Monday, December 31, 2012

The Chanel Jacket - by guest blogger Maya Young



  By Maya Young - Age 12
           Coco Chanel is a name people have come to know, and wear. Her simplistic and sophisticated designs have cast a spell on us and changed the world. One of her most iconic design is the Chanel jacket, an impeccably tailored, collarless, tweed jacket. Little did Coco Chanel know that this would be just one of her timeless trends that can be worn forever. 
 
           What indeed may you find in the Chanel jacket? Versatility. The beauty of the style is how easily you can dress it up, and dress it down, while still creating an effortless look. The jacket can make a woman look refined, cultured, and yet mysterious as well. It can also transform into a more soft and romantic style as well. However the jacket also brings a slouchy suave appeal to it.  Above all it can say “ I won’t bother you so don’t bother me.”


What may seem like a regular article of clothing for us, was a daringly different and unique for the time period it was originally created. Society wasn’t quite used to women balancing the masculine and feminine look, as the designer advocates the jacket as, “ a way of dressing that was masculine in its unruffled dignity, while remaining true to its creator’s idea of femininity.” In those days nobody would have thought that this sporty look in women could ever be perceived as elegant. But this was all part of Coco’s brilliance, this jacket became a powerhouse of modern fashion.

The jacket itself has a boxy shape, cinched waist, silk lining, pockets, and a chain to weight it down. This isn’t just a chic and stylish jacket, but a sequence of events, that requires continuous fitting, to reveal a flawlessly tailored product. Coco Chanel herself was a perfectionist, willing to rework fit, armholes, and even going as far as putting chains on the hemlines of her jackets so that they would hang correctly. Those making the jacket included only the finest materials, and the craftsmanship that you can only find with the most skilled seamstresses.


 
The Chanel jacket will remain a forever classic. It’s as if Coco Chanel wasn’t just designing for her time period, but as if she were predicting into the future. Even after years of Karl Lagerfeld reinventing the jacket, is it still a trendy look for our generation? Yes! If this can look absolutely stunning on Joan Smalls by tieing the sleeves together to create a bustier and skirt, then this is definitely a piece of clothing that every woman should want in their closet.



 note: This is first in a series of blog posts on the Chanel Jacket.  We'll be making one as well and showing the progress along the way.....

Saturday, December 22, 2012

My Latest Obsession - Doll Cothes




 Above are some photos of my finished project from the Liberty Jane Design Academy class that I took in October.  We were charged with reproducing an outfit from one of several images Cinnamon (Liberty Jane), gave us at the beginning of the course.  I had so much fun making this outfit, finding all the fabrics, trims and even the wig!  I'm currently in the process of turning all my other patterns from my Bonjour Teaspoon Pattern Line, into patterns for clothing that fits American Girl and other 18" Dolls.  I'll keep you all up to date on my progress.

As you can see, I chose outfit #3. Some of the other participants made versions of the other outfit designs and did wonderful jobs. 



Here is my 3/4 sleeve boat neck tee.  The pattern will be available soon.





Friday, May 25, 2012

1920's Fashion

This is an essay by sewing student, Maya Young,  written for her English Class.  I hope you will be as thoroughly impressed as I am.






1920's Fashion
by guest blogger - Maya Young (age 12)


The 1920's began with the revolutionary creation of a few fashion designers' influential ideas.  This was the era where women abandoned all restrictions.  the concept of no corsets, low waisted dresses, and earning equality with men, ushered the dawn of a decade in which fashion created the modern woman.

Frances Heger Beniades
The fashion of the "Roaring Twenties" started in the City of Paris.  This time period was know as the golden age to many french designers.  Women longed for a more active role in society in the 1920's, and the arena of fashion was no exception.  It was a time period known for great change and creativity.  While a radical change came after the First World War, and transformed the fashion industry, the famous fashion trends of the 1920's did not truly emerge until 1926 (fashion-era).

Women's fashion was inspired by men's clothing of the time.  The style of this glorious time period, liberated from corsets, gave way to a new boyish look.  Women were freed for mobility and action, and began to gain equality with men by cutting their hair short (Everyday Fashions).

