wander fashion

It think its about time for another post from the Audrey Schilt exhibition from FIT. (For previous post click here.) These wonderful fashion illustrations are from the spring 2005 Ralph Lauren Spectator collection. This collection is one of my favorites, the simplicity and elegance of black and white and her illustrative style for this collection is pure sophistication. I love that they have this loose casual gesture drawing vibe while at the same time being strong, confident, bold women.

Here's what Audrey's wrote about the collection and her illustrations:

Black and white with its clean lines and sharp contrasts are among my favorite approaches to this collection. The overall look of my sketches are strong and forces me to be bold with my line and silohette. There's a mensy feeling to Spectator with lots of jackets, coats and tailoring! The prints are often used to soften the menswear edge...The stripe hates added a touch of whimsy. The shoes and accessories were very important to the look... lots of spectator heels, and oversized bags in black and white. A shot of color in the accessories resulted in even more excitement. A winning collection.

A winning collection it is! I love all the layering of accessories; scarves, bags, shoes, hats, jewelry and even cigarettes! Isn't it funny to see cigarette's in designer fashion illustrations. Its like seeing them in a tv show or movie these days, it just doesn't seem kosher! But I love the ladies anyway, it just adds to the French vibe of the collection.

woman fashion

(Credit)

We’ve recently dug up an old article from the New York Times (note: PDF), published June 17, 1917, in which the author discusses some of his observations regarding the significance of woman’s clothing throughout history, and the changes that occurred after 1914.

Article from the New York Times on Women's Modest Clothing, 1917

Feminine apparel marked momentous occasions in history, as pointed out in many historical records and books; The French revolution is visualized through the liberty cap, the bodice, and the full skirt. The author of the article says: no one brought back the picture of the day so vividly, as he who writes of the clothes worn by the people who took part in overturning or establishing governments. Feminine trends literally color our history books.

However, the most significant change occurred after World War One, when the fashion world no longer conformed to one trend at a time. There was a sudden explosion of style and color, incorporating costumes of various ethnic groups. The skirt continued to shrink, which some linked to economic hardship. And then, this overexposure of skin began to tug at many women’s intrinsic ethical standards. The call for modest attire became the norm. Now we observe an amalgamation of the past, the present, and the future.

As the writer most sensibly concludes, dignity is the word. We live in a society that is completely divided on the subject of female modesty. It is the job of individuals to maintain the image they wish to create, and most importantly, preserve their self respect. One way is to not fall prey to overexposure.