By Monica Sklar,
July 16th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
(Uncategorized)
A while back we somehow came upon this really interesting photo project that you should check out. It’s called Exactitudes which is a contraction of exact and attitude, and features the work of Rotterdam-based photographer Ari Versluis and stylist Ellie Uyttenbroek.
Their website says. “Inspired by a shared interest in the striking dress codes of various social groups, they have systematically documented numerous identities over the last 13 years.” While much of their work takes place in Rotterdam they have also documented styles from many global locations.
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By Monica Sklar,
July 9th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
(Uncategorized)
The Cameron Art Museum in North Carolina is having an exhibit entitled Between Taste and Travesty: Costume Designs by William Ivey Long. He’s put together the thrilling and fun-tastic costumes from over 50 Broadway productions including Hairspray among many others. This is another exhibit I don’t think I’ll get to and I am soooo bummed-These over-the-top creations are for sure a magical eyeful.
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By Monica Sklar,
July 5th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
(Uncategorized)
I typically post a few times a day Mon-Thurs, but next week I will be out of town in New Mexico and western Texas on vacation. While there I’m checking out the O’Keefe museum in Santa Fe as well as a beautiful resort spa that had greet weekday deals, we’ll see the Cadillac Ranch outside Amarillo, enjoy the college vibe of Albuquerque, eat well in El Paso, and last but of course not least, attend the 60th anniversary celebration of the alien (?) landing in Roswell. There’s a parade and costume contest so I’m sure I’ll have great pictures to post.
If you know of can’t miss spots in any of those locations drop a line via email or comments as I’ll be checking from the road. I’ll try to post or have a guest editor next week, and if not we’ll continue after July 16.
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By Monica Sklar,
July 5th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
(Conferences and Calls for Papers, Uncategorized)
The 1st Wearable Technologies congress “Where fashion meets technology” is happening July 9 in Munich. I’m a big fan of smart textiles, as it was the subject of my master’s thesis. I studied consumer demand for smart textiles in apparel, looking at what products have high demand and to which demographic. Here is a link to my research.
One major thing I found was that consumers just aren’t as interested in the complex, aesthetically challenged, wire-filled prototypes MIT keeps dreaming up, but instead want things that help them do less laundry, wear less bulky or slimy protective gear and creams (SPF etc), and overall makes their lives simpler. Yeah, yeah, I understand wearable electronics are all the rage in the development arena, but there’s something to the fact people are perfectly willing to put their IPOD in their pocket, and would rather have the focus be on thermal comfort and medication that self-administers. (Although, those Nike running shoes with the advanced options via your IPOD seem to have struck a chord with consumers).
While I no longer actively study this firsthand, I am on my university’s committee to create a product design degree, and it’s fascinating to discuss what we need to teach and who is qualified to teach it because it comes down to what do students need to learn based on what products do people really need and want. Something so basic is also vastly complicated and there are no right answers. So, I’m pleased to let you know about a fashion/tech congress, even if I sometimes think the exact direction research goes can be misguided, because in general I’m a huge fan of the merging of available technology and design.
The smart textiles blog I used to read doesn’t seem to be around anymore so if you know of a good one please post it in comments.
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By Monica Sklar,
July 5th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
(Uncategorized)
Lately I’ve been checking out articles, blogs, stores, and passersby who are into the limited edition, specialty sneaker market. There are many compelling components of this trend, if you can call it that, since ‘staying power’ is somewhat built into the equation with the collecting priority. It’s emerged of street and pop cultures including a blend of aesthetics from hip hop and Asian influences, among others, with inside-reference knowledge a key to picking the right pair.
I’ve thought about researching this for a term paper, but it’s really more of a master’s or dissertation work as there are so many facets such as individuality vs. adopting brand identities, global and cross cultural fashion development, luxury/collectible product positioning, the apparent male dominance of this fashion arena, and a slew of other concepts. Another challenge in doing thorough research is the geographic diversity of the active participants. But, it would definitely be a fun study to undertake and highly valuable as the old channels for brand and product development are drastically changing.
There are some decent books and blogs out there chronicling the daily changes in the sneaker market-I check out<a href=”http://www.hypebeast.com/”> Hype Beast</a> all the time as they have constant updates on the latest multi-colored, revival line, historical referencing kicks. While I’m not a huge sneaker person myself, I couldn’t resist a pair of black, extra eyelet John Varvatos Converse last year, and am now intrigued by the (somewhat over-stylized) Ramones and (Product) Red Converse Chucks coming out this Fall. But, if you don’t want to spend a ton of time and money you can always just watch Entourage and listen to Turtle’s constant quest for the perfect pair.
