The Color Black
Years ago I wrote a paper on the color black and its importance and in our western society. It is my favorite color and I do think about its significance and elegance quite often. Here’s my most recent musing about it.
According to an article in fashionunited.uk from May 2022 - the color black is enigmatic, invokes elegance, power and prestige. I agree, it does. But other colors can evoke the same. Consider Grace Kelly on her wedding day, she is wearing a white lace dress designed by Helen Rose in which the Oscar winning actress is the definition of enigma, elegance, power and prestige. Another example of the fictional character Alexis Colby from the 1980’s hit show Dynasty. That woman looked enigmatic, elegant, powerful in every color. One can argue that it’s the woman wearing the clothes and not the color of the clothes that give them that power. So what is it about black that we associate with those chic and powerful words?
I recommend reading Michel Pastoureau’s book Noir, historic d’une couleur, a summary of which can be read on ParisianGentleman.com. Michel covers many facets of the color black including linguistic influence, medieval symbolism, morality, modern sub-cultures and established formalities. It’s a good read.
Can't ponder the color black and not gravitate to the Dutch Masterpieces; where the use of the color black creates an unmistakable mood of mystery and elegance. Even the domestic scene of Peter Wtewael’s Kitchen Scene with its dark palette creates a feeling of abundance and luxury.
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To learn more about Grace Kelly’s Wedding Gown, check out the Philadelphia Museum of Art where the dress and other items from the wedding are part of the museums collection.
The Dutch Masterpieces is an ongoing exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
April Showers Bring May Flowers!
Appropriate title for today's NYC weather, it it pouring! It has been all night and looks like it has no intention of stopping any time soon. Anyway...
Two weekends ago I was visiting old North Jersey mansions-turned-museums. One, sells vintage in their gift shop. I happened upon this lovely pair of earrings and had to have them. The gold colored metal flower with pearl center are so Femme Fatale.
Collector
I have, unknowingly, become a collector of vintage. Let me explain. Whenever I see something I like, I buy it. To wear, to show off or to reference.
Many of the things I own have been used by fellow designers or lent to stylist friends in the past. So I decided to pursue this path professionally and launched this site. Here you can view my collection, which I'll be updating regularly. All items are for rent, some are also listed for purchase.
Why the name Preppy Noir? In college I took an elective class on Film Noir and fell for the fashion aesthetic of the Femme Fatale. A preppy look with an edgy twist, classic pieces reflective of the femme character. I decided to call Preppy Noir. As you browse through the images, you will notice the items I collected and curated are inspired by the leading ladies of the noir era of Hollywood.
xx,
Anna