The Roaring Twenties

For my Roaring 20's tag, I was inspired by Erté, the aristocratic Russian graphic artist, fashion designer, and stage designer who's individualistic style was extremely influential during the Art Deco style of the time.  His career blossomed during his years at Harper's Bazaar, where he once wrote a letter to the editor saying, "Being an ardent lover of beauty, I discover harmony of color in the very source of everlasting beauty - in Nature, who is my only teacher."  He believed all women could look beautiful if they selected "something suited" to them, "without adhering strictly to the mode."  He believed women could do the latter by selecting dresses that enhanced their beauty, hid "nature's defects," and took into consideration their individuality.  What do you think?

Anyway, I used Tim Holt'z Baroque and punch dies to cut my base out of a K&Company handmade print to get an Art Deco feel.  Then, I illustrated one of Erté's gowns using micron pens and watercolor brush pens on an ATC Bristol blank.  I distressed both pieces, and adhered the ATC to the base with gold photo corners.  Next, I made a dimensional flower using an eksuccess Dahlia punch and a Martha Stewart gemstone.  I also made a tassel, because Erté was known to use them, by rolling a strip of fringe and hand sewing it to a strip of gold lace.  I laced the tie through the bottom hole and glued the flower over it.  Finally, I added another strip of gold lace to the top.  I staged the photograph of my tag with various articles that may have been used at the time, such as a jar of Noxzema, a rouge compact, pearls, and a celluloid plastic hair pin.

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2013

In closing, I leave you with a photograph of my maternal Grandparents' 1930 wedding photograph, which I digitally sketched on for another challenge last year.  I'm sure my Grandmother's dress was not by Erté, but you can certainly see his influence in the design.  Don't you agree?  Thank you for all your kind words regarding my tags last week.  Blessings!