I find the best-dressed people are the uniform dressers. They’ve branded themselves aesthetically, and I think that’s what makes people’s style strong, unique, and personal.
Tyler Joe – staff photographer for Hearst publications.
I agree! Creating a signature look (a uniform) is exactly what style is all about. Even just one signature element to an outfit – a scarf, a hat, a collection of brooches worn on the shoulder – can be the distinguishing feature to one’s outfits. I once knew a woman who taught museum studies and she was known for her armful of silver cuff bracelets. She must have had about a dozen or so and she wore them every day on her left arm. That was her signature look and it was all her. No one else could pull it off.
What’s your signature look?
Posted in Arts, Fashion, Uncategorized | Tagged fashionable quotes, personal style, personal uniform, style, Tyler Joe | Leave a Comment »
When an item of clothing enters our collection, its status is changed irrevocably. What was once a vital part of a person’s lived experience is now a motionless ‘artwork’ that can no longer be worn or heard, touched, or smelled. The exhibition endeavors to reanimate these artworks by re-awakening their sensory capacities through a diverse range of technologies, affording visitors sensorial ‘access’ to rare historical garments and rarefied contemporary fashions. By appealing to the widest possible range of human senses, the show aims to reconnect with the works on display as they were originally intended—with vibrancy, with dynamism, and ultimately with life.
Andrew Bolton, Curator in Charge, The Costume Institute.
Mr. Bolton is speaking about Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, the current exhibition on at The Costume Institute.
And of course today is the first Monday in May, which means … it’s the day of the Met Gala!
The Met Gala has become way too much of a circus for me, even just visually. Every year it’s more and more extreme and outrageous. Last year actor Jared Leto showed up in a giant white cat suit (a nod to Karl Lagerfeld’s cat). Yes it was amusing, but why can’t we just stick to beautiful clothes? All this unnecessary spectacle takes away from what should be the focus.
As for the exhibit, the descriptions are somewhat complicated yet intriguing. According to an article in Vogue (May, 2024), Sleeping Beauties is featuring only clothing from The Costume Institute’s own collection (of 33,000) and 75 pieces are new acquisitions, including a gown by Christian Dior and a headpiece by Philip Treacy. Using technology, some of the oldest and most fragile pieces in the collection will be “reanimated” and presented in such a way as to give the viewer a feel for how the garment was worn – in what environment, how did the wearer stand, what scents were in the room.
The idea behind Sleeping Beauties is that attendees will have an immersive experience that will include not just sight, but also sound, touch, and smell.
One of the consultants hired for the exhibition is Sissel Tolaas, a chemist and expert on scents. She has spent the last year studying the fragrances connected to garments included in the exhibition. Apparently, attendees will be able to catch a whiff of the “fragrance elements” associated with the various garments on display, not just perfume but the body of the wearer “her habits, her culture, her rituals, the foods she ate,” explains Tolaas.
Does this pique your interest? Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion is on May 10 through September 2, 2024 at The Costume Institute in New York City.
Posted in Arts, Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage | Tagged Andrew Bolton, Anna Wintour, fashion designers, fashion events, fashion exhibits, fashion history, fashion icons, fashion news, fashionable quotes, Philip Treacy, Sissel Tolaas, Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, The Costume Institute, The Met Gala, Vogue magazine | Leave a Comment »
I was in front of the mirror trying on a coat when I saw someone trying to edge in and I turned around and it was Julianne Moore. I was flabbergasted. I just thought to myself – You don’t need to be here.
Lynette Nylande – British writer and editor.
Nylander was speaking to Elle magazine (Feb. 2024 issue) about The Row sample sale in New York City.
Everyone, EVERYONE loves a deal. According to Elle, designer sample sales are usually a rare occurrence. But in the past year, brands such as The Row, Khaite, and Comme des Garcons have been unloading their extra inventory at as much as 80 percent off the retail price. Sounds great! Except the crowds are a nightmare with over 1000 people waiting just to get in the door. (And then of course there’s Julianne Moore edging into other people’s space. Sheesh!)
