RareJule Goes to Spain! Almodovar obsession begins
I just returned from four glorious days in Spain.
On the fortified walls of Toledo
Though a quick trip, it was extremely fulfilling!
I stood in front of the samemaster works of Velasquezthat I studied long ago as an art history major, visited theMedieval era synagogues of Toledo, and discovered (once again) that sangria gives me a headache, even in Spain (the naïveté!).
This was my third visit to Spain and I'm getting a better grasp on its history, culture, and attitudes.
Cathedral in Toledo, lit up in honor of the flamenco jazz festival we happened to catch on our first night.
t Dinner al fresco on a typical street in Toledo
At the Prado! A dream come true. This alone makes Madrid more appealing than Barcelona, for me.
Painting byRosario de Velasco, from her excellent retrospective at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Madrid
Before an international trip, I try and watch a film that can deepen my sense of the destination, and for Madrid, it was Almodovar's1988 masterpieceWomen on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown(Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios). I can't believe it's taken me this long to see a film by him! Now I'm obsessed and need to see every single thing he's done.
The fashion played a very large role in the saturated aesthetic of the movie, to say nothing of character expression! I knew from the tongue-in-cheek retro opening creditsthat it was going to become a favorite. And, yes, that is a very young and adorable Antonio Banderas!
In honor of España, here are a few Spanish related vintage gems currently in the shop!
Y2K era Balenciaga Vest-Jacket with detachable collar. Balenciaga started as a company in San Sebastian, Spain, in 1919
c.1996 Hermes silk scarf with "Feria de Sevilla" (Fair of Seville) print, in the original box!
Vintage, green, faux snake leather slingbacks by Stuart Weitzman, made in Spain, of course!
