Archive | March, 2010

Jennie T
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Women Who Made History: Ray Eames

Women Who Made History: Ray Eames

Women Who Made History: Ray Eames

We sit on their chairs in our homes, offices, waiting rooms, even some schools.We see their famous chairs in countless editorial spreads. Their name is synonymous with elegant, contemporary design.  Incredibly, I think they are one of the few design teams that I can remember that you know who both of the designers are, not just the creative or figurative head of the team. I’m referring to Ray Eames, one very equal and vital half of the duo that was Eames Design.

The future designer Ray Eames was born Bernice Alexandra Kaiser (nicknamed Ray-Ray by her family) in Sacramento, California, in 1912. After finishing high school, she moved to New York City with her widowed mother, studying with famed German Abstract Expressionist Hans Hofmann and eventually exhibiting her paintings. After her mother’s death, Ray continued her education, moving to Michigan to study at the Art Academy in Cranbrook. Here she met Charles Eames, who was one of her teachers and mentors.  After divorcing his first wife, Charles married Ray in Chicago in 1941. Soon after, the couple left for Southern California, where they opened a design studio and made ends meet by Charles designing sets for MGM Studios and Ray working as a graphic designer for Art & Architecture Magazine.

The resulting creative partnership produced some of the world’s most recognizable modern furnishings, including the “LCW” and “LCM” chairs, the “Eames Lounge and Ottoman” (perhaps the most recognizable piece they ever created) and the “Time-Life Stools” (which critics hail as her crowing achievement). Additionally, the couple designed homes, monuments, exhibitions and toys for the masses, utilizing new materials and technology that would allow high quality products to be produced at low cost. They also developed production processes, supplying the U.S. Navy with leg splints and stretchers in World War II, before returning to molded plywood for their famous chairs in the post-war years. In addition to their designs, the Eames’ also developed multi-screen presentations for schools and corporations, forever altering the public’s idea of what a traditional slideshow should be. They also dabbled in film, directing over 80 experimental films.

Although Charles was the public face of the company and it’s charismatic leader, Ray was by no means a silent, secondary partner. She kept extensive photographic records of their work and was an equal partner in every project, including the films they made. She also had a great visual memory, and paid great attention to color choice and material selection. She loved found art and enjoyed creating displays for their exhibitions, always creating a special visual effect for audiences.

After Charles’ death in 1978, Ray disbanded Eames Design and turned to archiving and preserving their legacy as designers, even collaborating on a number of books about the studio she created with her husband. After a lifetime of creativity, it comes as no surprise that Ray Eames passed away ten years to the day after her husband, completing a life of groundbreaking, intelligent and collaborative design.

Layout by: Melissa

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Gee
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M.I.S.S. TV: The Women Behind M.I.S.S. Making History

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Gee
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M.I.S.S. TV: The Women Behind M.I.S.S. Making History

MISSTV: the WOMEN behind MISS

MISSTV: the WOMEN behind MISS

With Womens History Month coming to a close, the ladies behind M.I.S.S. discuss what the word “Woman” means to them.  Our founders and some of our editors share ideas of the importance of womanhood with you, from memories of the past to hopes of the future. From earth-goddess, to Nina Simone, to the bearers of life, the M.I.S.S. crew defines what being a woman in today’s world means to them.  The video features the likes of: Gabriella Davi-Khorasanee, Liz Baca, and Lexx Valdez, in addition to Candee Lozano, Mayra Ramirez, Reina Sofia, and Ashley Thompson.
Watch it below and let us know what YOU think the word “woman” means to you!

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Gabriella
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NY & LA: Kiki de Montparnasse Sample Sale

Kiki de Montparnasse Sample Sale in NY & LA

Kiki de Montparnasse Sample Sale in NY & LA

For the first time ever, ultra-luxe lingerie brand Kiki de Montparnasse is having a sample sale at their NY and LA boutiques for one week beginning Saturday, April 3rd and running through Sunday, April 11th.  The sale includes up to 75% off one-of-a-kind and past season samples, vintage, apothecary and home collections.  Current collections are marked down 20% for 1 week only.  So jealous I’m not in either NY or LA, though this sale is definitely worth traveling for. Happy Shopping!

