Kendi Everyday « Jen Loves Kev

Kendi Everyday

Posted: 09.30.10

I asked each blogger to pick a piece of artwork that spoke to them in some way. It could be famous, not famous, new, old. whatever piece of artwork they wanted and then to create an outfit inspired by the piece. I will be back to regular blogging on Oct. 4th.

Today I would like to introduce Kendi from Kendi Everyday…

Hi everyone! I’m Kendi from Kendi Everyday — it’s nice to meet you! I’m so excited to be guest posting for Jen as she and Kev prepare for their little bundle of joy. I think I can speak for all of us when I say — we can’t wait to meet her!

I loved Jen’s idea of taking a work of art and creating an outfit inspired from the art. Edward Hopper was the first artist to pop into my mind. An American landscape painter, Edward Hopper created beautiful depictions of life in the 40s and 50s. (You might know him from the famous “Nighthawks” painting.) One of my favorite works of his is the 1940′s piece called “Office at Night.” The painting depicts a man and a woman working late into the night. I love the imagery the scene creates as the woman (who I interpret as a secretary) looks over her shoulder, quietly wanting his attention and the man working at his desk, either too busy to be interested or too busy trying to ignore her.

This piece speaks volumes about women in that time, their place in society, workplace and in fashion. I especially love the silhouettes of 1940s fashion. Every woman looked put together and classic, just as the lady in the painting. She is still in heels, her hair still perfectly coifed, dress unwrinkled — even late at night. I worked as an administrative assistant (or a modern-day secretary) the year after I graduated college. In that way, I identify with this woman, like perhaps the woman in the picture was in a similar situation as I found myself in. Single but fully-educated and needed a job. Office work at a nice company, she’d be a fool not to take it, right? Now she is dressed up in heels and a dress, possibly dressed too nice to sit at a desk all day waiting for her next task. It’s so funny to me that it’s 70 years later and yet I know exactly how that woman feels.

My mother and I made the dress I’m wearing while I was living at home, working as an administrative assistant. At the time, I had no idea how 40s inspired the silhouette was, but it absolutely is. It’s modest, simple, and very feminine. It was my first dress to sew and complete with a lot of help from my mom. I was so proud of it; I couldn’t wait to show my co-workers. I remember wearing that dress to work, waiting for the compliments to roll in. But no one said a word to me. I sat at my desk, waiting for a compliment but it was just like any other dress I’d worn. Just like the woman in the painting, my co-workers were either very disinterested or trying very hard to ignore me and my pretty, new dress.

Comments (31)

Kendi

09.30.10

Thanks Jen for letting me guest post! I felt so honored to be asked by one of my favorite bloggers.

Hope your new family of three is doing well

Kendi
Collette Osuna

09.30.10

Wow Kendi..what a great job on a super cute handmade dress:)
I love the colors and the red just totally POPS at you:)

You look great..and I love your guest post:)
teddi

09.30.10

Oooo that dress is beyond cute especially the back!
Nikki

09.30.10

I Love that dress!!! in live across the country from my mom right now (husband is military) and making a dress together when she visits in 5 months sounds like an awesome idea! ummm, you should totally show me that pattern if you still have it haha.
neoisdc@msn dot com
Michal

09.30.10

You did a great job! That dress is wonderful! That’s a really cool Hopper too- I don’t remember ever seeing it before. Nice choice.

xx
Michal
Laurel Ann

09.30.10

As always, Kendi, I love your insight. When I saw this dress on your blog (before clicking to come here) I was thinking that it looked rather vintage inspired. It’s gorgeous, beautiful even, and shame on those silly office people for not noticing. If it makes you feel any better, one day I wore a bright orange and purple patterned skirt that I was so proud of. I thought for sure someone would say something, at least that it was bright, and not one person said anything.
This dress is amazing. I love how the red practically slaps your eyes against the dress but doesn’t draw away from the vintage aesthetic of the dress.
LOVE!
H to the Izzo

09.30.10

Mee ow. Love this!
Monique

09.30.10

Super cute dress Kendi! Co-workers only don’t comment b/c they don’t recognize its greatness! (at least this is what I tell myself as I get 0 compliments on my cute work outfits too LOL…)
Kileen

09.30.10

This dress is so cute and it’s definitely something I can see this dress selling at a high-end department store even! There’s so much extra details in the dress from the folds at the collar to the vertical red stripe down the back. The grey and red colors worn next to each other definitely give a vintage vibe with a modern twist. Loves!!
Jen

09.30.10

Ohmygosh, gorgeous dress. Love it, so classy. Can you make some more please?
Rebekah

09.30.10

Very Mad Men-esque! I love it!
Bella

09.30.10

Love the series! Such a great idea!

Edward Hopper is one of my favourite artists, so I was very excited to see his painting when the page opened up. Love the new interpretation!
Krameymartin

09.30.10

Kendi, you look lovely as usual. I love the lady-like-ness of the 40′s too. I wish women still dressed up like that!
Justine

09.30.10

Such a cute and fun dress!

Just Better Together
Nora

09.30.10

I think this is my favorite of the series!! Kendi, you look adorable and your story behind the dress is so endearing (and fitting for the painting)!
bianca

09.30.10

I LOVE the back on that dress; not to mention red shoes are always dynamite!

xoxo
bianca
Marilyn

09.30.10

that dress is so nice
cailen

09.30.10

what a cool idea!
Luna

09.30.10

the zip on the back of that dress is totally killer
Laura

09.30.10

I’ve been enjoying this series Jen. I thought this post was so interesting. I loved the story, the painting and the dress.
Lisa

09.30.10

LOVE the zipper! So unexpected and fun!
kirstenhd

09.30.10

LOVE the dress, esp. the red zipper detail. Very ambitious for a first sewing project. I’m still struggling to make an A-line skirt At my office, this length would be a little risque, so I probably wouldn’t be able to pull it off, but that varies so much by industry, city, and company.
Angeline

09.30.10

I can’t believe you made that dress! It’s beautiful! I love the look…so chic.
Lovers, Saints & Sailors

09.30.10

Absolutely fantastic interpretation. A really cool painting too. I’d never seen that before.
Jodi

10.01.10

Now wait just a minute, young lady!! I absolutely DID compliment you on that dress, because I vividly remember the zipper down the back and telling you how cool I thought it was!! Stardom has evidently made you forget the little people that you used to work for. Great post, Kendi! We still miss you!
Breenah

10.01.10

That dress is fab! I never would have guessed it was handmade instead of bought!
Molly

10.01.10

What a brilliant idea. Fashion inspired by Art. So glad to find this blog! Can’t wait to check out more!!!

As usual, Kendi, you look beautiful. I’m very impressed with your sewing skills.
Jessu

10.02.10

Great dress! Can’t believe you sewed it yourself! I was just thinking how rare it is to find such details around the collar!
Clare

10.07.10

I’m so late in commenting on this, but I just love Kendi’s take on this Hopper painting. Loved this series, Jen!!
Nathalie

10.19.10

Great post! So original to combine art and fashion!
The dress is beautiful and chic. I’m in awe that you sewed it yourself! I love the red touches.
moda gezgini

01.21.11

wovv Amazing! harika fotoğraflar çok güzel beautiful blog..nice blog:) thanks.kısses