Help my darling niece

[Joel Weber]

Rose actually picks a very exciting period, however I suspect 60 years is
awfully broad. There's a very close relationship between art, fashion and
social & cultural changes.

Off the top of my head--I'd call a paper of the nature: "Art, Society & the
Birth of Modern Clothing."

If you start in 1870s you see a number of artistic and design movements
begining to surface,. Certainly the Victorian era doesn't reflect one style
of dress, one single art or design movement,
but many.

And I'd certainly try to relate clothing and textile design to these various
movements. Here are a couple of examples. Look at Poiret & Patou at the turn
of the century. It's very clear that they were not only aware of the
impressionists and post impressionists, but socialized and were influenced
by them. Perhaps the most famous example is Diaglhev's work for the Ballet
Russe.

Following World War I, there was a new freedom fueled primarily by the
euphoria of the war's ending and the success of the suffragettes to gain the
vote and more equality. And that's reflected in clothing that rejected
corsetry. The Paris Exposition of (was it 1924?) is generally credited with
launching the art deco movement. But you'll see the influences creeping in
earlier. Culturally, the discovery of King Tut's tomb created a world wide
demand of Egyptian influenced clothing and accessories.

You also have design groups like Weiner Werkstaat, Der Stihl & Bauhaus
designing a broad variety of items including textiles and clothing. So there
are just tons of influences and you kind of need to understand them and pull
them together.

Finally I'd finish up with the work of Vionnet--maybe the most brilliant
designer ever (well she and Charles James).

This was all off the top of my head--early in the morning. But hope it helps
a little. (And that I understood the question).

joel

The best floor length cotton wrap skirts anywhere
http://www.designervintage.com/modern.html

----------
>From: "John Kane" <jk...@hotmail.com>
In article <7obpu5$p1t$1...@pheidippides.axion.bt.co.uk>, "John Kane"
<jk...@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Folks,
>
>I got this heartfelt plea from my (16 year old) niece yesterday, after
>giving her some Internet links to Costume pages. I don't really know what to
>advise her and I'm hoping you all can help. My only thoughts so far are
>that the period she's interested in coincides with what I'd call the birth
>of Modernism, following the breakdown of the Victorian consensus. Seems to
>me she might be able to get some mileage out of looking at the fin-de-siecle
>period (Oscar Wilde et al), followed by a look at the Flappers, Surrealists,
>Futurists, Bauhaus etc.
>
>Anyway, her letter follows - if you have any ideas or recommended texts,
>we'd be very grateful.
>
>John (jk0ms @ hotmail . com)
>
>
>====
>I quote ...
>====
>
>Just a quick hello and thank you for your help with my project. I spent all
>day yesterday at the central libary doing some research but its hard to know
>where to begin. I have write it in the form of a 4000 word essay, so I have
>put it in the form of a question... for example
>
>" The work of Louis Comfort Tiffany shows how his designs and sense of
>beauty matched exactly the times of the period."
>
>This is what I'm struggling with, as I need to know before I can plan it
>through properly in terms of research and personal visits (like to the V&A
>Museum) . Up to now I have found the later Victorian times to the Edwardian
>era most interesting, say 1875 up to 1930's. I was thinking a question for
>this could be:
>
>"To what extent was the change in dress from Victorian to Edwardian due to
>the changes in times."
>
>However because this project must be completly to do with art I am worried
>it will turn more historical, please let me know if if you have any ideas as
>to a title.
>
>Thanks, Rose
>
>
>

[EMiriamD]

> Seems to
>me she might be able to get some mileage out of looking at the fin-de-siecle
>period (Oscar Wilde et al), followed by a look at the Flappers, Surrealists,
>Futurists, Bauhaus etc.

Some suggested reading:

The Culture of Fashion by Christopher Breward
Sex and Suits by Anne Hollander

check this website about Flapper style:

http://www.pandorasbox.com/flapper.html

EMiriamD

"I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year's fashions."
Lillian Hellman to House Un-American Activities Committee (1952)

[John Kane]

Joel - you're a hero! I'd love to listen in when you've had breakfast and
are firing on all cylinders!
All forwarded to my niece.

Thanks
John
====
Joel Weber wrote in message <7obu0p$hmo$2...@bgtnsc02.worldnet.att.net>...