This image, from Paris Fashion Week 2013, brings so many disjointed references to mind it simply must be genius. I find this image entertaining, theatrical and provocative.
The first thing that pops into my consciousness is the scene from ballet "The Nutcracker" when Mother Ginger enters the court of the Sugar Plum Fairy and opens her skirt to free eight little gingerbread children. BUT....and this is key.... Almost simultaneously I also think of the scene in A Christmas Carol, by Dickens, when the Ghost of Christmas Future opens his robe to reveal the two children: Ignorance and Want. Very juxtaposed.....
Rogers and Hammerstein's songs, and images from the films created in the 50's and 60's specifically, also begin to flash through my mind.... Flower Drum Song, The King and I, and South Pacific.....
It's also intriguing that the woman seems to typify more of my idea of an East Asian beauty while the children, with their neon tulle dresses and center-parted black hair, make me think of both India and Mexico.... at once.... The woman also is dressed similarly to a western bride and with three children tumbling forth from under her skirt there is also a sense of female power, sexuality, joy and motherhood....
Or it is just a lovely dress and runway presentation.... At any rate, very, very, very interesting work....
