Did you read the profile of Tyra Banks in Sunday’s NYT magazine?At one point, Tyra asked an America's Next Top Model candidate (who was an English/American literature major) to pose like her favorite literary heroine. The model faltered, but I think the idea’s a good one.
So: in terms of modeling and fashion, what literary heroine (without geographical boundaries) would you pose as? How would you present yourself (standing, sitting, throwing yourself under a train [Hi, Anna K!])? And most importantly, what would you wear?
How about a postmodern version of Isabel Archer wearing Vivienne Westwood on the London Eye with a collection of Osmond’s bibelots beside her?
**From Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady
**Illustration by Gladys Perint Palmer, Executive Director of Fashion at Academy of Art University, San Francisco
Oooh, that is a good question. The one that just popped into my head is Salinger's Zooey - but not cuz I can remember how she dressed, there was just something about her. But now I'm going to have to think about this. K
ReplyDeleteOn a totally unrelated note: What do you think of Siri Hustvedt?
ReplyDeleteHi K.Line, You know, I haven't read Hustvedt yet, though I've certainly read *about* her! Would you recommend "Lily Dahl" or "What I Loved"?
ReplyDeletehm, great question, I remember thinking that was clever in the interview (although Tyra irritates me on a number of levels). The first one to pop in my head is Elizabeth Bennett (Pride and Prejudice, responding to all the gossiping that goes on in that book, and still trying to be strong but decorous. Can I wear something from McQueen's fall show please? Another thought would be Alice in Wonderland, and I'd take the Rochas dress Natalia Vodianova wore in that Alice shoot several years ago. My last one would be Maria from Joan Didion's Play it as It Lays, who I think would wear all kinds of gorgeous hippie-chic late 60s Biba and peasant dresses.
ReplyDeleteoh wow i wouldn't even know where to start thinking, heh
ReplyDeletei'll pass the question on to my female friends for sure
I think she's extremely compelling. Haven't read her new book cuz it's in hardcover and I only buy softcover. But I've read most of what she's done and she's very like her husband (Auster) in her ability to evoke beautiful moods with her descriptions of environment. I think she's just as passionate as he is - maybe a bit sexier (not actually sexy, you know). Her books haven't entirely played out for me yet, though. They always leave me 90% of the way to awesome. Not that I won't take that. I'd love to have read her as part of my coursework in Uni, which is why I ask...
ReplyDeletei know you asked for a heroine, but i think it would be more fun to do my favorite character, who happens to be a male: holden caulfield. wearing just a red hunting cap and little else, i think it could be kind of sexy!
ReplyDeleteHeroes are just fine; I didn't mean to be biased!
ReplyDeleteSo there are two votes for Salinger, with a selection of wonderfully different authors from Pamcasso. Anyone else??
Is that Tyra's idea of getting her book-smarts on?
ReplyDeleteThe great Hemmingway...when he was slim! In cut off's a cigar and my fishing rod!
Wow, I can't believe that was Tyra's question!! Got to think on that one, but one of George Eliot's characters!
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