By Monica Sklar,
July 3rd, 2007 at 3:47 pm
(Uncategorized)
Harlo pointed me toward a recent photo spread in the NY Times featuring chefs with food related tattoos. Not much to say at the moment-just a fun treat to look at.
Although, I’d love to see more theme tattoo or body art photo spreads if anyone knows of them pass them along.
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By Monica Sklar,
July 3rd, 2007 at 3:40 pm
(Uncategorized)
In related craft fair news, July 7-8 there’s the Milwaukee Art vs. Craft fair which should be a good time. Check it out. I’ll be in New Mexico so I won’t be there…I will however post some photos from Roswell’s 60th Anniversary celebration….more to come.
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By Monica Sklar,
July 3rd, 2007 at 9:43 am
(Uncategorized)
An notice that Maker Faire Austin ’07 is acccepting entries through August 15. The Austin Faire is Oct. 20 & 21, 2007 at the Travis County Fairgrounds. They’ve also annouced the Bay Area ’08 Faire as May 3 & 4 at the San Mateo Fairgrounds. Wish I could be there!
While I rarely craft, I am am avid fan and buyer of indie crafts and as previously mentioned recently did a term paper on the modern craft movement. I’ll be presenting that work at the Midwest Pop/American Culture Association conference in October in Kansas City.
Get crafty!
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By Monica Sklar,
July 2nd, 2007 at 4:02 pm
(Uncategorized)
Word all over the design-crowd blogosphere is that Ms. High Fashion herself, Miuccia Prada, is designing the costumes for the anime feature Appleseed: Ex Machina. In general I’ve been reading positive comments about this artistic and branding collaboration, and it makes me wonder what are the factors that can sway people toward or away from these linkages.
They’re everywhere these days as mainstream retailers are practically fighting over which designers will lend their name and style to the typically average brands. The increase in these temporary mergers is complex as seemingly hot pairings tank while surprising teams have lines around the block.
Is it an increase in design quality as they bring out the best in one another? Is it affordability as high-end design becomes more accessible? Is it perfect timing as the right up and coming media outlet or design team revives something that has become a bit tired?
What was it about the L.A.M.B. Le Sportsac bags that made a new generation anxious for cheap nylon totes, while the Madonna H&M line didn’t move? And then there are ideas like (Product) Red, cross-branding with practically everyone and everything in an effort to bring attention to social issues. Will we buy anything if it makes us feel “involved?” I’d love to get more info about what is really working to get people excited, and why. Seems like this whole concept is a market/academic researchers field day as they figure out exactly the right blend-but-at times it appears that no advance thought went into the combos as they appear bland, exploitive, or uninspired. Regardless, the Prada/Anime combo is on fire as a fun style explosion.
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By Monica Sklar,
July 2nd, 2007 at 4:02 pm
(Uncategorized)
The National Geographic series Tribal Secrets has a fascinating episode that has been airing this month about The Wodaabe people of Niger, Africa. The Wodaabe have a celebration after the rainy season, called the Geerewol, in which men participate in charm, beauty, and dance competitions judged by women in an effort to make romantic connections.
Here is the National Geographic description, “Imagine a male beauty pageant that is judged by women. That is what happens in a nomadic tribe called The Wodaabe. Now, NGC takes viewers to the fringes of the Sahara desert in West Africa to show us the lives of these cattle herders. Insulated from modern society, they have maintained their ancient way of life for thousands of years. Witness their day-to-day activities that revolve around an ancient belief system of chivalry as we follow 2 young husbands in their preparation for this pageant.”
Apparently there is a documentary out there in the anthro scene (which I have not seen) called Strange Relations featuring the Wodaabe’s dress and social concepts. One blog I read addressed with disdain, and lack of enthusiasm, the fact that anthropologists frequently study groups like the Wodaabe as a means to understand dress, gender and marriage. They seemed to feel it’s exploitive. But, I tend to disagree, as long as the study is in good taste, makes every effort for thorough understanding, and provides new insight. I particularly find value in outlets like National Geographic as they break down academic elitism by bringing insight into people foreign to oneself to late night cable TV. Check it out as well as the other episodes in the Tribal Secrets series.
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