I must admit, I have two magazine indulgences that provide me with ongoing inspiration and worthy daydreams, Selvedge and The World of Interiors, both published in England. If I had to give up one or the other, it would be with deep regret.
Nearly two years ago, a fact the astonishes me, I came across an article in The World of Interiors of a French woman who inspired me in such a way that I have never forgotten. Her name, Manon Gignoux, seemed to spell out something noble and deserving of attention. The article was not long enough to satisfy my craving for more information on her and her art and life. It was not simply that I am drawn to most anything having to do with France, but that she represented a life so fine and her objectives so meritorious and focused. I have read and re-read this article more times than I am willing to admit. I am drawn to her for numerous reasons.
I would love to post a photo of her, but feel as if I do not have this right. Simply imagine her. The article written by Marie-France Boyer says she has “the grace of a Bonnard figure, her curls escaping into wayward locks and her blue eyes that can take on the intensity of steel, Manon is a rather wild individual.” Her medium that she employs is vintage textiles. She recyles, re-purposes textiles and clothing, something of which I am thoroughly fascinated.
In her own words she says, ‘In the kitchen and in the studio I do the same work: I recycle things. Food brings me scraps, crumbs and leftover, and clothes can take me down to fragments too.’
“Indeed, to create the clothing, accessories or costumes that she makes today, Manon transforms, restructures, deconstructs, reinterprets, layers, stitches, restitches and redesigns old clothes and textiles that she has picked up, salvaged and stockpiled, then sorted, classified and organised with great care into ‘series’ according to their material and colour. ‘Sometimes, I find it oppressive to have too many archives,’ she says. ‘These objects take over my life, but on the other hand, I do know exactly what I have and the aim it to recycle everything. Sometimes, it’s strange, but I feel it almost a duty to conserve and pass on all these old textiles.’
Whatever she does, whenever I re-read this article and look at the photos, I am drawn into the reason for my love of old textiles, fragments, and worn and sometimes shredded leftovers. Manon is a woman of my own heart in so many ways. We share a love that is simply inexplicable to some and immediately comprehensible to others. It is where I am going in the months ahead with my old and cherished clothing and textiles. I will soon be posting more on this (after the wedding).
NOTE: You may click on the photos to enlarge.
P.S. I have noticed that some of my comments do not correspond to the person in my reply to everyone. I am not sure how this happened, but please scroll down if you do not see any reply to one of your comments on this post.
What a lovely blog post! I do love to read your blog when you are inspired by fabric and the wonderful people who work with it(or worked with it).
It seems I go through my days, or each day, latching on to this sort of inspiration. It takes me to the next level of longing….longing to create something that will generate a little fire in my own belly.
Oh absolutely, I want to see where you go with this! I ran across a post about her on someone’s blog a few months ago and was just amazed (the picture of the denim coat!). As a matter of fact, I’m hoping to get to a project this weekend that was a bit inspired by that jacket.
Oh wasn’t that jacket the most wonderful thing ever? If you do anything near this gem, I would be most eager to see. I don’t believe she uses anything new at all. She particularly loves denim work clothes. I think she has a reverence for these items that is, without question, a quality I find enviable and unusual. If you would like a copy of this article I would be happy to send it to you.
Yes please! What I want to work towards is using the fabric that I have for clothing but not to have it look too “patchy” or pieced. Not that there is anything wrong with that, and there are beautiful things that have been made that way, just not what my goal is.
I must admit I too have a collection of fabric that I have had for years since I used to work in a fabric store when my kids were little. I hope to use some of this too. Whatever you create, I would love to see. I will mail you the article today along with the felting leftovers.
This comment was meant for Deb. I do not know why it was not placed under her original comment. Sorry. Hope you read it Deb.
Got it.
From all accounts I consider you a Texas girl!! Do you have an accent? My husband still has traces of his, but when he gets back home with family it becomes quite pronounced and I love that. It seems like you had a storybook childhood because of your lovely outlook. I am very enchanted by what you say in your blog. I think that you would love Portland. It really is a great town/city. UT is a great school and I imagine you must have many friends around that you stay in contact with. One of these days I will get to Austin.
