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Showing posts with label fashion design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fashion design. Show all posts
Friday, December 3, 2010
This has been a Balenciaga + Spain week...
I visited the Balenciaga exhibit at the Queen Sophia Spanish Institute at 684 Park Avenue on Tuesday (on through Feb 19 so don't miss it)
Three floors of exquisite examples of the maitre/master of couture..
Plus designer sketches and catwalk videos. Here drawings by Rene Gruau.
Everywhere evidence of Balenciaga's Spanish background, as an altar boy at the Church of San Sabastien...
Plus influence of the great Spanish painters like Zuniga...
Picasso, Goya and of course Velasquez.*Note the infanta's multi satin bows!
Bows are everywhere on Balenciaga's creations...
Bows both fore and aft...
The bow acts as a feminine touch to soften a simple, austere gown like this one covered in red carnations, the national flower of Spain.
Deep red gypsy roses show up on Balenciaga's amusing hats..."Wit was on the head, where it should be."
The bullring was a favorite inspiration source, though Balenciaga did not like to attend the slaughter. But 'the suit of lights', the tiny hats, the rituals fascinated him, and French women were delighted to follow where ever he led them.
"A ruffle must be intelligent," he told his protege, Givenchy. 
The flavor of Joquin Sorolla's flamenco dancers is evident in richly embroidered mantilla dresses...
Last night at FIT, Vogue European editor, Hamish Bowles gave a lecture on the exhibit he helped curate and his new book on Balenciaga & Spain, coming out March '11
Seen side by side, the Spanish source of inspiration + the unique creations endlessly amazed.
Do go to the exhibit and immerse yourself in an elegant world long gone...
"Working sometimes on the cut of a sleeve, he would neglect all else and go without food or sleep for days and nights." said Gloria Guinness, couture client.
Inspired me to get out my paintbox...
The bullring was a favorite inspiration source, though Balenciaga did not like to attend the slaughter. But 'the suit of lights', the tiny hats, the rituals fascinated him, and French women were delighted to follow where ever he led them.
"A ruffle must be intelligent," he told his protege, Givenchy. Certainly Audrey benefited from Balenciaga's tuteladge to her chosen designer...
The flavor of Joquin Sorolla's flamenco dancers is evident in richly embroidered mantilla dresses...
Last night at FIT, Vogue European editor, Hamish Bowles gave a lecture on the exhibit he helped curate and his new book on Balenciaga & Spain, coming out March '11
Seen side by side, the Spanish source of inspiration + the unique creations endlessly amazed.
Do go to the exhibit and immerse yourself in an elegant world long gone...
"Working sometimes on the cut of a sleeve, he would neglect all else and go without food or sleep for days and nights." said Gloria Guinness, couture client.BRAVO BALENCIAGA!
Friday, April 23, 2010
My mother's clothes were filled with magic. I loved watching her dress for a party. I loved exploring her closet when she was out. Her clothes were the gateway to the mysterious world of adults.
When I discovered Jeannette Montgomery Barron's book on her mother's clothes in Paris...
First at elegant Galignani...
Then at the musee des arts decoratifs I was captivated...
Her mother's fashion notes...
Reminded me of my own mother's design school sketches. And my mother's ever present dreams of becoming a fashion designer. There were many parallels, like Jeannette's mother's obsession with fashion. While her mother bought the best - Bill Blass, Norman Norrell, Yves Saint Laurent, my mother only dreamed of those names. Together we sleuthed the best shops to examine and plot, so my mother could go home and sew up her own versions. Like Jeanette's push/pull tug of war with her mother, I too did not want to be fashionable as an adolecent. I did NOT want to become a fashion designer. No way! So many memories surfaced while paging through Jeannette's book that I had to get in touch with her. We started emailing...
Last night I went to her book party...
At Kate Spade on 454 Broome street.
The champagne was flowing...
People were lining up...
To get their books signed...
And signed
There was hardly a moment to say hello. And say "Thank you" for reconnecting me with memories of my mother...
Jeannette has photographed many artists - Francesco Clemente, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat. No wonder the pictures of her mother's clothes are like paintings. Her work will be in the Staley-Wise gallery.
