On not going out

I had promised myself I would not do it. Not overtly at least. But there comes a point when something has just got to be said. So here goes… I am sick to death of all those self serving ads on the telly, you know the ones in which each brand or institution congratulates itself on how marvellously they are “helping” us get through “these unprecedented times”… all the while I am sure they are making pots of money out of the situation. I’m not against them making money. It’s an ill wind and all that. But I am pretty fed up them dressing it up as something more worthy. And I very much hope they are looking after their staff, and I don’t just mean with masks and stuff. So, please just stop it. Now.

Ah, that’s better, now that I’ve got that off my chest. I have a number of other virus related bugbears but I think I may save those for a later date. My blood pressure wouldn’t withstand an airing of them all in one go. Well except maybe just one other gripe… the insane cost of not going out.

After the first few weeks of consoling self with copious amounts of cake and vowing, and failing, to keep wine for the weekends, I’ve finally have managed to get a grip on myself, mostly because it’s become very evident that I will be in need of a whole new wardrobe if I keep on going as I have been and with all my money having being spent on cake and wine, there’s nothing left for clothes. So I’ve reverted to my pre-virus ways and am studiously avoiding certain aisles at the supermarket. So far, so good, even if the jeans are still a little less comfortable than I would like.

One area though I still have to get under a modicum of control is the book buying. Books, along with cake and wine, best of course when consumed all together, are my essential virus survival tools. The wish list is ever longer; the cardboard packages arriving with unseemly regularity. I justify myself in that most of what I order is in some way related to work and that I am building a wonderful library of information and inspiration, even though I have run out of shelf space and the piles on the floor get ever higher. So, as it looks like the lockdown will continue in some form for a while yet, and to give the credit card a well deserved rest, I have decided to go back and re-read some of my old favourites and perhaps give one or two a second chance.

The first of the old favourites that comes to hand is Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations from an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 2012. I would dearly have loved to have seen the exhibition in person but the book is worthy compensation. It imagines a sort of conversation between these two icons of fashion, not so very successfully in my view as Elsa Schiaparelli’s part in the conversation is taken from her autobiography whereas Miuccia Prada’s is from interview/s and so is much more engaging and immediate and somehow more real. The insight, however, into their thinking is fascinating. As are the parallels between the two women in their use of colour, prints and accessories to create their iconic styles. I am of course particularly interested in their use of prints and was surprised to learn that Prada was initially uncomfortable with this. She says that, “Initially I found prints difficult because they are more expressive. You can’t hide behind them. Now I use them to convey my thoughts, to express or communicate my ideas and concepts.” These are, of course, the qualities that I love most about print, and why I became captivated by print design in the first place. And of course the clothes are fabulous, even if the colour combinations are occasionally challenging. Certainly food for thought, which is I suppose almost as good as food for the stomach… perhaps.

On re-reading the book, I looked at the sponsor’s statement for the first time… only to discover that the exhibition had been sponsored by Amazon. Really, I had no idea. Ouf, there’s the bell. It’s guess who… yes I am weak. But in my defence, I am still off the cake… during the week. Excluding Fridays.

Stay safe. Stay well.