From uptown to down, when Mary Jo Gordon thinks "arts community," she thinks globally. She was recently elected vice president of the board of the Fells Point Creative Alliance and runs Gallerie Francoise et ses freres in Greenspring Station. "Part of what a good art gallery does is involve the entire community with the arts," she says.
When Gordon thinks fashion, she thinks in clean simple lines, and well tailored, finely textured clothes. The chances are good that Gordon, 53, will wear her usual, simple uniform at this Sunday's "Homicide Live! 5" benefit performance and reception for the Alliance and the future Patterson Cultural Center. "I wear the same black silk Armani suit to everything," says the Owings Mills resident. To attend the benefit, which includes two stagings by Homicide's cast, call 410-481-6500. For the reception, call 410-276-1651.
What are your colors?
I'm kind of limited in my palette. I love black, as most art people do, and navy blue and other neutrals and earth tones.
Do you live by the sales?
I used to buy things on sale and all that; then I realized I should buy really good things that last for a long time. I bought a couple of Armani suits (on sale) at Nordstrom awhile back. They've become my main thing that I build my wardrobe around. They wear like iron. The fabric is so good.
How do you dress up silk suits?
For evening, I wear a body suit under it. It sounds so basic and unimaginative, but it works.
Do you stray from the tailored suit regimen?
I also like jersey-like things, by Donna Karan. And at Crafts Concepts in Greenspring, I love Eileen Fisher. Her pieces are a really good bargain and well designed.
How do you combine art and fashion?
In New York, I found a new artist named Elisa Jimenez who makes clothing as performance art. She uses stretch fabrics that she cuts and blow torches to create a lacy edge. Some of her things, synthetic leather and iridescent materials, you can tie on like a skirt. I'm planning to have her do a tableau in the garden at Greenspring Station in the summer, in memory of Vida Roberts, The Sun's late fashion editor.
Will you purchase your own Jimenez piece?
I'm buying one for my daughter-in-law, so we'll get one in the family. It has to be sewn or fitted on you, and you have to learn how to put it on. Jimenez had a show during Fashion Week in the East Village, where it's pretty gritty. She found everything for free; even the models volunteered. They like her new age spirit. She's a character, sweet and believable and energetic.
Do you ever jazz up your basic wardrobe with a wild card?
I have a sequined zebra jacket that I found at a second-hand store.
Do you have any words of wisdom about fashion?
After a certain point in your life, you can't keep acquiring. And once you feel the quality of a good thing, you want to wear it all the time. You don't even want to touch other things, they're a waste. It's easier to live that way.
Do you know any snappy dressers? Let us know. Write to Stephanie Shapiro, The Sun, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore 21278.
Pub Date: 3/04/99