Christina Cappuccino

It’s the day after the Met Gala Challenge.  But as they say, better late than never.  

Especially if you’re running fashionably late. 

While watching a Ted Talk this morning, I quite inadvertently participated in this challenge with Alex’s childhood bear, Grundy.  You see, I’m an all or nothing type of person when it comes to certain things.  If I really like a song, I will listen to it on repeat…obsessively.  If I’m on vacation and it’s all-inclusive, I will be all I’m gonna be good until the moment strikes where the notion of moderation ceases to exist and only beast mode vibes may reign. 

There is usually no in-between.  

And it applies to attention span too.  Somehow, when I’m watching any sort of media, if I’m hooked, I’m in.  Then begins the marathon binge. If somehow my mind travels to a fidget zone as it did this morning, then sorry…sorry to the Ted Talk…

But hello, Teddy bear!

Out came the shoebox of hair and body accessories meant for a human.  And conveniently sat little Grundy, Alex’s childhood bear, whom Alex considers to be quite fragile.  Any ounce of him being worn out is a prompt for Alex to exclaim, “He likes to observe,” meaning please don’t play with him.  

Grundy, however, would beg to differ and is currently in his rebellious zone.  He loves to fly, bungee jump and go ice fishing, often when Alex isn’t watching.  It’s quite amazing seeing his progress, both in mastering activities but also formulating new friendships and understanding his adventurous side.

Today, Grundy pursued the route of fashion.  We’re talking Met Gala aspirations.  He’s sitting next to Anna Wintour. He’s a goal-oriented bear with many interests.

And so, today I present to you:  Met Gala Meets Teddy Bear.

Collaborators: Christina Knight + Grundy Knight (teddy bear)

Materials: Headbands, hairclips, belts, scrunchies, hairpins, sashes, scarves, love and imagination.

Exhibit 1: The Evolution of Materials from Human to Teddy Bear

From our human art patron comes a series of conventional accessories made for everyday and occasional usages. Flexible headbands embodying an array of patterns, some as wallflowers and others as girlbosses. Rainbow spectrum hairpins still on their clear dockings sit aside shell, faceted beads and shaped metal. The self-tie sash yearns its garment cohort but knows it’s time to become a one-man band. The 80s has its claim on ruffles surrounding elastic yet reinvents itself in the 2020s. Foliage leaves look more like shadows and less like greenery as these functional and aesthetic elements make their way to a new generation client.

Exhibit 2: Stunning in Stripes

Youthful green stripes paired back to black bring an air of energy mixed with solemnity. Stretchy wear-to-the-gym fabrications provide controlled volume in pure comfort. The new ear piece is the asymmetrical earring: Standing out by choosing sides yet fitting in with monochromatic hues gives a subtle playful rebellion.

Exhibition 3: Mummified in Hold ’em Fold ’em

Gamblers are risk takers. Yet each one has his own style, his own method of madness. Sometimes going all in, other times playing it conservative, each play is a move with thought and strategy. Folding doesn’t have to mean a relinquishing of participation; rather, when the game of origami gives way to the new wrap dress, flourishes, structure and authority prosper in the rankings.