Musing and pondering

Decision making -or- stuff I can learn from my cat

I was blessed with horrible decision making skills. Everything I do is either a momentary impulse, or based on a life-long obsession. In both cases I end up with a mess I have to clean up. I was pretty satisfied with this virtue-slash-vise up to not so long ago. It made life fun and unexpected and kept me busy. Then school happened and demanded a more logical way of existence. The most rational creature I know is my cat, so I decided to look up to him for guidance. (This was decided on an impulse, in case you were wondering.)

Side note: I'll refer to my cat as "cat" from now on, to protect his identity; buy mainly to create a completely unnecessary "Breakfast at Tiffany's" reference.

I just love this movie, okay? image source

Cat wakes up every morning with a stretch and a yawn. He never jumps out of bed all crazy-eyed, trying to fit a kilometer-long to-do list into twenty four hours. He always sits on the balcony savoring the morning sun while I run around in my bra trying to remember everything that I forgot. Cat never multitasks; he's fully aware of everything he does, whether he's pigeon-hunting or tearing up my sofa. Cat never trusts strangers, but he also lets them earn his trust gradually, and then rewards them with kindness and purring. Cat eats when he's hungry and sleeps when he's tired. He runs around the house when he's happy, calling everyone to share his joy. Cat knows how to live his life.  

Image source

The tale of the parisienne

The setting: A bus station on a nameless street in Paris, somewhere halfway between the Eiffel tower and Notre Dame de Paris.

Cast of characters:

Me [in order to maintain coherence, and because I really like my initials, I'll call myself "J"]: euphoric that I've found healthy food in the land of carbs and butter, eating figs and almonds with abandon.

My friends we shall refer to as "S": the reasonable and the French-speaking one between us.

The Parisienne- or- "P" whereas "P" also stands for "perfection" [spoiler alert]: the embodiment of class and Parisian-chic wrapped up in one well-dressed woman.

J and S, too happy to worry about petty details like the time or their flight home are trying to figure out which bus will take them to the Eiffel tower. P is standing about 70 cm away from them, secretly listening to their conversation.

S to P with some hesitance:

Excusez-moi, madame? Un bus de la tour Eiffel?

And that's when J's most memorable experience in France began. P replied and then continued to talk to S and J. Their small-talk chitchat at the bus station developed into a guided site-seeing tour P gave the girls during the bus ride. Nice and informative, and with a Hollywood-blockbuster-worthy French accent P told them which building Napoleon had built for his troops and where Princess Diana had died in the car crash. She also mentioned the museum of Fashion and the museum of Architecture [at that moment J was ready to tear apart her plane ticket home and just stay in Paris forever drooling over clothes and buildings and worshiping P]. P talked about the beautiful, pastoral cafés and the delights of people-watching.  And when J mentioned how lovely P's shoes were, she confessed how she found them on sale merely for 20 euros.

J [to herself]: Oh dear P, please guide me through life!

The bus stopped. P signaled to the girls the follow her, they did. P crossed the street in a red light with the poise of a queen and the ease of a brat. P directed S and J to the tower, wished them a wonderful day and vanished. 

Fall Collection Inspiration Board

I'd Like The World to be Lovely, Black and White, and Melancholic.

At the end of summer, the long humid days, the tourists, and the jellyfish depart the city, leaving us to face reality. We suddenly notice the concrete, feel the wind, hear the rustling falling leaves, and see the lights. 

photo by Juliette Gold

photo by Juliette Gold

photo by Juliette Gold

photo by Juliette Gold

photo by Juliette Gold

photo by Juliette Gold

Stay tuned, the collection will be revealed [piece by piece; I like the suspense] in the upcoming posts. 

Do cities change with the passing seasons, or do they always stay the same? 

Boudicca's designers talk at Beit Ha'ir

Boudicca: Artists?

A day after the exhibit opening, Brian Kirkby and Zowie Broach returned to Beit Ha'ir to talk all things BOUDICCA.