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LiaDelFresco
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Art HERstory: Mary Beale

Self-Portrait (c. 1685)

Self-Portrait (c. 1685)

To me Puritan = Bonnets + Salem Witch Trial + Rules. To say the least, Social Studies wasn’t my strong subject. Memorization was never my thing. Apparently, all Puritans weren’t super religious a-holes. Some of them were cultured and extremely talented. Mary Beale was one such Puritan. The girl had skills. She was a beast with a paintbrush.

Portrait of Sir Thomas Isham. I assume fair skin was in cause dude looks like a lady.

Portrait of Sir Thomas Isham. I assume fair skin was in cause dude looks like a lady.

Mary Beale, born Mary Cradock, was the daughter of John Cradock, a Puritan clergyman in Barrow, Suffolk, England. His beautiful baby girl entered the world in 1633. John immediately recognized his daughter’s passion for painting and introduced her to Robert Walker, an artist friend of the family. He began to formally train Mary in the art of painting.

Portrait of Mary's Husband, Charles. I respect this guy for supporting his wife's career. She did a great job with the shadows on Charles' face and clothing. The draping and wrinkles in his clothing are also nicely done.

Portrait of Mary's Husband, Charles. I respect this guy for supporting his wife's career. She did a great job with the shadows on Charles' face and clothing. The draping and wrinkles in his clothing are also nicely done.

In 1652, at the age of 18, Mary married Charles Beale. Charles was a cloth merchant from London who also dabbled in painting. Around 1654 Mary relocated to Charles’ hometown. Once there she embarked on her professional painting career. Her area of expertise? Portraits. Her skills earned her a place in William Sanderson’s drawing manual, The Use of the Pen and Pensil.

King Charles II (1670). Apparently this guy was quite the womanizer. I guess thats why hes painted in his armour. More manly maybe?

King Charles II (1670). Apparently this guy was quite the womanizer. I guess thats why hes painted in his armour. More manly maybe?

The Beales moved to Allbrook, Hampshire with their two young sons in 1665. The move was a result of a combination of Charles’ recent unemployment and the Great Plague of London. For the next five years the family made a two-story timber building their home. Mary’s studio was also housed inside.

Lousie, Dutchess of Portsmouth. This fine female was a French aristocrat who became a spy for Louis XIV and mistress to Charles II. The color is my favorite part about this portriait. The crimson drapes and Louise's golden dress are colored perfectly.

Lousie, Dutchess of Portsmouth. This fine female was a French aristocrat who became a spy for Louis XIV and mistress to Charles II. The color is my favorite part about this portriait. The crimson drapes and Louise's golden dress are colored perfectly.

Mary returned to London in 1670 and established a studio in Pall Mall. She was now the breadwinner and employed her husband as her bookkeeper and paint mixer. According to Charles’ notes, 1677 was a busy year for Mary. In that single year, she had 83 jobs. Charles was madly in love with Mary. He often referred to her as ‘Dearest Heart.’ He remained her loyal employee and lover until her death in 1699.

Moll Davies. This busty beauty was another one of Charles II's many women. The execution of Moll's features are what catch my attention in this portrait. Who could miss those chesticles?

Moll Davies. This busty beauty was another one of Charles II's many women. The execution of Moll's features are what catch my attention in this portrait. Who could miss those chesticles?

Although Mary’s biography is brief and general, she made a lasting impact on the art world. She was a rebel of her time. Portraiture wasn’t a major art form at the time, but Mary took it and made it her own. She became one of the most influential artists of the 17th century and has been described as the first professional female English painter.

Image Layouts: Feesh

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