Posted in Events, Fashion, Uncategorized | Tagged designer brands, designer clothing, designer fashion, fashion designers, fashion icons, fashion news, fashion sample sales, fashionable quotes, Julianne Moore, Lynette Nylander | Leave a Comment »
The other day I pulled out a merino wool handbag that I don’t carry very often, but I love it for spring, especially Easter. It was made in Ireland by Boyne Valley Weavers and actually, I have two – one in vibrant purple and one in natural. I think this color is a standout.
Something else unique about this bag, the satin bow tie. How charming is that? I remember my mother telling me that I had to tie the ribbon as that’s what made the bag unique. I agree, and so I always do tie the ribbon into a nice big bow.
Bows are huge this season. Designers were showing bows all over the runways and now we see them on shoes, barrettes, gloves, embroidered onto fabric, anywhere a bow can go. So, I’ll do my subtle nod to the trend with my wool handbag from Ireland.
Posted in Fashion, Mom's Closet, Uncategorized | Tagged bow trend, bows, Boyne Valley Weavers, fashion designers, fashion history, fashion news, fashion trends, handbags, spring accessories, wool handbags | Leave a Comment »
We should stop and really consider what it is that we’re wearing every day. And how we came by it and what it means to us, and what we are saying through what we’re wearing.
Professor Dilys Williams – Professor of Fashion Design for Sustainability, London College of Fashion.
It’s Fashion Revolution Week! This is an annual event that recognizes the anniversary of the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh, where 1,100, mostly women seamstresses, died and 2,500 people were injured. FRW is a movement that seeks to raise our awareness of what’s really going on in clothing/fashion industry.
This week is an opportunity for all of us to think about our fashion and clothing choices. Where and how can we cut back? I believe what we wear matters and I’m taking Professor Williams’ quote seriously. Particularly, what we are saying through what we’re wearing?
Posted in Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage | Tagged fashion designers, fashion history, fashion news, Fashion Revolution Week, fashionable quotes, London College of Fashion, Professor Dilys Williams, sustainable fashions, who made my clothes? | Leave a Comment »
This week I attended something fun – Sustainable Fashion Workshop – hosted by Sustainable Walnut Creek. It’s a well known fact that clothing production is a significant contributor to climate change; there’s currently a movement to buy fewer new pieces and thrift shop instead or use what we already have in our closets.
Around twelve of us showed up for the Sustainable Fashion Workshop at the Downtown Walnut Creek Library to hear about and discuss ways to reuse, repair, repurpose, and recycle our clothing. Ellie (SparkEllie on Facebook) led the discussion and offered advice. Some attendees brought in pieces they needed help repairing or repurposing and others came for inspiration. Ellie contributed a large bag of fabric scraps that we all enjoyed sifting through. Among the gathering of likeminded people was a five-year-old girl who quickly put together a pile of fabric and set to work designing something for herself. (Her enthusiasm was delightful to see.)
A local Walnut Creek resident found just the right white cotton ruffle to add to the bottom of a t-shirt. I asked for advice on mending a sweater with rips under the arms and got several great ideas.
If this is of interest to ODFL readers there’s another Sustainable Fashion Workshop coming up on Monday, April 15, 5-6:30 at the downtown Walnut Creek Library.
Do you have some clothing that could use a little TLC? Want to refashion some of your wardrobe? Just need some inspiration? I recommend popping into the Sustainable Fashion Workshop to meet some really nice people who also want to help save the earth, one item of clothing at a time.
It’s free! Click here to register.
This workshop is just one event in April to celebrate Earth Month. Among the list of fun is the Earth Day Celebration and a sustainable fashion show on Saturday, April 20th at Walnut Creek Civic Park, 11-4.
Posted in Arts, Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage | Tagged Earth Day, Earth Month, fashion news, repair clothing, repurposing fashion, SparkEllie, Sustainable Fashion Workshop, sustainable fashions, Sustainable Walnut Creek, vintage fashion | Leave a Comment »
I remember walking in and just being hit with the sense – Oh my god, they’ve bottled this. They have absolutely crystalized everything that I hate about high school and put it in a store.
Moe Tkacik – American journalist.
Tkacik is speaking about her experience at the retail store Abercrombie and Fitch in the documentary White Hot: The Rise and Fall of Abercrombie and Fitch.
Once I walked into the A&F located in the Westfield Mall in downtown San Francisco. It was loud and it was dark and I walked right back out.
