The Fashion Design Thread [Archive] - The Apricity Forum: A European Cultural Community

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Aemma

04-21-2009, 05:38 PM

Inspired by just having viewed the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's with the inimitable Audrey Hepburn and her showcasing of the fashions of Hubert de Givenchy, I thought it would be interesting to showcase some famous and perhaps yet-to-be-famous clothing designers who are either European or of European extraction. Fashion design, as I see it, is indeed one of the legacies of our Western European world, one of our many gifts to the world, one of refinement and taste expressed through clothing and accessories.

As Wikipedia defines it, "fashion design is the applied art dedicated to clothing and lifestyle accessories created within the cultural and social influences of a specific time." Interestingly, "fashion design is generally considered to have started in the 19th century with Charles Frederick Worth who was the first designer to have his label sewn into the garments that he created. While all articles of clothing from any time period are studied by academics as costume design, only clothing created after 1858 could be considered as fashion design." Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fashion_design

As I previously mentioned, at present, I would like to highlight Givenchy's fashion style. Known for his classic and elegant style, Givenchy is best known for his tubular dresses, separate skirts and tops, sleeveless coats, funnel necklines, and unusual embroidered and printed fabrics. He is mostly well-known for having been Audrey Hepburn's favourite designer, though Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Grace Kelly were loyal customers as well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubert_de_Givenchy

Here is but a small sampling of the Givenchy style:

http://i41.tinypic.com/11htorc.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/oh7f2h.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/14cfeyw.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/bfq885.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/157zmdt.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/2mev4ud.jpg

Cheers!...Aemma

Solwyn

04-23-2009, 05:00 PM

Hmmmm......I'm not a famous designer yet, and I DO make more than just socks. When I finish my first pattern collection, I will send you the book and then you can tell everyone how glorious I am:D

Sally

04-23-2009, 05:13 PM

I like the Dior New Look.

http://i39.tinypic.com/eajp00.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/scgwnt.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/1z4zdp5.jpg

Aemma

04-23-2009, 08:16 PM

Hmmmm......I'm not a famous designer yet, and I DO make more than just socks. When I finish my first pattern collection, I will send you the book and then you can tell everyone how glorious I am:D

You betcha Baby! And I look forward to spreading the word too! :thumb001: :)

Actually Solwyn and FriggasSpindle, you both are designers so please feel free to post your fashions and/or fashion accessories here as well. A bit of a blurb as to your respective fashion styles or influences or inspirations would be fun to read up on as well. :)

Oh and this goes for any and all of our members who are budding fashion designers as well. :)

Cheers!...Aemma :)

Frigga

04-24-2009, 02:19 AM

Well, right off the bat, if anyone is interested at looking at my work, I have a website that you can peruse. Let me know if you're at all interested in anything. :)

http://www.amandasfibercrafts.com

Well, I'm more of a crocheting designer then of knitting, even though I do both. I mostly do hats, but doing hats over and over again gets sterile, so to keep my mind interested in what I'm doing, I also make scarves, and shawls. I've noticed with my customers, that they more likely to spend money on a item that they can wear themselves, then on a blanket that sits on their bed, or sofa. I actually had a huge sale last Christmas season, with a handspun, lace knit shawl. I had thought that I would never sell it, as I had to ask $295 for it. It was of very good quality wool, and I had spent a lot of time with spinning, and knitting it. It was not my original stitch design, I got it from a stitch dictionary. But, I don't feel ashamed to use stitch dictionaries. Most modern designers admit to getting inspiration from other sources. So why can't we as little people be too! :)

I would say that my things are retro-contemporary. I use granny square construction in my most popular style, the Flapper Hat. That's pretty old school. But, I use modern yarns, and colors. I also love to use natural fibers as much as possible. But, I know that not everyone is able to wear wool, and mohair, so those are reserved for specialty projects. Thankfully, I am able to work with them! I also use the highest quality acrylic yarn I can afford, and most people are fooled by it.

But, I also don't make anything for the business that is too size specific. People come in so many shapes and sizes, that it would be too much work to do sweaters!! Hell NO! It's only a sweatshop of one here! That would be way too much work! Scarves and shawls are pretty size generic. And, there's not too much variation with hats. If someone truly has a very hard to fit head, then there's always custom orders! :D

I make things that I would want to wear myself, so, I feel that my fashions are a little more down to earth than some of the haute coutere that is out there. I make fashions for the real world that's out there I guess you could say.

And, for the men out there, yes, it is mostly feminine. But.....I do have the striped beanies that are unisex. And my scarves are a neutral stitch. But, what do you expect? I'm a girl! :D

Solwyn

04-24-2009, 03:29 AM

It was not my original stitch design, I got it from a stitch dictionary. But, I don't feel ashamed to use stitch dictionaries. Most modern designers admit to getting inspiration from other sources. So why can't we as little people be too! :)

**************************************

But, I also don't make anything for the business that is too size specific. People come in so many shapes and sizes, that it would be too much work to do sweaters!! Hell NO! It's only a sweatshop of one here! That would be way too much work! Scarves and shawls are pretty size generic. And, there's not too much variation with hats. If someone truly has a very hard to fit head, then there's always custom orders! :D

I make things that I would want to wear myself, so, I feel that my fashions are a little more down to earth than some of the haute coutere that is out there. I make fashions for the real world that's out there I guess you could say.

