I will always love men who are more glamorous than women- who wear make-up with side burns (ala Tim Curry in Rocky Horror) I’ve been reading the new biography on Bowie and keep thinking about Velvet Goldmine 1998- the film loosely based on his life- I am still obsessed with [...]]]>

I will always love men who are more glamorous than women- who wear make-up with side burns (ala Tim Curry in Rocky Horror) I’ve been reading the new biography on Bowie and keep thinking about Velvet Goldmine 1998- the film loosely based on his life- I am still obsessed with Ewan’s Cobain locks and eyeliner as Kurt Wilde- aka Iggy Pop. I saw this film a dozen times in the theater- the costumes are truly outrageous- tis british glam majesty…. boys who like girls who like boys who like boys. To Ewan- in leather pants shaking glitter all over his beer-soaked body- my heart is yours forever.

Quartz Crystal Madley Necklace 400.00

Sequin Miu Miu shoes at Madley 200.00

Latest earring selection at the shop.

Dior

Speaking of platforms- some of my favorites….

John Galliano.

Rodarte.

John Galliano.

Laboutin.

The latest Madley creation- a cotton sweater with linen sleeves- I’m also working on a cardigan and sweater dress…

I have not idea what to say about this tragic loss…. McQueen was my hero- my inspiration- my favorite.  To think that there will be no more of his incredible work- that it’s over- is hard to fathom.  I went to Central St. Martins solely in order to follow in [...]]]>

I have not idea what to say about this tragic loss…. McQueen was my hero- my inspiration- my favorite.  To think that there will be no more of his incredible work- that it’s over- is hard to fathom.  I went to Central St. Martins solely in order to follow in his footsteps- I grilled my teachers and fellow students who had worked for him to learn everything I could about his personality- his creative process.  Everyone spoke of his innovation- with the invention of “the Bumsters” (pants that showed ass cleavage) for his senior show propelling him into stardom- I have always felt that his work belonged in a category of its own- fiercly original, sometimes grotesque, sometimes funny, but always breathtakingly beautiful.  I remember going to the Victoria and Albert Museum, as a textile student, to see his early gowns on display- McQueen treated fabric as a sculptural medium – he broke the atom wide open.  I am very very sad.

Damien Hirst.

As always, I am going through a crazy boot hunt- we have tons on new goodies at the shop- from old riding boots to Farragamo loafers.  Here are a few objects of my affection….

Halston.

My  Chanel babies.  I love youuuuu.

Alexander Wang.

VIvienne Westwood forever!

Alexander Wang.

Cut off your old cowboy boots!

No idea who made these- but they are fierce!

I’m obsessed with this Ann Demuelemeester collection….

A little Anjelica on a sunny day- love her modeling shots for Halston.

Halston with Bianca Jagger, Liza Manelli, and Michael Jackson- is that the girl from Last Tango in Paris next to Michael?

Henry Darger

So, busy winter bees out here beachside.  I’ve been hibernating- even though the sun still shines hot- beading away and preparing for the season.  Sometimes I find myself making excuses for my lack productivity- I mean, one could always be making more- pushing the [...]]]>

Henry Darger

So, busy winter bees out here beachside.  I’ve been hibernating- even though the sun still shines hot- beading away and preparing for the season.  Sometimes I find myself making excuses for my lack productivity- I mean, one could always be making more- pushing the boundaries etc. ( I am running out of room for necklaces at the shop so color me obsessive)….  I think of Henry Darger and Joseph Cornell, working in silence and obscurity- with hardly enough money to buy paper and supplies. Sleepless nights spent in the garage- probably wearing fingerless gloves, painting by candlelight because the work  just needs to be made…. showing no one. I dream about having a secret archive of my work hidden under the stairs to be discovered upon my departure from this world- stacks of drawings and assemblage made for my own satisfaction- oh, to be that mysterious.  Winter seems to be a time for compulsive making- web spinning and hungrily tearing through.  I am tapping into my well of inspiration- all the things I love…. so here is a preliminary list-
Miss Kate.
Miu Miu fall 2009
Damien Hirst

Lady Gaga playing Hirst piano.

