Showing posts with label Christian Dior. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian Dior. Show all posts

Monday, February 16, 2015

Fashion? Who Cares?

John Galliano for DIOR 2007

I do.


Why?


Artistry: There is a serious level of skill, talent and creativity that goes in to creating garments. I am not referring to your $5 Walmart, sweatshop t-shirt but into real FASHION. Fashion to me has always been an amazing art form. It is the only art  that we actually get to live our lives in.  

Example, true Haute Couture. I could take centuries of examples of amazingly crafted Haute Couture but have a look at this current DIOR garment. 200 hours of work by hand later. The work that goes into creating this seemingly 'simple' skirt is amazing. Now you can appreciate the work and detail going into the true couture gowns and other garments of this nature. To me it is ART.



Language: Fashion to me is also a form of language and expression. I express my emotions and feelings through what I wear. I am what I call a moody dresser. I dress according to my mood and always follow my authentic style instincts. I think people can get a sense of who I am through my personal style. Your clothing can speak without you having to say a word.
This look is comprised of Fashions Past and Present. The Dress (70's) and rhinestone bracelet (60's) are both Vintage, the clutch from Forever 21 and shoes SJP Collection "Daphne".


Empowerment: Yes you read that right. You are probably thinking how could what seems to be a frivolous, materialistic, seemingly superficial industry possibly empower you? There are a few reasons. First, there is that shopping moment when you find something that you are instinctively drawn too, fits you and is in your budget. For me this is the equivalent to the stars aligning. Words cannot articulate the feeling I get. Its chemical, exciting and empowering. Fashion has also allowed me to take my power back and use clothing in a way to build my self concept. I FEEL good when I dress authentically and take the opportunity to put my best foot forward each day. I know a lot of women who feel frustrated and down on themselves when it comes to their wardrobes, they know what they like but somehow lack the courage to wear it. I on the other hand am so grateful for fashion giving me the opportunity to express what I want, my way during my daily life.
Linda Evengelista for Gianni Versace 1993 - Image: Richard Avedon

Inspiration: Between the imagery and the artistry of the clothing  I am always left inspired by fashion. I fell in love with this art form when I was around 8 years old and I've never stopped looking. I adore this medium and its association with music, culture, art, photography, etc. The theatrics and styling of the runway shows and the fashion editorials that have left me inspired and spawned several creative endeavours of my own. Fashion to me is a limitless source of inspiration. I like to look to the past a lot as the history of fashion tells a great story.

 VOGUE -  2003 by Annie Lebovitz (Model: Natalia Vodianova, Designer Christian Lacroix and Mad Hatter Millinar Stephen Jones)

Bazaar - April 2010 - Demi Moore


For some people clothing is simply a societal norm and necessity. Some individuals put very little thought into the process of dressing or if it means anything to them at all.

What do you think about fashion? 

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Golden Globes: 2015 Red Carpet

I look forward to award season because it is a great time to see the artistry of fashion on display. I love the parade of the richest, most famous people who have something I actually admire; The unprecedented access to the best designers, current, custom as well as vintage archives. I'm astonished at some of the choices and wonder if the celebrity is really dressing authentically or on the advice of their hired stylist and/or the pressure of pending public scrutiny.

This red carpet was overall underwhelming for me and in keeping with my past Red Carpet Recap's I highlight and celebrate the looks I did like. I enjoy celebrating and feel no need to criticize the fashion choices of others or the red carpet looks I personally didn't care for. We all are trying to make an individual statement aren't we?

Laura Carmichael in  Vintage James Galanos

Emma Stone - LANVIN

Amanda Peet in J. Mendel

Felicity Jones in Christian Dior Couture
Van Cleef and Arpel Jewelry


Jessica Chastain - Atelier Versace

Catherine Zeta Jones in Angel Sanchez


Best Jewels - Naomi Watts in Bvlgari

Lorde wearing Neil Lane Necklace

Next Red Carpet stop SAG (Screen Actors Guild awards)

What were your favourite looks?

