CC Interview: Acclaimed Artist Dai Ying

 Darlings, CC is delighted to introduce you to Chinese-born world-renowned artist Dai Ying, a luminary in the realm of contemporary painting, installations, and performance art! She weaves intricate narratives of tradition and feminist-inspired innovation through her captivating creations. Presently residing in New York, Los Angeles, and Beijing, Dai Ying recently showed at New York’s Future Fair at Chelsea Industrial in tandem with the Frieze. She also partnered with the Pashmina Art Gallery in Hamburg, Germany where she's donating some works of art for their Louis Vuitton and Dior sponsored art auction benefiting the rescue of Asian street dogs.

Below, see CC's interview with Ms. Ying:

CC: Ms. Dai, thank you so much for sharing with Couture Carrie readers!

How do you utilize your art to channel your emotional experience？

DY: I use mixed media painting, installation, performance art, and other creative methods and media art languages to convey my emotions.

Temple, installation, 2020, marble, printmaking paper, galvanized iron sheet

CC: I also lived in New York for 6 years! What are your favorite spots in the city (museums, stores, restaurants, parks, etc.)?

DY: I like MoMA. All the art spaces and galleries with the latest exhibitions are places I often visit.

Give Me a Piece of Heaven and Earth 给我一片天地, 2023, 120 x 80 cm, oil on canvas

M-Theory 2 超弦理论M 2, 2015 - 2016, made with Chinese paint, Japanese paint, acrylic paint, marker, and Chinese rice paper

CC: You’ve graciously donated some of your work to the Pashmina Art Gallery in Hamburg, Germany for its upcoming Louis Vuitton and Dior sponsored art auction to benefit the rescue of Asian street dogs. I am a dog walker and pet sitter, so animals are dear to me, too! What inspired you to choose this cause?

DY: This charity auction is hosted and organized by Ms. Maria, the largest collector of German Expressionist art globally. She is a passionate animal rescuer, saving over 100 stray dogs from Asia each year and finding them homes in Europe. The Pashmina Art Gallery in Hamburg provided support for the space for this event. I was invited by Ms. Maria to participate in this charity auction in Hamburg. I donated a small piece I created in 2016, "Great Love, Saving All Lives," which was auctioned for 5000 euros by a kind collector. Louis Vuitton and Dior also donated their products for this charity auction, but they are not the sponsors for the event. The proceeds will go towards helping stray dogs in Asia. For me, it is the respect for life and natural compassion that inspired me to do this.

The artist in her 2023 installation Suddenly Moon White, holding soil from Suzhou.
Many thanks to Dai Ying and her translator for this amazing interview!
xoxox,
CC

CC Book Review: Met Gala Lookbook

 Darlings, CC is super excited to share with her fellow fashionistas Fashion's Big Night Out, this terrific tome featuring stunning images and terrific text on The Met Gala!

Fashion's Big Night Out:
A Met Gala Lookbook
By Kristen Bateman
Foreword by Jeremy Scott
April 16, 2024 | Hardback | Welbeck | $19.95

This beautiful book (pictured above on CC's desk, fittingly amongst recent issues of Vogue) provides a concise and captivating history of the Met Gala since its inception in 1948, along with gorgeous photos of the featured museum expositions and their A-list attendees.

 Grab yourself and your fellow fashionistas a copy and delight, as CC has, in the rich history of haute couture inextricably intertwined with art!

xoxox,

CC

CC Interview with Sotheby's Jewelry Expert Tiffany Dubin!

Darlings, CC is super excited to introduce you to Tiffany Dubin, Senior Business Development Executive at Sotheby's auction house in New York! Ms. Dubin, an art and jewelry expert, recently curated (with London gallery owner Louisa Guinness) a pop-up exhibition of art-inspired jewelry. "Sculpture to Wear" will be on view at Sotheby's East Hampton from August 3 through August 28, 2021. If you can't make it out to the Hamptons to see the show, not to worry! CC had the incredible opportunity to interview Ms. Dubin. Please see my queries and her brilliant responses below!

Favorite Artist: Gustav Klimt the Austrian Symbolist painter however I love everything from that era.

Klimt, Portrait of Baroness Elisabeth Bachoven Echt, c. 1914.