Kate Bush.

Needless to say, Madley is out of control stocked for gift giving and New Years majesty- new party dresses from Luxury Jones in this week- out of control.  Piles of hand-knit scarves to cuddle up to… jewels for days.  Stop by the shop and mention the blog to receive a 20 percent discount off every item in the shop!

Joseph Cornell

Sequins.  A girl was just in the store saying that she hopes to one day grow out of  her affinity for sequins.  Oh please, let that day never come.

Tim Walker.

Hey Victor and Rolf!  Stop the madness.  It’s just too good.  It’s sculptural, it’s rad, it makes me smile.  Clothing/architecture- Here at Madley, fall has arrived and we are all so glad.  I’ve been hunting for the perfect equestrian boots, fur vests, and as many sequin dresses as possible for the shop.  Johnny says that [...]]]>

Hey Victor and Rolf!  Stop the madness.  It’s just too good.  It’s sculptural, it’s rad, it makes me smile.  Clothing/architecture- Here at Madley, fall has arrived and we are all so glad.  I’ve been hunting for the perfect equestrian boots, fur vests, and as many sequin dresses as possible for the shop.  Johnny says that “boots are the new leggings”- so don’t worry about pants- they are optional.  I’ve been knitting crazy sweaters like a madwoman…. and stocking up on rhinestones- in case the wild Venetian winter keeps me  home bound.  Watching Ziggy Stardust on repeat- a little obsessed- particularly with Bowie’s dance moves.  Dear lord.

Damn Cindy, looking at your face takes me way back to my little girl self in the woods- just dreaming of a future rock n roll career- I have to drag out the childhood photos of my early fashion creations- including a scarf tied around my upper thigh and pink paint/hairspray in my hair.

Ps.  Here is a little taste of the Halloween magic- I’m putting eye glitter on my brother- crazy how many photos I have of myself putting make-up on him… for literally our entire lives.

Art Nouveau jewelry is so very…..

This incredible piece by Tara Donovan is made from mountains of plastic buttons.  Breathtakingly obsessive, just the way I like… the image below is a massive undulating landscape of ripped paper…..

Halloween, 1981.  The Madley family goes trick-or-treating in Venice…. that’s me in the yellow bug suit.  The best holiday ever.  Ps. we are a family for Med Flies- Apparently bug themed songs were performed door to door- that’s right, I’m proud.  More than words.

The best costume reference film ever, Phantom of the Paradise. [...]]]>

Halloween, 1981.  The Madley family goes trick-or-treating in Venice…. that’s me in the yellow bug suit.  The best holiday ever.  Ps. we are a family for Med Flies- Apparently bug themed songs were performed door to door- that’s right, I’m proud.  More than words.

The best costume reference film ever, Phantom of the Paradise.  An amalgam of Phantom of the Opera, Faust, and The Picture of Dorian Gray.  So many amazing outfits, songs, and broken dreams in this movie- I particularly love the death records logo and office.

Knit installation by Liz Collins.

Spooky art by Tessa Farmer

Sarina Brewster Sculpture…

In the words of Laura Palmer, “I just know I’m gonna get lost in those woods again tonight.”  It’s Halloween morning and I’m preparing for the reverie- although it’s hard to find woods out in Venice- I fell determined to try…. more photos of the costume to follow….

The new Rodarte collection is fantastical- it’s borderline tribal- but they manage to take it to an otherworldly mad max place that is science fiction fine art.  Those ladies have such a sense of texture and layering- I love the monochromatic dresses that are all about transparency and sensual appeal.  Gothic wood nymphs- pale skin and ethereal toughness…

Something about this collection reminds me of The Crow a holiday favorite- that wonderful 90’s leather pant boot thing- also seen in Edward Scissorhands, The Cure etc.  I remember seeing this movie in the theater- knowing that Brandon Lee had been killed during the filming- it was one of the first times I became aware of mortality- actually, every high school crush I had was with a dead dude, Jim Morrison, James Dean…..and later Kurt.  Is that what high school is all about?  Anyway- here is the hotness.

