Tuesday 3 May 2011

Tokyo to London 3: 1980s Olympics fashion

From Los Angels Olympic game in 1984, some athletes started wearing bikini for beach volleyball. That must be surprised some countries people! Especially Japanese are not used to show our skin so much and it is surely influenced by 80s attitude. Figure skating is also following trends like flared trousers with shiny elastic fabric (Of course, they usually use them!). Or could be more unique like this skeleton costume.




Saturday 30 April 2011

Tokyo to London 2: 1970s Olympics fashion

This is French girls' uniform for the Olympic games in 70s. It is very fashionable and following trend well. I think France was the best dresser in 70s Olympics. Other countries, for example, like these.







Figure skate costumes are always reflects fashion or costume trends. We can also see fabric technology developments every time.




Thursday 28 April 2011

Tokyo to London: 1964 to 2012

It was the prologue of Japanese economy had grown rapidly when the Tokyo Olympic was opened in 1964. The super express, 'Shinkan-sen' is one of the symbols of them. Also, Black & White TVs, fridges and washing machines were called 'Three Treasures' at that moment and they spread out quickly.
In early 60s, there were many fashion trends among of youth. 'Ivy-look' from the USA, 'Miyuki-zoku' in Ginza. Mini skirt became very popular after Twiggy came to Japan. Finally, Hippy and Mods came from the UK in very late 60s. So, it was also the beginning of crazy for Western fashion and cultures. Since then, The Beatles, Rock and Disco, the UK stays as one of the kings of Western culture in almost 3 decades.








Monday 25 April 2011

Why not 20s~30s? Madeleine Vionnet

It is out of our lecture, 20s and 30s. But Why not research about them? Because AW2011 is surely influenced by vintage and historic shapes and some of them refer even Edwardian style.
So, here is Madeleine Vionnet, the inventor of bias cut. I love her elegant silhouette.
She was born on June 22, 1876, France and died on March 2, 1975. Her style was inspired by Greek Art. Her era was in Art Deco and she was definitely one of the influential designer.





















And these are Vionnet collection 2011. We can still see her heritage and taste in their modern silhouettes.























Monday 18 April 2011

Antwerp Six: Ann Demeulemeester

Ann Demeulemeester

-Born in 1959, Waregem, Belgium
-Graduated in 1981

-Influenced by Fine art, Rei Kawakubo
-One of best friends of Patti Smith, rock singer
-Basic style is Black and White with complicating constracture.





















Saturday 16 April 2011

What is 'Antwerp Six'?

We often hear this name in fashion world.
'Antwerp Six' is 6 fashion designers who graduated from Antwerp's Royal Academy of Fine Arts between 1980-1981. Their tutor was Linda Loppa. In 1988, they launched to the London Fashion Week and soon they became very famous all over the fashion world. The original members are below.

-Walter Van Beirendonck
-Ann Demeulemeester
-Dries van Noten
-Dirk Van Saene
-Dirk Bikkembergs
-Marina Yee

Wednesday 13 April 2011

Boudicca, between art and fashion

Her inspiration always comes from anything her interests at that moment. It could be some times politics,  human society and emotion, nature and technology. She is now interested in computer code which is a kind of prompt for computing and making visualized digital images. 

She uses any material for fashion. Paper, Plastic, Film tapes, metal, plaster... it is like Fine Art works.

When we see her website, it is not like a fashion brand one. There is full of art experimentations.





[Wode: Perfume spray]
It is one of her inventions in 2008. It looks like a colour spray can and when it sprays onto our body and clothes, cobalt blue liquid comes with lovely scent. After a few minutes, the colour comes off magically.




[Cobalt blue]
It is her feature colour. As she says that blue is a historically symbol of power in Britain. For example, William Wallace the Scottish worrier painted his face completely blue. Or even Margaret Thatcher was often wearing blue suits.









Sunday 10 April 2011

The Powerful Queen, Boudicca

She was a very energetic person, I thought so when I saw her first time. Before the presentation started, she already had been chatted with some students about her inspiration and work style. Somebody asked about other designer who inspires her, but she said nobody. Idea is always come from deep research about anything her interested in. All students were standing around her, we could not sitting at that moment because her talk was full of energy, attractive and powerful, like the Britain's ancient Queen, Boudicca.






The designer, Zowie Broach's talk grabbed us all the time. It was 90 minute presentation, but we never felt it was so long. In front of her, there were many her sketchbooks and lookbooks. Especially, sketchbooks were attractive. They had literally everything she was interested in. There were also some fashion magazine which is redecorated with another magazine cutout. We saw her fundamental art sense there.

There were a few her work as well. We could try putting on them. Their design were beautifully calculated and sewn very very neately.