What could possibly go wrong? How do we make it right?

An interview with fashion designer, Resa McConaghy

Three plus decades ago, my Aunt Marylou gave me two black dresses, both sheaths, both high-quality knit — if I had to guess, a blend of linen and cotton — one long sleeve and one sleeveless, the perfect little black dresses every woman needs in her closet.  While not part of my daily wardrobe, I’ve worn them dozens of times over the years when I have a fancy party or a somber occasion.  I’ve purchased many little black dresses in the interim and you know what?  I don’t have a single one of them, but I still have, and wear, Aunt Marylou’s dresses. 

Aunt Marylou was herself an amazing seamstress, but she worked as a sewing machinist in a factory making batch items for larger pieces —…

I was on Art Gowns’ latest post and as usual, was blown away by her talent. On the comments section we discussed how I had done many film quizzes, but none as yet on fashion. So remedying that is my latest quiz which celebrates the beauty and originality of female outfits over the decades. As these looks are so timeless, it felt wrong to chronicle them, so the order is random. How many of the films they’re from can you get? Which grabs your attention the most?

 Film 1

 Film 2

 Film 3

 Film 4

 Film 5

 Film 6

 Film 7

Film 8

 Film 9

 Film 10

 Film 11

 Film 12

 Film 13

 Film 14

 Film 15

Answers below

Photograph Used With Permission of Resa McConaghy

Like cicadas at summer’s end,
a fairy queen’s shell lingers, iridescent, glowing,
with traces of sleeping magic.

A wizard king can wake the dreamer
if he believes

Come down upon me that which ties the ladder, that which laces the dream, string for me that which is of cord magick, that where sirens weave!

These together upon, thy mind, that upon which Resa see’s, comes the gown of which all magic weaves, summoned, now sirens cry, the coven’s treasure, now bend thee, now bend thee….

The weave born of Star Carr, near Scarborough, the thread, in calling that which loves her, that which forms her heart. That daemon which summons patterns bold, summoned stories by a play, look to me, from Yorkshire way, designs that show a sirens way, a seamstress hides away, a stich, her art, the act in play. Heart, heart, summoned Whitby’s art, the ladies by the bay, and Mina smiles…. dear Resa, sew for me a scarf. A woven Faberge, that shows young girls at play, thighs in liquid, that of oceans…

Today I am pleased to announce a guest post on women’s right to vote, written by my blogging friend and costume designer Resa. I hope you enjoy reading the post as much I have!

★★★

#GreenWhiteViolet

100 years ago, #GreenWhiteViolet meant, “Give Women the Vote.” Yet, what does it mean now, and why do I care?

The largely male-dominated world is a mess. To make it work better, I believe that the pragmatic answer is found by commingling the nurturing intuitional intelligence of women equally with the aggressive hard-line intelligence of men.

Nonetheless, women were and are currently sidelined to varying degrees, depending on the situation and issue.

I believe Canadian women have the earned right, and should be at the forefront of peaceful dialogue for a decent global future. This is because our sociopolitical evolution has been exemplary.

In the early 1900’s, women of the United Kingdom, France and the United…