And, for the men out there, yes, it is mostly feminine. But.....I do have the striped beanies that are unisex. And my scarves are a neutral stitch. But, what do you expect? I'm a girl! :D

Your hats rock!!! I make socks for much the same reason:) That, and they're quick little patterns to come up with that put my name out there. I've actually come up with truckloads of sock patterns but I've started to put the really nice ones aside for paid publication. I have to learn to stop giving everything away.

I use stitch compendiums and don't think for one red second that the designers don't, too. As for the ones inventing their own uber complicated designs.....LOL.....it's amazing what a Mac and some pattern software will do for you!!! I read a friend's knitting book one day that showcased American knitwear designers and one of them hadn't actually knitted anything in years, nor did she knit her own designs. She drafted them on a Mac then sent the pattern file to the company who produced them. In turn, they chopped the pattern up and villages in China got the pattern pieces. One village knit the back, one knit the front, another knit only sleeves - so don't feel bad - there's your $450 hand knit sweater at Holt Renfrew. No wonder other countries hate us sometimes.

People do come in many different sizes and that does make it impossible to fit bodies:thumb001: That's why I'm more willing to sell patterns than actual sweaters, etc. But for the right price (heheheh.....and I'm looking at your shawl price and nodding) I can be swayed.

:eek:

Rainraven

04-24-2009, 06:12 AM

You two are so talented! :eek:

The most I've even managed it just a plain knitted scarf and I was so proud of myself when I finished! :D

Crose

04-24-2009, 06:31 AM

You betcha Baby! And I look forward to spreading the word too! :thumb001: :)

Actually Solwyn and FriggasSpindle, you both are designers so please feel free to post your fashions and/or fashion accessories here as well. A bit of a blurb as to your respective fashion styles or influences or inspirations would be fun to read up on as well. :)

Oh and this goes for any and all of our members who are budding fashion designers as well. :)

Cheers!...Aemma :)

I would love to see some of the creations. :)

I don't know if any of our creative people here have heard of a great site called etsy.com? What's great about it is all of the handmade products made 'locally'.. buy, and sell similar to ebay. It might be a little pricey but well worth it. If I can support my own then it's truly a win-win for me. :thumb001:

Crose

04-24-2009, 06:51 AM

Treffie

04-24-2009, 12:37 PM

Aemma

04-24-2009, 01:45 PM

Sorry to spoil the glamour, but British designer Alexander McQueen is completely barking mad. I can imagine you ladies going shopping in this outfit! :D

http://por-img.cimcontent.net/api/assets/bin-200904/2dde9f5a17ac6ae9d5fd360a435f1a7e.jpg

http://www.hintmag.com/blog/uploaded_images/alexandermcqueen10-722669.jpg

Nice shoes to match :D

http://twolia.com/blogs/teacups-and-couture/files/2008/12/alexander-mcqueen-platforms.jpg

Mmmmm! :D

http://the4cafe.com/comment/wp-content/gallery/alexander-mcqueen/alexander-mcqueen-5.jpg

A very practical little number! Ideal for Hockey Aemms! :thumb001:

http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/S2008RTW/AMCQUEEN/RUNWAY/00490m.jpg

LMAO! Sure Treffie! :p Could you imagine?!!

But awesome examples though Tref of the sheer creativity of our folk that is out there, whether totally outlandish or a bit more staid.

I love the pics you chose! Truly creative genius. Not practical mind you, but genius nonetheless. :)

Cheers and thanks for the post Treffie!...Aemms :)

Vargtand

04-24-2009, 01:54 PM

You two are so talented! :eek:

The most I've even managed it just a plain knitted scarf and I was so proud of myself when I finished! :D

Oh you can knit? Awesome :) It's great so now I can go out bowling and do stuff I like and you can stay at home with your lady friends and cook, clean and knit and do other fun stuff women enjoy :)

Solwyn

04-24-2009, 04:11 PM

Come, come now, I wear those shoes whenever I go grocery shopping. Nothing more comfortable than them, LOL!!!! Couture fashion shows are just like beauty trade shows - a place for designers to showcase what they can do creatively, but what actually trickles down to the masses is more practical, THANK GOD. I don't think I could ever leave the house in any of those outfits, not even if I was paid to do so. :p

Crose

04-24-2009, 05:21 PM

The designer is gay, it's no wonder he wants women to look like that, less competition. lol

Skandi

04-24-2009, 05:28 PM

http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/S2008RTW/AMCQUEEN/RUNWAY/00490m.jpg

Elbows should not be wider than your arm. Equally am I the only person who thinks that fashion is stupid?

Crose

04-24-2009, 05:34 PM

Elbows should not be wider than your arm. Equally am I the only person who thinks that fashion is stupid?

