As you all know, I read an insane amount of books. Recently, I've been really delving into V&A books...because they are written to accompany the exhibitions at the Museum, they are throughly researched, relevant and to the point. They provide a solid historical reference on many aspects of past design as well as making them modern in their approach and attitude.
My favourite so far has definetly been The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957.
This title was concerned with the post war era and the effect it had on the design houses of the time. The books structure made it simple to read while providing a wealth of information on dress-making at the time, from design to fittings, to the first fashion shows to the final garment and how it was present to the public. It also documented the stand out courtiers of the time: Christian Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain, Andre Correges, Hardy Aimes and a lovely tribute to Cecil Beaton and his 1971 exhibition 'Fashion: An Anthology'.
I know I've said this before, but I love looking at garments from the past, when dressing up was truely dressing up. I love that people made and effort to look stunning and that stunning was something entirely different from what it is now.
One of my favourite dresses featured in the book was this Balmain embroidered feather silk gown:
Considering it was created in the early 1950's before technology was even in its infacny, the detail and execution is immaculate. Dresses were really worth their money then!
At the oscars on Sunday night I was very excited about Hilary Swank's Gucci dress:
see why? I suppose it's just cause I love my feathers eh?
I've been doing alot more dress making lately and have been loving working with the Vintage Vogue and Butterick patterns currently available. I'm currently working out and original 1947 design which I'm fairly excited about(sadly no feathers). Once I finish it, I might consider a proper outfit post featuring the garments I've made. Since the weather has been slightly better the past few days(Sun, in Glasgow, at this time of the year? Yeh, I know, it's mental!) and the latest dress is cotton I'll see if the weather keeps and maybe go for it!
I think I'm moving backwards in time as the next book I'm looking forward to reading is Forties Fashion: From Siren Suits to the New Look
My favourite so far has definetly been The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957.
This title was concerned with the post war era and the effect it had on the design houses of the time. The books structure made it simple to read while providing a wealth of information on dress-making at the time, from design to fittings, to the first fashion shows to the final garment and how it was present to the public. It also documented the stand out courtiers of the time: Christian Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain, Andre Correges, Hardy Aimes and a lovely tribute to Cecil Beaton and his 1971 exhibition 'Fashion: An Anthology'.
I know I've said this before, but I love looking at garments from the past, when dressing up was truely dressing up. I love that people made and effort to look stunning and that stunning was something entirely different from what it is now.
One of my favourite dresses featured in the book was this Balmain embroidered feather silk gown:
Considering it was created in the early 1950's before technology was even in its infacny, the detail and execution is immaculate. Dresses were really worth their money then!
At the oscars on Sunday night I was very excited about Hilary Swank's Gucci dress:
see why? I suppose it's just cause I love my feathers eh?
I've been doing alot more dress making lately and have been loving working with the Vintage Vogue and Butterick patterns currently available. I'm currently working out and original 1947 design which I'm fairly excited about(sadly no feathers). Once I finish it, I might consider a proper outfit post featuring the garments I've made. Since the weather has been slightly better the past few days(Sun, in Glasgow, at this time of the year? Yeh, I know, it's mental!) and the latest dress is cotton I'll see if the weather keeps and maybe go for it!
I think I'm moving backwards in time as the next book I'm looking forward to reading is Forties Fashion: From Siren Suits to the New Look
I'm loving the tailored dresses and their progression into Dior's new look. Oh and the fact Marc Jacob's AW11 collection was fairly well tailored hasn't influence that at all ;)
Oh and a final thought...John Galliano's sacking from Dior! I can't to see what happens next!
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