Monday, May 30, 2011


Well, I was going to try and describe it myself, but after reading the description of Nick Knight and designer Garegth Pugh's fashion video, I believe Show Studio could not have put it into better words:
"Conjuring a macabre phantasmagoria that unfurls before your eyes like a sinister but beautiful bloom, Insensate showcases the brutal geometry and raw creative fire of Gareth Pugh's A/W 2008 collection to truly bewitching effect. Set to a thundering, atmospheric soundtrack specially devised by artist Matthew Stone and utlising Pugh's twin cinematic inspirations of Predator and The Wizard of Oz as an aesthetic starting-point, this film takes us on a mesmerising, monochrome whirlwind ride, creating a chilling yet compelling world of complex reflection, refraction and glittering incandescence melting in and out of inky black."
With the collaboration of artists and designers that we have recently been seeing, the line between the fashion industry and the fine art world are beginning to become blurry. But, hey I'm not complaining... KEEP IT COMING!!!


Check out the magic here!

SOURCES:
http://nickknight.com/main.html
http://showstudio.com/project/insensate/

As for me, this is me signing out of the mysterious world of blogging. We've had our ups and downs, but I wouldn't be the person I am today without you, blog. Thanks for everything <3
BYEEEEEEEEE!!!

JUST ONE OUTFIT?!?


Andrea Zittel is a well known artist originally from California, but she now resides in New York City. The basis of Andrea's art relies on the everyday necessities of life, but turning them into "artful experiments". After watching a documentary about her life and her art, I became fascinated with her concept of wearing one outfit everyday, which she generally makes herself, FOR AN ENTIRE SEASON. When I first heard this, I could not even begin to imagine myself being comfortable in going out in public in the same outfit everyday for months- plus, wouldn't you get bored. Then I began to realize how it is actually shocking how dependent not only I have become on materialistic items, but society as a whole. Although, I still would never attempt this experiment, it was very enlightening to step back and evaluate a major flaw in society and begin to think of alternate ways of living. Watch the documentary here!

I Have an Idea...

Luminous clothing!
I stumbled upon a website recently offering luminous clothes, but they were not the most fashionable or the classiest of outfits---->http://www.lumigram.com/catalog/page0.php?osCsid=30b96ead74f230ff3162c8eb1f6ef3c2
I believe cutting edge designs could be created TASTEFULLY, but who will be the first to step up and take a plunge into the light???


MAD SCIENTIST


Often called "fashion's mad scientist", Hussein Chalayan explores and pushes the boundaries of wearable fashion. Known best for his transforming garments, his most memorable show has been said to be the Spring 2007 collection. Watch the footage here and be amazed!!!


As worn in popular culture: Lady Gaga

Sources:
http://www.husseinchalayan.com/#/home/
http://www.vogue.com.au/fashion/designers/hussein+chalayan,253

On the Radar: Reed and Rader

Tired of those boring old fashion shoots? Well feast your eyes on the animated fashion photography of Reed+Rader. It is very obvious that this couple does what they love to do and in turn they are creating a successful twist on fashion media. Pamela Reed stated, "screens are taking over as the main place for content consumption ... [and] technology has the advantage over print of being able to show motion and with speakers, use sound. Why show images on a screen still? Technology now allows for those images that once could only be still on paper to now interact and become alive."


Sources:
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/blogs/threadny/THREAD-Photographer-Spotlight-Reed--Rader-114099244.html
www.reedandrader.com/

YOU WON'T BELIEVE YOUR EYES



LED eyelases by Soomi Park

Saturday, May 28, 2011

BEAUTY AND THE GEEK


Why use a keyboard when you can use your pants?!!??!??!?!
While doing some intensive research I stumbled across these bad boys created as a school assignment by Erik De Nijs. His task was to combine two products into one, but he wanted to add a "twist" to his design. Therefore he created a pair of wearable jeans with a keyboard in the front, a mouse in the back, speakers in the knees, and a connection plug as a belt. Although this is quite an interesting take on using technology to its fullest in the fashion world, I'm hoping we won't be seeing any keyboard crotches walking around town anytime soon, or ever. 


SOURCES:
http://www.yankodesign.com/2008/04/22/beauty-is-skin-deep-geekness-is-to-the-core/
http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/2008/06/erik-de-nijs-yo/


Wednesday, May 25, 2011

>>--BULLETPROOF-->

Gia Bahm, the designer of Unearthen, has created wearable, simple masterpieces that not only posses healing powers, but help to remind us of the beauty that can be found in mother nature. By taking a bullet, which is manmade and generally used for destructive purposes, and combining it with crystals, which are all natural and generally used for healing purposes, Gia has created necklaces that not only look good, but encompass a deeper, more spiritual meaning in relation to our personal lives as well as cultural lives today. 



