Interview ( Marie Blanco Hendrickx aka Mijn Schatje)

I recently got the opportunity of speaking to French artist Marie Blanco Hendrickx also known as  Mijn Schatje, Mijn creates graphic art dolls, her work is a mixture of subtlety and seduction which can arose any individual with innovative thoughts. In comparison to other artist I can truly say Mijn’s creations show originality, with her vivid colors and rare detailing. Mijn has showed her many series’ of graphic art in galleries in various countries from Amsterdam to New York. As a true artist she appreciates all art which is why her love for fashion was no surprise. Mijn’s work can also be found in the Fornarina 08 collection shown at Milan fashion week.

Interview

How did you gain interested In Art itself?

Everybody in my family is very much interested in culture, when I was a kid with my siblings we would all learn an instrument and we would extensively travel with my parents. Both my parents being from different countries they believe it's important for us to get to know different countries, cultures and languages. I happened to be bad at playing musics but when I was 10 I could stay forever in the museums, just watching the paintings. I had my first art crush while watching "Bleu de Ciel" by Kandinsky, at the Pompidou museum in Paris.

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Why do you choose to do your art through the computer?

I had many art lessons when I was younger, mostly manual like drawing, painting and sculpting, and attended a fine arts school where I did a classical arts training. But I also discovered computers when I was 11 or so because my father was an early nerd. He was learning all by himself because then it was the very beginning of illustration softwares, and I was watching him for hours and then trying to do my own things. I followed the evolution of softwares until today, and it became a very natural drawing tool to me.
After the fine arts school I went to a graphic design school and then when out of the school I worked a bit as a graphic designer for music labels and parties in Paris. In the meantime I worked a lot to develop my own body of work, it's not something I planned but some people approached me and proposed me to take part in a few art shows.

What does it take to be a successful artist?

I don't consider myself as a successful artist, at first it was even hard just to consider myself as an artist. I have so much respect for Art that I've always thought that only a few visionnary people in the world, the "elected", can be called artists.
The only thing I know is that I have been constantly working for almost five years, drawing again and again and giving up on most holidays and weekend, trying to find something special in me that could move people and create certain feelings.
I still don't know if I managed doing so, only the audience can tell, but I'm still working hard, and who knows what will come next.

What is fashion to you?

I love fashion, I consider high fashion and couture as one of the main arts. But in my daily life fashion is important too, I love playing with clothing, composing an outfit that will make me look how I really feel. People are their own canvas in the streets, they can bring colours or subtle shades, they can darken or brighten things so easily. I wish more people would be conscious of that, it's one great way of us having an impact on our environment. Just imagine a city in the early morning, everybody wearing different shades of blue.

Do you believe at times fashion can be considered a Sin, If so why

I only think it's a pity that fashion must lead some girls to stop feeding themselves, fashion is only ever supposed to enhance our lives.

Do you think each Individual artist’s has a secret to creativity?

I think it's not so much of a secret, artists have to feed their sensitivity and protect it, most artists I met are pretty oversensitive, which is a pretty complicated thing to deal with but allows you to feel the zeitgeist. 

The Chemist

After coming across Todd Lynn’s Autumn/Winter 2010 collection I found myself more than Intrigued with his dramatic styling. Most individuals find dramatic clothing for males as couture rather than ready to wear despite the fact the garment is more than wearable. What draws my attention to Todd Lynn’s designs for males is they are far from basic, which can give a male individuality rather than status in fashion which I feel needs to be seen more in menswear.

Although Todd Lynn released his first collection in 2006 he was present in fashion making his mark by designing clothing for music artist such as U2, Bono, Adam Clayton, The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger to Marlyn Manson. Many of the celebrities Todd has designed for have made multiple impacts in fashion for the outfits they wore. After having their outfits publicized in the press many males took these styles and raised the bar for differentiation in menswear which affects many simplistic designs from other designers.

