Launch Gallery

Launch Gallery in Toronto asked me to fill their sculpture vitrine with my mixed media pieces for the balance of the summer. Here is an up close look at some of my work on display for sale there.

18th Century Hats by Ingrid Mida copyright 2009 (Fabric, embroidery thread and beads)

Blue Ballgown by Ingrid Mida copyright 2009 (Paper, ribbon and thread)


Red Ballgown, copyright Ingrid Mida 2009 (Paper, ribbon and thread)

Sculpture Vitrine at Launch Gallery

Somehow it seems that everything looks better under glass. A while back, I actually had a customer who wanted to buy the blue paper ballgown and I refused to sell it because I could not figure out how to mount/display it. I should have asked if she had a glass cabinet! Now I'm thinking that it would look beautiful under a bell jar.

Launch Gallery
410 Adelaide Street West, Toronto
Adelaide and Spadina 416-504-7910
Hours: Monday - Friday 12- 6 pm or by appointment

Milliner of Note: Luke Song

When Aretha Franklin stepped onto the podium during the inauguration of President Obama in January, her hat was a show-stopper. I don't remember what she sang, but I certainly remember her hat. That lavish gray felt hat with a huge bow will be going to the Smithsonian where it will be on display until it becomes part of the Obama presidential library.

Photo source: nytimes.com

The creator of the hat is an unassuming milliner from Detroit named Luke Song. After studying biochemistry in college, he left (one credit short of his degree) to pursue art studies at Parsons the New School for Design in New York. His parents refused to pay for his art schooling. Uncertain how to pay off his loans after he completed art school, he turned to a career in millinery, seeing parallels between sculpture and the creation of hats.

The demand for Luke Song's hats has exploded since the inauguration. Working in a cramped workroom in Detroit, with the help of his family and a team of eleven staff, he creates about 100 hats a day, many of which are custom made. Although Song would like to "double his workforce", finding experienced staff has been difficult for the milliner. Song says that "millinery is a dead art".

P.S. This will be my last post on hats. I'm all hatted out.
P.P.S. Yesterday was my 100th post and I didn't even notice. Hurrah for me!

More Mad Hats from the Paris Runway

I find it amusing that as soon as I took notice of hats, they are everywhere, including the Paris runway shows. Peek back at my post from Friday for a look at the curious hunting-style caps at Dior by John Galliano.

Karl Lagerfeld included these amusing hats in last week's runway shows in Paris for Chanel (did you know that Coco Chanel began her career as a milliner?)




Photo credit: NYMag.com

Don't they remind you of the Mad Hatter?

Another Mad Hatter's Tea Party!!!

Welcome back for the second Mad Hatter's Tea Party!!

'Have some wine,' the March Hare said in an encouraging tone. Alice looked all round the table, but there was nothing on it but tea.'I don't see any wine,' she remarked. 'There isn't any,' said the March Hare. Then it wasn't very civil of you to offer it,' said Alice angrily.
(Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll)

I'm sorry to say that there won't be wine. But pour yourself a cup of tea and enjoy today's selection of lovely hats.

Mad Mad Hatter's Hat by Tristan Robin Blakeman at Enchanted Revelry:



Origami doll hat by Peggy Gatto at Peggy's Mixed Up Art



Three fabulous hat collages from Judith Thibaut at Studio Judith.


Judith also tried the origami hat and produced this fabulous gold paper hat creation.


And finally, a lovely spring hat by Kelly from The Chic Geek.




Aren't they just divine! If you like them, please leave a comment for our party guests.

Hats from the Paris runway Dior show

Fashion scribes have been writing about the sobering impact of the recession on designer's visions for the fall. I was plenty sobered after looking at these hats from this week's runway show at Dior in Paris. Was John Galliano forecasting an apocalypse when he featured these hats? They remind me of hunting caps!!



And while this is not a hat per se, these bobby pins are fantastic! I thought they were a hat until I looked closely. Now that is recessionista style!

To see more from the runways of Paris, check out nymag.com

Tomorrow, I'll be hosting another Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Hope to see you there!

Another Mad Hatter's Tea Party this Saturday!

Illustration of The Mad Hatter from Alice and Wonderland, Lewis Carroll

I'm hosting another Mad Hatter's Tea Party this Saturday, March 14th and I hope you'll join me for some more fun and frivolity.

