Old Babes

[purejuice]

The NYT design magazine had a feature this past Sunday on five Italian design divas -- all over 70, I'd say, with portraits.

Now as everyone knows, Italians eschew plastic surgery, uno, segundo, are obsessed with the presentation of la bella figura, and have the most beautiful clothes for people of all ages, not the coquettish shit or pretentious intellectual shit the French produce nor American MTV slut wear. It's gorgeous on young and old and depends not on flash but on the expression of beauty from the wearer. Taupe is Armani's best color because it's flattering not because it's eye catching.

Anyway, I was looking at the beautifully dressed, uncut, old design ladies and was impressed. I am deciding whether one wants the
old man's hair cut,


Gae Aulenti, 78

the spikes,


Maddalena de Padova, 78

or the soft chignon.

Eye makeup for sure, but not perhaps the clown effect.


Nanda Vigo, 69

I think the old man's haircut and the I. M. Pei glasses are an aged gamine's trope. I think we shall avoid it.

I think no jewelry but zipper tabs and cigarettes rocks. There's nothing creepier than an old woman covered with dirty diamonds and fur.


Cini Boeri, architect, 82

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/style/tmagazine/08tdivas.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Comments

[angiereedgarner.livejournal.com]

I way dug the "clown effect". And her nails!

[purejuice.livejournal.com]

i like her hair, her face, her tude, her smile, and her clothes. the embellished right inner eyelid draping down over the false eyelash? not so much.

[angiereedgarner.livejournal.com]

I liked that especially. Fear no age. Refuse the pastels and the surgery. Work it like it matters even though people say you might as well be dead. You know where she stands.

[purejuice.livejournal.com]

i think it matters very much. which is why parody, or indicating that it's all a joke, is problematical to me. i neeed to look recognizably human. unkillable.