Textile Talk: VELVET

Tom Ford F/W 2014

I don't know what it is but recently every where I turn there is another amazing frock constructed from VELVET! It is a BIG trend on the 2014 runways. 

Elie Saab/Reem Acra

We saw this fabric adored in the 1990's too. I loved Tom Ford for GUICCI's debut collection in F/W 1995. The velvet tuxedo and those lush velvet pants paired with the satin blouses. 

 GUCCI 1995

Gucci 1996

The most famous film to use a lot of this fabric is none other than Gone with the Wind. Great balls of fire, I've never seen so much velvet used in one film!

I adore this fabric and although some feel it is a fall/winter fabric I think that you can wear it all year long, in the evening.

This textile is so lush, rich and a  source of fabric tactile stimulation. 

Did you know? There are 15 types of velvet. (Wiki)

1875 British Ball Gown (MET Museum)

Chiffon (or transparent) velvet: Very lightweight velvet on a sheer silk or rayon chiffon base.

Ciselé: Velvet where the pile uses cut and uncut loops to create a pattern.

Crushed: This type of velvet can be produced by pressing the fabric down in different directions. It can also be produced by mechanically twisting the fabric while wet. The result is patterned appearance that is very lustrous.

Devoré or burnout. A velvet treated with a caustic solution to dissolve areas of the pile, creating a velvet pattern upon a sheer or lightweight base fabric.

Embossed: A metal roller is used to heat-stamp the fabric, producing a pattern.

Hammered: This type is extremely lustrous, appears dappled, and somewhat crushed.

Lyons: A densely woven, stiff, heavier-weight pile velvet used for hats, coat collars and garments.

Mirror: A type of exceptionally soft and light crushed velvet.

Kenneth Cole

Nacré: Velvet with an effect similar to shot silk, where the pile is woven in one or more colours and the base fabric in another, creating a changeable, iridescent effect.

Panné: Also a type of crushed velvet, panné is produced by forcing the pile in a single direction by applying heavy pressure. Sometimes, less frequently, called paon velvet.

Pile-on-pile: A particularly luxurious type of velvet woven with piles of differing heights to create a pattern.

 

 Pile-on-pile voided velvet w Brocading and Boucle wefts 1500-1550

Plain: Commonly made of cotton, this type of velvet has a firm hand and can be used for many purposes.

Utrecht: A pressed and crimped velvet associated with Utrecht, Holland.

Velveteen is a type of imitation velvet. It is normally made of cotton or a combination of cotton and silk. It has a pile that is short (never more than 3mm deep), and is closely set. It has a firm hand and a slightly sloping pile. Unlike true velvet, this type has greater body, does not drape as easily, and has less sheen.

Wedding ring or ring velvet: Another term for devoré and/or chiffon velvets which are allegedly fine enough to be drawn through a ring

Shop Vintage Velvet

Vintage 80's Bill Blass Black Velvet Gown - $350

Vintage Givenchy Velvet & Faux Pearl Dress ~ $600

Vintage Pink Velvet Gown ~ $130

Vintage 1950's Black Dress ~ $110

Vintage 80's Cocktail Dress ~ $60

Vintage Oscar De La Renta Day Dress w Velvet Trim ~ $280

Black (bodice is velvet) & White 70's Maxi Dress ~ $65

1960's Velvet Mini ~ $70

Tori STUNNING ... and other Oscar Fashion

All eyes are on the Academy Awards for the celebration of the best in cinema but the red carpet fashion has become as important as the winners of the actual awards! (more important to me personally)

Honestly the Red carpet was to me this year was in a word; UNDERWHELMING. I saw nothing over the top glam, minimal jewels, half done hair and no real sparkle and shine that we all have come to associate with this gala red carpet event.


However; I must give a standing ovation and a round of applauds to Tori Spelling for expressing her signature style in a Vintage GLAM look. The dress coupled with he hair, red lip, cocktail ring, clutch & shoes were that of a PROfashional! It takes a lot of Maven Moxie to wear vintage to a red (or in her case cream) carpet event. Especially because the press is so generic in their reporting when it comes to fashion in my humble opinion. Tori dresses for FASHION not for trends or what a stylist says. I have re-dubbed her Tori STUNNING XO




Was the dress from my eBoutique Evolution Vintage? YES (http://www.evolution-vintage.com/)

Did Tori "knock it out of the park" regardless where the dress was from? YES YES

So all the bias aside her look was my FAV! Tori, you get the LisaG PROFashional Oscar Award this year!

Honorable Mentions Go To:

Jennifer Hudson in VERSACE
*I loved the color and it is an actual modern twist on a GOWN ~ appropriate for an Oscar red carpet*

Natalie Portman in Rodarte*I loved the colour and the draping of this dress ~ a prefect silhouette for a mom-to-be*

Hailee Steinfeld in custom made Marchesa

*Totally age appropriate and what fun to be able to helps design your Oscar dress with the ladies at Marchesa, it's every girls FASHION DREAM at 14 ... and 21 .... and 32. I also loved he Vintage inspired shape and length for her*

A BIG BRAVO to Rachel Zoe (who styled all of Anne Hathaways looks) - Here are my FAV's

Anne Hathaway in Givenchy Couture

Anne Hathaway in Lanvin tuxedo & Brian Atwood jeweled shoes

Anne Hathaway in Oscar de la Renta

After Party Fabulous:

Kate Beckensale in Julian McDonald

Charlize Theron in VERSACE

There is always next year girls. Talk to your stylists about trying something new or old. Give Vintage a try, an unknown designer or something from a high end designers past collections. Be unexpected and BOLD. Who will be sassy enough to snag the LisaG ProFashional award for 2012's red carpet?