In October of 2018 I wrote this...
She started quietly, and very slowly, describing her visit to a seemingly completely normal place, and being directed towards a small, simple, and quite unremarkable white dresser. Inside its drawers, she explained, long protected from dust and light, were the impeccably folded clothing items which had belonged to, and were sewn by Frida Kalho.
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| Frida Kalho (photo from Wikipedia - click link to see details) |
Michelle McVicker presented "The Traces of Use, A Case Study of Appearances Can be Deceiving: The Dresses of Frida Kalho and the Potentiality of Visibly Worn Dress" See more about this here...
I was in. Every word she spoke was fascinating to me, as she explained how signs of use and wear give garments a history, that pristine, unworn, or excessively "restored" garments cannot convey. She talked about the word "patina", a concept usually reserved for durable antique items, but rarely used for signs of wear on clothing.
Now, in September of 2020, while I am no Frida Kahlo, I get it.
Cancer hit me like a cannonball. Chemo, chemo-radiation, surgery, recovery... body changes.
I discovered a great use of my own skill. Sewing for my own body changes and challenges. Asymmetry, new needs...
I got this.
