Paul and Joe vs Diane Von Furstenberg- western

Topic 8.1: Discuss the Different Themes Recurrent in Fashion:  In this module I would like you pick one of the themes covered in the module and find recent collections from designers that follow that theme/look. You should find the work of at least two different designers for the chosen theme. Discuss the similarities, differences and any other interesting points that you might observe in their interpretation of the particular theme/look.

  Paul and Joe vs Diane Von Furstenberg- western

Neither of these design houses are particularly known for their western influences, but I noticed a few south western flavors weaving throughout the pas several seasons. Both houses are also influenced by other fashion concepts, (boho, preppy, etc) but I wanted to focus on the western, because I was pondering this recently. I personally don't see a big influence of western fashion in the urban environment of Richmond, but I was just at a party outside of town this weekend and everyone was wearing cowboy boots and hats. It's so interesting that the fashion is so different in such a geographically close proximity.
Both of these fashion houses mix the western in thoroughly, either by mixing western prints with modern cuts, or traditional cuts, dusters, vests, boot cut pants, a little Annie Oakley, a little bar wench, with elegant fabrics, or in some way mixing up the tex mex flavor so it doesn't read as a costume to wear to the dude ranch, but rather just a hint of caliente that evokes the wild, wild west.

Paul and Joe:
spring 2010

spring 2011

fall 2011


Diane von Furstenberg:
spring 2010

Fall 2010

spring 2011

fall 2011


 

7.1 mood board, color, and fabric stories

great.

7.2 flats

I really enjoyed this. I think there is a lot of fodder here for future work for me. It reminds me of some callograph prints I did in mixed media a few semesters ago.

I really like these - you are right - you have something here - I actually like them more then your figure illustrations. good job

I know my lines aren't the straightest, technical drawing isn't really my thing, but i like to attempt it for the looking and thinking purposes. I like the evidence of my hand in my work.I think I'd like to work a little larger on these than the template. This size is good for the task at hand, but I'd like the detail have a little more space. the scale of the pencil line to the drawn garment is not remotely that of a stitch to an actual garment. Do you know any fashion illustrators who do fashion illustrations or drawings to scale? I think that sound interesting.

 

 Good attempt. Yea try to make your lines more straight and consistent and transfer them to a final clean page after tracing.
Always post images of actual garments next to it.

This is much better.

week 7 discussion

Topic 7.1: Discuss the Themes covered in this module: In this module I would like you pick one of the themes covered in the module and find recent collections from designers that follow that theme/look. You should find the work of at least two different designers for the chosen theme. Discuss the similarities, differences and any other interesting points that you might observe in their interpretation of the particular theme/look.

I loved Burberry's fresh, whimsical takes on looks they've made classic.

On the other hand I hated what Costa did with Calvin Klein's classic style. One bad look after another, poor cuts, horrible fabric choices, awkward proportions, 3 words..."straight to Ross."


One of the more interesting and conceptual collections I've seen this season, Comme des Garçons is bending gender, mixing formal wear and lingerie (to the extreme), and gives a whole new meaning to making and outfit out of the dirty clothes pile. The collection really flirts with boundaries and pushes outward in a positive way.


OK I honestly don't know how to feel about Givenchy, pansies, pussies, and pinups? How serious am I supposed to  take this? If it was Betsey Johnson I wouldn't give it a second look, but because it's Givenchy I give a little liberty for the psychological aspect of it. It's humorous but there's nothing whimsical or light about it. It's a dark comedy full of sex and wit, but it makes the viewer a little uncomfortable because it doesn't quite make sense. I mean the kitty bobby hat is so porno. The whole show is dripping in fetishism and encompasses about 20 different threads, nerdy, dominatrix, super hero, asian, tight black vinyl, part woman/part cat, naughty secretary, officer of the law, pinup, biker, witch, elementary school teacher (with the bad printed sweatshirts, oh, that's probably because I went to elementary school in the late 80's) bobby soxer, 5th element, vamp, manga. Riccardo Tisci is one freaky dude. ;) I'm intrigued but it's a lot per look. The sexiest, I thought, was the allover pansy (shown right). It's a little ladies luncheon but has an edge to it. But the other two... I mean really? REALLY? My brain has melted.

6.1 springboard text and Inspirational Images for Design Project 2

The piece of writing I chose was the song "King of Anything" by Sara Bareilles (though I had never seen this video until I posted this. Just used the words (transcribed below). I can't seem to get it out of my head so I thought I'd have it be the springboard for this project. The imagery I took from the song include coffee cups, traffic passing by, royalty, clocks.

The mood I get is sick of bs, powerful, ready to blow.

Pictures and drawings are from around my neighborhood, plus Kines I shot in NYC last week. To carry over AbEx thread, but minimizing to just one artist, then I really loved the narrative quality and mood of the Shahn and the plaid rendering of the Scheile. I have no idea where it's going, but this is fun!

  Ali's comments in blue.

I like the eclectic mix of images here - and i especially like your black and white drawings

 very interesting - full of ideas and i like the urban mix here

 great love this page

 

i look forward to the mood board.

6.2 customer profile

1.Demographics:

1. Age: 31
2. Sex: f
3. Marital status: single
4. Level of education: post graduate
5. Career: art/sales/teaching
6. Salary: low
7. The location of work: Richmond,VA
8. Living location: Richmond,VA
9. Leisure activities: walking, museums, farmer markets, picnics, movies, painting, bars at night

2. Lifestyle: mostly walking in the neighborhood but occasional traveling for teaching, visiting, or leisure activities, has a car but rarely uses it, rents alone a not renovated house in an old restored boutique shopping district in urban south.

3. Physical Characteristics: tall, belly. Skinny arms and leg, big hair, no heels 

4. Psychographics: sappy romantic who doesn’t want to settle down and get married. Doesn’t know if she wants kids 

5. Social Class: bohemian lower middle class  

6. Social Behavior: starving artist  

7.Values and Attitudes: occasional dater, serial unrequited crusher, almost always single and fine with it, confident, a little country, a little hip hop

8. Economics: lives off student loans, meager part time job salary

9.Religion raised catholic, hates church, claims no religion, not really atheist or agnostic either though.

10. competitor: anyone who sells relatively cheep clothes made by hand or in fare labor conditions out of organic materials. mostly online companies and a rare cheap boutique.




Ali's comments:

Very nicely developed - really gives a strong feel for who the customer is - do try to always reflect the profile as a group rather then an individual only - in age group, locations etc.

Chanel fall o-leven

wanted to comment on the article reviewing Chanrel RTW Fall 2011

The menswear inspiration in Chanel rocks my world this season, particularly at the beginning of the show!


The short coat, bolero in length but with better collar and closure, works with the long coat to create a sophisticated but youthful style.


 this  next look is so weird and unexpected but it has a union suit feel to it that's sexy. The details help kick formality up a notch, from in the tent to well, honestly i have no idea where one would wear this but i love it.


subtle patterns create visual greys that harmonize well, nice gender balance. soft and tailored urban but bohemian


aviator meets 70's Halson, hot!


The dresses were a bit hard to swallow as far as wearablity. i mean that shoulder is the size of her head.



This is starting to look a little too high-end sous-chef.


This is, wow, I mean get our of her way! Holy cape, Batlady?


My least favorite- this undergarment to day transition is not working. Too much fabric, way too many details. Nice risk taking, but hardcore MISS.

Ali's comments:

I thought that this seasons Chanel collection was one of the strongest in a while. absolutely loved it. And I totally agree with the last outfit - it is a total miss.