"INTO THE DEEP"

After being submersed into the depths of the ocean thanks to BBC's "Deep Blue", Vega Wang became enthralled with the discoveries technology has allowed us to make. These new found deep sea creatures instantly became the designers inspiration for her line, titled "Into the Deep". By taking glowing el panels and constructing them inside white dresses, Vega's pieces resemble those of bio luminescent jellyfish and other "mystical" creatures. So thanks to technology in marine science, Vega then applied this to technology in fashion. 
She stated, "I think technology is helping to bring the handmade back."
I agree with this statement to a certain extent, but it mainly depends on the person/artist. Overall, I believe technology will only weaken the need or use of handmade in the generations to come. :(
Watch the video here!



Sources:
http://thecreatorsproject.com/en-uk/creators/vega-wang/media/285
http://sophieb-s.blogspot.com/

Sunday, May 22, 2011

On the Subject of Bunnies....

Nuero Wear has created a new wearable "organ", or Necomimi, that is powered through a brainwave sensor. By putting on this headpiece inspired by cat ears, a human is able to communicate without verbalizing their feelings. These ears pick up on emotions through the brainwaves and move accordingly. For instance, when the person is relaxed, the ears lie down, but when  concentration is occurring, the ears will rise. 

Sources:
http://neurowear.net/
http://www.fashioningtech.com/profiles/blogs/mind-control-fluffly-cat-ear


Bunny Envy

Who would have thought a bunny could be so cute? This "hare-ss" combines the art of illustration with fashion like no other and is the mastermind behind the oh so popular fashion blog www.fifi-lapin.blogspot.com. Based in London, Fifi Lapin's illustrations of designer clothing on the cutest little bunny has not only landed her on LeSport Sac bags and on Asos tee shirts, but now in a hardback book! Titled "What Shall I Wear Today?" this style book takes high end designers such from Anna Sui to YSL and creates looks to help you decide on your own style. 
Not only do the contents of the book offer style advice, but also tips on dressing for your own body, carrot-inspired recipes, and beauty advice. 




Fifi Lapin for Le Sport Sac

Fifi Lapin for ASOS

Sources:
 http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en&q=fifi+lapin+what+shall+i+wear+today&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=2289594283228996454&sa=X&ei=AIbZTZnODIWT0QGk1YT9Aw&ved=0CDkQ8wIwAw&biw=1051&bih=602#ps-sellers

http://blog.krisatomic.com/?p=1101

http://rachelsayshello.com/2010/08/coveting-fifi-lapins-what-shall-i-wear-today/

LASER CRAZE: Part2 Garment

Wie-Chieh Shih, a taiwanese designer from Taipei, has designed and created a piece that may be worn as a jacket by day, but transforms into a laser spitting masterpiece after the sun goes down. This garment is composed of a nylon jacket with 200 small diode lasers jetting out like spikes following the curves of the upper torso. Who needs a disco ball when you can be the disco ball yourself?

Sources:
http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/16/view/10102/wei-chieh-shih-laser-suit.html
http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/16/view/10102/wei-chieh-shih-laser-suit.html

LASER CRAZE: Part1 Fabric



Lilly Heine produced a ground breaking affair with her Autumn/Winter 2010 line, created for her graduate collection at Central Saint Martins. By using a laser to cut her fabric, Heine then layered and handstitched together all of these pieces to create sculptural and dynamic shapes that were then formed to the females body. This process was extremely labor intensive and my be thought of as somewhat modern couture. Shortly after this collection was released she then collaborated with TopShop, who sold key pieces from the collection. View the pieces here:
TopShop
Here is her concept for the line:
I was looking at Picasso’s studies of curvaceous women and his sculptures and at the same time started using fabric to create volume. Once I put these shapes onto the body, it was like sculpting on a person. When the models walked around in the garments, the different layers started to move and looked like sculptures in motion.

Watch the whole collection here:
A/W 2010

Sources:

http://www.pleatfarm.com/2010/04/02/lilly-heine-central-st-martins/
http://oakazine.com/2011/01/breaking-lilly-heine/

No Bats In This Cave



Nick Cave is an American born artist, fashion designer, fabric sculptor, dancer, and performance artist.Immediately after graduating, Cave took on the role as an art instructor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has now claimed territory as the director of the fashion department. Here is where he became reputable for not only his remarkable influence as an educator, but also for his creations called “sound suits”. These suits are sculptures made of fabric, twigs, buttons, sequins, beads, hair, and feathers that are not only aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but also wearable. Inspired by African ceremonial costumes and masks, the suits have been put into performance art, stood alone as sculptures, and used in photos as well as videos. Overall, they provide a bright and whimsical experience for the viewer.
When asked to describe his work Cave stated, “My work, clothing and fiber-based sculptures, collages, installations, and performances, explore the use of textiles and clothing as conceptual modes of expression and pose fundamental questions about the human condition in the social and political realm.”



