The first time I saw the phenomenon that is Billie Holiday, she was wearing a frumpy maid uniform. Even though the movie I was watching with my mother - a romantic melodrama called ‘New Orleans’ (1947) - was innocent enough, and I was still a child, I could already tell there was something terribly wrong with the picture. This gorgeous, proud woman was too glamorous for her outfit; as a matter of fact, she was way too formidable for the movie! I would soon find out that Billie Holiday was one of those women that society likes to call ‘too much’. I was hooked.
When I say ‘Billie Holiday’, what image
pieces into masterpieces, and she had
do you see? The greatest jazz singer of
done so in a uniquely feminine way.
all time, hypnotizing a sold-out Carnegie Hall with that voice, luscious gardenias
Inspired by women like Frida and Billie,
in her hair? Or the junkie arriving at the
I decided to dedicate my career, -my life
police station in a mink coat and shades, a
even- to create art from a feminine point
damaged, but badass survivor of poverty
of view. My goal: to empower women with
and sexual abuse? Me, I cannot see one
my designs. I am now past the age that
without the other. Because as soon as I
Billie had when she passed away (44, so
started listening to her music as a teen, I
young!) and I have lost count of the times
realized that Billie had taken all her pain,
I have called ‘too much’ in my life. As a
anger and sadness and transformed them
working-class girl, I was ‘too ambitious’, as
into music: songs that can make you fall
an artist and designer, ‘too pretentious’. My
in love and break you heart. Like Mexican
skirts have been too short, my heels too
painter Frida Kahlo, she had turned broken
high, my opinions expressed too loudly.
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