(Sorry for the delay on this-I am out of town and have only rare email access and thought I’d already published this)
Wanted to spread the news that Worn Through was one of Coutorture’s Must Read’s for 12/26. Thanx to our friends at Coutorture for giving the head’s up to Worn Through and please go check out the other fashion sites they suggested alongside us.
I know I’ve apologized before for my recent lack of posts-but as any of you in academia know, December is a rough time to have any free moments to do anything. Actually that’s probably true regardless of profession, but for a student it’s nuts. Anyway, I’m on break now, back in Detroit, and will head to Vegas next week before returning to Minneapolis. I think I’ll be able to get a few posts in over this break, and I thought I’d start by searching the Costume Society of America’s events listing in an effort to find cool exhibhits you can check out over break. So here’s the list via CSA-thanx to them for the info.
“REFLECTIONS: WORK BY MICHAEL FAIRCLOTH”
Through December 21 at Fashion on Main at the University of
North Texas [Dallas], this exhibit spans more than two decades of
Faircloth’s career and showcases about 20 designs, including gowns
worn to galas, a Renaissance-inspired bridal gown and cocktail
dresses, and several dresses worn by Laura Bush.
“ART DECO AND PLASTIC JEWELRY”
Through December 30 at the World Jewelry Museum [Seoul, Korea], more
than 50 pieces of plastic ornaments and plastic-decorated fashion
items from 1870 and the mid-20th century will be on display.
“DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES: DRESSES FOR A CAUSE”
Through December 30 at the Appleton Museum of Art [Ocala, FL],
this exhibit will feature designer gowns worn by Princess
Diana and personal mementos which offer a rare glimpse into
the public and private life of one of the most beloved and
remarkable icons of the 20th century.
“THE ART OF FASHION: WHAT AMERICAN WOMEN WORE”
Through December 31 at the Ellen Noel Art Museum [Odessa, TX],
a collection of antique and vintage fashions will be on display,
including antique and vintage dressing gowns, boudoir lingerie,
and understructures from the mid 1700s through the mid 1900s.
“STYLIZED SCULPTURE: CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE FASHION FROM THE
KYOTO COSTUME INSTITUTE”
Through January 6, 2008 at the Asian Art Museum [San Francisco,
CA], this special exhibition spotlights the sculptural
essence of contemporary Japanese fashion through the works
of Rei Kawakubo, Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, and others,
with garments dating from 1983 to 2007.
“SWINGING 60s”
Through January 8, 2008 at the Costume Museum of
Canada [Winnipeg, Manitoba], nearly 48 ensembles from the era of
peace and polyester will be displayed at the museum’s new location,
featuring mostly evening wear and fancy dresses.
“FABULOUS FAKES: COSTUME JEWELRY OF KENNETH JAY LANE”
Through January 27, 2008 at the RISD Museum [Providence, RI],
this exhibit will display a glittering menagerie of animal, fruit
and seashell-inspired jewelry. Kenneth Jay Lane has designed
costume jewelry for celebrities, first ladies and style icons -
from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Audrey Hepburn to Jessica
Simpson. The exhibition primarily features pieces from 1963 -
1993.
There have been countless times I’ve had to explain what I do for a living and have received mixed reviews. Lots of people assume I design and construct clothes, I love the high fashion industry, I plan on being manager at the mall or owning my own store, I am extremely feminine, not very intellectual, don’t have to work that hard in my type of classes, and a host of other things when they compare my line of study to others in the natural or social sciences, the business world, law, medicine, etc. For every one or two people who “get it” and understand that I study the significance of linking culture, society and history with dress, there are ten people who don’t “get it” or worse, think it’s frivolous (not too say all of the above pursuits are frivolous).
Then I come across a story like Dad kills girl over head scarf dispute, and I am so upset at what I’m reading, and also at how I know people will react to a story like that.
As previously mentioned in the post before this one, I’m way tired from final exams, and really cannot articulate the way I feel about a situation like that in the article with clarity and grace. But, it reminded me of the varied research studies I’ve read about wearing headscarves and other cultural and religious dress, the opinions from within and outside of a culture on such dress, and the significance of dress as a symbol of solidarity, freedom, expression, vitality, and just about every other facet of human existence. It’s reading sensational stories over-summarized on AOL that gives me a little late-night reminder that my studies are worthwhile, as creating, developing, and maintaining an understanding of the relevance of dress is an important part of human understanding.
Maybe that sounds heady or heavy handed or even conceited, but I’m not trying to say what I do (along with so many mentors and peers) is SOOOO powerful and crucial. I’m just saying, the little area of the world we’re working on is more than just telling people when their butt looks good in a pair of jeans they’re considering buying.
I don’t have too much to write about at this time as my brain is just about to explode as I’m working on two term papers with corresponding oral presentations, as well as an extracurricular research project (see the previous post on the motorcycle jacket survey), and a few other projects I’ve got up my sleeve.
