res·cue
verb
1. save (someone) from a dangerous or distressing situation.
noun
1. an act of saving or being saved from danger or distress.
In this post I am well protected and hidden within the supple and luminous drape of a Yamamoto silk coat. Hidden inside my coat like a secret whisper is a brown lining that in combination with the black outside reminds me of my dog: a dog that needed to be saved while at the same time others need to be saved from him and his ferocity. Perhaps that is why despite the many challenges and expense he has presented us with, I feel a sort of affinity with him. We rescued him this summer truthfully underestimating the enormity of the task. Although he can break your heart with how adorable and loving he is, he can bite you in a heartbeat. He requires a calm environment, well-planned transitions and in having to provide that structure for him he gives me structure and intervenes in my tendency to move too fast, to fly off the handle, to raise my voice or become over excited. In the act of protecting him, others are being protected.
Yohji Yamamoto has revealed in interviews and in his writing that his initial motivation to design garments came from a desire to protect a human’s body. He was drawn to designing woman’s coats, so he could both hide and guard. He wished to protect a woman from “something”…men’s eyes, a cold wind. Later as he came to know the fashion industry his work extended to protect the clothes themselves from fashion. Caught up in this desire he left himself vulnerable, needing to be rescued himself from bankruptcy in 2011.
When I wear this coat, I do feel rescued. Rescued from peering and judgmental eyes and from an anger that under conditions of stress gets away from me exploding in small shards that sometimes hurts those who happen to be in my path. The rustle of the beautiful silk soothes the savage. So I feel then this coat also protects others from me, kind of like my dog’s muzzle.
Sometimes even rescuers need to be rescued.
For more Yohji Yamamoto see my Pinterest Board, Accidental Icon Dreams of Yohji
Did you ever have a time when a piece of clothing (or a dog) “rescued” you?
I too have been rescued by a dog (two, actually) whom I had rescued. And, in a far more literal sense, I have been rescued by a beautiful long cape with a big hood.
The photographs of you and your dog are beautiful. I hope that he does not need the muzzle for long. Gently, Leslie in Oregon
Sad there is such a need for rescue in modern life. Makes us have to remember to take care.
Vos récits si personnels sont enthousiasmants et émouvants et les photos de votre mari, toujours magnifiques.
chantal-may
That coat is like a visual poem. Bless you, not only for rescuing your dog, but also for your commitment to his challenging care. We have one dog (not a rescue) who has his psycho moments and has bitten me several times, but we practice some behavioral techniques to work with it and love him no less. Sometimes the dogs are our teachers.
I have to say you were a helper in this process. You did a post about the Gentle Lead. When we first got him he lunged all the time. After reading your post we got it and it works perfectly.
I love this post. Brilliantly written on many levels – the dog, the coat, your routine and habits… the perfect amalgamation of fashion, and love, and art, and humanity…
I have to say you were a helper in this process. You did a post about the Gentle Lead. When we first got him he lunged all the time. After reading your post we got it and it works perfectly.
I love this post. Brilliantly written on many levels – the dog, the coat, your routine and habits… the perfect amalgamation of fashion, and love, and art, and humanity…
I love this post for so many reasons. I have not rescued anyone animal or man (well, I may have rescued a man but I think he rescued me or maybe we rescued each other). The point is maybe I should get better at rescuing. The coat is gorgeous! As Susan said it "the coat is a visual poem". Your dog is beautiful and kudos to you for your patience in helping him back into a loving life.
As you imply the rescued and rescuer are probably benefiting each other!
I love this post for so many reasons. I have not rescued anyone animal or man (well, I may have rescued a man but I think he rescued me or maybe we rescued each other). The point is maybe I should get better at rescuing. The coat is gorgeous! As Susan said it "the coat is a visual poem". Your dog is beautiful and kudos to you for your patience in helping him back into a loving life.
As you imply the rescued and rescuer are probably benefiting each other!
One unfortunate day I was walking on the sidewalk and looked behind me. Whoops. Jutting side walk in front of me and a major fall, broke a wrist. The heavy denim jeans saved my hips and knees.
Not a fashionable protection, but one nevertheless.
Love your coat and those glasses.
Sad there is such a need for rescue in modern life. Makes us have to remember to take care.
When I read yohji interviews I love what he says, unfortunately I just don’t "get" his clothes (for myself). For me my armor is made of Rick Owens and that sort of style. I tend to feel the most "myself" in that sort of style. McQueen in his interviews designed in a similar way–even to make his women seemed off putting. But I try to avoid "learning" about McQueen the person as I grew up admiring his designs, but don’t want to peer into his personal life.
Also great coat and a handsome pup
Yamamoto my love…
When I read yohji interviews I love what he says, unfortunately I just don’t "get" his clothes (for myself). For me my armor is made of Rick Owens and that sort of style. I tend to feel the most "myself" in that sort of style. McQueen in his interviews designed in a similar way–even to make his women seemed off putting. But I try to avoid "learning" about McQueen the person as I grew up admiring his designs, but don’t want to peer into his personal life.
This is a beautiful post on many levels. I read it several times, and am touched by your self disclosure and your compassion. I can feel the relationship that you have with your beloved dog and your gorgeous silk coat through your photos.
I often feel rescued by my hats and find them to have healing powers. There is nothing shallow about style!
No I agree and am becoming more convinced clothes and hats can be powerful expressers of emotion.
This is a beautiful post on many levels. I read it several times, and am touched by your self disclosure and your compassion. I can feel the relationship that you have with your beloved dog and your gorgeous silk coat through your photos.
I often feel rescued by my hats and find them to have healing powers. There is nothing shallow about style!
No I agree and am becoming more convinced clothes and hats can be powerful expressers of emotion.
I really love your style and I loved this post, such a beautiful story. Both of my dogs were adopted, one of them had been abandoned. He was a puppie and he was in a pretty bad condition. Now he’s healthy and really happy. As I hope yours to be!
Yamamoto my love…
I really love your style and I loved this post, such a beautiful story. Both of my dogs were adopted, one of them had been abandoned. He was a puppie and he was in a pretty bad condition. Now he’s healthy and really happy. As I hope yours to be!