Favorite piece from Sculpture to Wear

The William Copley’s  necklace with the naked girls running around.  I was introduced to Copley’s a few years back through an exhibit Adam Lindeman curated a few years back and was struck by his American Pop Art sensibility mixed with Surrealist humor and riffing sexuality. 

The necklace he made for Louisa Guinness shows his high style, with ten of his cartoonish figures suspended from a circular link chain.  This is an object that can be played with and manipulated in various ways. I think this is the absolute expression of the artist’s DNA.  However I am also obsessed with the Man Ray lips based on his 1936 surrealist painting.  The surrealists believed in the concept of the devouring woman... Well I would like to devour that necklace! 

 

How does your current career differ from what you envisioned doing when you were at Georgetown?

When I was at Georgetown I studied Eastern European affairs and thought I was going into the diplomatic corp. I had visions of being Keri Russell on The Americans.  Instead I am an art world version of a character in “Call my Agent” keeping clients happy and business afloat. 

As a former boutique owner (I miss Henri Bendel!), what are your go-to shops, online and/or brick-and-mortar, for the most fabulous clothing and accessories?

My go to for this summer has been Reformation introduced to me by my daughter.  I love AmandaRossGirl, Soler in London, I still look for old favorites on eBay, theRealReal, obsessed with Live Auctioneers, Matches based out of London, Moda Operandi.  

Who is your favorite fashion designer, past or present? Which label do you currently wear most?

I have to say I dress in a bit of a hodgepodge of old YSL, old Valentino,  70s silk blouses, adapted vintage items I update to today with a superb dressmaker. 

I do have a Chanel ballet slipper habit but buy them on eBay. 

They are just super comfy to me.  

Cotton and grosgrain ballerinas, at chanel.com.

However my favorite designer of all time is not a fashion designer but a mind blowingly talented jewelry designer named Rene Biovin who ironically was related to Paul Poiret.  As a disco child from the 80’s I am obsessed with her version of disco jewelry in the 30’s and have managed to collect a few of her brooches since they have been a bit under the radar. 

Rene Biovin Art Deco necklace.

If you could visit only one museum or gallery for the rest of time, which one would you choose?

I think it would be a choice between the Louvre or placing myself at Peggy Guggenheim house/museum in Venice and having constant revolving artist shows come in and out every time there was a new biennale.  

If I did that I would probably channel the Marchesa Luisa de Casati and hold legendary soirées and look to spot today’s new Fortuny or Poiret. I agree with her; there is too much sameness in the world and one should be a work of art.

 

Of all the places you've lived or visited, which is/was your favorite? 

I am madly, deeply in love with Capri and my fantasy in life is to have a fabulous house in Capri where I could have constantly  revolving groups of friends who were artists, philosophers, writers, thinkers from all parts of life join me.

A big CC thank you to Ms. Dubin and to Ron Boling of Jonathan Marder + Co. in NYC for the intro!

xoxox,

CC

Architectural Inspiration: Pretty Painting

Architectural inspiration via Pinterest.

Roland Mouret Mercer wool-crepe gown, at net-a-porter.com.

Aquazzura Ginger lace-up sandal, at barneys.com.

Charlotte Olympia clutch, at charlotteolympia.com.

Givenchy bib necklace, at barneys.com.

Darlings, what do you think of this arty space and the look it inspired?

xoxox,

CC

Cool Coloring Book Giveaway!

Darlings, CC is so excited to introduce you to contemporary artist Shantell Martin, whose beautiful book comes out today! Wave: A Journey Through the Sea of Imagination for the Adventurous Colorist is a beautifully illustrated continuous nine-foot panel featuring an ever-changing whimsical illustration inspired by Japanese horizontal narrative scrolls.

Available for purchase at a amazon.com.

Fabulous news, darlings:

CC has one of these amazingly illustrated Shantell Martin coloring books to give away to one lucky Couture Carrie reader!

See more at shantellmartin.com and follow the author on Twitter @shantell_martin.

Five Day Giveaway:

To enter, simply leave a relevant comment on this post!

Limit one entry per blogger. Open to U.S. Residents.

Good luck, darlings!

xoxox,

CC

Art Inspiration: Blue Streak

Giacomo Bella, Future (1923).

Stylestalker Piano Flare Dress; this and next three at shopbop.com.

Alexandre Birman leather sandals.