I've never been one for 'high fashion'.
It's stupid to starve yourself so you can show off some silly clothing like this.

I love food too much. :D When I see these women I can't help but want to feed them. :p

Treffie

04-24-2009, 05:43 PM

Elbows should not be wider than your arm. Equally am I the only person who thinks that fashion is stupid?

No, I think it's superficial and just plain silly, but it's such a serious business.:rolleyes:

Absinthe

04-25-2009, 12:13 PM

If I ever dressed haute couture I'd probably go for something like this Vivienne Westwood line:

http://girldir.com/files/images/vivienne-westwood-red-label-fall2008.jpg

But you know what? Even if my paycheck quadrupled, I'd still feel awkward about spending ridiculous amounts of money for designer clothes. :eek:

I'd probably buy a couple of items for special occasions but the basics in my wardrobe would still come from Zara and H&M. You can dress chic on a budget. :wink

P.S. I'm also a mix&match kind of dresser, I don't like looking like I'm advertising a certain look/designer. I also keep my own style no matter what, I don't generally follow fashion trends.

Tabiti

04-25-2009, 07:47 PM

I've never been one for 'high fashion'.
It's stupid to starve yourself so you can show off some silly clothing like this.

I love food too much. :D When I see these women I can't help but want to feed them. :p
Actually popular fashion is the perfect tool to take your money. My mother for example - she can't imagine going out wearing something which is "old fashioned" (from the last year, for instance).

But high fashion is still an art.

Absinthe

04-25-2009, 09:59 PM

But high fashion is still an art.

That's exactly what it is - an art! :thumb001:

Hence most of the catwalk clothes are unwearable. ;) I frequently watch the Fashion TV to kill some time, and I find catwalks really entertaining and aesthetically pleasing -sort of like watching ice skating :p

But even if I had the model figure, I still would not wear 90% of the clothes fashioned there. They simply seem to be made for fashion exhibitions but not wearing.

Where on earth would someone wear that? :eek:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00684/jean-paul-gaultier_684436n.jpg

Or that?

http://fashionbride.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/gaultier-acfw0809-5a.jpg

Of course they are meticulous works of art but they're just for the fashion shows.

My stepmother, by the way, works as editor-in-chief for the greek version of L'Officiel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Officiel). Hence she gets to wear some really cool stuff, that she wouldn't be able to afford if they weren't discounted for her ;)

Loki

04-25-2009, 10:06 PM

Hence most of the catwalk clothes are unwearable. ;) I frequently watch the Fashion TV to kill some time, and I find catwalks really entertaining and aesthetically pleasing -sort of like watching ice skating :p

Yeah, to be honest, I don't see the point. :confused: Most of the stuff will never be worn by any normal person, except maybe to a fancy dress party. I think freak show is maybe a better description. :p Maybe I'm just old-fashioned. :coffee:

Rainraven

04-26-2009, 12:44 AM

Yeah, to be honest, I don't see the point. :confused: Most of the stuff will never be worn by any normal person, except maybe to a fancy dress party. I think freak show is maybe a better description. :p Maybe I'm just old-fashioned. :coffee:

Nope, your not the only one!
Why is it that people think they can put weird clothes on a weird looking person and it will somehow be beautiful?! :confused:

Vargtand

04-26-2009, 01:56 PM

Nope, your not the only one!
Why is it that people think they can put weird clothes on a weird looking person and it will somehow be beautiful?! :confused:

- - = +

Solwyn

04-26-2009, 05:25 PM

...........if you don't like them, then you'll just have to support Frigga's Spindle and I, by buying our lovely designs. We would never send you out the door in a 6 foot hoopy snood or a dress that looks like it was made from Medusa's snaky hair.

.....and FYI, doing your hair like a TellyTubby is never cool, no matter what runway you're mincing on.

The Lawspeaker

04-26-2009, 06:15 PM

I am a bit puzzled- until the 1960's most men wore suits when they were going outside (regardless of class) and I begin to wonder why that custom disappeared.

Perhaps all of us men should gather our last bits of self-respect, look after ourselves again and loose a few pounds and put on the suit again. I mean - we still have a role to play as breadwinners and might just as well show it.

Rainraven

04-26-2009, 08:31 PM

- - = +

Does anyone else not get this? I sat there looking at the post waiting for some smlies to come up but then they didn't :eek:
From what I can gather it's meant to mean that having your eyes shut is a positive? :confused:

Vargtand

04-26-2009, 08:59 PM

Does anyone else not get this? I sat there looking at the post waiting for some smlies to come up but then they didn't :eek:
From what I can gather it's meant to mean that having your eyes shut is a positive? :confused:

No...

You said:

Why is it that people think they can put weird clothes on a weird looking person and it will somehow be beautiful?!

Substitute (weird clothes) with - and (weird looking person) with - as weird is a word that is used primarily to describe something negative.

Now substitute (beautiful) with + as beautiful is generally seen as something positive.

Now basic rule of mathematics, - - is the same as +.

Thus: - - = +

:D