French Fashion Inspiration
The exhibit made me cry.
I was in Paris in this April, passing through to visit my partner who was on a one month artist residency at the famed Chateau Orquevaux, and I decided to take a day to explore some of the current fashion exhibits in the city.
The LOVE BRINGS LOVE exhibit at the Palais Galliera, created to celebrate the recently deceased Alber Elbaz, is a tribute to his life and work. It’s a “recreation” of the collaborative show presented in tribute to him on Oct 5, 2021 that brought together looks by some of the worlds most famous designers inspired by the man and his legacy.
I expected to be wowed, but not to be so moved. Something about seeing this incredible collection of work from so many creatives around the world and the love and intention each outfit and the unique presentation captured, really touched and inspired me.
I had to step outside to mull for a few moments and I knew this would end up a blog, because that experience helped to clarify for me the work I’m doing with CFE.
The reason I’ve fallen in love with fashion is because of the power of fashion to impact hearts and minds. Like other art forms, fashion can be beautiful simply for beauty’s sake, challenging, inspiring, heart-rending, motivating and much more.
“Any form of art is a form of power; it has impact, it can affect change – it can not only move us, it makes us move.”
- Pablo Picasso, quoted in Life
Art can make us feel joy, sadness, remorse, empathy, connection, relaxation and can increase our creativity.
I work in film, music and fashion. I write children’s stories. And each day I’m discovering that the compulsion I have to create and produce is because I am telling the stories and saying the things I NEED TO HEAR.
Now, more than ever, I believe our world needs every artist to raise their scissors, brush, instrument, pencil, or whatever they use to create. We need to remember to feel, to stay present, to think outside of the confines of our fear-fueled society.
My goal with CFE is to provide a platform that uses fashion to help us feel. It’s not about labels or price tags; it’s about personal expression. And everyone’s invited to the runway. Meet us there. Nov 17-20, 2022 is going to be epic.
And, whatever your art is - please, for the sake of our world - do it. Daily.
Smiling through inspired tears, Shanna
FIND ME on IG @shannafromla