BeChicMag.com

By Jennifer Eberhart

Beading, flowing gowns, navy bathing suits, lace, sequins, cotton suits, high heels. Sound a bit like your wardrobe? You may (or might not) be surprised to know that all of today’s fashions have been inspired by styles of earlier generations.

In an exquisitely designed new exhibit, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is hosting a show entitled “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity”. The show delves into styles from the 1890s to 1940, focusing on the strength and passions of six different women and her influences in gaining the independence that we females are able to enjoy today.

The heiress, the Gibson Girl, the bohemian, the patriot / suffragist, the flapper and the screen siren are all highlighted throughout the 7-room gallery.

With 80 mannequins decked out in House of Worth, Chanel, Valentina and Callot Soeurs, this exhibit is a fashion-lover’s dream.

“American Woman” also boasts hand-painted backdrops, period music, hand-crafted headpieces, archival footage and film clips that take the viewer back in time. As an added bonus, if you pick up the audio guide at the gallery entrance, you’ll hear New York’s very own fashionista Sarah Jessica Parker introducing you to each accomplished woman in the gallery.

The exhibit is made possible through an historic collaboration with the Brooklyn Museum, which is hosting its own display of covetable clothing in “American High Style: Fashioning a National Collection”, on display until August 1.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “American Woman” is this summer’s must-see show for any art and fashion lover. The exhibit continues through August 15.

Las Comadres at East Harlem Cafe

Quilt making has been a tradition in many families throughout the world. Who doesn’t like telling a story through a fun form of art?

Last week, a group of women from the national organization Las Comadres shared their own stories through a collaboration with Downy as they sought to distribute handmade quilts to hospitalized children in New York.

Downy’s “Touch of Comfort” pledged to deliver 10,000 quilts! To find out how you can contribute, visit Downy.com

BeChicMag.com caught up with Nikki Yeager, a young local artist who recently moved back to New York City from living abroad. Peruse her Web site and you’ll see that Nikki’s themes include everything from NYC mixed media pieces, to portraits and facial close ups. If you really want to do justice to her amazing talent, we recommend you get up close and personal by visiting her two-week display at� Bar Nine (more details below). We were so struck by her talent and her energy that we couldn�t resist asking her a couple of questions. Nikki inspired me to continue working on my dreams and to invest in an affordable and beautiful piece of art for my living room. - Carolina Baker

BeChicMag: When did you start painting?
Nikki: I started drawing when I was really young. My mom encouraged my drawing big time. I developed my style when I attended a commercial art program as a junior in high school. My mom suggested that I attend this program. Until a couple of years ago, I was odd about sharing my art. I would paint and paint and paint but refuse to let anyone see it (including my parents). By hiding my art, I never really talked about it with my family. I wouldn’t let anyone bring it up.

What inspires you to paint?
Myself. My mind works out the world around me through art. It’s my way of keeping sane and organizing my thoughts and my perceptions.

How did you end up in Cambodia and the Bahamas? Did your experiences in Cambodia and the Bahamas affect your painting?
Travel has been a spontaneous desire. I applied to and accepted the job in Cambodia because I knew it would get me closer to my chosen career. I also knew it would be an adventure. I didn’t even know what continent Cambodia was on until I booked my flight. Arriving to the Bahamas was also another fluke. I found a job opening and two weeks later I was on a little seven seater plane to Freeport. Both countries affected my painting because they affected my life. My next series will be largely focused on both countries and my experiences in each. Anything that ends up in my thoughts ends up on my canvas.

What gave you the courage to drop out of college?
Thank you for calling it courageous, most people call it na�ve. I got into my dream college but once I started classes I realized I had taken a step further away from my goals rather than a step closer to them. I was doing a lot of unrelated work and I realized I could funnel that energy and that time into achieving my own dreams. For me, that seemed a more practical use of my time. In my opinion, it’s not the degree that makes a person successful – it’s the activity.

Who is your favorite artist?
Salvador Dali or Rene Magritte.

What museum in NYC do you most recommend and draw the most inspiration from?
I used to live by the Met. If I needed a little pick-me-up, I’d pay a small amount of the recommended donation and take a 10 minute stroll through the modern art section. I loved being able to pop in and visit Dali’s whenever I needed some lovin’.

BeChicMag.com readers are invited to get a glimpse of Nikki’s pieces at Bar Nine the week of November 18th. Opening night is on Nov. 21st after 8:30 p.m. Bar Nine, 807 Ninth Avenue between 53rd and 54th Streets.

ADVERTISING FIRM INVITES EMPLOYEES TO SHOW OFF THEIR STUFF

It’s no secret that artists face unique circumstances when it comes to survival. We’ve all heard stories about the “starving artist” who lives out of his car. But thanks to companies like Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners who for the first time welcome its employees to show off their personal projects in a special exhibition titled “5 to 9″, artists like Oliver Rios are encouraged to pursue their creativity outside of the office.

Graphic designer Oliver Rios presented “RAICES”, an exhibit based on the collaborations of images he photographed in Camuy, Puerto Rico and photos he took of Danza Fiesta- a folkloric Christmas presentation in Aaron Davis Hall last month.

“I went to see them perform with band Zon del Barrio who did a small musical with songs from Puerto Rico, and that was my inspiration to do this,” says the 34-year-old artist. “With the images I took, I was first only going to use those photos for the exhibit and then I said ‘You know what? Let me play around with it a little more’ and it just evolved.” Read the rest of this entry »