Poiret

So I gave a presentation today about Poiret, a designer who worked in the early 20th c. He is important as his legacy can be seen in fashion today by the PR party launches, copyright laws, styles like the turban, bright colours and Oriental influences.

For our handout my group decided to include our favourite piece from the V&A collection. This was my choice:

This is my favourite Poiret piece because of the fantastic vibrant colour and its slouchy elegance. It looks like a piece that would effortless transform an outfit and gives an air of nonchalance to its wearer- like they don’t take fashion too seriously. I’ve seen many things like it but none as simple and as classic as this. Dated 1913, this mantle, based on a deconstructed kimono with a stylised bow on one side, is made of bright yellow wool and lined with black chiffon. It illustrates how Poiret was able to combine with rare harmony the bold colours of Fauvism, the vision of Cubism and the exoticism of Eastern garments.

Day out with Akua 1

Friday was 'Catch up with Akua' day so we decided to be cultural and hit the V&A. The Grace Kelly exhibition wasn't open until the next day and the line for the Quilts exhibition was so long so we just wandered around.

18th century Fashion dolls!

Tracey Emin Longchamp bag 2002. I love her work

It was good to see this particularly as I did an essay on the male suit in the early 19th century last term

Stays and corsets fascinate me as they have so many different conatations (I did an essay on them too)

A little Grace Kelly taster.

The 'country bumpkin' look which I love right now. I really want a green Barbour.

underwear as outerwear

A photograph from my first visit to the V&A photography space. This was our favourite piece. It's by Maud Sulter and is called Terpsichore (Delta Streete) 1989. The photograph is of the performance artist Delta and this representation of contemporary black women questions the idea of 'national heritage'- she is a product of empire.