I didn't post about it at the time, but I was very saddened by Alexander McQueen's suicide last year. Though I spend most of my time in jeans and Adidas, I love extravagant fashion. To me, McQueen was an artist; his clothing was dramatic and structured, romantic, dark and sometimes aggressive. Often breathtaking.
Lately, I've been trying to think of ways to challenge myself with my dolls because for a while I felt I was in a bit of rut. I want to experiment with the structure of the dolls themselves (I have a few new ideas for joints), but I also want to do more interesting things with clothing. So, I've started my next group of dolls with the incredible architecture of McQueen's clothing in mind. It seems almost too bold to say so, but I'll get bored if I don't keep trying new things.
If you're anywhere near NYC, there's a McQueen retrospective at the Met that looks amazing. Savage Beauty is on until August 7th and it emphasizes both his exceptional designs and his skill as a craftsman of bespoke clothing. If, like me, you can't there, the site for the exhibit has great photos and video (both of the exhibit itself and footage of some of McQueen's runway shows).
The Alexander McQueen website also has video of all his runway shows, which were as dramatic as the clothing itself. 'The Girl Who Lived in a Tree' (Fall/ Winter 2008) is a personal favourite, and you can find it under the runway archives. I don't know yet which dresses I'll look to for inspiration, but I'm so excited to try!
p.s. Thank you so much to everyone who commented and emailed with kind words about the Black Swan dolls - they have all been adopted and are off to their new homes in Toronto,the UK and Australia!
Incredible Sarah, you seem always to be 'brought to divine inspiration',
Lovely to watch it unfold! :)
Posted by: Tamara | July 09, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Beautiful designs and i must say its one of a kind. I would like to see those lovely dresses worn by lovely ladies too.
Posted by: Buy 4 Less | July 16, 2011 at 03:26 PM
Sarah, have you ever thought of making a book of your ladies? With their big, high resolution photos and stories? (You used to write short stories for each one back at Etsy times)
It would be my one and only coffee table book!
PS: I still could not get over the sadness, oh how did I miss the Third Odile! :)
Posted by: Burcu | July 17, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Hi Burcu,
I hadnt thought of a coffee table book per se (but if there are any publishers reading this, Id love to!) One thing I do plan to do is make a graphic novel some day.
Im sorry about you missing Third Odile, but I have started my next batch of dolls, and they wont take as long this time, I promise!
shops: blackeyedsuzie.etsy.com, blackeyedsuzie.bigcartel.com
blog: blackeyedsuzie.typepad.com
Posted by: Black-Eyed Suzie | July 21, 2011 at 03:11 PM
I wish that I was a publisher then :) And when you make the graphic novel, I'd love to translate it into Turkish, one day! (But again, we'll need a publisher first :)
I can't wait for the new ladies!
Posted by: Burcu | July 25, 2011 at 05:57 AM
Oh wow what a coincidence, I actually saw his exhibit at the met a few weeks ago and it was awesome! I went twice, I just wish it stayed longer. It inspired me to make a doll as well, I made the one called the ghostly bride with the antlers. It was so fun getting out of my routine, I hope you enjoy it as well Sarah. He was such a great inspiration and a big loss to the fashion world.
Posted by: cinnamon | August 08, 2011 at 11:55 PM
Sarah, his divine works are very beautiful, you really have a hand blessed!
Congratulations for the work.
Posted by: Rafaela Camargo | February 01, 2012 at 06:27 PM