This is what you need to do: take a photo of a hat you made (origami, crafted, knit) or a hat that you adore and send it to me no later than Friday, March 13th at 12 noon EST at artismylife@mac.com.

If you need some inspiration, scroll back in March to see last Saturday's riotous posting and other postings about hats or visit the on-line site for the Victoria and Albert exhibition Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones (photo below). And take a peek at Judith's studio and The Chic Geek to see their fabulous hats.

Photo of Stephen Jones from Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England.

And lastly, consider this quote from John Galliano:
"Hats are the ultimate finishing touch, the piece de resistance that shows grooming, panache and style. They really complete a silhouette, whether they are modern or eccentric, work of art or functional. I think everyone should wear one -- there's nothing to fear from hats."

Mad Hatter's Tea Party!

Welcome to my first Mad (Hatter's) Tea Party!!!

"The table was a large one, but the three were all crowded together at one corner of it. 'No room! No room!' they cried out when they saw Alice coming. 'There's plenty of room!' said Alice indignantly, and she sat down in a large armchair at one end of the table."
(Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll)

Don't worry, there is room for you all. Please pour yourself a cup of tea and admire all these lovely hats.

Paper Hats in a Teacup by Ingrid Mida (aka Alice).


Origami hat by Tristan Robin Blakeman of Enchanted Revelry (who provided me with the inspiration for this party!)


Origami hat by Peggy Gatto of Peggy's Mixed Up Art


Queen of Hearts Crown by Lynn Wheeler of The Vintage Nest


Glamourous, an oil painting by Neda Maki at www.neda.ca


Ship Hat 4 by Judith Thibaut from Studio Judith.

Aren't they simply marvelous! Please share your thoughts by posting a comment!

If you'd like to join us next week for another Mad (Hatter's) Tea Party, please email your hat creations (of any kind) or a photo of yourself wearing a hat (if you're shy, pull down the brim) to artismylife@mac.com. If you want inspiration, please see the origami instructions and other postings in March (it's hat month on Fashion is my Muse).

More 18th Century Hats

These gorgeous photos of 18th century hats were sourced from my favourite fashion reference book: "The Collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute: Fashion, A History from the 18th to the 20th Century" published by Taschen. (This book is an absolute must for anyone interested in historical fashion).

I found the man's hat particularly intriguing since it is similar to what you get when you follow the origami hat instructions I posted previously.

Don't forget tomorrow is the first Mad (Hatter's) Tea Party at 10 am EST! Please join us for some frivolity and fun!!

18th Century Hats

The hats in the 18th century, particularly those of 1770-1780, were eye-popping confections. Anything and everything could be used to embellish the hat including appliqued silk and satin, ribbons, feathers, pearls, beads, flowers, fruits, and vegetables.

With the high pouff hairstyle of the 1770s, the hair and the hat became a platform for displays of miniature ships and other models. These 'poufs a la circonstance' served to comment on fashionable crazes and topical events like the rage for ballooning, the popular play the Marriage of Figaro, and the French naval victories.

Rose Bertin created many of these poufs a la circonstance and it was her creativity with hats that led to her popularity among the fashionable Parisian elite and her introduction to Marie Antoinette.

Marie Antoinette wore a pouf a la Belle Poule, an intricate hairdo and headdress that displayed the French frigate that won a key victory against the British in June 1778. To read more about Marie Antoinette and her passion for pouf hairstyles, please see my post from October 2008.

P.S. I've posted a review of "The Art of Dress" on Blog of a Bookworm. This book is a fantastic resource for students/fans/admirers of historical fashion.

Diverting from Hats for a Blog Award

The lovely Lucy of Enchanted by Josephine nominated me for a blog award yesterday. I wasn't surprised that Lucy won this award herself since she has been ever so supportive and kind. Lucy seems like a real friend, even though we've never met. And almost every blog I visit, I see she's already been there herself. Lucy, when do you sleep?

With this award, I must in turn nominate others to share the prize and they, in turn, are supposed to nominate others in the same spirit of blogging friendship.

"This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this clever-written text into the body of their award."

My nominations are as follows (and in no particular order):

Elisabeth of Au Temple des Modes who took an obscure reference to an "apple-green bodice" belonging to Marie Antoinette and sent me a photo within an hour of my posting.