One of the most prominent designers of the 1920's was Coco Chanel.  Her signature style was the supple use of Jersey and simple ensembles consisting of a jacket, blouse and skirt (Everyday Fashions).  The masculine look was popular, and soon women would wear trousers, with credit to Coco Chanel ("1920's Flapper").  Other Designers such as Jean Patou and Jeanne Lanvin were also popular with the athletic look ("1920's Flapper).

Maya Wearing a dress she made from a 1920's pattern found on Etsy

The evolution of art and jazz in this period also motivated the fashion of the time more and more.  Art deco became a substantial part of this change, and was heavily influenced by surrealism, abstraction, and geometric forms.

The hats in the 1920's were the most memorable accessories of the time.  The cloche at, as it's most commonly known, was usually made of felt to conform to the head, and was worn low on the forehead.  it was also sometimes made of beads or lace (Cloche Hat).
 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DLDesignsHatPatterns?ref=seller_info
http://www.etsy.com/shop/DLDesignsHatPatterns?ref=seller_info
Maya in a hat she made from etsy seller DL Designs



Unfortunately this era did not last.  The flapper lifestyle did not survive following the Great Depression ("1920's Flapper").  The depression and changing times were forging new fashions (Everyday Fashions).  But this iconic time period in fashion lived on, and the idea of modern imperative for freedom and movement continues throughout fashion history.





Citation list
1. "1920's flapper" 1920's women. Last modified 13 March 2012 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flapper

2. Blum Stella. Everyday Fashions of the Twenties. New York, NY: Dover Publications, Inc., 1981.

3. "1920-30." 1920's Women's Fashions and the Changing Role of Women. 2005. http://1920-30.com/fashion/

4. Thomas Pauline. "fashion-era." Flapper Fashion 1920's C20th Fashion History. http://Fashion-era.com/flapper_fashion_1920s.html

5. "Cloche Hat." Cloche Hat, Design, and Lter Fashion. Last modified 9 February 2012. University of Houston Digital Library. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloche_hat

Monday, May 21, 2012

An Afternoon of Vintage Heaven


This last weekend, my daughter, Emma, some friends and I went to the Vintage Fashion Faire at the O-Club,  on Alameda Point.  We had such fun watching people, perusing stalls, trying on hats and living the lush life.  The couple above were the darlings of the show.  Looking their vintage best from head to toe.
Maya looking at posters from the 1920's

Oxford Shoes from the 1930's from Luxe Vintage Clothing

1920's Hat, Deco bag and Pumps from the 1980's (also from Luxe Vintage Clothing)

There were lots of vintage Fox Stole's at the Show.  This one was my favorite, though I hesitate to call out a favorite...

Two Future Mad Men?  No, just two boys from MKretro

Hounds tooth Suit anyone? Also from MKretro

I was really into this feather hat and I'm a little sad that I didn't buy it. 


The hats were everywhere and they were all affordable.  Why didn't I buy that hat?

Nice Shades! and this too, is from MKretro

Pretty Sweet too!

Wouldn't this be a fun display for a little boudoir?

Kelley's favorite necklace.

Vintage patterns

This was a really pretty little display of shoes, hat and Tulle dress

1960's Cocktail Dress

So much fun!  Can't wait for the next one.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Exploring Fashion - Visiting Desiree Salas



 Desiree Salas is an Oakland, California designer.  Her focus is on vintage inspired dresses and separates that flatter a real woman's figure.  As a long time friend and fellow pattern maker, Desiree opened up her home studio to our Exploring Fashion Team.

Look at this Cute skirt with red accents!  Perfect for Summer
Showing us her patterns
In the Sewing Room

More work with patterns

Super inspiration board

great vintage fabric

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Exploring Fashion - Candace Kling Ribbon Artist

 Candy Anyone?  
Recently, our fashion camp had the opportunity to visit the studio of Candace Kling.  Candace is a ribbon artist and as we've come to find out, one of the leading ribbon experts in California, if not the US.  Studying the ribbon arts from history as well as creating her own modern wonders, Candace brings ribbon to life.  Check out her works of art below and above.

drawer full of vintage and antique Ribbon
Antique Ribbon Creations
Ribbon Flowers created by Candy


Ribbon Work on Millinery

Sculptural Ribbon Hats from the 1980's
Fancy Ribbon work on this sculptural hat!





Cate and Jocelyn viewing the work

Folded Paper Dress made from a book


Fancy Pleating