Musings on the Mother-Daughter Holiday
By Wim Langedijk for HURS
Musings on the Mother-Daughter Holiday
HUR Reads is our definitive shortlist of the most prominent articles from around the web.
By HURS Team
1
It Has Pockets!
Claire McCardell shook up American fashion by designing clothes that women could actually live in. Turning away from stiff French couture of the time, she came up with smart ideas: pockets in dresses, side zippers, denim for everyday wear, ballet flats, and separates you could mix and match. Her relaxed “Monastic” dress, a simple and flowing hit, became a success despite initial doubts. McCardell believed women deserved clothes that let them move, work, and feel at ease. Though she died in 1958 and her label disappeared, her influence is everywhere—in wrap dresses, flats, and easy styles we often take for granted. She may not be a household name, but her designs quietly shaped the way we dress day-to-day.
THE ATLANTIC
In Hot Milk, adapted by Rebecca Lenkiewicz from Deborah Levy’s novel, a mother and daughter confront illness and dependency during a sun-drenched summer in Spain. The film captures the shifting, often uneasy dynamics of caregiving that blur love and resentment. Sofia, the daughter, tends to her enigmatic, sometimes manipulative mother while yearning for her own freedom. Hot Milk uses surreal touches and vivid coastal settings to reflect the pair’s psychological landscape. The story resonates with the universal push and pull of mother–daughter bonds—comfort entangled with frustration and desire for independence. It offers a clear-eyed, intimate portrait of how maternal bonds can soothe, suffocate, and ultimately transform both women.
A RABBIT’S FOOT
In an interview with Aaron Edwards, artist Nickola Pottinger discusses her work’s engagement with memory, cultural identity, and ancestry. Drawing from her Jamaican heritage, Pottinger creates sculptural “duppies” using materials like paper pulp, pigments, and organic elements, exploring themes of transformation and the spiritual. She describes her creative process as intuitive and immersive, channeling familial narratives and folklore into her art. Pottinger’s practice challenges conventional boundaries between the living and the inanimate, inviting viewers to reflect on heritage and metaphysical connections. The interview offers a candid insight into her artistic philosophy, highlighting how personal history and spirituality shape her unique art form.
SSENSE
In her Lower Manhattan studio, Cindy Sherman continues to probe identity through her art, reflecting on how hard it can be to simply “be herself.” Over five decades, she’s transformed into countless characters—from film noir starlets to society ladies—using wigs, costumes, and subtle digital effects. Her groundbreaking “Untitled Film Stills” series (1977–80) cemented her place as a key figure in contemporary photography, blending performance with visual storytelling. Despite her success, Sherman prefers working alone, valuing the freedom it provides and avoiding the distractions that assistants can bring. Her studio is filled with wigs, costumes, and curios that fuel her process. When she’s not working, she enjoys puzzles and reading, embracing a quiet, deliberate routine. Sherman’s work remains a thoughtful exploration of selfhood, illusion, and identity’s many layers.
T MAGAZINE
Jo Ellison offers a compelling look inside Georg Jensen’s Copenhagen workshop. Founded in 1904, the iconic Danish silverware brand is undergoing a revival under creative director Paula Gerbase, appointed in 2024. Gerbase is committed to reinterpreting the brand’s rich archive—from art nouveau origins to midcentury designs—to create fresh, yet authentic collections. The workshop buzzes with apprentices and masters working together, handcrafting silver pieces that reflect the brand’s dedication to quality and innovation. Following its acquisition by Fiskars, Georg Jensen aims to strengthen its identity as Denmark’s leading luxury house. This thoughtful blend of tradition and forward-thinking design marks an exciting chapter for the storied brand.