What struck me the most [enough to be at the beginning of the post] was that when asked whether they consider their work as "art" they protested profusely. I wonder, what makes a mere person an artist? Can you proclaim yourself as one? Are you an artist if others say you are? And more importantly, are Zowie and Brian artists after all? Read what they had to say, and decide: 

Call a rose any other name…

Boudicca was the queen on the British tribe, who leaded a revolt against the ruling Roman Empire in AD 60. She was considered divine and portrayed as a goddess. When considering her as the brand's symbol, Brian related to the mythical aspect of the story and to its local history. Zowie saw the modern woman in Boudicca – the independent leader. As their designs explore the duality of masculine and feminine, Boudicca was chosen to reign on yet another kingdom.

Sell! Buy! Sell!

Z&B [ladies first] address the commerce in the fashion industry with refreshing honesty. They admit that there are limitations, technical and commercial, that contrast with art making. In order to sell designs, Z&B say, a designer has to be aware of the confines and keep them in mind. Things like fabric qualities, intended usage, and selling potential, all dictate the finished product. When creating a couture show, though, Z&B reveal that there is a greater artistic freedom in the process. Since the actual garments are not meant to be worn, they can be created of various materials, and thus, be loyal to the concept. 

Zowie Broach & Brian Kirkby at Beit Ha'Ir. Photo by Juliette Gold

One plus one equals...?

When two designers work on a single brand, they are bound to be challenges. Zowie tells us that they are different people, and they have separate sketchbooks and diverse ideas. They separate the work, and then mix it back together, discuss, and look where their suggestions collide. Or, as Brian puts it, they challenge and push each other.

If they say, you are no good…

Z&B both agree that one cannot escape criticism in the creative world. Zowie advices to look for the building feedback, try to learn from what others have to say, even in a mere conversation. 

Zowie Broach & Brian Kirkby at Beit Ha'Ir. Photo by Juliette Gold

What the future holds …

The future is unclear for Z&B. Zowie says she feels unsure, not in a nervous way though, about the future. She is open to see what will happen. Z&B will continue to put work out, and they will see where they want to go. 

Zowie Broach & Brian Kirkby at Beit Ha'Ir. Photo by Juliette Gold

And finally, a word of advice for the young generation:

Zowie Broach & Brian Kirkby at Beit Ha'Ir. Photo by Juliette Gold

Is fashion art? Do you think Z&B are artists?

Who is the cover girl?

 

 

Interviewing Our Cover Girl

Between sewing her own fashion collection, renovating her room, and getting ready to dive into architecture school, our cover girl - Juliette Gold's cover girl alter-ego - met me for an imaginary split-personality brunch the other day to talk childhood, goals, and other things people normally ask in interviews.

 

Note: As an advocate of unnecessary abbreviations [I'm too lazy to retype, and copy-paste doesn't feel genuine enough], I will now refer to my cover girl alter-ego as CV, and to my interviewer alter-ego as IAE.

 

IAE: Let's start from the very beginning. Where were you born?

CV: I come from the northern European-Russia. It's a seaport city, practically at the North Pole.

 

IAE: Brr! That must have been freezing! [I say, shivering].

CV: [laughing] There's an adorable joke about the weather. A guy asks his friend: "What did you do this summer?", and the friend replies: "Uhh I missed it! I was at work that day". The location has it upsides though; we were the first to receive gifts from Santa!

 

IAE: Oh wow, the move to Tel Aviv must have been a big change.

CV: Oh no! It was fun! We moved when I was six, and my parents made my childhood magical. It's something I can't thank them enough for. Even though we moved around quite a bit, and I've changed cities, schools, and friends, I've never felt sad or alone. Life has just been, and still is, a one big adventure.

 

IAE: That's so nice to hear! Are you still close to your parents?

CV: Still? [laughing] You make me sound old! And yes, we are very close! We spend a lot of time together. My mom and I even have "days of girly fun" every two-three weeks or so.

 

IAE: Adorable! Has your childhood influenced your decision to become an architect?

CV: In retrospect, I can say yes. My childhood revolved around changing cities, apartments, furniture arrangements, and atmospheres. So I can be artsy-fartsy and say that it inspired me to see the influence space has on a person. However, I was able to formulate lofty theories about architecture only when I was sixteen or seventeen, whereas I decided I wanted to be an architect when I was twelve.

 

IAE: Oh wow! That's an early age to pick such a serious career. How did you stick with the decision for so long?