Tristan Robin Blakeman of Enchanted Revelry who inspired me to host a Mad Tea Party on my blog.

Rachel of The Wandering Bunny who seems to be the only person willing to publicly comment on my Blog of a Bookworm and told me to continue writing even though I wasn't sure anyone was reading it.

Joy Jones of Cupid's Charm who made me promise to take a photo when I wear her Marie Antoinette inspired jewelery during my visit to Versailles. Joy also posted several of my fashion plates on her popular blog which added many new visitors to mine.

Lucyxx of Corset Laced Mannequins who responded so sweetly and promptly to my comments on her beautiful blog. (Is everyone named Lucy so charming?)

Heather Carroll of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire's Gossip Guide who was the first one to discover my fashion plates and post them on her blog.

Catherine Delors of Versailles and More who patiently corrects me when I mess up on French translations (ie., giving Madame Campan the incorrect title).

Jacqueline Loewen of Money Magnet Book Blog who suggested that I blog in the first place.

To all these friends, I say thank you!!! If we could all meet in one place, I would love to have you to a real party (of course, you'd all have to wear hats!).

Don't forget to come back on Saturday, March 7 at 10 am EST for the cyber-version of a Mad Tea Party!

Quotes about Hats

Hats by Alexander McQueen, 2008 Collection


At the opening of the exhibition Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Stephen Jones had some insightful comments about hats:

"Hats are a great antidote to what's going on. It's really their purpose to put a happy face on a sad world."

"That's the thing about hats. They're extravagant and full of humour and allow for a sense of costume, but in a lighthearted way."


Here are some other famous quotations about hats:

"Fashion is a kind of communication. It's a language without words. A great hat speaks for itself." (author unknown)

"Saying you don't look good in a hat is like saying you don't look good in shoes!" (author unknown)

"I myself have 12 hats, and each one represents a different personality." (Margaret Atwood)

"I enjoy hats. And when one has filthy hair, that is a good accessory." (Julia Roberts)

"A hat is a flag, a shield, a bit of armor, and the badge of femininity. A hat is the difference between wearing clothing and wearing a costume; it's the difference between being dressed and being dressed up; it's the difference between looking adequate and looking your best. A hat is to be stylish in, to glow under, to flirt beneath, to make all others seem jealous over, and to make all men feel masculine about. A piece of magic is a hat." (Martha Sliter)

Maybe I will wear that crazy red hat after all!

Please join me on Saturday at 10 am EST for the first Mad Hatter's Tea Party!

March and The Mad Hatter

Before I fell down the rabbit hole and decided to host a Mad Tea Party, I had other plans for my blog. But I think I've fallen in love with hats and will use hats as my theme for the month.

If you are one of my fans who visits for posts about Marie Antoinette, don't despair!!! Hats were eye-popping confections in the 1770s and Rose Bertin, the marchandes des modes of Marie Antoinette, initially made her reputation based on hats. I will have plenty to write about to keep my historical fashion fans happy.

If you want to join the Mad Tea Party, please send me photos of your hat creations (whether made using the origami instructions, crafted, knit, or sewn) or your favourite hat that you are wearing (feel free to pull the brim over your eyes if you are shy or wish to remain incognito). I will post them in groupings of four since four guests attended the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, including Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Dormouse, and the March Hare. I will accept photos up to and including March 31st. Please send your submissions to artismylife@mac.com.

As for what else is going on in the world of fashion, here are some March highlights:

March 4: Interchange, Taking Shape Lecture at the Textile Museum of Canada - A discussion with artists and curators about the exhibition The Cutting Edge, which focuses on the shape of a garment and what it signifies

March 6: Dr. Alexandra Palmer will be giving a lecture on Christian Dior: History & Modernity to Friends of the Textile and Costume Members of the Royal Ontario Museum.

March 8: Last day to visit the Fashion No-No show at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. In this show, six female artists present their points of view about the body and its relationship to technology, art and design.

March 8: Green is the New Black at the Costume Museum of Canada in Winnipeg. An evening to showcase Winnipeg talent who focus on up-cycling fashion. (I won't be going; you couldn't pay me enough to go to Winnipeg in the winter!). If you go, check out the Nightwear exhibition which explores the intimacy of bedroom clothing.

