Amsterdam 2024

 Hi,

Another full day. Very full and rich.

The day started with a bus ride to PXL- MAD in Hasselt, Belgium. PXL-MAD is a school with a fairly good-sized jewelry school. We got there after a 2.5-hour drive through the countryside. All aboard.

The countryside

The bike path along the freeway

We were happy to meet a lot of the students and faculty. They talked about the program and then we mixed ourselves together - collectors and students and faculty- and had a delicious lunch. 

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At the end of lunch, the curtain was pulled and I was caught in the act of looking at the show before anyone else. Ooops.

Here is the exhibition they put together for us to see the work of the students and faculty- although it was hard to tell who was who. But it did show the large variety of approaches.

Brooches covered with fur

cast glass rings of the pope throughout time

brick slices

Wooden bracelets with a complex interior and simple exterior. They are held together with a magnet.

And dessert.... my fav- cherry pie.

Then we went on a tour of the Fashion Museum led by the collections curator

The theme of the show was Motherhood. A very interesting topic in the world of fashion.

Our tour started in the drag section where many drag queens were honored for their mentorship - another version of motherhood.

Then on to clothes that can... oh I forget what they do but they are cool.

Then to clothes that indicate milk leakage and the changing body.

The dress on the right says: "This house runs on love, laughter, and strong cups of coffee" then the handwritten line says: "We'll see how you feel about abortions after I fuck your husband."

Two older versions of motherhood.

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And a modern one

This shows two covers of Vanity Fair- one from 1991 -shocking at the time- had to be covered with a plain brown wrapper and one from 2022 where Rihanna struts her belly.

The Madonna and the idyllic woman

Comme de Garcon built-in belly

Then there were models with baby carriers

Then an outfit made for feeding babies

This designer is inspired by her child but I am not sure exactly how....

Then a stop at a chocolate factory- supposedly the best chocolate in Belgium

We stopped in at a gallery but I wasn't inspired to take photos. So here is our last stop before jumping on the bus home- this is Tout Simple - excellent dinner.

It was a packed day but I have to say it was worth the long drive to get to the school and see their new building, meet all the students and faculty, and see their work.  I enjoyed that.

So now I am about to get into the next day so I will say goodbye until tomorrow.

With hugs,

Susan