NR° 37_ Image of the day

Jan Vermeer paintings inspiration breastfeeding Ymre Stiekema Dutch Vogue october 2013

Loads of commotion in "Fashion Land"! 

Dutch top model Ymre Stiekema, breastfeeding live, in a series of fashion spreads in the Dutch edition of Vogue (October 2013, now instore). 
Especially American newspapers and sites are chocked by its "provocative character" and are arguing about it in several blog-and other posts. 
Everyone has it's opinion and the 'mommy-wars' are never far away.
Happy enough, we in Europe are much more 'chill' about these kind of stuff. Besides the fact that breastfeeding a child is a normal act of motherhood, this fashion story reflects one of the most important trends in fashion at the moment. It has nothing to do with being 'provocative' nor 'selling more magazines': the series 'The master and the girl' (yes, this stunning image is part of a series) show the growing inspiration of the fashion scene by the old masters, ancient times and previous centuries and their matching art.
The re-opening of the famous Amsterdam Rijksmuseum has triggered the entire Dutch creative, cultural, design and art scene to work together and push all the attention towards this big moment. Fashion designers being inspired by the ancient masters like Vermeer, product designers finding 'food' in old 'tableaux vivants', cooks enlightened by 'forgotten' recipes, ...you name it. All pointing in the same direction: The glory of the renewed Rijksmuseum. The right museum, at the right time so to speak.

So please, stop about provocation, mommy wars and other puritan opinions. Let's enjoy the beauty that comes out of it: the strong images that were created by one of my favorite photographers Erwin Olaf, the avant-garde, the (sometimes handmade) pieces by ultra-modern fashion designers like Aurélie Bidermann, Gassan, Belgian jewelry designers Wouters and Hendrix and Saint Laurent, the natural beauty of Ymre and her baby daughter Lymée Anna.
My recommendation? Buy that damn Vogue, as a time capsule-proof of our 'decadent' 21st century :-)and have a good laugh.

Model Ymre evoking portraits by the Dutch painter Jan Vermeer, wearing a magnificent mix of 17th century garments with 21st century designer couture. 
Jan Vermeer paintings inspiration breastfeeding series Ymre Stiekema Dutch Vogue october 2013

Jan Vermeer paintings inspiration breastfeeding series Ymre Stiekema Dutch Vogue october 2013
©Photos Vogue NL Erwin Olaf



Just to show you the roots of all this: some Johannes Vermeer paintings with his famous, subtile light 'effects', as a rich inspiration source for many. 

Wanna read some USA comments on this 'scandal'? Check out this one: http://theweek.com/article/index/249741/vogue-netherlands-breastfeeding-photos-fearless-or-naked-pr-stunt 
Quote: "At least they didn't put it on their cover"...

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