, considering the circumstances. However, when you have to wait in line for half an hour, take off half your clothing, and throw away half of the contents of your carry-on, the least you could possibly expect from the airline is to be treated like a human being. Now, though, in the wake of the 2008 Economic Collapse, airlines have cut the most basic of services.
My grandmother used her miles to upgrade to First Class on a flight between Bogota, Colombia and Washington, DC. They had no blankets, no pillows, not even a newspaper... in first class!!! Have you noticed that we are no longer "passengers", but are instead "customers"? Listen to the gate attendants next time you're waiting for your flight. They will call you "customers". This is the exact problem with air travel today. Instead of passengers to be treated with respect and dignity, we are customers to given the run-around on an automated voice system when we try to call them.
This customer vs. passenger issue stems from a mindset we were put into in the 1980s - where low prices supersede good value. As long as the price is low, the true value of the item is meaningless. This is the mindset that allows airlines to manipulate us. We think that spending more money for a better product is bad, so we're willing to sit through hell just to get where we have to be. That's how companies make money billions of dollars off of us. They produce to the cheapest possible product to sell at a moderately discounted price and remind us that paying less for something is more important than getting what you pay for. Now, I'm not saying you should go out and splurge on a thousand-dollar ticket for a fully reclining cocoon-seat, but airlines can't make these changes for free. If we want better service we'll have to be willing to pay for it. Luckily, interest seems to be turning toward a new standard of comfort. Check out these commercials for the 2011 Toyta Avalon:
Companies are using these nostalgic memories as a standard for excellence - as they should! The standards of the time were much higher. People believed that comfort and service were just as important as convenience and cost. Today convenience and cost dominate the human psyche, so we have people like Steven Slater and Bonquiqui:
Which of these ladies would you rather have as a flight attendant?
It's kind of strange to think about, but wouldn't you agree that cars are generally more comfortable than airplanes? I recently drove from DC to New Orleans and I did not get the least bit tired of sitting in my Jetta for the two-day journey, whereas two hours on any plane is more than enough to keep your neck in a crick.
Anyway, I hope those commercials are a sign that things are changing. Maybe people are starting to understand that everything shouldn't be about the price. More and more airlines are including options like "Economy Plus" on United Airlines which features more legroom. Basically, the more people buy the slightly more expensive seats, the more legroom people will have in general. You can't expect big companies to do these things themselves. These companies will only make decisions based on bankroll. So, logically, if we as travelers show a demand for better seating and service, and show that we're willing to pay a little more for it, we'll get what we want. The only other answer would be to threaten their bottom line, which is basically impossible since other options are now so limited. If you want to travel you simply can't boycott these airlines... What are you going to do? Take a boat?
Perhaps instead of blaming Slater for his actions directly (though he is responsible), JetBlue and the entire Air Travel community should look inwardly and see that Slater's outburst has its roots in the problems created by the airlines and their parent companies. Perhaps instead of seeking to increase dividends, companies should work to enhance the travel experience. At the same time, if we expect these changes to occur, we must look inwardly and change our mindset to be prepared to pay for what we ask for. After all, the only language these companies speak is money.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have arrived at the end of this post. We hope that your journey was to your liking and that the next time you need some reading material you'll keep us in mind. Please use caution when clicking the links to older posts in the sidebars, as contents may shift your interests and prevent you from leaving this website. Once again, thank you for flying with us.
Nostalgically Yours
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like reading some posts on old-fashioned travel on David Toms' blog Savoir Faire. Just don't forget to tell him who sent you!
Thanks to wonder of home shopping I am able to write to you all from a full-size computer. Though it is not my personal computer, I hope to have one soon - which isn't too much to expect considering I start my online classes on the second. Anyway, I want to finish up a bunch of stuff this week, like the "About Me" page. I'll also have the first installment of my advice columns up this week, and I'm still working on the project I mentioned in this post. Lots to look forward to this week! Please check in often!
Don't forget to comment to tell me what you think, or you can e-mail me at nostalgically_yours@hotmail.com
This review contains spoilers. If you have not seen this week's episode, you may do so here.
So, this week’s challenge was to create a look inspired by a hat designed by Philip Treacy. Yes, you did read that correctly. Philip Treacy was the guest judge on this week’s episode! If you’re not having a hat-gasm right now, let me give you the background on this incredible artist.
Philip Treacy is the foremost milliner of our time. Discovered by the late Isabella Blow in the late 80s/early 90s, Treacy has become the most famous hat designer in the world. He has created hats for designers such as the late Alexander McQueen (also a disciple of Isabella Blow), Valentino, Karl Lagerfeld, Ralph Lauren, and Donna Karen. His hats have been worn by such prominent celebrities as Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker, and the Duchess of Cornwall. After receiving countless awards throughout his career, in 2006 Treacy launched a collaborative collection with Umbro, a British sportswear supplier. Like Alexander McQueen's designs, Treacy's hats push the boundaries of the everyday and have made him today's most avant-garde milliner. Here are some of his designs:
Philip Treacy (right) and Isabella Blow (left, wearing Treacy's hat)
Needless to say, the hats were positively stunning. I did feel bad for Kristen, though. Her hat was literally a gigantic orchid and she pointed out, it’s difficult to treat such a literal inspiration. However, the schlep she turned out was in my humble opinion completely inexcusable.
