June 30th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
(Uncategorized)
The NY Times just had a fantastic article about the relationship of video games and fashion. Sometimes it just takes a well conceived piece to inspire a ton of ideas.
Sure we’ve got a ton of video games around the house that include character customization, and yeah I know people who are into MMO’s and making whole worlds of their choosing, but I hadn’t spent too much time evaluating it. Recently I my ears have perked up when I catch pieces Second Life fashion designers who are making more money, and gaining more acclaim than many aspiring FIT grads. It does reinforce the many modern notions regarding the changing landscape of design roots, expectations, and origins. The NY Times article points out all the main concepts about product placement, boys vs. girls lifestyles, marketing, reality vs. fantasy, and a few more ideas, and basically I think I’ve now found my key term paper for next semester to then take to conferences and more if possible. I’ll let you know how things develop but this is going to be an area I will do some research on…drop a line if you have knowledge about it.
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June 28th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
(Jobs, Uncategorized)
Denison Universtity, Ohio and the Detroit Institute of Arts both have curator positions open that work with textiles and decorative arts. I don’t know anything about Denison, but, I do know the DIA is a huge museum that is undergoing a complete renovation so it might be a good time to get on board there with their fresh start.
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June 28th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
(Uncategorized)
Chicago Fashion Week seems to be coming up in Spetember, and I noticed there’s an internship position listed on their site. The site is rather confusing with the “program” and “about us” pages out of whack, but, regardless of that minor issue, various midwest fashion weeks make a ton of sense as NYC and LA are certainly not the only part of the country doing interesting things.
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June 28th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
(Uncategorized)
Oprah is continuing to expand her empire as she plans on opening an Oprah-everything retail location in Chicago. I’ve really got no problem with Oprah-her show can be pretty decent at times and her generosity is legendary. I more so wonder why she felt the need to open such a store, and why the public will undoubtedly eat it up. Apparently most of the Oprah branded products are already available via her website, but it seems a retail location was needed to bring Oprah IPod covers to the masses.
People want to associate themselves with Oprah and her image I assume. I’m reminded of Vegas, with a store for every brand and concept including the Coca Cola Store, the M&M store (where admittedly I bought a Star Wars themed t-shirt), and scariest of all, the Celine Dion store.
This type of brand identity stuff really interests me as it’s beyond linking oneself to a brand of clothing that overall represents ones style, but it’s linking oneself to a product, and more so, a person. Is an Oprah t-shirt the same as a band t-shirt for the minivan crowd? Not sure. With her building schools in Africa and the all-smiles Angel network thing, perhaps it really is the same as wearing a political shirt or a your car with a witty bumper sticker. Somehow it seems so much glossier and money hungry though and I cannot pinpoint why.
While I’m quick to feel like this is seriously cheesy I have to wonder where the real differences lie. There’s a ton of research on brand identity stuff so perhaps the data is out there providing a little more insight.
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June 27th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
(Uncategorized)
Sometimes you can find coverage of academic research on culture in funny places–A recent VH1 online article discuses how British researchers have found that there are tons of gifted and talented students who are into metal. They say that those kids understand “complex and political themes,” and often turn to metal music to cope with the pressures of their extraordinary intelligence. While the VH1 article doesn’t directly talk about whether the research addresses metalheads fashions, it’s a common perception that the hard rock look is a package for a blank slate or criminal. So, this research could be an important part of breaking down or at least balancing out the stereotypes.
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June 27th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
(Uncategorized)
Designer Liz Claiborne passed away yesterday at 78. Seems like no matter your style, you either have now, or at one point did have something of one of her brands. Truthfully I didn’t even know she was still alive, as she retired from working on the lines in ‘89, and her brands are so huge that they seem larger than any one person. That in and of itself is a pretty amazing legacy.
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June 26th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
(Exhibitions, Uncategorized)
Here is a list of some exhibits featuring dress around the U.S. I pulled this from my Costume Society of America e-newsletter, although I removed the Charles James exhibit info from this list because a few days ago I wrote a specific piece about it. Peronally I would love to go to the exhibit at the Gilcrease Museum as the description on their website talks about the featured designer dressing music stars such as Johnny Cash, Elvis, R.E.M., ZZ Top, Aerosmith and more. Don’t think I’ll make it to Tulsa anytime soon though…let me know if you go!