On a totally different note, here are some necklaces I made this week….

I know I always celebrate Mr. Galliano- but seriously, do I need to say anything about his breathtaking Spring collection?  Just feast your eyes on this glamour.  The color combinations- the makeup- I recently read an interview with John where he talks about first moving to Paris- broke with big dreams. [...]]]>

I know I always celebrate Mr. Galliano- but seriously, do I need to say anything about his breathtaking Spring collection?  Just feast your eyes on this glamour.  The color combinations- the makeup- I recently read an interview with John where he talks about first moving to Paris- broke with big dreams.  Literally curled up on a rainy stoop, cold and hungry-  I love thinking about him dreaming these ladies up in his young head years ago- they were just waiting to be born.   By the way, tailored jackets over long ball gowns are simply the way to go-

Go back and look at the collection again while this wonderful song plays…..

Lillian Gish, Galliano’s inspiration….

Yesterday, a beautiful lovely came in looking a little like Ms. Gish of old-  Antonia Campbell Hughs, Actress, Model, and Top Shop Clothing designer, looks so adorable in this re-worked wedding dress I just made.   Antonia recently starred in Bright Star. I absolutely love the film- a breathtaking depiction of the love affair between John Keats and Fanny Braun.  All of the costumes are actually vintage with only slight alterations- absolutely the way I want to dress from now on- small tuxedo jackets, high waisted pencil trousers, empire waist gowns, and tiny slippers.

Bright Star

Lillian Gish

a dress I just made……

]]> http://madley.com/dear-john.html/feed 2 http://madley.com/out-of-this-world.html http://madley.com/out-of-this-world.html#comments Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:07:26 +0000 admin http://madley.com/?p=719 Waiting for a revelation, the arrival of aliens, or just a sign…… all found in the awe inspiring spring collection from McQueen.  I want to curse when I look at this collection-  These mysterious sea creatures look like they emerged from a Matthew Barney film about Atlantis and sea serpents.  The oddly familiar, androgynous, creations [...]]]> Waiting for a revelation, the arrival of aliens, or just a sign…… all found in the awe inspiring spring collection from McQueen.  I want to curse when I look at this collection-  These mysterious sea creatures look like they emerged from a Matthew Barney film about Atlantis and sea serpents.  The oddly familiar, androgynous, creations fragment natural history mixing in a 1960’s vision of the future- How can I incorporate these ideas into my street look- perhaps more snakeskin, some pointy gold nails, shiny pale leather and an aloof expression.  When I was studying knitwear at Central St. Martins, McQueen’s alma mater, he was spoken of as something of a mythological figure- the designer of a generation.  Now, nearly ten years later, he continues to blow it out of the water.  Looking at these clothes restores my faith in our time- greatness is possible!

Some photos of outer space from NASA.

Is it just me or should these women live in a Goudi building in Barcelona?  Here are some amazing photos of buildings built in 1890- still fresh and modern.

Obviously.

McQueen’s women remind me of The Man Who Fell to Earth, an amazing film starring David Bowie as an alien sent by his dying planet in search of water.  Bowie looks like their male counterpart- with bright orange hair, pale skin, and red eyes- which he disguises with special contact lenses.  His clothes, as always, are impeccably fabulous- plus the soundtrack, Low, which was not actually used in the film, is a killer.

Today Madley was graced with a visit from the lovely fashion darlings, Alexa Chung and Tennessee Thomas.  Dear lord they have great style.

Tennessee bought this adorable 1940’s drummer girl dress to wear while playing drums for her band, The Like