In the 1970s’ and 80s’, Milan was the capital of the world for fashion due to its links with designers and the size of the city. Even the frequently used fashion word, “milliner” derived from the fashion conscious city.
With the countless designers including, Muiccia Prada, Giorgio Armani and the team, Dominco Dolce and Stefano Gabbanna originating from Milan, it is no wonder that the city is second to last on the round of Fashion Week.
Giorgio Armani is a household name in this day due to the Italian designer being deemed a “demi-god” in the 1980s’. He trained as a tailor whilst assisting Cerruti in the 1960s’ which helped him establish the Armani style; luxurious without being ostentatious.
The italisn style can often be seen as pretentious with most designers having numerous ranges of clothes, some more expensive than others. You name it, these designers will slather their logo across it.
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
London, Calling!
London is the place you go if you want to get noticed and become something big in the world of fashion.
Countless designers have showcased in London and progressed to greater heights. The likes of Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney became established on Saville Row after studying at the city’s top fashion college, Central Saint Martins, both now considered top British prodigies.
Since the swinging decade of the Beatles, mini-skirts and Twiggy, London is looked at for inspiration, admiration and new talent. British models have always been popular across the fashion world often bringing something new to the scene. From the popularisation of the “heroin chic” Kate Moss, to the porcelain faced Lily Cole; now the old is in awe of edgy Agyness Deyn used to help give Burberry a fresh and younger look.
The Big Smoke is set to keep our attention for years to come, brining new faces and new experience.
Countless designers have showcased in London and progressed to greater heights. The likes of Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney became established on Saville Row after studying at the city’s top fashion college, Central Saint Martins, both now considered top British prodigies.
Since the swinging decade of the Beatles, mini-skirts and Twiggy, London is looked at for inspiration, admiration and new talent. British models have always been popular across the fashion world often bringing something new to the scene. From the popularisation of the “heroin chic” Kate Moss, to the porcelain faced Lily Cole; now the old is in awe of edgy Agyness Deyn used to help give Burberry a fresh and younger look.
The Big Smoke is set to keep our attention for years to come, brining new faces and new experience.
Sunday, 27 April 2008
India: Not strictly a city
India is definitely a country that has an influence on fashion. With its own fashion week, Bollywood culture and recently introduced “Vogue India”, it is slowly getting the recognition it deserves.
Although western culture is now highly effective upon the fashion in India, it is widely welcomed by designers. Urban India, in much comparison to rural traditional India, is rapidly changing, with orthodox dress and western dress being combined successfully.
On the contrary, Indian culture is thought to be leaving an imprint on western countries, such as, the United Kingdom and America. This is due to a number of Bollywood and Indian film being shot in London, for example, “Brick Lane” which was released in 2007. Now you can often see western celebrities on the red carpet with Bindis, Henna and luxurious beaded fabric.
The Fashion Design Council of India was established to give Indian designers the opportunity to display their work and “represent the interest of fashion designers”. There have been 11 successful annual India Fashion Weeks, with showcasing designers such as Ashish N Soni who sells his collections in store world-wide including Selfridges in London. As Soni was the first Indian designer to present on the runway in New York for the Olympus Fashion Week, it’s obvious we need to keep our eyes peeled.
Although western culture is now highly effective upon the fashion in India, it is widely welcomed by designers. Urban India, in much comparison to rural traditional India, is rapidly changing, with orthodox dress and western dress being combined successfully.
On the contrary, Indian culture is thought to be leaving an imprint on western countries, such as, the United Kingdom and America. This is due to a number of Bollywood and Indian film being shot in London, for example, “Brick Lane” which was released in 2007. Now you can often see western celebrities on the red carpet with Bindis, Henna and luxurious beaded fabric.
The Fashion Design Council of India was established to give Indian designers the opportunity to display their work and “represent the interest of fashion designers”. There have been 11 successful annual India Fashion Weeks, with showcasing designers such as Ashish N Soni who sells his collections in store world-wide including Selfridges in London. As Soni was the first Indian designer to present on the runway in New York for the Olympus Fashion Week, it’s obvious we need to keep our eyes peeled.
Friday, 25 April 2008
Hollywood Glamour
The 1930s’ saw The Golden Age of Hollywood, before Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, the films were the key to modern fashion.
Each film studio was given a costume designer, the most famous being Adolph Greenburg, nicknamed Adrian. He dressed the Hollywood starlets Katherine Hepburn, Greta Garbo and Jean Harlow.
Hollywood and L.A. are still today the setting for glamour, celebrities and beautiful dresses. From Armani to Chanel to Balenciaga, actresses storm the red carpet, at events such as the Oscars, to try and gain the coveted “Best Dressed” status.
Film and television have close links with fashion, and Hollywood is the place where they are proved to be the perfect match. Although it is thought with the constant glamour, superficial competition and the need to look good, Hollywood is considered fake and fantasy.
To me, Hollywood will always be a surreal place, where the worlds of top designers and actress collaborate to create an outstanding atmosphere.
Each film studio was given a costume designer, the most famous being Adolph Greenburg, nicknamed Adrian. He dressed the Hollywood starlets Katherine Hepburn, Greta Garbo and Jean Harlow.
Hollywood and L.A. are still today the setting for glamour, celebrities and beautiful dresses. From Armani to Chanel to Balenciaga, actresses storm the red carpet, at events such as the Oscars, to try and gain the coveted “Best Dressed” status.
Film and television have close links with fashion, and Hollywood is the place where they are proved to be the perfect match. Although it is thought with the constant glamour, superficial competition and the need to look good, Hollywood is considered fake and fantasy.
To me, Hollywood will always be a surreal place, where the worlds of top designers and actress collaborate to create an outstanding atmosphere.
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
The Unknown City: Antwerp
To the untrained eye, Antwerp would seem to be just a beautiful Belgian city. However, it is an important location and proved to be a place of distinction that changed fashion history.
The Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Art is an established art college that takes only the best fashion designers. In 1988, six graduates from the Academy changed the edge of fashion at London Fashion Week. They were deemed the Antwerp Six. These six designers including, Walter Van Beirendonck and Ann Demeulemeester, used Binary opposites such as fetish and innocence as well as scale and disproportion. They were seen to be a stark contrast to the functional clothes that were prominent in the 1980s’.
Successful avant-garde designers such as Martin Margiela, Hussein Chalayn and Yohji Yamamoto have all followed the lead of the Antwerp Six and studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Art.
Antwerp is seen, in the world of fashion, as the foundation for deconstructionalism and thought provoking designs.
The Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Art is an established art college that takes only the best fashion designers. In 1988, six graduates from the Academy changed the edge of fashion at London Fashion Week. They were deemed the Antwerp Six. These six designers including, Walter Van Beirendonck and Ann Demeulemeester, used Binary opposites such as fetish and innocence as well as scale and disproportion. They were seen to be a stark contrast to the functional clothes that were prominent in the 1980s’.
Successful avant-garde designers such as Martin Margiela, Hussein Chalayn and Yohji Yamamoto have all followed the lead of the Antwerp Six and studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Art.
Antwerp is seen, in the world of fashion, as the foundation for deconstructionalism and thought provoking designs.
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