As I was sleuthing around shooting, Jeannette recognized me from my blog photo with the giant red goggles! I've lost my anonymity but it was a delight to meet her.
Kate Spade is the perfect home for Jeannette's very beautiful book.
My Mother's Clothes, works as the perfect accessory to carry under you arm.
Leaving the shop, I noticed the sign...
Jeannette has photographed many artists - Francesco Clemente, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat. No wonder the pictures of her mother's clothes are like paintings. Her work will be in the Staley-Wise gallery.
As I was sleuthing around shooting, Jeannette recognized me from my blog photo with the giant red goggles! I've lost my anonymity but it was a delight to meet her.
Kate Spade is the perfect home for Jeannette's very beautiful book. My Mother's Clothes, works as the perfect accessory to carry under you arm.
Leaving the shop, I noticed the sign...WE LOVE OUR MOMS
Ain't that the truth.
There's so much I haven't told you about Jeannette's book...
But her video says it all.
MERCI JEANNETTE!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
It's that time of year...
Breaking out the Champagne. And where does the good stuff comes from - France bien sur. But how come?
And how come cafes are the most authentic in France? Nowhere else does the cafe experience even come close...
Did you know the first silverware came from France?
The perfume industry - no mystery = France.
Meringues - we have Louis XIV to thank. Mirrors too. In fact most everything that attracts us to France and French ways came about and was instituted during Louis XVI's reign. 
The legions of expert craftsmen creating the finest of furniture. The finest of just about everything deluxe that we adore and covet got it's start during this era...
And how come cafes are the most authentic in France? Nowhere else does the cafe experience even come close...
Did you know the first silverware came from France? The perfume industry - no mystery = France. Meringues - we have Louis XIV to thank. Mirrors too. In fact most everything that attracts us to France and French ways came about and was instituted during Louis XVI's reign. The legions of expert craftsmen creating the finest of furniture. The finest of just about everything deluxe that we adore and covet got it's start during this era...
Joan DeJean's book, The Essence of Style tells the story in detail with wit and dash. Subtitled; How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafes, Style, Sophistication and Glamour.Why is it that people all over the world share the conviction that a special occasion only becomes really special when a champagne cork pops -- and even more special when that cork comes from a bottle of Dom Perignon? Why are diamonds the status symbol gemstone, instantly signifying wealth, power, and even emotional commitment? What makes fashionistas willing to pay a small fortune for a particular designer accessory like the luxe bag.
DeJean explains how a handsome and charismatic young king with a great sense of style and an even greater sense of history decided to make both himself and his country legendary. When the reign of Louis XIV began, his nation had no particular association with elegance, yet by its end, the French had become accepted all over the world as the arbiters in matters of taste and style and had established a dominance in the luxury trade that continues to this day.The birth of haute cuisine, the first appearance of celebrity hairdressers, chic cafes, nightlife, and fashion in elegant dress that extended well beyond the limited confines of court circles. Paris was the magical center -- the destination of travelers all across Europe. 
Who knew the parapluie (umbrella) was created by the French?
Fashion? The French. They have every right to be arrogant - their street cred goes back centuries.
Shoes oui! The j'e ne sais quoi, the certain indefinable something or other they have and that we want so - it's all explained and it's origins are mapped out here.
DeJean's latest, The Age of Comfort, takes the French story further into our homes and not so luxe quotidian activities.
I'm still searching for the origins of French jam. I'm sure it lurks within the confines of one or the other book...
BONJOUR ESSENCE OF STYLE!
Who knew the parapluie (umbrella) was created by the French?Fashion? The French. They have every right to be arrogant - their street cred goes back centuries. Shoes oui! The j'e ne sais quoi, the certain indefinable something or other they have and that we want so - it's all explained and it's origins are mapped out here.DeJean's latest, The Age of Comfort, takes the French story further into our homes and not so luxe quotidian activities. DeJean is professor of romance Languages at University of Pennsylvania. Here's a NYTimes review of Essence. You can hear Joan chat on NPR.
I'm still searching for the origins of French jam. I'm sure it lurks within the confines of one or the other book...BONJOUR ESSENCE OF STYLE!
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