SCAD PERFORMANCE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQwd4Kg4W8M

Sources:
http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/n/nick_cave_artist/index.html
http://www.saic.edu/gallery/saic_profile_faculty.php?type=Faculty&album=1370
http://www.jackshainman.com/artist-images9.html

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL



As the days of Spring 2011 quarter have been flying by, I have been struggling to keep up with this blog. It has been a complete mystery to me why I could not just sit down and write my blogs entries, for I have always been a student to keep up with my work load. Even though I had already done hours of research, complied lists of young influencers in the fashion industry, and religiously wrote the words “BLOG POSTS!!!!!!!” in my daily planner, some strange force was holding me back from posting my entries.

This past weekend I experienced an epiphany. My good friend and I were discussing the radical shift we are currently experiencing through technology when I noticed I became very passionate about the subject. The Internet and overall technology has caused an increasing lack of human communication. Growing up in our generation, we were able to enjoy simple things like playing outside, illustrated cartoons (vs. 3D cartoons nowadays), and reading books rather than playing video games. Yet, the internet and the first generation of cell phones was introduced in our tween years, which allowed us to become technologically advanced. Yet, we can still remember the simpler times in our life, which in turn makes us more appreciative.

Although I very much appreciate the Internet and all it has to offer, I have realized how dependent my peers and I have become on it and how often it is abused. Not only do we rely on the web for simple tasks like spelling and directions, but also people have begun to turn themselves into something they are not. Through blogs and other social media tools, humans have begun to live in cyber space rather than in reality. ANYONE can be “cool”, take a good picture with a digital camera, or add 1,000,000 friends online, but only few have actual real life talent. This not only promotes a lack of thinking, but a lack of actually doing.

As we were assigned our term project, I was very excited to embark on my blog adventure for I had never really blogged before, besides looking at blogs every now and then. Yet, as I began to research for my topic of “young influencers” in the fashion industry, all I could come up with were these young girls who made a life for themselves on the internet. Where was all the inspiration? The art? The innovative ideas? I could not find them and I was therefore extremely uninspired and let down. I guess it was my subconscious holding me back from fulfilling my blog entries, for I have always believed in doing what is gratifying or inspiring to myself.

Overall, on the topic of contemporary issues in the fashion industry, I believe the Internet has become a major issue. Look back on the hundreds of social media websites that have been created? Is it really necessary? We as humans have become so unappreciative and impatient thanks to technology and in turn no innovative ideas are being produced, but rather people are just “reposting” everyone else’s ideas. Therefore, I plan on catching up my blog with the idea of fashion through the collaboration of art, materials, ideas, and an efficient use of the Internet and technology.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

ITSY BITSY ICON



Who would have ever thought a 5 year old would land the role as a fashion icon? Well, it’s happened. Suri Cruise was given the 21st spot on Glamour Magazine’s annual favorite style icon poll. You may blame it on her Hollywood parents, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, but this little diva knows what she wants and she gets it- even if it is an $850 handbag. Having a celebrity couples child in the spotlight not only vastly opens up a growing market for children’s wear, but also allows designers to apply trends in adults and scale them down to their target market’s offspring. Next thing you know, kids will be throwing temper tantrums for a new pair of Louboutins rather than the latest Barbie doll. 
Shopping with mom!
Ready for Flamenco lessons!
Spotted in designer clothing

 SOURCES:
 





DROWNING IN SHOES




Jane Alrdidge’s claim to fame lies right here on the interweb. In the year of 2007, when Jane was only 15 years old, she began posting her daily outfits on her blog, Sea of Shoes. These outfits were comprised of spectacular vintage pieces as well as new fashionable designer clothing, but her eye for out of this world shoes is what boosted her popularity. She began her blogging career in the town of Trophy Club, Texas with heavy inspirations from her mother, Judy Aldridge, who is also a well-known fashion blogger. Jane’s blog soon led her to opportunities on a global scale with companies such as Urban Outfitters. Although Jane attended high school throughout her blogging years, most of her learning has come from the amazing experiences she has been offered due to her knack for styling and insight into the fashion industry. 

Jane's collaboration on a line of shoes with Urban Outiftters
Featured in magazines such as Teen Vogue





Jane was asked to attend the Crillon Ball in Paris in 2009
































Sources:
http://seaofshoes.typepad.com
http://www.refinery29.com/jane-aldridge-for-urban-outfit