"It often seems to me that the night is much more alive and richly colored than the day." Van Gogh said this September 8, 1888, right before he painted his famous 'The Starry Night.' Van Gogh was fascinated with using color to portray darkness and the night sky but painting at night wasn't particularly easy to do in the late 19th century. So he relied on his memory and his imagination. "The Starry Night" was loosely based on Saint Remy and the Alpilles mountain range but the sky itself is all imagination. From MOMA, "In the open skies Van Gogh perceived formidable forces in nature capable of providing consulation amid life's daily adversities and evoking eternity." Van Gogh said "I have a tremendous need for... religion, so I go outside to paint the stars. " So it's easy to understand why his ability to finally portray what he saw in his mind's eye became truly one of the most important works of art. The Museum of Modern Art currently has an exhibit called "Van Gogh and the Colors of the Night" that explores his letters and his favorite literary works that gave him inspiration for his paintings. They also have an interesting interactive overview on the website.

Nighttime technically is the opposite of day but beyond that, nightfall does cast a bit of an interesting twist to things doesn't it? Things are a bit more exciting and mysterious because of the dark sky and shadows - and let's admit, who doesn't look good in candlelight? Much of the '40s noir genre films were shot at night - in the rain - with a siren wailing in the distance - or a single, mournful saxophone .... and the soft, eerie, drifting, silent smoke from a long cigarette..... . Anyhow, whether you're waiting on the tarmac for a plane to somewhere else or "...of all the bars she had to walk into this one, " here are a few Starry Night suggestions for your ... starry nights. Here's lookin' at you, kid.

Encrusted Collar;  Ombre Square with Coins Scarf;  High Shine Metallic Wrap; Topstitched driver gloves; Cascade Ruffle Vest