Review: Frida Style Icon by Charlie Collins

Although relatively short, Frida Style Icon takes a comprehensive look at the life, artwork and most important of all, the fashion choices, of beloved twentieth century artist Frida Kahlo. Charlie Collins details the most well-known parts of her life, which was often dramatic. He details the trolley bus crash that left her spine broken in three different places, and her leg in eleven. (And how, purportedly she ended up being covered in gold powder that was being carried on the bus by another art student.) There is also her infatuation with, and later marriage to, fellow artist Diego Rivera who would cheat on her many times until their divorce. But mostly, it's about the clothes and jewellery, her fashion choices that would not only define her as a person, and give her an identity that fitted perfectly with her unique art, but would inspire and define twentieth century Mexican fashion. 

This was such an interesting read. Most of what I knew about Frida Kahlo was through her artwork--not a bad way to know an artist, but I became more interested in her beautiful fashion choices after seeing the Frida and Diego exhibition which was on display at the Art Gallery of South Australia last year. For me, this book helped to fill the gaps and I learned not only why her clothing was so legendary, but the stories and inspiration behind it. 

A surprisingly but inspiring non-fiction read.

Recommended.

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