Home fashions

I don't know how home fashions could do well in an economy we have now.  People are staying home more so they notice they need change, but if they can't afford the homes that they are in b/c they took a mortgage they knew they couldn't pay for then there is no way they would be buying anything major for said home.  

Smaller purchases like linens, towels and maybe smaller rugs I could see doing ok.  Some people are willing to splurge on good linens since they last for so long.  And since a lot of people can't really afford to do much outside of the necessary spending they might as well have things that can make them more comfortable staying home.

guest speaker 11/14

I actually like this guest speaker (as opposed to that Sarah Jane woman).  What I learn is that I should have already started looking for an internship.  I also learned that her job is something I would have never thought about.  It seems interesting and not the usual retail job that comes from this major.  I actually am thinking of looking into her field to see what is out there.

Sweatshops

Ok so sweatshops are inhumane, but it does give people (children) an opportunity to survive.  Maybe they are treated badly, but there are jobs not in sweatshops that are treated worse and no one pays attention to those.  I understand that children should not be submitted to such conditions, but I'm sure they would much rather work these jobs with these conditions than have their entire family suffer and starve.  

Americans are so "concerned" with such horrid things happening, but not enough of them want to stand up and do anything about it.  They shout really loudly, but when it comes right down to it they don't want to pay the higher prices to make sure the workers are being paid fairly.  Just because a democratic society allows the ACLU to dictate everything a person "suffers" in America, the people who are actually working these jobs aren't the ones complaining otherwise they wouldn't do it.  

As in class the point was brought up that if not for these factory jobs these children would be submitted to child prostitution.  I'm sure when it comes down to it, most people would much rather see these cramped workspaces with few breaks and little pay than to see this.  I saw this a few years ago in a class and was very disturbed.  I would rather know they are working on cheap clothing than to have to experience this (which is WAY more inhumane):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuSxso2FKQI

So yes I am PRO sweatshops if it means the children are kept away from this trade.

Art and usability

Milan fashion week showcased more art inspired RTW than other fashion weeks for Spring 09.

The art aspects came in with prints, patterns, structured fabrics and colors.  All of the collections that I viewed seemed very artistic yet very wearable by a semi-normal woman or man and were all easily viewed as something you could see in a store window.

Dolce and Gabbana's collection was very Brothers Grimm inspired.  The images of the models in plaids and hoods and capes were very reminiscent of "Little Red Riding Hood."  Even the art work in the classic illustrations of the story.

http://www.milanfashionshows.com/fall2008/d&g/pages/d_and_g_aw08_005.htm 

                               

For the Clips collection, the prints and colors all were very much like paintings that would be displayed in a home.  The colors were very eye catching but not too crazy to be seen as wearable.  This could very well appeal to any woman that wanted a statement piece in their wardrobe.

http://www.milanfashionshows.com/fall2008/clips/pages/clips_aw08038.htm

 The art aspect of fashion is something that makes such a statement and gets peoples attention.  It can be statuesque or like an art piece in a museum.  It can be a reflection of the person wearing artistic clothing and what they view as beautiful art.  It is all very wearable by anyone, not just higher class people that want to look expensive.  An ordinary person could make such an impression with just one artistic piece of clothing.  

Design inspiration

                                                                                                                                                         

 I am definitely not a creative person which is why I'm not in the APD program.  However, I do tend to look at designs and think of how I would change them if I could.  One dress in particular has always been a favorite of mine and if I had the chance (and money) I would have made with a few changes.

The gown worn by Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady" as Eliza Doolittle has always been one that I dreamed as a wedding dress, but of course when the time came it was not feasible and I could not find anything similar so I settled for something else that I was never really happy with.

As beautiful as the original was, I wanted to change the short sleeves to tiny beaded straps to match the beading on the rest of the dress.  I also wanted it to be more fitted overall and have a short train made from the sheer overlay of fabric.

The original color was perfect for a wedding dress, but for a dress for another occasion, I would change it so it was just barely aquamarine (almost unnoticeable) just for the sheer fabric on the top.

But seeing how I'm not creative and not a design student, I'm not really sure that any of that would work anyway.  :)

photo on right  http://thecellardoorblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/31-my-fair-lady.html

photo on the left http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_x54gQJrpvbo/SEm_BGwJhrI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/fpLTlSfdcLI/s1600-h/abc_hepburn_dress_070531_ms.jpg

Ethnic Influences

Most ethnic inspired clothing has become so common that they really aren't considered ethnic anymore.

Mexican or Spanish inspired clothing (colors and prints) are really apparent in the summer time. (http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=501593040&N=1000930&searchUrl=%2Fendeca%2FEndecaStartServlet%3FN%3D1000930&R=02819392)

Asian styles and prints are always changing. It used to be that the "silk" dress with the same pattern was all there was, but this print seems to be everywhere and on all types of clothing from hoodies to hats and everything else. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350004394265#ebayphotohosting)



Indian inspired long dresses, prints and colors seemed to be everywhere this summer. These change slightly every year, but there is usually something in the market along the same lines. (http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=501644628&view=20&No=20&N=1000930&searchUrl=%2Fendeca%2FEndecaStartServlet%3Fview%3D20%26No%3D20%26N%3D1000930&R=02880959)


And especially this time of year plaids inspired by the British Isles is a staple in department stores and magazine. (http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=501629455&N=1000930&searchUrl=%2Fendeca%2FEndecaStartServlet%3FN%3D1000930&R=02836897)

NY Fashion Week

So far, most of what I have seen has been disappointing as far as that "wow factor" goes. There are a few that I liked either most of the line or a piece or two.

Oscar de la Renta was GORGEOUS (as usual). He really gets style, not just fashion. His nod to the past was well thought out and beautifully executed.

Carolina Herrera's collection stands out as one of the best. She understands the pieces that women are lacking or want to see more of. She doesn't seem to be following too closely with the trend, but was just enough there to fit into it. She seems like a graceful person and her clothes take on that characteristic also.



Michael Kors's line is quite interesting. The throw back to the fifties and "Gidget" (as Michael referenced) comes through to appeal to the younger women that do not know about the era and how cute and fun the clothes were for the time. He also seems to lighten up the mood of today with such an unhappy time.

I haven't really decided about organic clothing yet. I know it is still too expensive. I understand because of the time it takes for the land to be considered organic has a lot to do with it, but if people are supposed to choose that then prices need to make that possible (I know laws of supply and demand counteract that statement).
More research needs to be done to find out the real long term effects (good or bad) of organic farming. I know that dyes are a huge problem for me with certain items that I buy because I have extremely sensitive skin. If there was something that proved that the dyes used on organic clothing and the fact that it has no pesticides, then maybe I would be more inclined to looking farther into it.

Favorite designer

I actually don't have one specific designer that I love. I have several that I like consistently but none stands out among the rest.
But if I had to pick one I'd say I'm really loving Alice Temperly right now. http://www.temperleylondon.com/ Her designs are quite wearable and her wedding collection is stunning!!! And it helps that she's British! j/k
I always love Burberry, Christian Louboutin (but who wouldn't kill to own one pair), Chanel, Diane Von Furstenberg, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, Catherine Malandrino, Ferragamo........I could go on.

I have more specific designers that I can't stand. Marc Jacobs, Jean Paul Gaultier, (I like Tom Ford's designs but he sucks as a person), Roberto Cavalli, anything from Gucci.