Petra Attack

Hello Rea-dears, 

Sorry for the long hiatus. Lots and lots has been happening lately and I have not been able to blob. (No typo) But I do have the energy/time/focus at the moment to acknowledge one of the ladies/people that's inspiring me right now: Petra Collins, artist, photographer, curator. Some of you may know her work from Rookie Mag, or from the recent Internet-outburst over her vagina t-shirts being sold at American Apparel. I think Petra's t-shirts are empowering--having your period is a real thing that no one actually talks about, really truly, as is female masturbation (the fact that I have to refer to it as female masturbation to make sure people know what I'm talking about is right there a "nuff said")--not "disgusting" or "too much" or "ew." You want to degrade us for our anatomy? Then stop being so gad-dam squeamish about the part of our bodies that you think make us inferior. What I really want to say is, of course, stop thinking we're not equals, but I've made that pretty obvious on many occasions.

Something I love about all of Petra's work is that she often seeks to capture women and girls' vulnerabilities, and thus our strengths. Hiding truth and reality, whether they are accepted or expected or anything except what they are, does not make anyone strong--it makes them weaker for not being able to stand head-to-head with the inevitabilities of the world. You can shake in your boots and melt to the ground or burst at the seams, but if you reveal yourself, You, to the Universe, in whatever way that may be, you'll always be strong. I know this all seems out of place and irrelevant, but it's integral to understanding and appreciating the starkness, rawness, and ultimately the impact of Petra's photographs. 

Here are some photos I screen-shotted from Petra's website that I think exemplify what I was trying to explain above. 

[All photos by Petra Collins.]

What I noticed/why I chose this photo: Bra strap/unhooked bra

What I noticed/why I chose this photo: Self-scrutiny

What I noticed/why I chose this photo: Silent tears

What I noticed/why I chose this photo: Anger/gun/pink

What I noticed/why I chose this photo: "Make good decisions!"

What I noticed/why I chose this photo: Pubic hair

What I noticed/why I chose this photo: Armpit hair

What I noticed/why I chose this photo: Menstruation + braless-ness

I'll be back with some more original content soon but just hold ya horses.

~News update~ Also I met a cute puppy the other day and he was very soft.

PS I suggest reading this interview Petra did with Vice, because she explains and articulates herself well.

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Current Obsessions: Bordeaux & Velvet

I wasn't originally intending to combine the two into one post, but it just so happens that everyone else who likes velvet thinks it looks best in a shade of burgundy. Crazy stuff, if you ask me.

While in Urban Outfitters the other day, I realized that I'd picked up three different velvet pieces--leggings, flare pants (funny story about these guys) and a dress. I didn't buy any of the above, but I did buy a bordeaux chunky sweater at the discount sweater store out near my grandma's house. I almost bought a different one in the same color, but luckily I did not because...I've already got one at home. There's clearly a reoccurring theme here.

I guess the burgundy/velvet combo was brought to my attention by Madeline of Jean Greige a little while back:

Velvet Ballerina from Miracle Eye. $29.

When I say "brought to my attention" I mean that I fell in love with it. I wanted that dress so bad. And if I'm not mistaken, it was made by a 15 year old girl. Pretty rad stuff.

Here are some other photos I found from Urban Outfitters, American Apparel and Miracle Eye:

Velvet Long Sleeve Mini Dress from American Apparel in Burgundy. $44.

My friend was wearing this today at school and I was mad jellin'.

Kimchi Blue Velvet Strappy Wedge from Urban Outfitters in Maroon. $49.

Velvet Full Woven Skirt from American Apparel in Burgundy. $38.

Dr. Martens Velvet Mary Jane in Red. $110.

My life would be complete with these in it.

Staring at Stars Crushed Velvet Flare Pant from Urban Outfitters in Maroon. $49.

So here's that funny story. I tried these on in black the other day at the store and I came out of the dressing room to show my friend Michelle (I was also wearing a big sweater with a bear on the front) and I started dancing to show her the full effect. This would of course be an opportune moment for one of my 8th grade English/Social Studies teachers to walk by. I'll spare you the details, but we'll leave it at extreme awkwardness ensued.

Burgundy Velvet Burnout Blouse from Miracle Eye. $16.

If you don't want to go out and buy all of these things, then...that's totally cool.
Gotcha there! Thought I was gonna reprimand you, right? Heh.

I'm going to the Daphne Guinness exhibit again tomorrow, and this time I'm bringing my sketchbook. Oh yes.

Nighty night, buds!

P.S. Did you notice how I added a baby sidebar widget that tells you how to follow my blog? I'm going to try and make it bigger/more visible, but it's there, on the right side under the blog archive.

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