Finding Frida

                        

 It was in the early 90’s and my grandmother took me to London- my first experience outside of the US. For me puberty had kicked in, my passport picture was of an afro haired girl with a slight mustache, uni-brow and a nose and chin too big for her face.  Despite my physical awkwardness, the trip was the spark that started an everlasting passion for travel.  We saw all the sights and went to all the museums.   The Tate gallery had on loan a painting of a woman that was like no other I had ever seen.  This woman had a mustache, a full uni-brow and very somber eyes, she was beautiful.  To my astonishment this was a self portrait, it was Frida Kahlo’s,  The Frame.  A life changing moment, the realization that embracing your flaws makes you beautiful and being different is the only way to be.   I was in love, an ode to inspiration, an ode to Frida who was unapologetically herself. 

                       

                         Frida Kahlo's, The Frame

 

   Frida's picture for French Vogue 1938                   

              

Since that time I have seen more Frida Kahlo paintings then I can count, going to Exhibitions in Venice, Seattle, St. Louis, studying in Mexico City where I spent considerable time at her house, which is now a museum in Coyoacán.   I am not alone with my infatuation with this woman.  Along with her husband Diego Rivera she is the most celebrated Mexican Artist of the 20^th century.  She was before her time, a feminist, a realist and a communist and often times called a surrealist although she reputed this.  “I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration.” 

Fall clothing and jewelry inspired by Frida
Clothing by ZuZu Apparel, Numph, Carla Ferandez,
Wind River and jewelry from Turkey.

Fall clothing and jewelry inspired by Frida.
Clothing by Knitted Dove, Comfy, Carla Fernandez,
Matti Mamane, Numph and jewelry from India.

Like her paintings, Frida’s style was personal, eccentric, indigenously inspired, and always over the top.  She used an abundance of color and texture, jewels, fabric and flowers.  She often times had on her shoulders or in her lap live monkeys, birds and dogs, the most cuddly of accessories and her little companions.  The famous quote from CoCo Chanel, “Before you leave for the day…take one thing off…” , otherwise don’t over accessorize.  Frida, it seems did the complete opposite; this is the rule I like to live by, add at least one accessory before leaving the house.   Have an extra finger?   Put a ring on it damn it!  As much as this quote is used in the fashion industry I think the more important quote of CoCo’s is “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.”  Rules are for followers and CoCo and Frida were nothing of the kind.

A collection of heels for you, Poetic Licence London and Irregular Choice

Frida Necklace,Carla Ferandez Poncho, Embroidered Scarf, and other beautiful garments.

I think a common misconception is people dress differently for attention, I contend that people cannot help expressing who they are, if there was no one around to see them they would be doing the exact same thing.  This Fall season, I think we should throw our inhibitions out the window and dress in what makes us feel good, for Frida.