P.S. by Macaron Hoarder: MFA

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Newport/Boston: Fashion Photography and French Food

I left for Boston Friday afternoon and came back today, Sunday afternoon. My boyfriend Ryan and I had a great visit going to the MFA and La Voile on Newbury Street, and I was also able to see my friend Stephen off before he jet-setted to Rome for the semester.

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I stopped by Beacon Hill Chocolates on my way to Stephen's and picked up macarons, perfect for a farewell cup of tea. Ciao, Stephen!

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Since Ryan and I stayed in Friday night, we watched one of the DVDs I checked out from the library last week, Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

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Friday's Outfit: Dress, Jack Wills; Sweater, Simply Vera by Vera Wang; Boots, Forever 21

We woke up freakishly early Saturday morning (8:00 am?!) and took advantage. We went to the MFA to see fashion and lifestyle photographer Mario Testino's exhibits In Your Face and British Royal Portraits. After seeing the exhibits, I never realized the vast presence of Testino's work--so many of those photographs I had seen before, whether it be a Gucci ad or the portrait of the late Princess Diana. Since the exhibit is only up for less than two more weeks, I am happy we were able to catch it.

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Saturday's Outfit: Sweater Jacket, H&M; Tank Top, Greylin; Jeans, Express; Boots, Forever 21

After the MFA, we made our way to La Voile on Newbury Street. We had tried going there New Year's Day, but they opened at a later time in the afternoon that was too close to my train back home. It was well worth the wait for the french bread alone. Since my dreams of Paris have occupied by mind for months, La Voile is the perfect place to indulge my francophile fantasies in the States. I ordered a tomato mozzarella panini with salad and Ryan ordered snapper, one of the specials of the day. We split the cream puffs and a cappucino for dessert.

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The rest of the afternoon was spent walking along Newbury and hanging out back at the apartment before heading off to the Northeastern hockey game against Boston College. Unfortunately, Northeastern lost, but we still had a good time--we picked up chocolate chip cookie dough to bake and made hot chocolates afterwards.

For the last few hours of my visit, we enjoyed croissants with Nutella for breakfast. Ryan dropped me off at Back Bay and back to Rhode Island...

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Usually I don't enjoy coming home after the close of a weekend in Boston, but I had something special to look forward to: Isabella is home!

My family decided to get a Yorkshire Terrier teacup puppy. Isabella is certainly no replacement for our beloved Theodora, but we are happy to welcome a new addition to our family. Bella is adjusting really well since coming in from Florida last night, a very good sign.

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From top left: Spike, Pru, Bella, and T

Friday, April 6, 2012

"Beauty as Duty"

Last weekend, the university hosted a trip the the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. There were two exhibits I wanted to see especially--"Figure/Fabric/Fantasy": Selections from the Jean S. Frederic A Sharf Collection of Fashion Drawing and "Beauty as Duty": Textiles and the Home Front in WWII Britain. Other exhibits at the MFA include "Silver, Salt, and Sunlight': Early Photography in Britain and France and An Unspoken Dialogue with Japanese Tea.

As the Oxford trip approaches, I have been trying to immerse myself in British culture as much as possible. My experience viewing "Beauty as Duty" did just that:

Exploring “Beauty as Duty” in Britain During World War II

A fashionable conversation of the museum exhibit at the MFA Boston

When we think of American propaganda during World War II, we think of the graphic posters illustrating marching soldiers and Uncle Sam urging the reader to “BUY WAR BONDS.” We picture Rosie the Riveter wearing her red bandana and blue shirt, flexing her arm, telling female viewers “WE CAN DO IT” and contribute to war effort. We remember the government encouraging families to plant fruits and vegetables at home—“YOUR VICTORY GARDEN COUNTS MORE THAN EVER!”

When we think of war propaganda, we certainly do not think of beautifully crafted silk scarves.

The “Beauty as Duty” exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston showcases the role of textiles in Britain during World War II. Although clothing had to conform to government regulation, the clothing remained fashionable. The exhibit shows examples of typical “utility” dress during the war effort, such as women’s day-dresses, but it is centralized around scarves. Textile firms printed silk and rayon-blend scarves with beautiful, yet inspiring, images that related to the war effort abroad and at home.

Most of the scarves in the exhibit were produced by an upscale textile and fashion firm named Jacqmar. The firm was founded by Joseph “Jack” Lyons and his wife Mary in the 1930s. Jacqmar earned its reputation for its propaganda printed scarves designed by the firm’s in-house visionary, Arnold Lever.

Unlike the United States, Britain was much closer to the battles in Europe. The German army heavily attacked London during for eight months, from September 1940 until May 1941, a period known as The Blitz. Despite the damage inflicted on London, it ultimately marked a turning point in the war—the bombings were a futile effort by Hitler and his forces to disable Britain’s Royal Air Force. Even after the Allies won World War II, the British still suffered from food and clothing shortages.

Scarves, like those by Jacqmar or Ascher, were not deemed utility clothing, so they were still subject to taxation. Nevertheless, printed scarves were in popular demand for the duration of the 1940s.

Jacqmar scarves cost 55 shillings and 10 pence, the modern equivalent of about $125 USD. Lower priced scarves were also available for about five shillings or $10 USD.

My favorite scarf in the exhibit featured Winston Churchill the Prime Minister of England and prominent leader during World War II. The rayon scarf was printed around 1943 and manufactured by Filmyra Fabrics in a wide variety of color schemes.

A fighting Churchill quote is printed around the scarf’s borders: “We shall fight on the seas and oceans. We shall fight with glowing strength and confidence in the air. We shall defend our island whatever the cost may be.” These words capture the British spirit of fortitude and hope that supported the people during the war effort.

Britain still communicates her national pride in their fashions today. Interestingly enough, Jack Wills, a British chain-boutique, has a Jacqmar inspired scarf for the summer season. The Heatherwood scarf features a similar design, brags the vivid color palette, and displays the same British glory by displaying the country’s flags.