Grayson Perry is ace. The other night, That's Not My Age went to see the 50-year-old artist talking about a beloved item of clothing, in conversation with Maggie Semple. GP brought along a set of leathers (pronounced setaleathers) inspired by the Cerne Abbas giant which was a present from his wife Philippa in the early eighties. A keen biker, Mr Perry provided the design work for the setaleathers and chose a blue and white colourway to match his Suzuki 250, admitting that in retrospect, this was, in fact, a terrible fashion crime.
Here's Grayson as Claire (on the left) with his wife Philippa; 'It's not an alter-ego, it's just me in a dress.'
The Turner Prize winner (2003) says that he doen't dress up if he feels obliged to, 'Doing it for publicity reasons would be abuse,'and bemoans the fact that cross-dressing has lost some of its allure now that he's started to feel like a poor man's Lady Gaga. Lovely Amanda from The Women's Room asked how getting older will affect Claire's style, 'I'm at an in-between stage at the moment but I'm quite looking forward to doing the old lady thing, not wearing make-up, like Edith Sitwell - striking woman. But I won't go down the plastic surgery route. As my wife says "Nobody every looked more intelligent after they had plastic surgery."'
Grayson Perry has an exhibition at the British Museum in October. Book early!
Do you have a treasured item of clothing?
Photos
Maggie & Grayson: Maggie Semple
Grayson in his setaleathers: Chris Scott
Grayson & Philippa: The Independent
I find it hard to take him seriously, sorry. That biker suit is hilarious. Xxxx
ReplyDeleteI have a cherished pair of cut off sweats ... can't live without them!
ReplyDeleteomg, the biker suit is insane! haha
ReplyDeletetreasured item of clothing: i have a silk sarong-style, tropical print ellen tracy skirt from the mid 80s that i can't let go of. (this was back when the label was upscale and cool.) it's a beautiful and timeless piece, though i rarely wear it.
What a conversation to eavesdrop on!
ReplyDeleteThose leathers are insane, I'd love him to pop into our bikers bar wearing those. xxx
ReplyDeleteI saw him at port Eliot last year in biker mode but not in that particular get up. he was very funny and a great speaker. my favourites piece of clothing is a fisherman's rib sweater with a cowl neck and wide sleeves that my mother in law made for me 20 years ago. I know now how much effort it must have taken her and it's the piece of clothing I go to when things aren't quite right. not very beautiful but very comforting.
ReplyDeleteVix - I think you should invite him along!
ReplyDeleteProjectforty - you're right he is a great speaker. Funny, articulate and clever. I've seen him before - last time he was in a dress.
I love Grayson Perry and the picture of him in the motorbike leathers always makes me smile. Hope you've had a good weekend xx
ReplyDelete