July 31st, 2008 at 3:05 pm
(Uncategorized)
This week I co-hosted a successful clothing swap with my book club gals in honor of my July selection, Eccentric Glamour by Simon Doonan. Today I popped in to the Goldstein to work with a friend on a project, and she was already wearing one of her swap finds (one of my old shirts actually) expertly re-configured into a sleek workplace ensemble in a way I had never thought to wear the somewhat mundane brown polo. Anyway, no sooner do I get home from visiting her and relishing the joys of this week’s swap, to find that the Huffington Post has linked to Worn Through as a reference regarding the history of clothing swaps.
We at WT are really excited for the timely reference from such a significant media outlet, and the reference is now being bounced around the web as people chat about how 1960s former supermodel Twiggy is starting her 3-part TV series on swaps, and of course, how clothing swaps are a great way to refresh your closet when financial times are tough.
So props to Heather for writing a thorough piece that got big notice and I’m going right now to look through the bag of swapped clothes I scored to pick something to wear tomorrow as I’m feeling very inspired.
-Monica
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July 31st, 2008 at 5:00 am
(Uncategorized)
At the end of last summer Harlo bought a sailboat, but it was nearing Minnesota’s chilly Fall, so basically we just cleaned it up and bought supplies. This summer however has been all about boating, as we’ve taken group and private lessons, and have mastered wine and cheese entertaining while navigating the high seas of the small lake we keep it on. It’s been a real blast, as I love the water but have never sailed before, so I needed to buy appropriate clothes which has made me keenly aware of sailing fashions.
I’ve received compliments on my lavender life vest with butterfly illustrations and the women who are our guests seem to love the black and hot pink life vest I scored for them. The men aboard appreciate the military inspired life vest for them as well. Gone are the days of over-the-head-neon-orange-raft-type thing that people have worn in the past.
The first picture is shortly after the boat purchase and featured my Paul Frank fabulous sail bag. The second picture is more recent and you can get a glimpse of my awesome lavender life vest.
But, my emphasis on style has also been a flaw as the cute waterproof sandals I bought we not nearly well-fitting enough and quickly one of them fell off my foot and into the lake on and early excursion. So, I went ahead and picked up the KEEN’s that everyone wears, which are a little like hiking flippers but are truly the absolute best for sailing. (Although I moderately regret getting the neon blue as it goes with absolutely nothing, but, they were on sale at Nordstrom Rack so it was another sail-fashion score).
My most recent sailing fashion purchase was an adorable little anchor silver charm necklace which I got at Mystic Seaport in CT. I’d love to say I’m constantly in fabulous 60’s inspired yachting attire, but generally, that stuff is mostly for not actually on the boat, and while sailing it’s generally tanks and variations on cargo capris. And lots and lots of sunscreen.
So below I thought I’d give you some images and links of sailing fashion items I’d noted lately as there are some fun and interesting things happening in that market.
A man in Port Huron, Michigan is taking old sails and making clothes, totebags and more. His company is called Vintage Sailcloth Solutions.
Martha Stewart and co. have even gotten on board when in her Blueprint magazine recommended giving flight bags as gifts that are made by Wm. J. Mills sailmakers, who’ve been in business since 1880. The bags are water resistant marine canvas. Sail Brooklyn discusses it on their website.
If you’re looking for some academic content, you can check out an article co-written by Elizabeth Bye, University of MInnesota (my school) who authored: Sailing Apparel for Women: A Design Development Case Study. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 2005.
Finally, Puma has gotten into sailing as well with their new racing boat and line of pretty cool looking sailing attire and accessories.