Micheal Costello is proving to completely fulfill my prophesy of being the annoying contestant who's generally safe because he causes a lot of drama. More on this jerk later.
The other Michael is proving to be my favorite contestant. Most of you probably know that this decision has almost nothing to do his talents as a designer and a lot to do with the fact that he wears a tank top really well. I have a similar appreciation for Christopher Collins... Don't judge me!
The bottom and top three were really surprising. It was one of the first times I really couldn’t guess what the judges were going to say. I was expecting April, Chris, and Michael C. to be the top three, but only one of them (Michael C.) actually made it in... The top three were Valerie, Michael C., and Michael! They ripped on poor April, who had a great concept though her execution wasn't the best. I was shocked that the judges liked Valerie's design. I agree with Mr. Treacy when he said there was no correlation between the garment and the mask. Though I appreciate what she said about an evening gown being expected, here is my idea for Treacy's mask:
The mask reminded me of the vintage Maidenform Bra ads, so I went with a classic silhouette in a vibrant orange with a layered chiffon skirt.
I wasn't surprised that Kristin got booted this week. As I mentioned before, her garment was a mess. I would have been ashamed to send something like that down the runway.
I hope I wasn't the only one who screamed at his television set when they announced that Michael C. had won. It was completely ridiculous, and as Mondo pointed out at the end of the program, we're never going to hear the end of this. I'm certain that the producers stepped in and asked that he win to create conflict between the contestants, and no, I'm not just biased towards cute Michael, I really think that from a design standpoint he deserved to win. I really enjoyed the look on Ivy's face when Michael C. told them he had won. To quote her: "What the ----?!?".
Did anyone else think Mondo's design should have been in the top three? I know it was completely out there, but the challenge was, after all, to compliment the hat and not let it completely take over. I really like his design. I also thought that Ivy's jacket deserved an honorable mention. The draped back of her jacket was gorgeous! I would totally wear it.
I really enjoyed this week's challenge, despite the outcome, and perhaps the appearance of these major celebrities is an indication that Project Runway isn't, in fact, dying, but will actually be around for quite some time.
Night before last, I lay in bed asleep. In a dream, I saw a winged creature circling low over my bed. So vivid was my dream that I leaped from my bed and ran into the hallway, shutting the door behind me. After about ten minutes, I reentered my room to find it devoid of life.
Last night, I found out it wasn't a dream. A bat had somehow found its way into my bathroom and, consequently, was now stuck circling my bedroom. My first reaction was terror, of course. I knew that some bats carry rabies and I'm sure the fact that I was in a state of delirium at 4 in the morning didn't help. I was finally able to release it into the hallway and it went to hide somewhere in the house.
Later that morning my mother and I discovered it hanging off one of the rafters in the parlor downstairs (Yes, we have a parlor). We decided to let it be and deal with it later, but by mid-afternoon the bat hadn't moved - obviously because bats are nocturnal. Since it hadn't eaten in two nights, we feared for its health and my mom decided to take action. She used a broom to lift the bat off the rafter and into a hat. She came to show it to me. The tiny brown fuzzball sat calmly in the upturned baseball cap. My original apprehension turned suddenly into warmest affection. This creature I had seen as a threat was now in our care and under our protection. I realized how defenseless it was. In a moment my instincts went from that of fight or flight to the natural instincts of a mother.
What is this sense of kinship that exists in humans and animals? Countless stories exist of mother animals who share their milk and warmth with infants of other species, especially humans. According to mythology, the founders of the Roman Empire, Romulus and Remus, were raised by wolves.
Some scientists signal the hormone oxytocin, which scientists have attributed to love, rapport, and maternal affection. Some people say it is instinctual while others argue that we have long since lost our animal instincts. Regardless of where the feeling comes from, it is undoubtedly there. It is this thing that makes children and adults alike coo over babies of both human and non-human species. Some evolutionary scientists have argued that a baby's cuteness is a survival mechanism encoded into our DNA. In other words, if babies weren't cute, would we really go through the trouble of caring for them?
Perhaps in a more logical sense we humans tend to care for other animals (especially in cases when they're injured or otherwise helpless) because we subconsciously hope other animals or people would do the same for us; like a dolphin rescuing a shipwrecked sailor. Perhaps we see in these animals a bit of our own humanity and seek to do good by the creature because we understand that they have feelings just as we have.
