Did you know that dress hem lengths didn’t change much from the 1700’s until the 20th century! Gowns and dresses for women including female servants and children rarely rose about the ankle. Other details changed but dress length stayed long for centuries. It’s interesting to think how slowly fashion has changed until the 20th century. I’ve been thinking about hem lengths as I finish up … Continue reading What’s Your Favorite Hem Length?
I worked in theater and costumes BM (before marriage) and one of my favorite jobs was at the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company in Seattle, WA. I loved being back stage watching the ballerinas dance and hearing their shoes strike the stage. I was enthralled with the dancers during warm up and, completely entranced as I watch them dance en pointe. I worked up in the … Continue reading Making tutu’s for professional ballet companies and other behind the scene peeks
Charles James is getting a lot of recognition this year with a look at his legendary career with an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Charles James: Beyond Fashion. Considered to be a “master of the cut and fold” his creations are an architectural marvel. Hailed by his rivals like Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga, Schiaparelli as well as countless women from high society ( and not so high like Gypsy Rose Lee) as the best and only dressmaker, James considered himself first and foremost an artist. Take a look at some of his art.
Continue reading “Born On This Day: Charles James July 18, 1906”
Unfortunately, most of what you may have learned in school about Betsy Ross and the creation of the American flag is most likely myth. Here are a few facts about Betsy Ross one of American’s most honored seamstresses. (For more fascinating history check out the Wiki page “Betsy Ross Flag”) • Elizabeth “Betsy” Griscom was born on January 1, 1752, and lived in Philadelphia for … Continue reading Facts About Betsy Ross America’s 1st Lady of Sewing
Remember girls: If you don’t take Home Ec you won’t have the Know-How Look, you’ll hang your head in shame and won’t get a date for the Jr. Prom. Caution: High levels of hokey acting, but oh so charming. Plus, an interesting behind the scenes look at Simplicity sewing pattern drafting. Worth the time! Enjoy. Continue reading The Importance of Home Ec. with #Simplicity Sewing Patterns
If you’re like me and love looking through vintage fashion illustration either on Pinterest, around the web or in (gasp!) a book you most likely have seen Paul Iribe. Paul Iribe was a fashion illustrator and collaborated with some of the top designers of his day. He worked with Paul Poiret, Coco Chanel (they were also lovers, he died rather suddenly and some alleged he … Continue reading Born on this day – Paul Iribe June 18, 1883
Slips. Why don’t we wear slips? And, really with Madame Liz has inspiration, you think every woman in the world would be slipping into a slip. That’s how you wear a slip! Here’s a little video from the ’40’s of the great slip. There is so much to love here. The music is perfect, the choreography is Balanchine worthy and, the camera work is amazing. Oh … Continue reading How to wear a slip
Linda Przybyszewski was in Denver at the Tattered Cover bookstore doing a reading and book signing of her book The Lost Art of Dress: The Women Who Once Made America Stylish. Linda is a wonderful speaker, has a doctoral degree from Nortre Dame with an emphasis on law, history, culture and dress. She teaches a class called We Are A Nation of Slobs: The Art, Ethics … Continue reading The Lost Art of Dress by Linda Przybyszewski
Here is Claire McCardell’s The Essential Eleven – Eleven rules every designer, either professional or individual should embrace. Learn to see Learn to sew Learn to drape Learn color Learn anatomy Learn to wear clothes well and appropriately Learn the difference between good taste and bad taste Learn what sells and what doesn’t Learn fashion history – trends-cycles Learn how to feel changes before they come Learn how … Continue reading Born on this Day Claire McCardell – May 24, 1905
Jim Howard’s Paper Doll Illustrations and Collections. It was a last minute invite from Tish Gance of HISS Studio, but I’m so glad I went. Fashion Illustrator Jim Howard spoke at the Brush Strokes Gallery on South Broadway and charmed and entertained a standing room crowd of his adventures in fashion and art. Getting his start doing grocery store adverts in his native Texas he quickly … Continue reading Jim Howard Fashion Illustrator
If you haven’t heard Kim Kardashian made it on to the cover of Vogue magazine April issue (with Kanye right behind her). The cover has generated more negative comments then one can shake a tube of lipstick at. (Full disclosure, I’m not a fan of any of the Kardashians, nor of reality television. ) The photo spread was done by Annie Leibovitz but her signature … Continue reading Vogue Covers – Then & Now: It’s not about art anymore
William Travilla, known simply Travilla was born on March 22, 1920. Multiple Oscar and Emmy nominee and one time Academy Award winner for the Adventures of Don Juan. Travilla is probably best known for dressing Marilyn Monroe. He designed the iconic white dress in Seven Year Itch as well as the costumes for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How To Marry A Millionaire.(For a fascinating look … Continue reading Born on this day – William Travilla Costume Designer
March has so many notable fashion and design related birthdays. I could write a blog post for every day of the month showcasing one stellar fashion icon or grand designer. Let’s just look at a few notable births this month. Plus links for you to explore more.
March is the month that Barbie was born. Love her or hate her the girl’s got staying power. Barbie is actually German by birth. If you look at the German dolls and then the US Barbie it’s not so much that Ruth Handler invented Barbie but rather she saw the potential in the German Bild Lilli dolls and ran with it. Just say ‘in. Bild Lilli dolls in good to great condition can fetch upwards of 4000 dollars or more. Continue reading “Born in this month – March”
Christian Dior, always a favorite among the sewing and fashion set, was born January 21, 1905 in Normandy, France. For fashion historians and lovers of vintage style Dior is best known for his “New Look” which emerged right after World War Two. The “New Look” was presented in 1947 and was seen as a fashion revolution that brought women out of the boxy, rationed designs from the war years into voluptuous, excessive glamour. Dior is cited as being the designer who brought fashion back to Paris with his “New Look”. Continue reading “Born on this day – Christian Dior”
Denver Sewing Collective 