Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Style timelines: 1930's


In the wake of a terrible war, one on a scale previously unseen by the world, came great privations. The global economy took quite a hit, while reparations were being made, and all the while in the background, there was talk of another war.
Interestingly enough, it is when times are hardest that fashion becomes more flamboyant, almost as if in a proud refusal to be put down. In the case of the Great Depression, two factors played a major role in creating the mood which influenced the sartorial trends of the time. The first was a terrible romance attached to the memories of the war gone by and the one in the making, of the privations and sacrifices that had been made and would continue to be necessary for the foreseeable future, and the need to forget the bad and cling to the good. Hollywood, which was fast becoming a force to reckon with, tapped into this mood, and for the first time, films were a major inspiration for fashion.
 The second was the fact that natural textiles were made scarce - fabrics like silk and cotton were no longer as readily available as before, and manufacturers were forced to think outside the box, and synthetic fabrics came into greater prominence.
There was a return to feminine lines and elaborate designs. Madame Gres was known for her intricate draping and impeccable cuts. Elsa Schiaparelli was one of the first designers of the time to jump into collaboration with prominent artists of the time - the Lobster dress worn famously by Wallis Simpson, was the result of her designs meeting the art of Salvador Dali. We also have Madeleine Vionnet to thank for the cowl neck and the halter.
All of these looks have been recycled and updated and remain popular to this day.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Style timelines: 1920's


After yet another long hiatus, we're back with a new series, this time going into the heart of style, with looks that defined generations.


The 1920's was a very exciting time all over the world. Emerging out of the turmoil of the First World War, existing social structures were thrown out the window in favour of a new order. Women, for the first time ever, were enjoying freedoms their predecessors hadn't even dreamed of; owning businesses, driving cars, and even flying planes (here's to you, Mme Earhart).  In the face of Prohibition, bootleggers became kings. Literature saw its greats in the likes of Fitzgerald and Hemingway, while Dali and Picasso brought excitement into the scene. This decade saw the birth of jazz, the arrival of sound in films, and so many other innovations. 

Small wonder then, that the fashions reflected this spirit of change. Women were no longer content with the stifling fashions of previous eras, and when Paul Poiret began omitting the restrictions of corsets from his designs, the trend quickly caught on. Chanel sashayed into the scene and took it further, with her bobbed hair and androgynous chic. This was menswear at its height of classiness, with the pinstripe suits and Oxford shoes. 

You can revisit all these styles when you watch shows like Boardwalk Empire, and many of those looks have been updated and are still chic today.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Striding in style

After years of subtlety, this year is exploding with bright colours, fun silhouettes, and in-your-face accessories. This is particularly true for footwear. From embellished wedges to perspex heels to colour-blocked Mary Janes and French toe-caps, the 'art' in 'artisan' is back and how.

Slingshot
And now say hello to Kobi Levi. This Jewish genius graduated from Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, in 2001, and had since turned his creative attention to his women's footwear line in Tel Aviv.

Levi's shoes epitomize the term 'wearable art'. Drawing inspiration from everyday objects and themes that one would never associate with shoes, he translates the essence of the object into footwear to create wearable sculpture pieces that have their own personality separate from that of the wearer.

Blow
Chewing Gum
The painstakingly hand-crafted shoes have rightfully been displayed in museums and expos around the world, firing up the imagination of the hundreds that flocked to marvel at the wild and wacky creations. One thing's for sure - owning one would be a sure-fire conversation starter.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Spring Tangerine



It's been a while since we've done a Style.This, so this one is long overdue. Since this section will be featuring one outfit per post from now on, we decided to give it a make-over and bring you the scoop in one compact post. This bright and bold look transitions easily from day to night with a change of make-up and maybe hairstyle.
You'll be rocking several trends at once in this outfit: bright tangerine, bold prints, classic white, and funky wedge heels. Usually it's advisable to stick to one key trend, but if you can actually pull off a combo, why not go for it?

This outfit features a white waterfall crop jacket, a Fluro stappy-back vest, and Hawaiian print skinny trousers, all from Topshop, platform wedge heels by Michael Kors, Saffiano tote bag from Prada, assorted Bounkit thin cuffs, and Gojane earrings. 

Thursday, March 29, 2012

VFW 2012 Fall/Winter II

Designer Profile: Megan Mackenzie Jones

The global catwalks have been watching the rise of avant garde Canadian talent, and VFW is one place where you get all of these on one platform. 

Source: vfwblog.com

Calgary-based multi-media artist Megan Mackenzie Jones hails from Alberta, where she obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jewellery and Metals. The 2010 winner of the Board of Governors Award specializes in creative jewelry design, but is equally well known for her alternative fashion line. Inspired by emotions and events, her work has a dreamy, gothic fantasy appeal.

source: jonesmodernvintage.com

Trend: Animal motifs

The animal-inspired trend of last Fall is back even bigger this Spring, with fauna motifs appearing not only in prints, but structural details of one's accessories.

Megan Mackenzie's "Fauna" collection brings the animal theme into her neck-pieces in all the bright hues. 

God Save My Shoes Trailer



While we're waiting for more updates from VFW coming very soon, here's something most women will immediately relate to.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

VFW 2012 Fall/Winter

Designer profile: Angel Eye

A UK-based fashion-forward label, founded in 1998, that features 'London-inspired' vintage printed fabrics and designs. Angel Eye has a range of clothing for young women aged 16 and older, and there's Angel Eye Kids that caters to girls aged 5-15. The clothes feature classic cuts, retro-chic prints, and a fun attitude.

At the Vancouver Fashion Week


The ready-to-wear collection for the VFW Fall/Winter 2012 showed an eclectic mixture of futuristic textures, animal themed prints, bold florals and iridescent metallics, all stamped in the trademark Angel Eyes silhouettes. The looks swung from workday chic to flirty and casual to sexy and glam with ease. Definitely one to watch.
Source: Eugene Flores (VFW Fall/Winter 2012)



Eugene Flores, VFW Fall/Winter 2012

Source: Eugene Flores

Source: Eugene Flores

Source: Eugene Flores