However, I hate to let Worn Through go unattended, so I thought I’d post a few of the bookmarks I keep around to hunt for jobs and scholarships as that’s always something people like to check out. Generally these links list multiple opportunities that go beyond the location listed them, i.e., they’re not just for the home location of the job or scholarship board. As this semester is coming to a close and I’m feeling too braindead to write much, I’ll try to do a few posts like this to refer you to some good sites to keep you full of great fashion, dress, and design info.
Case Western Reserve University Art and Art History Dept.
Social Science Research Council
University of Minnesota Grad School international scholarships
Springboard for the Arts-which is a Minnesota only board I think
American Association of University Women
Textile Society of America-THERE ARE A BUNCH OF GOOD JOBS UP THERE RIGHT NOW WITH DEADLINES THIS WEEK
So we’re planning a trip to Europe for next summer, probably short visit of about a week to ten days. Haven’t totally decided on the destinations, but it’s looking like Barcelona and Rome, with maybe a midway stopping point such as Lyon. So of course, any fashion tips, favorite stores, amazing hotels, can’t miss musems, and the like would be greatly appreciated. I’m starting to get it together soon and would love any fashion and design input to consider.
We’re also going to Vegas just after new years, and San Fran in the spring, so fashion and design related can’t-miss tips for those spots would be good to note as well. I’ve been to both of those places repeatedly, however, I know vibrant cities like those are always changing, and there are always off the beaten path places a visitor like me might not hear about.
If you read my previous post about plagiarism, specifically Heather Vaughan being ripped off by the Financial Times, there has been some positive outcomes–the Financial Times didn’t apologize, but, they printed a note acknowledging that the material an author seemed to be claiming as her own was in fact from Heather. (see the final paragraph). Some things are worth standing up for.
I’m involved in another research project for which I’d love your input. We’re studying the black leather jackets worn by motorcycle riders. The goal is to look at how value is assigned, how the jacket is involved with identity construction, and any functional issues.
It’s a fun project to work on and we’ve already been accepted for long-form presentation at the Pop Culture Association/American Culture Association conference next March in San Fran. At that time we’ll combine this work with previous work we’ve done on the history of black leather jackets in American culture, and the color black itself when used in apparel.
So, if you are a biker who wears a black leather jacket PLEASE participate in our survey, or pass it someone else who might participate. The previous sentance has a link to the survey, and the address is http://thisnanook.com/survey_biker/
Emily sent me a link to an interesting NY Times article about how weather pattern changes are shifting the production and marketing of apparel products. So now companies like Liz Claiborne are hiring climate experts to help them out so they don’t end up with everything at the outlet malls. As we’re covered in snow here it’s hard to see a climate change, however, we just got snow this week, and I have distinct memories as a kid of covering up my carefully constructed Halloween costumes with coats, hats, gloves, and the works.
I wanted to thank anyone who participated in my survey on men’s work dress as the responses were great and I’ve got some strong data to work with. Your rule!
Went to the craft fair No Coast Craft-O-Rama through the thick of a snowstorm only to return with an adorable poodle postcard by someone whose name I didn’t catch, and one brooch. A felt, floral brooch which I love, by a line called named Pink Sparrow. I bought a brooch by her last year of a grrrl skull and crossbones and it was very well constructed and has held up perfect through many wearings. So that’s the good news.
The sort-of bad news is that otherwise we were a little disappointed in the fair this year. There were more vendors than last year, which was cool, and everyone was friendly as a peach, but we had two complaints:
#1.) WAY too much kids stuff. For those of us without a brood, it was a bum out as there were limited other items to buy. Or at least it felt that way. Especially when it came to silk-screened and related printed goods, which only seem to appear on onesies, even though the designs would also be fabulous on adult T’s. No one says don’t make kids clothes, but it sort of felt like I was at hipster Kids R Us. Now I realize those with kids probably had a field day and the stuff was well made, looked great, and was fun to look at. But, there was so much we all (there were three of us who were kid-free) felt a little under-whelmed at the non-kid variety or moreso, over-whlemed at the amount of kid’s stuff.
#2.) A lot of the same stuff as last year and other craft fairs we’ve been to locally and elsewhere. I TOTALLY realize how time consuming it is to make things, and I TOTALLY realize people have a signature style or item. But that’s why I give props to Pink Sparrow and the few others who did things within their style, but NEW things. Therefore, we bought four pieces from her, and virtually nothing from anyone else (although my girlfriend did pick up a few more things than Harlo and I did). I love catching some of the same pieces as last year in case I wanted it and skipped it before. But, when it’s the exact same show after show it’s hard to be a repeat customer, and it seems a little uninspired.
So, that’s my rant. We all know I’m a big lover of modern craft, I buy tons of stuff, did a term paper, have been asked to write a book chapter for a pop culture book, etc., etc. But that doesn’t mean I’m without criticism at times. We came there with money in hand and trekked through a snowstorm and basically were mostly happy it was held at a fabulous global food-court style venue because we ate really well the whole time, which was the highlight.
Hoping for a better show next year and still a fan. Just wanted to put my honest thoughts out there.