Kenzo printed flat pouch.

Dannijo Lauder earrings.

Darlings, what do you think of this painting and the look it inspired?

xoxox,

CC

Architectural Inspiration: Sweet Sofa

Architectural inspiration via Pinterest. 

Erdem Skyla feather-trimmed satin and cady midi skirt; this and next three at net-a-porter.com.

Jonathan Simkhai cropped brocade-appliqued mesh top.

Aquazzura J'Adore elaphe sandals.

Lele Sadoughi Gazebo gold-plated, marble and howlite chandelier earrings.

Darlings, what do you think of this spectacular space and the look it inspired?

xoxox,

CC

Architectural Inspiration: Gorgeous Gallery Wall

Darlings, how gorgeous is this gallery wall?

CC is also smitten with the mix of prints in the rug, poufs, and throw pillows!

Photo via Pinterest.

Gucci yellow wool coat, at gucci.com.

Lanvin bubble-skirt silk-gazar dress; this and next three at net-a-porter.com.

Ippolita Gelato 18-karat gold turquoise and diamond ring.

The perfect statement piece!

Gianvito Rossi fringed lace-up suede ankle boots.

TOD'S D-Cube Piccolo check leather tote.

So chic!

Darlings, what do you think of this lovely living room and the look it inspired?

xoxox,

CC

Perfect Pumps

Darlings, CC is so excited to introduce you to Taylor Says, a spectacular range of shoes with trademark hidden platforms and colorful, arty soles.  The artist and designer behind the name is the lovely Taylor Reeve.  Here's a bit about her from the website:
"The self described 'crazy blondie from Southern California' has made a name for herself by painting unconventional mediums from motorcycles to surf boards. She has worked for Quicksilver, Bell Helmets, Dragon Alliance, and Skullcandy and now brings her talents to the fierce modern woman through Taylor Says.
This sassy shoe line features one-of-a-kind designs inspired by bright colors, vivid dreams and the desire to live and take in each moment. Taylor's vision is to create designs that allow today's woman to show off her individuality. 'My high heels are all about having fun, expressing yourself and living it up!' Keep an eye on this fearless young lady. With her fresh approach to wearable art, Taylor Reeve is quickly climbing the fashion ladder, in stilettos no doubt!"
 CC is super smitten with these perfect pumps.  All items at taylorsays.com.

Blondie.

Jane.

Kaida.

CC has and absolutely adores! 

The snakeskin-effect leather is super sophisticated, and the hidden platform lengthens the leg for an amazingly flattering look, whether you wear these pretty pumps with your favorite pair of jeans or with a fabulous cocktail dress to your next holiday party.

Lipstix.

Melons.

Pink Lady.

Rummy.

Sydney.

Talia.

Which of these perfect pumps do you prefer?

Be sure to like Taylor Says on Facebook so you can keep up with all the fabulousness, darlings!

xoxox,

CC

Price Upon Request

Darlings, how often have you been flipping through the pages of your favorite magazine and you look intently at the fine print to find out how much your dream outfit costs and the description reads "price upon request"?  This phrase is generally reserved for couture, one-of-a-kind, made to order and/or ridiculously expensive items.  CC was inspired to amass a post chock full of covetable (and, ahem, super-pricey) items.  Just call this CC's luxe lust list!  Hope you enjoy the OTT-ness of it all!

Harry Winston Estate Collection diamond earrings, pictured via Harry Winston on Facebook.

Cartier tank watch; visit cartier.fr.

Sevan Bicacki wide mesh bracelet with diamond dagger closure, at barneys.com.

Christian Louboutin Daffoldile 160 crystal-embellsihed suede pumps; this and next at net-a-porter.com.

Lanvin The Happy Medium holographic python shoulder bag.

Globe-Trotter luggage, at jcrew.com.

Dolce & Gabbana lace trim flare dress; this and next at barneys.com.

Fendi fur coat.

Zaza & Sacci backgammon set.

An original Picasso.

Audi A6; visit audiusa.com.

A G6.

A wine cellar.

A personal chef.

Weekly facials and massages.

A New York penthouse overlooking Central Park.

A mountainside condo in Aspen.

A villa in Tuscany.

What's on your luxe lust list, darlings?

CC can't wait to hear about your fantasy items!

xoxox,

CC