Kendi Everyday

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.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4923577423/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4923576785/