Christian Marie Lacroix was born on May 16, 1951 in Arles, France. He studied art and costume history at the University of Montpellier, and after graduating with his arts degree in 1973, Lacroix went to study at the Sorbonne in Paris, hoping to establish a career as a museum curator. After moving to Paris from…… Continue reading Christian Lacroix
As many of you know, I returned to the world of freelance graphic design in order to pursue a degree in fashion design on a part-time basis. I’m doing a bit of juggling, it’s true, but I’m really good at that. In the past four months, I’ve finished three courses (Design Principles, Construction and Advanced…… Continue reading I’m feeling just a little sense of accomplishment tonight.
I received a request the other day to find out where all of the excess fabric came to make the zoot suits popular in the 1940’s. To truly understand the zoot suit, it is important to understand the political and social climate of the time in which it was created and worn. Lets start with…… Continue reading Zoot Suit: the Harlem fashion trend and how it all began.
Pauline Trigère was born in Pigalle, a neighborhood in Paris, on November 4, 1908. Her parents, Alexandre Trigère, a tailor, and his wife Cecile, a dressmaker, were Jewish. Pauline, who was proficient in sewing by the age of ten and would often assist her mother, began designing clothing for herself in her early teens. Once…… Continue reading Pauline Trigère
Norman Hartnell was born on born June 12, 1901, in London, England. While neglecting his studies at Cambridge University he instead focused on his work as a costume designer for the school’s drama club. During a production of “The Beggar’s Opera” in London his creations attracted the attention of the press. After being deemed the…… Continue reading Norman Hartnell
When Lucien Lelong was born in Paris, on October 11, 1889, one could have said that he was destined for a life of fashion. Lucien’s father and mother owned a small couture house and in 1907, at the mere age of 18, he designed his first pieces. Two years later, he took it upon himself…… Continue reading Lucien Lelong
John Redfern, was born on November 11, 1820. His father, also named John Redfern, owned a specialty clothing shop in Cowes, Isle-of-Wight, England. Young John spent his early life learning tailoring and draping techniques. John Redfern set up his tailoring business in Cowes High Street following his marriage to Harriet Beazley, and between 1847 and…… Continue reading John Redfern & Sons
One of the earliest examples of corseting (reducing the dimensions of the torso or waist) can be found on pottery figures created during the late Minoan Period (1500BC) and found in Knossos, Crete. The bodies of these snake goddesses are closely confined within their belt-like bodices, commonly thought to be made of leather or wooden…… Continue reading A brief history of the corset through 1950
Prior to 1870, various types of silhouette-altering garments were worn to change the natural shape of the female body into a fabricated, structural work of art. In addition to the corset, this included hip pads, bum rolls, farthingales, side hoops, panniers, stiffened petticoats, and crinolines. It wasn’t until 1868 that the bustle, or tournure, first…… Continue reading A brief history of the bustle
It’s that time of year again – Edwardian Ball. Every year I make something new for the Ball and repurpose something from a previous year for the World’s Faire. This year, I opted to create a late 1890’s/early 1900’s walking skirt, with a tailored jacket in suffragette colors. Not exactly period-correct, but fun. I found…… Continue reading Edwardian Ball 2017 – Suffragette part 1
refashioning history 