Labour of Love Matinée Duster (Mid-length)

$129.00

At Market of Stars, we are fierce believers in art — real art — made by human hands. To us, the arts in all their beautiful, riotous forms, represent the very best of who we are, and the depth of emotion, imagination, and empathy we are capable of as human beings. It’s why we choose not to use AI art in our work. Why would we ever give away the best of who we are? Labour of Love is a heartfelt reaction against AI art, and our joyful celebration of the arts in all their marvellous and imperfect beauty. Music, literature, painting, cooking, crafting, creating — are represented here in a glorious collage of art from the past four centuries. The open book at the bottom of our design reads: anima in opere, which translates from latin as the soul in the work, or the work of the soul. The trim is a stunning and resonant quote from Rumi: “Let the beauty of what you love be what you do. There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the earth.” This is our way: to support and celebrate real artists, and make a promise to you that we will never use AI art in our pieces at Market of Stars. The beauty of what we love… will always be what we do. 

100% viscose (derived from plant fibres such as bamboo and wood). Machine wash gentle or handwash and hang to dry. Iron to finish if needed.

We take all our measurements on a garment lying flat. So the circumference would be roughly double the listed number. Approximate measurements: length 78cm, width (across back, underarm to underarm) 74cm. Model is 5’7' for reference. 

“The engineers of the future will be poets.”
- Terence McKenna

“All art requires courage.”
- Anne Tucker

"To love and to labor is the sum of living"
- Anaïs Nin

How To Wear

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This joyful piece was made for creative souls! Wear it over a cream tiered maxi dress with layers of beaded jewelry stacked beaded jewelry for a bohemian inspired vibe or play up the artsy angle with faded denim, a linen tank and a velvet tote bag for an eclectic eye-catching outfit. And don’t be afraid to embrace colour — this duster pairs perfectly with shades of olive, coral, gold, and forest green — a few of the many colours on your paint palette ;) 

Our Muse

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The creative, the old soul. Women who believe in art as a way of life, who celebrate the beautiful, messy, joyful work of being human. Women who kneel and kiss the earth. 

More Inspo

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Since I began Market of Stars in 2020, it has been my mission (and my joy!) to share, create, discuss, and celebrate the arts. I believe with my whole heart that wherever the world is headed — and however much things may change — art will always be a light that can’t be dimmed. We will keep painting pictures, writing poems, telling each other stories, and feeling deeply, just like we always have. And of course, we will keep doing something else the machines can’t… we will love one another, and dream.

xo,
Danielle

The Poem

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Devotions
after Mary Oliver

Today, climb the old wood ladder 
in your throat. 
Pick bright, wet apples
off the bough,
put them in a cloth bag
slung over your shoulder.
Walk like an orphan, finally
home, and if you can
see the front door and lighted
windows with eyes so tender.


Put music on, open a cookbook
spill cinnamon across the counter
like an offering and brush it
away with a sleeve. 
Wash your hands at the sink
for the millionth time, and if you can
feel them come together 
beneath the tap in praise. 
Think, all that flour and spice, 
ink and blood, pollen and dirt, 
the rainbows of paint you’ve rinsed 
from your fingers. 


Take the compost peelings out
and stand still, barefoot,
surrender to the rush of birdsong.
See how a spider’s web in the fence
so nimbly made
has caught nothing today
but the wind. Feel the dew 
and the gravel, your heart rooted 
in the orchard of your chest, 
the ripe pulse of its ache. 
Return to the house,
breathe in apple, warm cinnamon,
and if you can, 
know you are welcome.