Lempicka Blues

For example, the cool shadows of the Baltic Sea are suggested by the vibrant blue silk that Emma Harris chose for her Astri Collection of Lingerie Set, Slip Dress, Robe, and Camisole Set. The fabric’s fluttering contours recall chiaroscuro, the shading technique of Leonardo Da Vinci. Lempicka would have seen his work on her young travels to Italy with her grandmother. Later, she used shadow to create the polished images that made her famous. Perhaps no coincidence that Lempicka also favored the elaborate headgear of Renaissance Florence both in art and life.

The jolts of blue in Lempicka’s paintings both eased and emphasized her unsettled times. There was the blue/green of malachite. The color would have called out to her from the giant malachite vases in St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. Now Merle Noir uses this trickster color in the Teal Silk Chiffon Jacket with gold embroidery down one shoulder. Karma on the Rocks names it “Lagoon” and creates with it a sensational Silk Velvet Robe.

Tempicka’s electric blue flattered her Jazz-Age gentleman and platinumed film goddesses. We like it for Emma Harris’s Veronique Cobalt Collection of Lingerie Set, Pajama, Slip, and Robe. Designer Christine Vancouver interprets it in her Erté Silk Gown with its Deco inserts of black lace peacock feathers.

As an alternative to blue, Lempicka also accented her portraits with vibrant Kelly green or deep tomato red. These lush colors looked especially well with white garments. Her reveal of a white-coated doctor’s elegant green shirt and tie suggests sexuality. Try the same with Gilda & Pearl’s luscious green Matinee Slip Dress and Robe. Or, again in Lempicka mode, wear a red lip to offset Merle Noir’s white Sora Silk Gown. The sample is on sale right now. Take the leap? 

Tamara de Lempicka made her life a work of art, too, embodying the glamorous world that she painted. We at JV attempt to emulate! And salute Lempicka’s leadership and genius.