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July 30th, 2008 at 5:00 am
(Exhibitions, Uncategorized)
(Sonia Rykiel by Andy Warhol 1986, © Andy Warhol Foundation/Corbis)
For those who might be planning to visit France in the near future, here are two exhibits at Les Arts Décoratifs:
EXHIBITION
Sonia Rykiel. Exhibition
20 November 2008 - 19 April 2009
This first retrospective of the couturière’s work, marking the 40th anniversary of her fashion house, is composed of clothes, fashion photographs (Sarah Moon, Isserman) and fashion show videos. If Sonia Rykiel’s designs have withstood the test of time so well, this is because it they embraced their era so completely… Sonia Rykiel is a pioneer: using figure-hugging black fabrics in the late 60s, exposing the insides and unfinished hems of her garments, and even daring to use materials such as sponge…
Mini-sweater by Sonia Rykiel (1973) © Bettmann/CORBIS
EXHIBITION
Madeleine Vionnet (1876-1975)
18 June 2009 - 24 January 2010
Les Arts Décoratifs is devoting a major exhibition to Madeleine Vionnet. In 1952, the couturière donated 22 dresses, 750 dress patterns and 75 photo albums to Les Arts Décoratifs. Selected from her major works between 1912 and 1939 and now restored with the aid of Natixis, this exceptional collection of avant-garde designs can at last be shown to the public. Madeleine Vionnet’s entire career was marked by her constant quest for freedom in extremely refined but unfettered designs close to antique drapery, which continue to fascinate couturiers such as Azzedine Alaia, Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto and John Galliano.
Model in Goddess dress by Vionnet, George Hoyningen-Huene (photographer), c.1931, © Condé Nast Archive/CORBIS.
Until Next Time,
Heather
www.fashionhistorian.net
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July 29th, 2008 at 5:00 am
(Jobs, Uncategorized)
The Textile Museum in Washington DC is looking for a Curator of Education. The person in this role would develop educational materials (for in-person and online), supervise staff, as well as handle budget responsibilities. There is a lot more specific info on the position and the application procedure if you follow the links.
Click here for more details or email here.
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July 29th, 2008 at 5:00 am
(Jobs, Uncategorized)
Here is another position that is arts based but might appeal to people in dressand textile studies.
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in NYC is seeking an Associate Registrar for Collection Exhibitions. Reporting to the Director of Registration and Art Services, the Associate Registrar for Collection Exhibitions is responsible for organizing and supervising the assembly, dispersal and transfer of collection exhibitions presented at the Guggenheim Museum, its global affiliates and outside venues.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Coordinate with the museum’s curators, conservators, and art handlers, as well as commercial fine arts packers and shippers to ensure the safe packing, transport and installation of all works in the museum’s permanent collection.
* Liaise with staff at SRGM affiliates to ensure that collection works are safely shipped, handled, and installed at all venues.
* Manage the organization of exhibitions in TMS (The Museum System) database, and participate in TMS and other collection-related working groups.
* Develop and manage shipping budgets in tandem with the museum’s exhibition management team, track expenses and process related invoices.
* Travel as a courier with exhibition and outgoing loan shipments, and make courier arrangements for other exhibition team members as necessary.
* Supervise temporary project staff in organizing the shipping, packing and condition-checking works for exhibitions at the NY museum.
* Prepare condition reports, receipts, releases, wall lists and other paperwork, as necessary.
* Oversee and supervise the documentation and archiving of collection exhibitions.
* Attend staff department meetings, as well as project related implementation meetings.
* Other duties, as assigned.
Qualified applicants please send your resume and cover letter, including salary expectations, to this email address. Indicate the job title “Associate Registrar for Collection Inventory” in the subject line.
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July 28th, 2008 at 5:20 am
(Conferences and Calls for Papers, Uncategorized)
There’s an international conference in New Delhi, India being held November 28-29, 2008 entitled: Sustainability of the Fashion Industry Chain: Crop to Shop. Abstracts are being accepted through August 15.
Abstracts for papers are invited for the following themes:
* Design interventions and Sustainability
* Fashion Materials and Sustainability
* Sustainable production processes, technologies and ethical issues
* Sustainable consumption and retail
* Policy and Environment
Click here for the conference website with submission details.
The photo is of last week’s winning design on Project Runway, by Suede. The challenge was to create a cocktail dress of environmentally responsible textiles.
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July 28th, 2008 at 5:00 am
(Conferences and Calls for Papers, Uncategorized)
My friends Rebecca and Trish from here in the Twin Cities, of the store Crafty Planet, are putting together a new book entitled 101 One-Yard Wonders and are looking for submissions by August 31, 2008.
