MORE BALENCIAGA INSPIRATIONS

A few years back I did  a post on inspirations from the great master of Couture, Cristobal Balenciaga 1895-1972.
But never managed to follow up on it, untill now. So here is a few more, that still have presence today.

Except these two dresses, by his protegé, Hubert de Givenchy

 

This selection of dresses are so pure and simple, but the flounces and the asymetric cuts - some of Balenciaga´s characteristics - still makes them very effectful and modern today.

No wonder why Hubert de Givenchy, Oscar de La Renta, Andre Courreges, Emanuel Ungaro and so many designers of today still gets inspired by his designs.

Maybe because he was very thorough in his high standards of workmanship. He liked to experiment and create. He was one of the only ones who actually could design, cut and execute his own dresses.

You clearly see his design philosophy in everything he did.

WHAT´S ON IN FASHION?

If you need a fashion fix during your summer vacation, I have a few suggestions. These Fashion Exhibitions are going on at the moment and is definitely worth a visit. . .

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier - From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk. . .

- at The Barbican Centre, London from 9 April 2014 - 25 August 2014.

Jean Paul Gaultier: Be My Guest

- at Fashion Space Gallery, London from 11 April - 26 July 2014

Charles James - Beyond Fashion
May 8 - August 10, 2014

 - at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

- both at The Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Let me know what you think, if you get there. Or leave a comment if you have other suggestions. Enjoy and have a nice summer.

FASHION BOOKS

Inspiration is everywhere. You can always get inspired, learn new things and update your experience, if you are aware.
That´s why I just had to add these two fashion books to my collection, when I was browsing the local bookstore on my way through the City.
 

 

 

Photos: John Frantsen

ADVANCED COLORBLOCKING

I have been absence for a while, due to some vacation and different other things. Meanwhile some inspiration, until further notice. . .

Some designers master color blocking - the combination of colors on an advanced level, that is so inspiring. Here are a few examples - old and new - that I found recently and really like.

Hubert de Givenchy

 Arnold Scaasi 1958

 Narziso Rodriquez 2013

IMPRESSIONS DIOR

If you are into fashion and going to France for vacation this summer, you have to visit The Dior Museum in Granville.

Villa Les Rhumbs, where he spent his childhood, are displaying some of Christian Dior´s creations and photographs of his garden, revealing the extent to which Dior was inspired by the natural environment and the themes of light and reflections, just like the Impressionist movement was. 

If I´ve got the possibility I would definitely go!

FASHION TEXTURES - PAST AND PRESENT

Adding textures when you design can make a big difference. Here is  a few examples from past masters, like McQueen, Givenchy and Balenciaga, that i find very inspiring. . .

Can you tell who is who?

DESIGN SKETCHES AND ACCESSOIRES

It is always inspirational and tells a lot about the designer, how he or she sketches and uses accessories. Here are a few examples from the exhibition, as promised. Enjoy.

Photos: John Frantsen

INSIDE THE EXHIBITION

Some time ago I promised to show you a few pics from The Hartnell to Amies - couture by Royal appoint-ment - exhibition at The Fashion and Textile Museum in London.

"This retrospective exhibition of ground-breaking London designers Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies and Frederick Fox celebrates the timeless elegance of fashionable London couture. The consummate design skills of these men, publicised worldwide by the patronage of the Royal Family, helped to reestablish Britain´s reputation as an international Fashion Center after the Second World War."

  Extract from the Exhibition-Catalogue.

Photos: John Frantsen

I was a very nice experience for someone who is into design, craftmansship and fashion-history. The coming days I will show a few more pictures of design sketches and accessories. So stay tuned.

VINTAGE COSTUME CARDS

Finally the prize I won as Close Runner-Up some time ago on the blog Worn Through arrived the other day. It contained three different boxes of Vintage Cards by different Costume designers.
I participated with this Design-sketch. But I had to wait until friends and American connections came my way.

Photos: John Frantsen

THE ONE AND ONLY MRS. BOND

  

The 50 anniversary Exhibition of Agent 007 alias James Bond at The Barbican Centre in London has now moved on to Toronto and will also show in Shanghai next year.

But I would like to present Countess Tracy di Vicenzo, played by Diana Rigg  "On her Majesty´s Secret Service" in 1969. She is the only Bond-girl who ever married James Bond, played by George Lazenby, though it only lasted to the end of the movie, where she was killed.
Maybe some of you also remember her as Emma Peel in the cult British television series The Avengers. I was a big fan back then.

Since I have been especially fascinated by the 60´ies style in some of the first Bond Movies, I would like to show her bold wedding-outfit from the movie, as an inspiration for coming brides.

I think it was the very contemporary style and the attitude that made this decade so influental in fashion until this day.

  

 Photos from Google Images

COUTURE BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT

Norman Hartnell 1953. My interpretation of the exhibition-poster, 

reworked in photoshop

-Couture by Royal Appointment, is a new Exhibition at The Fashion and Textile Museum in London, which was founded by British designer, Zandra Rhodes in 2003.
Today the Museum is redeveloped and operated by Newham College and is a hub of learning, ideas and networking for the fashion and jewellery industry.

"The exhibition by the designers to H.M. The Queen: Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies and milliner Frederick Fox, celebrates the timeless elegance of London couture and explores how the Queen’s patronage of groundbreaking British designers helped put London on the international fashion map after the Second World War".

Before Sir Norman Bishop Hartnell (1901 - 1979) opened his house in 1923, there was little typically British couture. His elegant gowns attracted royal and aristocratic customers.
Known for the design of the Queen's wedding dress in 1947 and Coronation Dress of 1953, the iconic dress of the mid twentieth century, Hartnell expressed the characteristics and the quality of British high fashion and set the standard for generations to come.

He even inspired Christian Dior and was also acknowledged by Coco Chanel.

Sir Hardy Amies’ career began as designer at Lachasse, noted for its tailored suits. He was in tune with Christian Dior’s New Look, by 1951 Princess Elizabeth ordered from him, and as Queen Elizabeth II did so for the next five decades.

Amies became a successful menswear designer in 1959 with the first recorded men’s catwalk show. The clothes were fashionable and affordable, and the bespoke tradition continues today.

The Exhibition also highlights the milliner’s role in London couture through the work of Australian-born designer Frederick Fox
His most famous designs are the hats he created for Queen Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and many celebrities worldwide.

Original black and white photos reworked in Photoshop

Hartnell to Amies - Couture by Royal Appointment opened 16 of November and is running until 23 of February 2013. Another good reason to go to London.

ZAC POSEN Vs CHARLES JAMES

-Zac Posen is a very talented, successful American designer. . .but when I saw his latest creations on, they reminded me of another famous American couturier, the late Charles James.

 Photos: Yannis Vlamos/GoRunway.com

Of course it is his interpretation. But I think it is pretty obvious where some of his inspiration is coming from.
The silhouettes, the cuts, the choice of colors and fabric are quite similar. Take a look at my previous post, compare and tell me if you like it or not. Share your thoughts. . .