News
Corsets: Off Stage
Just in case you had not noticed: corsets have moved beyond the stage and out into the street (and clubbing) fashion. We here at QSM would track their most recent renaissance as a fashion item to that famous Gaultier bustier for Madonna back in the 90s. Check out this June 2012 post from the BBC.
Corsets have never been out of style for Costume & Fashion Press. If you’re planning anything period or just want some inspiration check out our titles Corsets by Jill Salen and Bonnie Holt Ambrose’s little classic Corset Construction Book.
Impossible Conversations:Schiaparelli and Prada through August 19.
So you all have heard about the Big Costume Institute summer show at NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, here’s a rundown of what’s in the seven galleries. The show runs through August 19, 2012.
“Waist Up/Waist Down” will look at Schiaparelli’s use of decorative detailing as a response to restaurant dressing in the heyday of 1930s café society, while showing Prada’s below-the-waist focus as a symbolic expression of modernity and femininity. An accessories subsection of this gallery called “Neck Up/Knees Down” will showcase Schiaparelli’s hats and Prada’s footwear.
“Ugly Chic” will reveal how both women subvert ideals of beauty and glamour by playing with good and bad taste through color, prints, and textiles.
“Hard Chic” will explore the influence of uniforms and menswear to promote a minimal aesthetic that is intended to both deny and enhance femininity.
“Naïf Chic” will focus on Schiaparelli and Prada’s adoption of a girlish sensibility … Read More »
Happy Birthday, Will!
It’s April 23rd again…and we tip our hat to that guy. By our calculation he’s 448 or maybe 447…
Schiap experiments with Holophane
From the Schiaparelli and Prada show at the Met here’s a 1934 experiment with Rhodophane to create a “glass” cape. This transparent plastic as you might guess is related to cellophane. And should be filed under
“Before there were see through plastic raincoats” .
Colorful celebrations for Mary Blair and her designs
The Academy of Motion Pictures pulled together a great symposium in honor of Mary Blair’s centenary. The only female in the gang of Disney’s “9 Old Men” Blair’s unmistakably bold and colorful designs continue to inspire and influence artists in all areas of animation today.
Although Mary Blair (1911-1978) is perhaps best known for the design of Disneyland’s “it’s a small world” attraction and park murals, her concept artwork for “Cinderella,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter Pan” in the 1950s, as well as for earlier short subjects, reflects her unique sensibility and lasting influence on animation.
The roundtable disussion included a number of Disney designers talking about Blair’s influence
Michael Giaimo, a character designer for “The Brave Little Toaster” and “FernGully: The Last Rainforest,” as well as the art director for “Pocahontas” and a visual development artist for “Home on the Range.”
Eric Goldberg, … Read More »
Sonia Delaunay’s Fabric Designs on display at the Cooper-Hewitt
3.19.2011
Some people think of her as a painter. Others know she’s the wife of artist Robert Delaunay. But in reality she is a multi-talented 20th century artist icon. And for designers it’s her work in fabric design that is full of inspiration. Color Moves: Art and Fashion by Sonia Delaunay is on view at the Cooper-Hewitt in New York through June 5.
Roberta Smith writing in the New York Time has pull together an incisive and illumination account of Delalunay’s life, art, and impact on fashion saying,
“In 1917, while the Delaunays were sitting out World War I in Portugal, the Russian Revolution wiped out Sonia’s allowance, and she put down her paintbrushes and turned to work as a designer in order to support her family. In essence, she began to funnel her abstract vocabulary into an array of endeavors that ranged widely … Read More »
Fashion On A High: Robert Capucci on display in Philly
3.17.2011
We can’t get enough of this fabulous man’s design work. It’s clothing…costume….art. Inspiration for Costume & Fashion designers all.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art will be displaying his work March 16 through June 5, 2011. If you can’t make the detour…then check out the breathtaking slide shows and peek at their video of the curators at work setting up the show. And of course there’s a lavish catalogue of the exhibit and Capucci’s work for sale.
Bunny Christie on Olivier award winning The White Guard production design
3.15.2011
Our fabulous friends at the National Theatre have created an amazing video resource on the inspiration of The White Guard. Designer Bunny Christie recalls her inspiration for The White Guard’s set. Lindsay Tufnell, a scenic artist, explains the painting techniques used to bring Bunny Christie’s designs to life. Additionally on this page you’ll find a link to another video on the set movement and mechanics which also includes input from Lyttelton Stage Operations Manager: Stuart Robertson
Olivier Awards: Lighting goes to Neil Austin for White Guard
3.14.2011
March 13th at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, West End Theatre handed out their annual awards at 2011 Oliviers. Lighting Design of the year when to Neil Austin for The White Guard at the Lyttelton.
Other nominees were Mark Henderson for the Lyttelton’s production of After the Dance, Hugh Vanstone for Deathtrap and Paule Constable for Love Never Dies.
2011 Costume Design Olivier goes to Hildegard Bechtler
Photo: Time Out
After the Dance at the Lyttelton garnered the Best Costume Design at the 2011 Olivier Awards.
Other nominees were
Lez Brotherston’s oh so trendy and chic work for the Old Vic’s revival of Design for Living.
Mark Thompson who had alot of fun with the National’s revisal of London Assurance.
And, Bob Crowley for Phantom Part II: Love Never Dies.
