Ode to Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Exhibit Opening at the DIA - Detroit

Art Installation at FRIDA Boutique, Detroit's Park Shelton Building - All photos by - Alvita Lozano

Detroit's fashion boutique/retail owner Rachel Lutz opened her FRIDA specialty shop last year on the heals of her renowned Peacock Room retail store.  Both located in the historic Park Shelton building next to the Detroit Institute of Art Museum on Woodward Ave, you can't miss it if you attend the exhibit March-July 2015.  This installation is a wonderful collaboration between Rachel and I to celebrate the opening of the much anticipated Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo opening later this week at the DIA.  The installation has two of my pieces (both made with re-purposed material from my personal collection).  The vintage framed hunting photo on glass is called "Deer Frida Kahlo".  It is a tongue and cheek reference to the famous Mexican artist #Bisexuality, as the Buck proudly wears a floral headdress, an iconic element associated with Frida Kahlo's personal style.  FRIDA (15 east Kirby, Detroit, MI 48202 ) the shop is a sumptuous adventure and the go to retail experience.  I'm happy to say, I shop here and highly recommend a buying trip!  If you happen to stop by and see my installation please let me know what you think.  Viva Detroit Art, Culture and Fashion!

I Would Wear It On My Head.....

alvitafreestyleindetroit: polyvore set "Axis"

A little visual splendor from me to you, where ever you are where ever you go, may beauty and life be your blessing.

I have often thought when admiring flowers in bloom that they are a sort of smile from mother nature to us all. 

I also love how Fashion Designer Mary Katrantzou adds so much visual art to her textiles and designs, this set is inspired by her work.

Lately I have been studying the personal style of Mexican Artist Frida Kahlo, who wore large flowers and ribbons in her up braided hair.  This set is also inspired by her as well.  If it were possible for me to make this a three dimensional image I would definitely wear it on my head as an ode to Both Mary and Frida, two Women with big love for nature and art!

Cruizin The Pinterest Platform

"She's Got It" a selection of photos from the album on my Pinterest profile

Pinterest is the latest social media platform to create a happy buzz for the image addicted masses.   It's easy to link your existing Twitter or Facebook profiles up to it and off you go. It's becoming quite the tangled technical web and makes cross platform sharing eezy peezy (however when you do so, you automatically agree to share profile and friends data access).  I do enjoy the ability to create visual albums by topic of interest and know many other creative friends who do the same. The above photos are a few dazzlers from my album "She's Got It".

If you happen to be on Pinterest look for me, I'm FreeStyle In Detroit (through my twitter platform profile), and as they say.."Happy Pinning".

Live Sod, Red Balloons, Fashion and Art

Polyvore set: via alvitafreestyleindetroit, this is how the story begins...

Morning of February 14th: live sod rolls prepped, sprayed with green food coloring for the installation (we had snowfall this morning)

Photo by Britta Brookes: "Sod Walk" installed in the gallery @ Salon Rehe Space, also included a 3D Assemblage piece by Artist Toni Nunn "Bird Cage Muse" in the forefront. 

Patent leather baby doll shoes filled with valentine heart candy and glitter, red balloon is anchored by shoe and the glass red heart on top of "Sod Walk" live sod installation by A. Lozano, photo by Crystal Proxim: The Ferndale 115 News

Photo: Jenna Belevender

 

The red balloon hovered happily over the candy filled shoes as part of the "Sod Walk" installation greeting exhibit visitors upon entering the Pop Up 01/14/2012, Photo by Britta Brookes

You would be hard pressed to find live sod in Detroit, MI during the month of February.  I was naively determined however to have it be an integral part of an installation piece of mine at "Fall In Love With Fashion" Pop Up Art Exhibit on Valentines day this year.  It was the right thing to do as there is no substitute for a green organic element in art.

My journey took me to a sod farm a bit north of here where I met a very pleasant if not bewildered sod farmer who was glad to find a customer.

The morning of the pop up I woke to snow fall and a typical February temperature.  The two sod rolls were lying on a tarp outdoors looking a typical brownish but alive.  I drug the tarp onto the porch and sprayed them with green food coloring in hopes they would appear lush and green.  I was thrilled with the results as you can see it was a successful installation.

One of the writers who attended the exhibit (Crystal Proxime of The Ferndale 115 News ) said the installation "Set a whimsical tone" for the gallery, which made me smile.

The photo shoot which produced images to promote the event included a red balloon theme.  Why a red balloon theme one might ask?  For me, red balloons represent Passion, Hope, and Adventure.  Elements I wanted to showcase in this exhibit. Integrating nature (live sod), shoes, candy, glitter, a silver butterfly, a red heart ornament, along with the red balloon seemed the perfect way to summarize Fall In Love With Fashion Pop Up Art Exhibit.  The exhibit concept was born of a singular vision...a red balloon, and my determination to respect and interpret the idea. 