They said: “With this book, we are setting out to fill a need that so many of us have: what to do with that single yard of special, coveted fabric you bought on impulse.”
So if you’ve got ideas that would be perfect for the book they’d love to include you!
Click here to learn more about the submission process.
You can email them with questions here.
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July 28th, 2008 at 5:00 am
(Conferences and Calls for Papers, Uncategorized)
The annual joint conference of the Pop Culture Association/American Culture Association will be held April 8-11, 2009 in Louisiana. The Fashion, Appearance, and Identity section has a call for submissions out and they’re accepting papers related to history, marketing, aesthetics, and other topics which would fall under their umbrella. You can check out the specific call for papers here or go to the general PCA/ACA conference site here. Or, you can email here.
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July 25th, 2008 at 5:00 am
(Uncategorized)
Newsweek featured an article about the policies in Flint, Michigan for the police to start arresting people whose pants sag in a way that represents “immoral self-expression.” Depending on whether the person was wearing underwear the sagger can be punished with 93 days to a year in jail and up to $500.
July’s Italian Vogue features only black models in an effort to address the issue of low visibility of black models in the fashion industry. It’s so bad that Diane von Furstenburg, head of the Council of Fashion Designers of America actually sent out an email before fashion week reminding participants to be “mindful of diversity.” Jezebel has many of the pictures on their site.
Hadassah Magazine for June/July discussed the growing fashion industry in Tel Aviv and the increase in designers and boutiques which are beginning to have an international influence.
The NY Times had a recent article about Jews with tattoos and the urban legend that they are breaking Jewish laws and won’t be able to be buried in a Jewish cemetary. The article features quotes from Andy Abrams whose documentary Tattoo Jew which he spent five years working on. (Note-I spoke with Andy a few years about doing an art exhibit of still from the film as well as showing it at the gallery I worked at and he was a real peach. However, the idea was quickly shot down by my board and the management of my institution as the gallery was part of a JCC and those individuals in charge believed the urban legend and didn’t really like anything that strayed too far from the ‘norm’ in any manner-Monica).
This one is a little late but…May’s Esquire Magazine had a light-hearted piece that albeit brief had some interesting thoughts on the lack of attention being placed on current musicians physical appearance. (Long ago I wrote my Bachelor’s capstone thesis about the effect of female music performers’ appearance on their career success and if I were to revisit the topic in the IPod era I’m sure a selection of my conclusions would have changed-Monica).
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July 24th, 2008 at 5:00 am
(Jobs, Uncategorized)
The Textile Museum of Canada (Toronto) is looking for a full time Textile Cataloguer to start this September (Application Deadline: August 1, 2008, 5:00 pm).
Job Description:
The qualified candidate will play an integral role on the Museum’s curatorial department team cataloguing textile artifacts from the permanent collection in support of an exciting, large-scale online programming initiative called In Touch: Connecting Cloth, Culture + Art. Like all Museum staff, the Textile Cataloguer works to further the goals and objectives of the Museum. All staff are expected to behave in a respectful, accountable, and generous manner towards other staff, volunteers, and the general public.
Qualifications:
Applicants must have a post-secondary degree in a textile-related field and knowledge of traditional textiles. The textiles to be catalogued are from East Asia, South East Asia, Europe (including lace) and North America. (Applicants familiar with one or more areas are welcome to apply). Applicants should be familiar with thesaurus driven collection databases and museum classification systems and have artifact handling experience. Computer skills: experience with MS Office (Word, Excel), Web browsing and email are required; familiarity with MIMSY, Adobe Photoshop and HTML would be considered assets. Attention to detail and accuracy in recording information, and an ability to handle a high volume of work and meet project deadlines is required. Bilingualism (French and English) is an asset.
To Apply:
If you are interested, please submit an application addressed to Textile Cataloguer Search using email, fax 416-599-2911, or mail to: Textile Museum of Canada, 55 Centre Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2H5
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