Todd Lynn creates art that definitely displays a pioneering persona behind each detail. As I’m aware many designers have gone towards this direction, Todd Lynn sets himself apart from them for Autumn/Winter 2010 by using sheer fabric, asymmetrical cuts that would be found on womenswear, adjusted to be proportionate to the body of a male without coming across as feminine as well as draping accompanied by dramatic innovative accessories. Many may speak negatively about Todd Lynn’s collection, others may speak positive. Art generates conversation, for that Todd Lynn is a true artist.

Janet Jackson- Nasty Boys

I'm The Coke Your The Kate Moss

Monday is usually the recovery of weekend excitement for most individuals some choose to spend this time getting an early start on work later in the afternoon. I however and those like me are tuned into Gossip Girl Monday 9/8c. Gossip Girl is dramatic extended depiction of Upper East Side teenagers. Although I'm completely aware the characters are made to have more glamorous lives than those of the real "socialites" on websites such as Socialite Rank. I can still appreciate the entertaining story line and of course the immaculate wardrobe which varies from everything to Jason Wu to Jimmy Choo.

Taylor Momsen also known as "Jenny" on Gossip Girl is one the people I definitely favor from rest of the cast as style for her goes far beyond the cameras on the Gossip Girl set. The multi-talented Taylor Momsen recently signed a record deal for her band pretty reckless to Interscope records ever since she has taken the style of Rock & Roll many different places with everything from exposed garter Paris street trends while performing to her new peroxide blonde beach style, Recently spotted at NYFW Evolved into more than just a TV image but a symbol of Soho Rock and Roll.

xoxo Secrets Of Sin

                                     The Pretty Reckless

Undivided Acceptation

Between timeless developed labels and new innovative designers for spring 2010 Rachel Roy has left her mark this season with her ready to wear collection generating a mass amount of interest. After diligently looking at the photos of Rachel Roy's show, I noticed her work life in Manhattan present in her collection. Attire for the stereotypical working woman in the city was taken and deconstructed then cut asymmetrically, which didn't take the femininity away in her spring line.

Rachel's line incorporated many different draping techniques done to perfection, corresponding to the cuts of her fabric accomplishing the intended style. Although, Rachel's collection, as well as her style is original the vibrant hues of the fabric where somewhat traditional which I personally loved as it came across as  glamorous accompanied by sequins and patterns.

The outfit I absolutely adored was the green jumpsuit with a hint of charcoal paired with neutral gray stiletto sandals. Compelling the outfit was a multi-stone collapsed chain necklace and a bright pink clutch making the entire outfit pop. The cut of the jumpsuit appears as if there is two parts to the garment as it accentuates the body in the waist line and plays slightly with harem pants. I definitely feel Rachel Roy's collection is a topic of discussion whether your opinion is positive or negative her originality should be acknowledged I however am pleased to say the thought of Rachel Roy’s spring collection in my mind is completed with positive thoughts.

Weightless

I recently decided to update myself on all 2010 winter/fall runway shows. While watching streaming video I got a glimpse of the Hermes collection where I noticed the direction this timeless brand focused on for the season which was vintage 30’s female aviators. French designer Jean-Paul Gaultier who is responsible for the seasons look re-created female aviator jumpsuits originally made with leather replaced with satin that gracefully flowed on the runway. The jumpsuits had many female accents making them very androgynous.

Although the jumpsuits in the aviator winter/fall collection where slightly masculine they where many pieces moving towards a feminine direction such as the indirect inspiration halter leather dress with 30’s aspects moving just above the knees accompanied with a modified flying helmet also made form leather which was predominately present in the collection. While watching the show I was drawn to the cut of the jackets, classic crocodile clutch’s as well as the traditional Birkin bags however the piece that caught my eye was the grey gown accented by blue and purple with fur placed on the head flowing with a magnificent silhouette which touched the era Jean-Paul Gaultier was focusing on completing the entire collection.