It might even be a way of postponing the inevitable - knowing that we helped an animal in distress comforts us in the acceptance of our mortality.
This comes from the fact that after the bat suddenly flew from the baseball cap in which it was so quietly swathed, we spotted a butterfly with an injured wing, flapping feebly on our gravel driveway. I used a stick to move it into the flower patch so it could rest and probably die.
It's part of the circle of life. Helping an animal in distress makes us feel that we have some sense of control in the grand scheme of things.
Friend of the blog and wonderful artist Joe has just picked me as one
of her favortie stylish bloggers. I'm honored to be chosen. Hopefully
I can keep up this new-found reputation once I'm back on my feet after
the surgery. To all you readers referred here by Joe, please check
back soon for new articles.
Since the tradition calls for me to pick some stylish bloggers of my own, I'll soon be following up this article.
For those of you just checking in I decided to give you all just a little surprise: it's a preview of a project I'll be working on over the next few weeks.
Some recent complications with my surgery from last week mean that my recuperation will take more time than expected. This also means that I'll be unable to post regularly over the next week. Hopefully you'll check back starting next week for more, and in the mean time perhaps you could use this as an opportunity to look around a bit, read some of my older posts, etc.
Well, I guess this is really only a Personal Throwback if you count last semester as a time gone by. I guess it does count, technically. Regardless, these next few pieces are by personal request.
In my first Personal Throwback post, friend of the blog Sophia Almada asked to see some more recent work, so here it is! This is my second collection for my Fashion Design class at AAU. The first two pictures are what's called mood boards. As their name implies, mood boards set the tone for a collection, as well as displaying the fabrics and colors that do the same.
From left to right, the fabrics are: A) Silver Art Deco Leather, B-D) Patterned Reversible Wools, E) Quilted Silver Poly-Blend, F) Silver Satin Silk, G) Bronze-Washed Chiffon, H) Black Lace.
Anne Hathaway was my muse. My concept was bringing the sctructured undergarments of days gone by to the outside of the garments to add a decorative touch. One of my favorite things about historic fashion is seeing the undergarments that create the shape of an era.
Dress in F. Jacket in A.
Blouse in H; Skirt in F. Jacket in D with G bustle.
Remember you can watch last night's episode on the Lifetime website.
The first thing I want to say about this episode: I was really mad that they auf'ed two designers last night. I really don't like that they brought the seventeen contestants and told them they weren't on the show. It was completely unfair of them to do that to McKell. I'm not going to lie: I'm glad they kicked off Jason (did anyone else get a kick out of the Clockwork Orange reference?), but I think the fact that they needed to get back on schedule isn't a reason Nicholas should have gone home. The issue with Nicholas' garment was styling. I think had he removed the cape, he would not have gotten as low a score - though I did really like the concept.
Anyway, the challenge this week was to create a look that reflected the essence of the Marie-Claire reader. The winning look would be shown on a giant billboard in Times Square. Fun challenge, but I didn't see a lot of Marie-Claire info given to the designers. Maybe I'm wrong, but how else did Jason end up with his "Infinity Symbol" concept? I have no idea how that came from Marie-Claire at all. As I predicted, Michael Costello is quicky becoming the Annoying One (at least for me, perhaps you don't think so).
I am absolutely amazed by the chemistry between all the designers this season. Normally, it seems the competition prevents any but a few friendships from blooming on the show (Robert and Kayne on Season 3, anyone?). This season, though, there seems to be an incredible sense of unity among the designers. Did you notice how they all ganged up on Jason when he inexplicably tried to blame his model for his atrocious dress? It will be interesting to see how this all develops through the series.
I might have to rethink my prediction about Peach not being so sweet as all that, but I still have the feeling she's not as nice as she seems... I had my picks for top 3 at one point last night, but I forgot them. I do think that Mondo will go to Fashion Week.
Hope you enjoyed my review! Here are my impressions of my favorite
runway looks:
It makes me really mad that any outfit that has sleeves suddenly becomes "matronly". Just because an outfit is sophisticated and elegant it doesn't have to be matronly.
I really liked the pleating on this dress.
More on PR next week! Nostalgically Yours
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Here I am in a picture taken yesterday at the Surgery Center. This is a test of the e-mail posting system built in to Blogger. Looks like it works just fine, so you can expect more posts, even in my state of recuperation!
I want to apologize for my brief hiatus in writing. I had surgery yesterday, and am now recovering slowly but surely. No worries about my health- I am doing quite well. I had an elective procedure to remove a Pilonidal Cyst (look this up at your own risk). It moderately non-invasive and I'm actually not in any pain!
Anyway, because of the nature of the surgery, I cannot sit at my computer to type up entries for you all. In fact, I can't sit at all. Fear not, Loyal Readers! I shall not fail you much longer! I'm going to try to set up email posting so I can place pictures in my posts without having to rely on my computer.