CV: I'm a stubborn mule! [laughing for a while] Even though I have no clue how I thought of the idea, I know that I do love the field. I've always had. I've read a bunch of books, took some classes, and started seeing the idea behind it, the magic architecture has. So, referring back to the influence mumble, I now have a solid reason behind my choice.

 

IAE: And why did you decide to give fashion design a try?

CV: I see design as something universal, a complete picture of oneself, be it a person, a group or a society.  Fashion design, in my opinion, is a statement of our character to the outside world. It's the first thing people pick up when they see us. And since I design for myself, fashion design is my way of communicating myself, and showing a glimpse of my personality to the outside world. Also, it's a fun experience, which I think would enrich my later work.

 

IAE: How would you define your aesthetic?

CV: Just as I define myself, "a work in progress".

 

IAE: That's enough work-talk for one interview, be it imaginary or real. Let's talk fun. What's your favorite pastime?

CV: Flânerie! [said with an awful fake-Frech accent] - the art of strolling. Walking around the city with no purpose, sitting at some small cafe and people-watching... Even being stuck in traffic has its magic moments.

 

IAE: Let's finish up with something sweet. What was the best advice you've ever received?  

CV: There are two, actually. One is from my mom, to put a hundred percent into everything I do. And the other one is from my grandma, to be a lady.

 

 

 

 

Is there anything else you'd like to know?

Step 1: IMAGE - Part 8

Inspi-space-ion

To read the rest of the series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7

My room is my world - I sleep, create, and lounge in it. But it's more than just a space. It's my source of inspiration as well. Thus, I've chosen to surround myself with it:

Framed pictures on my desk, a photo by Juliette Gold

Audrey in watercolor, a photo by Juliette Gold

Chevron flags, a photo by Juliette Gold

The Holstee Manifesto, a photo by Juliette Gold

A drawing on my wall, a photo by Juliette Gold

Some good reads, a photo by Juliette Gold

How do you keep yourself inspired?

Step #1: image - part 5

"Aspiration", rather than "perspiration"

To read the rest of the series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

When I was twelve, I declared that I wanted to become an architect. I contemplated a 12-year long plan in my head, and I refused to stir from it in either direction. And, according to what my mom tells me, I was a real B about it as well. I was a little, annoying stubborn mule, who lived by the mantra "either build or die". As I became older, and luckily a teensy bit wiser, I started re-evaluating my decision. After exposing myself to other fields and possibilities, and falling in love with them as well, I decided to aspire for a goal, rather than gallop to a narrow dot [please note the stubborn mule reference]. 

"Juliette Goal":

• I want my work to affect and inspire people
• I want diversity; I want to focus on a new project or a new theme every now and then.
• I don't want my work to be  monotonous
• I want to visit new places and experience new things as part of my work
• I want to challenge myself and make myself think 

Architecture fits that outline. But so do many other fields. I know that I want to build, but now I see a whole array of ways to get to that point. So if I am no longer a mule ... perhaps I could be a ... bird? 

Photo source: Pinterest

Which path do you prefer? The straight line, or the maze? 

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac in Tel Aviv

Background: Last night, on Tuesday June 26^th to be exact, the thrilling interdisciplinary fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac lectured at Beit Ha'ir ("City House"), Tel Aviv.

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac at Beit Ha'ir, Tel Aviv, photo by Juliette Gold

It was 20:30 p.m. on a warm, summery Tuesday night. There was peace and quiet on the Bialic Square at Tel Aviv … outside at least. Inside, magic was happening! Girls with colorful hair, guys with fans, photographers, bloggers, designers and curators all gathered up in one place. The music was cool; the dimmed lighting was cool; the walls were cool; Castelbajac was cool; and according to him, the crowd (that would us) was also cool!

The walls of the Beit Ha'ir museum, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac at Tel Aviv, photo source: Castelbajac's Facebook Page

The crowd, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac at Tel Aviv, photo source: Castelbajac's Facebook Page

Seasoning it with humor and fun, Castelbajac explained his vision of creativity. He told us about his childhood, his past, and the sources of his inspiration. Jean-Charles de Castelbajac was born in 1950 in Casablanca, Morocco and a few years later his family moved to France. There, he was sent to a boarding school where he stayed until the age of 17. He confessed of being quite unhappy in boarding school. However, with his spectacular life perspective, he was empowered by his situation.

