DORHOUT MEES S/S 2014

My Inspiration for this collection is a poetry album, from the 1800’s,
Which I inherited from my great grandmother recently.
It is nothing like we know today..
It is full of sincere time, effort, love, poetry and handcrafted landscapes, drawings, silver, gold and broidery.
It struck something in me because of the contrast it formed with the time we live in today. We have no time for anybody, real contacts are rare and so is art. Creativity is starting to become a rare commodity, and it’s not for everybody to enjoy anymore.
I loved the idea of a long forgotten time in which these trades where precious commodities hold in high respect.
Also when I read on, I found it so moving. In a way it had some sadness to it as well, because all these people talking to each other about real friendships, love, life and death, are now not here anymore. They are all almost forgotten and so is the bond they had together.
It just made me feel like I wanted to bring it to life again and honour all these beautiful things entrusted to the pages of this little precious book.
I translated the individual cards of which this album is made out of, to pages to wear. Combined with the sweetness and softness of what is on them. Which translated into rounded pleads contrasting the straight rigid forms of the pages them self.
I wanted to seal the body in them, it’s like an embrace from these pages. I also wanted to use elements from this time period like old mirrors, silver threats, corset patterns, but really frame them in this area, so There are also elements like these framed in the pages if you will.
The prints are inspired on the poetry and drawings of life, flowers and friendship.
Partial prints combine the time reference as they sort of disappear in the pen strikes. And the crinkled old paper, in which shapes of a pattern can be found like a delicate lace pattern, hidden in the pages..

-Esther Dorhout Mees