This is by far the most inspiring, delightful, enjoyable blog post i have read anywhere in a long time. Bot just because of Manon Gignoux. No. Because of the love, the energy and beautiful words in it and well it illuminates your passions.
Write on. Write on.
Pat, what a very generous thing to say. I guess my passions do shine through….finally. It has taken me some time to come around to this. Lots of hopping and experimenting and ranging far and wide. Your comment meant more than you can possibly imagine, and I intend to come back and re-read it from time-to-time. Thank you!
oh how i hate typos:
of course what i meant to say was:
“NOT just because of Manon Gignoux.”
“…. and HOW well it illuminates your passions.”
sorry.
i feel better now….
No problem. I understood your original meaning.
Thank you for introducing us to Manon Gignoux…..I checked out her Web Site. Inspiring indeed
I have been thinking about a giveaway when I go to Los Gatos for an Artful Journey…On Manon Gignoux’s web site I saw just what I will do…with my own twist
I am like you, if something inspires me in a Magazine I read it over and over again. I have a Magazine form the 80′s that I still reread
Will you post what you create for Los Gatos? I would love to see it! Yes, magazines always inspire no matter what the year. My problem is storage so I am learning to go through older issues and tear out only the pages I want so the piles are not so big.
This is so exciting, Phyllis: “old textiles, fragments, and worn and sometimes shredded leftovers!” Yes, I, too, want to see your journey in the days and weeks ahead. I have never heard of Manon Gignoux, but I just googled her and saw some of her fantastical dolls ~ oh, my ~ be still my heart! I love it when one thing leads to another and another. I have so much to learn from your deep love of fabrics. xo Kari
(Pat, I know what you mean about the typos. I proofread, and then the minute I hit “submit,” I see an errrror! xo)
For the first time in a long time, I am excited about something. I think I am finally settling down at my ripe older age. And to have such dear and supportive followers is very meaningful and comforting as I grow through this effort. Would you like me to send you an article on her as I do with Deb? I would be more than happy to. Manon is such an inspiration.
Oh, I would love to have a copy of the article on Manon Gignoux. My address is Kari Cates, P.O. Box 4393, Austin, 78765. I will send you something back! But no rush, please ~ you have a wedding to get ready for!! xo Kari
P.S. I don’t myself think that I have a Texas accent, but you probably would think that I do. None of my old friends live here in Austin, but they all wish that they did. Speaking of how the way you sound changes when you get together with others, when my two college roommates and I get together, we go immediately into our old conversational routines with each other, as if we were back in school again. And I have almost gotten all the way back to your first post, looking for clues about you and your life, too. I love the gentleness, the thoughtfulness, the quiet beauty, the grace that radiates in all your posts.
I have already copied the article for you and will mail it on Monday. You do not need to send something back unless you have an article you think you would like to share too.
It is funny how certain company warrant another persona or at least a different side of us. If you have gotten all the way back to my first post, then you should be given an award. What perseverance you have. I guess in some ways we should all do that from time-to-time to figure where we have been and where we are going. Your compliments were very flattering, and very sincerely appreciated. Thank you very much, Kari.
I love how you have related the way articles inspire you.
I do the same thing…I will re-read an article and do research
if it fascinates me even hang the pictures/article on the wall.
Love the Selvedge magazine too!
I post some of the photos on a bulletin board above my desk, and I find that I never tire of looking at them. It seems to be the thing that keeps one going sometimes!
Have never responded to any blogs before, but want to tell you that I often read yours for cheer and inspitration. I was 60 in 2009 like you, and I so enjoyed your comments around your birthday celebrations.
I would love it if you could send me a copy of the article on Manon Gignoux and she sounds so inspiring.
Valerie Rule
Poppyfields
3 Lower Road
Hardwick
Aylesbury HP22 4EA
I would congratulate you on your beautiful stitching and wish I could be as gifted as you.
Hoping the wedding goes wonderfully well.
With best regards, Valerie
Valerie,
I tried to send you a reply from my phone, but for some reason it did not get posted. I will send you the article as soon as I get home. Thank you so much for visiting my blog, leaving such lovely comments, and taking the time to do so. I am going to try and email you too, so you are sure to know I am sending the article.
I received your lovely package and something is in the mail to you, too, as of 1-16-10. Am thinking of you this glorious weekend especially! xo Kari