Pockets
I was wandering through the library of a small local college several years ago to take a break from research, and I walked past a landscape painting by John Singer Sargent. Not exactly what I expected, but I shouldn’t have been surprised.
Universities across the U.S. have wonderful galleries, museums, and rare book / archival collections on their campuses.
Right now, the University of Missouri is hosting an exhibit about Ginger Rogers, and what’s really impressive is the way the university activated its archive.
The exhibit tells stories through the dresses Rogers wore, part of her self-identity as a dancer and actor who partnered with Fred Astaire on many films. Her style on screen changed American fashion in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s.
University students created their own patterns — designing, sewing, and styling garments inspired by the historical wardrobe.
Dresses should obviously always have pockets, so I was reminded of one of my favorite spin-off episodes of 99% Invisible: pockets! That led me to the follow-up and the book, now on my reading list.
Pockets can hide secrets and protect solitude. DC has so many pocket parks that offer slices (truly, many are triangles) of calm compared to the nearby streets.
Consider what pockets in your life might hold...or what you might hold in your pockets.
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This newsletter was written on the traditional lands of the Piscataway and Nacotchtank.