MOMA Costume Institue Gala 2012: My Favorites

It's that time of year. Once Again, my eyes gravitate toward some tried & true favorite designers- Marchesa, Valentino, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Monique Lhuillier, and Ellie Saab- to name a few.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Valentino

Hailee Steinfeld in Mui Mui 

Beyonce Knowles in Givenchy Haute Couture 

Jessica Biel in Prada

Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen

Marion Cotillard in Dior

Kristen Dunst in Rodarte 

Zac Posen & Amber Heard

Emma Stone in Lanvin 

Ginnifer Goodwin in Monique Lhuillier

Lilly Collins in Valentino 

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Burberry 

Katherine McPhee in Elie Saab 

Carey Mulligan in Prada

  Cate Blanchett in Alexander McQueen 

Image Credits: 

CBS News

Music Festival Fashion- 35 Denton

With some friends in high places (a.k.a the volunteer Graphic Design department), I was able to score a last-minute ticket to 35 Denton. North Texas' most underrated indie music festival. Don't take my word for it, Denton was listed as #1 on the Top 10 unrecognized Music locations on listverse. In addition to spending 3 music-filled nights in a blur of smoke & pounding ear drums, I caught wind of some very interesting fashion trends from artists as well as fellow show-goers.

I've found out that music festivals provide the most interesting array of fans. All with great and highly distinct personal style. Another reason why I love trendspotting at events with such a massive swell of people gathering to partake in a similar interest- Music. 

What I'm up to these days

 As a fashion major, you have to find a balance between what you see in your head & what you you can make walk down the runway; a paralyzing struggle at times. For my current project, I am oh so excited to share that it's the first time something has turned out EXACTLY like it did  in my head. My initial idea for my Dallas Career Day competition garment was to make a simple saque dress with a pleated buttress back and sheer 'wings' that connect to wristlets. Along the way, I decided to add a screen print to give the wearer incentive to "spread her wings".


Screen print ideas ran from Rorschach prints to finger prints but I finally settled on one that would truely resonate with fashion insiders. 

Need I say more...?

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty ( Metropolitan Museum of Art) 

2011 By Andrew Bolton (Author), Solve Sundsbo (Photographer), Tim Blanks (Contributor), Susannah Frankel (Contributor)

Image from here. Buy book at Amazon. 

I wanted an image that spoke volumes about what matters to fashion now & something that would make a bold statement. I believe that I pulled it off. 

My original dual image screen print

I chose a silver base coat with periwinkle highlights to make the original holographic reflections stand out. The chiffon I used is iridescent, so I definitely didn't want anything too flashy or glitzy. 

Screen Print 

Unfinished back wings

Annnnnnnnd VOILA!

'Savage' Skull-Fairy-Ballerina = Executed to a T

Telling a Story

1. Cerebral Synergy

The idea behind this board is the integral connection between our mind and our senses; what we think vs. what we know. It deals with the truth that our perception is distorted and depends heavily on one's subjective reality.

I wanted to emphasize texture & highlight fabrics & finishes with universal appeal. Specifically the ones that make us want to reach out and touch them; just to feel them would satiate this desire to know more about the garment. It's in the desire to engage with physically what our mind can't quite grasp mentally that fuels innovation.

2. Art Nouveau Revisited

"New Art" seems very appropriate for this timeless movement. Coming at the height of " the cult of beauty" age  in the late 1890's to early 1910's, it is one of the last decades that we see the omnipotent luxury & class distinction that made this era's fashion notorious. Small remnants were distributed within art deco into the the 1920's & 1930's as well.

Art Nouveau- with it's recognizable empire waists, dragon-fly & spiral motifs, and intricate stain-glass windows- seems to be widely revised today without diluting it's pure & youthful energy. 

Fashion Influence 2012: Apocalypse NOW

Mortality and Fashion: What is Futile?

 All this talk of the Mayan calendar predictions of the apocalypse in 2012 has to have people thinking. Whether unfounded or not, as the perpetual "end of the world" approaches- we have to think how this phenomenon will affect our being. With every aspect of our lives as a human species hanging by a thread, I believe that this event will spawn an unhealthy obsession with the perpetual doom bound to ensue.

 Some visual inspirations that came to my mind were consistent with that of Aldous Huxley's 1932 science fiction novel  Brave New World. 

from here

Set during the year 2540 in a "ford- worshipping" utopian society, this highly controversial novel explores issues of strategic reproduction, social caste systems vs.  uniformity, promiscuity, and mood enhancers. 

My ideal  fashion trend forecasting for 2012 will include a fusion of post -apocalyptic rugged wear and a kaleidoscope of cerebral utopian imagery. 

Probable Prints

Visceral & simultaneous prints inspired by Rorschach tests and optical illusions provide the viewers with a visual  escape from the mayhem of a post-apocalyptic world.

Bare Essentials: The Jumpsuit

With limited resources and scare outsourcing, the world has learned to become fashionably self-reliant with the mass introduction of jumpsuits as one's casual day wear- everyday wear.  The Jedi is brought out in everyone with large cargo packets, easily draped layers, and voluminous hoods that only expose the face.

Minimum exposure: Hoods

These hoods will not only help with social ambiguity beween classes-, but will provide a shield from the harsh & unpredictable weather. 

 The Belt

Fashion & Function will take a  new form in highly popularized utility belts- allusion to the chastity belts in Brave New World- anyone? 

8 Top Trends at UNT

1. Geo-Graphic screen prints

 

 2. Socks and 'Mandals'

Once cliche- now Okay!

3. Mis-matched  prints & Ethnic statement bags 

4. The cut- off denim vest

5. Sweet and unexpected texture

6.  The classic messenger bag with leather trim

7. Suede Shoes

8. Bow- ties & high collars

Talk about 'hot under the collar'...