Poetry and Polyvore

"Return" polyvore set - alvitafreestyleindetroit

"Healthy Style' is the season's new must-have!

Minds sprinkled with glittery make-up...

Eyes with a light dusting of eternal love...

Smiles glossed in a sensual hue...

Hearts mantled like a fine pearl...

Skin of satin...

Souls in stilettos!!!

The poem is an original writing of a childhood friend, Dawn Herrera Ocon.  She is a gifted writer and tireless romantic.  I adore her friendship and admire her adventurous imagination.

January Inspiration Color: Red



Maurizio Galante Photography by Jacqueline Hassink

Giambattista Valli



Fashion Photographer: Robert Milovan



Two Girls In Red:

The month of January is almost gone and I'm just catching up with my blog post.  A little red visual mix for inspiration as we move through the winter season of northern climate.  I hope you are all well and getting adjusted to a new year.

Sewing and Reaping Industrial Hemp In Michigan

All photos are Michigan based Conscious Clothing Designer of Industrial Hemp Garments Etsy Shop

This is a must read post for any advocate of smart Michigan based industry ideas.  I was given permission to share the content of this e-mail letter written by Mr. Everett Swift, who is executive director of Michgan Hemp.Org .  The following is an abreviated version of that message.

"Hello friends in The Garment Industry,

MIHEMP had our Annual Meeting on Saturday and made a decision to support a "Farmer Fund", the aim of this fund is to raise three thousand dollars to be used for an application fee for a permit to grow Industrial Hemp from the DEA.

The Farmer Fund will be separate from our MIHEMP funding.

Now, I know that many of you are thinking why on earth would we invest money into something like this?, the DEA is never going to approve the permit, if it were that easy someone would already be growing the crop.

First off if that is what you are thinking you are right, it would be three thousand dollars wasted on a permit that will never get approved....But, it may not be such a waste if you look at it from another angle, as our attorney Matt Abel pointed out at the meeting, you can't challenge a decision by the DEA if there has been no application filed or a decision made, also think of the media exposure something like this could get, no one has applied for the permit in Michigan that I know of since 1940 when Henry Ford had one which he used it to grow hemp and build a car and fuel it with Industrial Hemp.


If the DEA refuses to act on an application or denies a permit and a complaint is made to the State Legislators and/or Michigan Representatives in the U.S. Congress or Senate they must give a formal response, they can't just do as they do us now and send a form letter or ignore it.

I have been pushing for Michigan to join the other states in the Industrial Hemp fight for four years and if I can raise the money I WILL apply for the permit.  If handing three thousand dollars over to the DEA will get it done then I think it is worth the risk.

According to the DEA application you must show that you would be in compliance with State and Local law, I have a letter from Hillman Township saying there is no law prohibiting me from applying for the permit or growing the crop, I live in a county that has passed an Industrial Hemp Resolution,

I can find no state law that prohibits me from applying for the permit or prohibits me from growing the crop as long as I have federal approval.

When two farmers in North Dakota applied for this permit it started a movement that resulted 17 states passing pro industrial Hemp legislation so far."

Let's add Michigan to those other progressive states  and support this important legislation.  Collective industry teamwork is crucial and this kind of creative vision can help us diversify our resources and build innovative opportunities.  Contact Mr. Everett Swift at MI-Hemp.Org to support this important effort and for more details.

Zara Brings Fashion to Michigan/Detroit with On-Line Website

Zara USA Photo Archive, descending order: "Dear Michigan" photographer is Peter Baker, below "Dear Illinois" photographer is Katherine Squier

Zara USA Photo Archive, descending order: "Dear Arizona" photographer is Stephen Tamiesie, below "Dear Texas" photographer is Noah Kalina



Polyvore Set for Zara "Dear America" Online Shop Launch

   
 Zara ( Inditex Group) is launching their on-line Shop in the American market on Wednesday September 7, 2011.

"Dear America" - Marks the launch of its e-commerce platform in the US, Zara has commissioned photographs of each of the nation’s states. Noah Kalina, Peter Baker and Stephen Tamiesie are just some of the 24 photographers participating in the ‘Dear America’ campaign, comprising 50 photos which can be viewed on Zara’s US website beginning tomorrow, September 7. "

Peter Baker is a Michigan Photographer who's work is included in Zara's "Dear America" marketing campaign.  Congratulations to him on this exciting body of work.

Upon receiving this wonderful photographic archive of prints from Zara, I decided to select a few of my favorites and post them for this blog.  Not only are the prints refreshing and uniquely American, I applaud Zara for doing their homework, and choosing to work with local creative professionals on this campaign.

Make room Ralph Lauren and Burberry, Zara is moving into the international fashion spotlight one brilliant move at a time.

Thanks for giving us easy access to retail shop inventory Zara and more specifically for reaching out to Detroit shoppers!