The Phoenix Art Museum’s “Automotivated” explores the collaboration between couturiers such as Lanvin, Paquin, Schiaparelli and carmakers to create the ultimate luxury statement: the matching ensemble. Runs through Sept. 2.
¡CARNAVAL! The sounds, pageantry and revelry of pre-Lenten carnival date to the Middle Ages in cities and towns throughout Europe. Even as it evolved throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, colonists carried its traditions to North and South America. The Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh explores this world of masquerades from June 23 to January 6, 2008.
The Cincinnati Art Museum presents the exhibition, Where Would You Wear That? The Mary Baskett Collection, featuring Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons, on view through August 12.
The Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum in Lenox, MA feature “Les Petites Dames de Mode” (The Little Ladies of Fashion) through September 3. The show includes 59 miniature “fashion models,” each one a meticulously-crafted masterwork that collectively portray the history of women’s fashion from 1855 to 1914. The creation of John R. Burbidge, Senior Designer (retired) for the famed bridal house of Priscilla of Boston, this dazzling collection represents the culmination of almost 30 years of research and exacting effort.
Illustrating the evolution of women s clothing from 1870 to 1960, the “Little Black Dress: 100 Years of Elegance,” exhibit runs through December 14, 2007 at the Clinton County Historical Society of Wilmington, OH. The gowns serve as artifacts that document the changes in society, the advent of the motion picture industry, advances in technology and manufacturing, as well as times of economic hardship and prosperity. Forty-seven dresses, hats, shoes, handbags, fans and capes from the collection are featured.
“Manuel: The Star-Spangled Thank You Tour” will be on view at the Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK through July 29. Featured are performance costumes, private commissions, and 50 state jackets created by legendary western wear designer Manuel.
“Dior: The King of Couture” examines how Christian Dior revolutionized the Paris fashion industry in the period immediately following World War II and became one of the leading lights of 20th century. Drawn from Indianapolis Museum of Art’s collection and enhanced by loans from private collectors, the 20 gowns featured include two examples of Dior’s tailored “New Look” of 1947 that epitomized his sculptural silhouettes. The exhibition closes December 2, 2007.
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June 26th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
(Uncategorized)
Last night I watched the 2006 documentary Paper Dolls which is available on Netflix. It’s the story of Filipino transsexuals in Israel working as caregivers to Orthodox Jewish elderly by day, and nightclub performers by night. As a documentary I’d give it a so-so rating in terms of pacing and keeping interest, but, for dress and culture enthusiasts it’s very good as you get to see the behind the scenes of both cultures.
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June 25th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
(Uncategorized)
Cameron Diaz is the latest celebrity, brand, or retailer to get a ton of bad press based on ignorant fashion choices. If you haven’t seen the surprising amount of coverage this is getting, the short story is: She was in Peru carrying a handbag featuring a Maoist slogan that is offensive to Peruvians. She has since apologized after an uproar.
This has happened repeatedly in recent years with examples such as: Target under fire (if I remember correctly) for using religious iconography that people thought was belittled on ringer T’s in the clearance bin, Gautier’s famous Orthodox Jews fashion show of years back, and the sort of hilarious/sort of tragic complaints from people whose tattoos don’t actually say “love” in Chinese. In the age of fast fashion and endless branding and in-the-know imagery on handbags, t-shirt and then some, it can be hard to keep up with what it appropriate and what is highly offensive. Moreso, it’s very important to try to keep up with what the image you’re putting on really means.
Admittedly I have a great tank top with a Vespa on it that I just had to have, and when the saleswoman told me the Chinese characters over the scooter said “full force” I was sold. But truthfully they could say “poser” or “drug addict” and I wouldn’t even know-hell-I don’t even know if it’s actually Chinese-and I pride myself on my full time career studying dress.
Anyway Diaz’s ridiculous and preventable mistake is sort of a throwaway media tidbit on a slow news day, but, it could be taken as more important as it wakes people up to be more aware of their apparel choices and the true implications/ramifications.
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June 25th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
(Uncategorized)
Evelyn Welch Livingstone Grant is due July 15. It is via Costume Society of America and is for a CSA member who is “undertaking research that furthers understanding of the history of fashion industry and/or fashion journalism in the United States.”
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