{ He built his imagination on wound, his creativity on failure and his strength on loneliness. }

During his years in boarding school he developed his fascination with color. When all of his classmates kept their chocolaty treasures in identical wooden boxes, he asked his mother for a blue plastic box. Even though his candies have all gone bad in the sealed container, the color and individuality gave him hope. He kept that unique, colorful, and extraordinary child with him throughout the 40 years of his career.

{ Color = Hope }

Little Jean-Charles, photo source: Castelbajac's Facebook Page

Since one should never conclude a day without learning something new, I bring to you the summery of all the new content that now inhabits my brain:

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac at Beit Ha'ir, Tel Aviv, photo by Juliette Gold

Don't be afraid of failure:

At the age of 17, Castelbajac graduated from boarding school. With no experience, no diploma, and zero desire of becoming a fashion designer, he started working for his mother, who owned a fashion business. Yet, instead of reveling in self-pity Castelbajac became … well, Castelbajac.

{ "There's emotion in things we don't achieve" ~ Jean-Charles de Castelbajac  }

Open your eyes:

He finds his inspiration in things that people don't see, in the everyday life, in accidents. His advice - look around yourself. Inspiration is everywhere.

Have a clear say:

Each collection he creates has its own manifesto, a distinct saying. His current line, for instance, deals with "Dystopia". Castelbajac says that Dystopia describes our time – the rapid existence in which we abandon traditions and forget old beliefs.

{ "you don't just buy a piece of clothing. You buy a philosophy, an idea". }

photo source: Castelbajac's Facebook Page

First impression is everything:

In a fashion show, Castelbajac said, the first garment on the runway sets the tone of the entire show. When his whole collection is complete, he spends hours in the studio pondering on the selection process. 

Laugh at yourself:

After his divorce, Castelbajac created a double poncho that had a zipper in the middle.

Learn from others:

Castelbajac says he absolutely can't work alone. He has to be in a studio and around people. Theirs is always something we can learn from others. Their perspectives are contributive, not disturbing.

Last and most important: Stay true to yourself:

Even though that during the 90's grunge era, Castelbajac's colorful and poppy designs lacked popularity, he remained loyal to his aesthetic. Surprisingly enough, since his clothes were sold on sales and in cheap department stores, they became popular among the rising NY rappers. Now, JZ has a collection of these then-disapproved sweats and they are sold for thousands of dollars on e-bay!

{ " What you do can have more than one life. It's about whether you're sincere or not." ~ Jean-Charles de Castelbajac  }

What do you think about his work and his life perspective? What is your favorite piece from the latest collection? 

Step #1: IMAGE - Part 4

What do I want to be?

To read the rest of the series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

In our parents' generation, things where much more predetermined. You could be an engineer...a doctor...a teacher, and these titles defined who you were as a person. The engineer - smart and well-educated; the doctor - heroic; and the teacher compassionate. These statements were still valid even when I was growing up - who doesn't remember the  Nickelodeon sitcom from the 90's of two grannies bragging about their doctor / lawyer sons ?

Currently, however, things are slightly different. I thing that the invention of the internet caused the change. The internet introduces a new array of possible career paths and opportunities. It also made information a lot more available, brought content from overseas, and made the world seem smaller and approachable. Nowadays the answer to the question "what kind of person do I want to be?" is completely up to us. So what kind of person do I want to be?

Who is Juliette Gold?

• She is graceful and elegant. She knows how to behave like a lady.
• She treats everyone she meets with respect.
• She keeps a positive outlook on life. On her "thunderstorms and horseshit mood" days she just keeps to herself, to avoid upsetting others as well. 
• She always strives to learn new skills and to improve the ones she already knows.
• She embraces life and enjoys every day to its fullest extent. 
• Her work inspires and influences people. 
• She knows who she is and what she stands for. 

Juliette gold is the girl who would dance in an empty room with no music on, just to enjoy herself and have a good time.

"The Ghostly Dancer", sketch by Juliette Gold, July 2012

How would you describe your ideal persona? Which qualities would it have?