Friday, January 2, 2015

Rock'N Royalty: 90's Style

Inspired by the birthday of Super Model and Super Mother Christy Turlington I thought about all the fashion editorial's I have seen her in over the years. I fell in love with fashion in the mid-1980's, even though I still feel the 80's was the most hideous fashion decade. This editorial from American VOGUE, October 1990 shot by the talented Irving Penn top's the list of my favourites. I had this magazine and remember cutting these images out and making a collage that surrounded my bedroom mirror. I was 11 years old and completely swept away by the art of fashion, these models and the photography. Her fellow supermodel Linda Evangelista and Model Tatjana Patitz were also featured in the spread.

CHANEL COUTURE
CHANEL

CHRISTIAN LACROIX



 CHANEL


Claude Montana for  LANVIN
 GIANNI VERSACE

 DIOR
 UNGARO
 CHANEL
 GIANNI VERSACE
 LACROIX
YSL

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Dior Decade: 1950's

1955

Fashion treasures are unearthed every day. They, in their one-of-a-kind glory become available to us from time to time. My friend at 4 Birds Vintage has unearthed such a treasure. A white beaded Christian Dior Couture dress from his spring 1955 collection.

It is available at auction HERE
DIOR 1954

HOUSE HISTORY: The designer Christian Dior, who's name remains synonymous with luxury, was born in 1905 in France. He began his career in fashion by making money at selling fashion sketches in 1935 and while recovering from an illness the Balearic Islands, learns the arts of embroidery and tapestry-weaving .
A few years alter he was hired to work as a design assistant for Robert Piguet. In 1947 he became famous in fashions post-war time when he re-defined what women were wearing and bringing into fashion the ultra feminine "New Look".

According to VOGUE“We were emerging from the period of war, of uniforms, of women-soldiers built like boxers,” Dior would later write. “I drew women-flowers, soft shoulders, fine waists like liana and wide skirts like corolla.”An avid gardener, Dior knew plants well: He named the pieces in the New Look collection after that delicate whorl of petals at a flower’s center. After years of privations, of forsaking stockings and hoarding food and clothing coupons, war-wilted women were ready to blossom again. The introduction of the New Look drew their slow-germinating yearnings to the surface.
Photograph by Serge Balkin. Published in Vogue, April 1, 1947.


 1955
 1955
1955
Christian Dior passed away in 1957 in Italy. The house of DIOR however is still producing luxurious, high end garments today under the creative guidance of designer Raf Simons. The house has had several amazing designers at the helm over the years like Yves St. Laurent, Pierre Cardin, and John Galliano to name a few.

Did you know? At age 14  Christian Dior had is palm read and was told he would make his fortune through women and travel widely. Source

It is interesting to note that Dior was an avid gardener. The motif of this fabulous gown is all about florals!







 This garment has been professionally appraised to be worth approximately $8,000 USD

I can't wait to see what lucky lady will have the opportunity to own this piece of luxury fashion history!

What's your FAV decade of DIOR?

Thursday, October 18, 2012

J'Adore Vintage Dior


Spring/Summer 1948

I have one word: WOW! I am in total LOVE with the most recent photo shoot by french photographer Jean-Baptiste Mondino with the current lady Dior Actress Marion Cotillard. The house of Dior says the images represent "some of the most emblematic Haute Couture looks created by Christian Dior"


I truly LOVE Vintage shapes and am a sucker for a cage veil. 
The images are beautiful.
See behind the scenes video of the shoot HERE.

Fall/Winter 1948/49

Fall/Winter 1948/49

Fall/Winter 1954/55

Spring/Summer 1957

Fall/Winter 1957/58

Spring/Summer 1948


Enjoy this video - DIOR Spring/Summer 1952


Could you re-style a Vintage cage veil look and make it current for your next event???