March 9: The infamous Barbie will celebrate her 50th Birthday!!!

March 22: Last day to see The Nature of Diamonds at the Royal Ontario Museum. There are some spectacular diamonds on display. (My favourite jewels were the exquisite diamond dog collar necklace and the two matching black lace cuff bracelets speckled with diamonds!!)

March 31: The exhibition Court Pomp and Royal Ceremony opens at the Chateau de Versailles. The gown belonging to Marie Antoinette which is owned by the Royal Ontario Museum will be on display there. If you cannot attend the show which will run until June 28, 2009 and would like to see photos of this dress, please see my postings from October and November 2008.

And lastly, don't forget to pop over to Blog of a Bookworm. I recently posted a review of 18th Century Embroidery Techniques and tomorrow will post a review of The Art of Dress.

An Invitation to a Mad Tea Party

I'd like to invite you to send me photos of hats. Any photo of your favourite hat will do, including a hat that you make using the origami instructions shown in yesterday's post, another hat that you make/knit/sew/craft, or your favourite hat (and hopefully are wearing).

My week seemed to be all about hats, including the Mad Hatter's Tea Party in Alice in Wonderland (which I read for Blog of a Bookworm), the exhibition on Hats at the Victoria and Albert Museum, and my washi hat creations. Tristan Robin Blakeman of Enchanted Revelry said he was going to try the origami hat instructions in his studio today. I'd love to see everyone's fanciful hat creations.

Let's have a tea party! Now the question is will I be the only one there? Please email your photos to artismylife@mac.com as soon as possible, preferably in the next week or so.

Hats and Inspiration

People often ask me how I get inspiration for my artwork. My answer is that I don't really know when or how inspiration will come, but the key is to be open to the world around me.

For example, while researching the newly opened exhibition of hats at the Victoria and Albert Museum curated by Stephen Jones, I noticed this instruction sheet on the V&A website. Artist Nick Robinson lays out visuals on how to make an origami hat.

I gave it a try, first with a regular piece of paper, and then using smaller pieces of paper. After a few attempts, it started to be fun. By that point, I was confident enough in the method that I could modify his instructions to suit my vision. I used pretty Japanese handmade washi paper and applied ribbon trims. In the end, I abandoned the origami method altogether and tried a pillbox style. And this was the result. These paper hats are very tiny (the pink one is maybe an inch tall).

A trio of Party Hats
Mixed media, copyright Ingrid Mida 2009

The Hat

This is the hat that I referred to in my post on hats on Monday. Isn't it fabulous? If only I could actually wear it! But even in the few minutes that I had it on to take my photo, I ended up with hat head.

Apparently the opening night gala for the Victoria and Albert Museum's exhibition Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones was the talk of today's fashion press. Almost everyone wore hats and those that did not, probably regretted it like Vogue's Plum Sykes (maybe she didn't want to get hat head!). To see a slideshow of the gala evening, check out on NY Mag's Fashion Alert.

Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones

One of my favourite fashion haunts is the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England. Their exhibitions are divinely inspired and innovative. Their latest exhibition Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones opens tomorrow (February 24, 2009 - May 31, 2009). Stephen Jones is a top-notch London milliner who has designed hats for people such as Princess Diana and Isabella Blow. He often works in collaboration with fashion designers like John Galliano and Marc Jacobs.

In this exhibition at the V&A, Jones has curated this exhibition of over 300 hats for their cultural and historical importance. "Historic hats redolent of romance and adventure are a constant source of inspiration for many milliners. Simple folded shapes such as the tricore can be reimagined, evoking the drama of a bygone age."

I won't be able to make it over to see the V&A in person for this show but I was thrilled that I could actually view many of the hats on-line. There is also a mesmerizing video of how a hat is created. Making a hat is a labour of love to be sure! And if you'd like to see Stephen Jones talk about his life and his work, check out the youtube video.

Seeing this exhibition online reminded me of a glorious hat that I bought a few years back and have tucked in the back of my closet. I've never had the nerve to wear it but the quote from French fashion editor Genevieve Dariaux seems appropo: "take the one you fall in love with, which mysteriously does something for you, which magically makes you feel more beautiful." I felt beautiful and mysterious when I tried on this hat in the shop. Maybe it is time to actually wear it!