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Sunday, June 18, 2023
Fig Leaf Strong Men
Early 20th C. strong men in fig leaves are on the agenda for today.
We begin with the immortal Eugen Sandow and his gladiator sandals.
I just LOVE those gladiator sandals. They were often made of goat skin, which is very soft and malleable. They would have performed like a second, breathable skin. We now clonk about in polyester top, compound soled monstrosities. I had to pay a near fortune for my last pair of gym shoes - a while back, now - which were by Le Coq Sportif and were all leather, like my spiked running shoes. Polyester is not progress.
I'll never forget standing on queue outside a London night club a couple of decades ago and seeing a sign near the front door that said "No Trainers." I asked the burly doorman/bouncer what it meant, and he giggled like a schoolgirl and explained it was part of the dress code.
One of the saddest sights I ever saw was a man wearing a built up, orthopaedic shoe because he had one leg shorter than the other. The problem was that the shoes were the ubiquitous "trainer" - as if the poor man could have run at all.
Excellent. Shall I start the "But how is the leaf fastened?" From the apparent point of hang, could be wig glue on his bush? I really must get a pair of gladiator sandals.
I once tried a fig leaf like this as an experiment for a photographer. Used double-sided tape. Not a success. Best results from green cloth as leaf cut out, with invisible thread to draw in the sides of the leaf. I will search for the sandals, they'd make a great prop.
I just LOVE those gladiator sandals. They were often made of goat skin, which is very soft and malleable. They would have performed like a second, breathable skin. We now clonk about in polyester top, compound soled monstrosities. I had to pay a near fortune for my last pair of gym shoes - a while back, now - which were by Le Coq Sportif and were all leather, like my spiked running shoes. Polyester is not progress.
ReplyDeleteI'll never forget standing on queue outside a London night club a couple of decades ago and seeing a sign near the front door that said "No Trainers." I asked the burly doorman/bouncer what it meant, and he giggled like a schoolgirl and explained it was part of the dress code.
DeleteOne of the saddest sights I ever saw was a man wearing a built up, orthopaedic shoe because he had one leg shorter than the other. The problem was that the shoes were the ubiquitous "trainer" - as if the poor man could have run at all.
DeleteExcellent. Shall I start the "But how is the leaf fastened?" From the apparent point of hang, could be wig glue on his bush? I really must get a pair of gladiator sandals.
ReplyDeleteI'd go with glue or a hairpin glued to the back of the leaf. And you'd look great in those sandals. Try eBay.
DeleteI once tried a fig leaf like this as an experiment for a photographer. Used double-sided tape. Not a success. Best results from green cloth as leaf cut out, with invisible thread to draw in the sides of the leaf. I will search for the sandals, they'd make a great prop.
Delete