I just watched this fascinating documentary and there’s quite a story to A&F – the rise under CEO Mike Jeffries – financial success – illegal business practices – mottos such as “we go after the cool kids.” Apparently, corporate managers really did not want what they considered unattractive people to work in their stores or even to buy their clothes.
Did you know that A&F was originally a sporting goods store? It opened in 1892 and sold everything outdoorsy – golf clubs, tennis rackets, camping gear, hunting rifles, sports clothing, and so on. When business declined in the 1980s, Limited Brands bought A&F and revamped it, selling an American collegiate look to teenagers. It was a huge hit, until it wasn’t.
As I said, this is quite a story! White Hot is currently streaming on Netflix.
Posted in Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage | Tagged Abercrombie and Fitch, fashion history, fashion icons, fashion news, fashion retail, fashion trends, fashionable quotes, Moe Tkacik, retail stores, White Hot: The Rise and Fall ofAbercrombie and Fitch | Leave a Comment »
Color, print, and pattern all evoke an energy, a frequency, and when you’re wearing them, you can feel different. A lot of people are doing this subconsciously, putting on those pink pants! It’s one way to raise your vibration.
J.J. Martin – American fashion and home goods designer and founder of La DoubleJ.
This is a quote from an interview with Martin in Vogue magazine, winter 2024.
Martin believes in the power of energy and approaches her designs with that in mind. She’s known for busy, bold prints in bright colors for both her clothing and homewares, which are all made in Italy.
I’ve noticed that I’m drawn to certain colors at different times. All of a sudden for seemingly no reason, I want to surround myself with purple, bright green, or yellow. Most recently it was mauve or soft pink – I just couldn’t get enough of it, like candy, and I think it’s because I find it a comforting shade. Patterns also call out to me; often it’s plaid but this past year polka dots are my thing because they’re such fun. Perhaps subconsciously I’m shifting my vibe. Whatever is happening, I’m enjoying it!
How about you, readers? What colors and patterns are you attracted to this spring?
Posted in Arts, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage | Tagged color in fashion, fashion designers, fashion icons, fashionable quotes, J.J. Martin, La DoubleJ, pattern in fashion, vintage style | 3 Comments »
A change of season means a change of hats. It’s time to don our pretty bonnets trimmed with flowers and ribbon.
I have enjoyed the cold and wet winter we had in my part of the world, but I’m excited for spring and all that it brings – sunny skies, colorful flowers, and spring fashions.
Happy spring and if you celebrate, Happy Easter.
Posted in Events, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage | Tagged antique hats, big hats, Easter bonnets, Easter holiday, Easter style, fashion history, hats, spring hats, vintage fashion, vintage style | Leave a Comment »
I was quite dark when I was young. I was a punk, not the popular kid – going to thrift stores, cutting things up, burning little teeny cigarette holes into things. That was me as a teenager, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Maybe that part of me wants to push back.
Angelina Jolie – American actress.
This quote is from an interview with Jolie in Vogue magazine, November 2023.
Adolescence is a time when we have the space to experiment with style and clothing. I know I did! I played with color and unexpected layering; for example – blue bobby socks underneath pink Capezio stirrup dance tights. I was excited about vintage clothing and started collecting 1940s jackets. A regular at Macy’s makeup counters, I favored purple eyeshadow with gold eyeliner and “opalescent” lipstick by Borghese (that’s where a lot of my babysitting money went).
I wasn’t the only one experimenting, we all did in different ways and you could see it in school hallways, classrooms, and on the street. But I don’t see any fashion play these days. I see packs of kids that all look alike – jeans or leggings or pajama bottoms, t-shirts or sweatshirts, and sneakers. No color, no pattern, no originality within the clothing, certainly no experimenting.
One theory as to why this might be is that kids (and others) now live on their phones. Social media is what counts, not real life. Dress up for your TikTok pics. Also, for girls it’s all about makeup – that’s where the experimenting is happening.
I’m with Jolie; I wouldn’t trade my teenage years for anything.
Posted in Arts, Fashion, Uncategorized, Vintage | Tagged Angelina Jolie, experimenting with fashion, fashionable quotes, playing with style, teenage fashion, teenage style, unique style | Leave a Comment »
OverDressed for Life 