Is fashion art? ...How long have you got?!

So I've decided to choose my essay title/question for Wednesday's module as 'Is Fashion an Art? Why has it been increasingly viewed as such in the Postmodern Art World?' I've just finished writing a synopsis for it, and have managed to find some really good sources for research. Yay, research. :-P
There are some fashion designers that hate the idea of fashion being described as an "art", but then there are others that love it...and of course there are always ones that sit on the fence. ;-P Karl Lagerfeld detests the idea of fashion garments being shown in museums, whereas Elsa Schiaparelli worked with artists like Dali to create a lobster print dress, skeleton dress, hat that looks like a shoe, and a desk suit. 

And then there's Rodarte's Kate and Laura Mulleavy and Alexander McQueen who show expression, creative skills and imagination in their designs. Since the Oxford Dictionary's definition of art is "the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination”, then surely fashion can be classed as art?

However, the main purpose of clothing is to cover the naked human body and protect it from different kinds of weather. For mass-market retailers it's just a product to sell and make money out of. Art, on the other hand, is less fleeting and is only created when the artist wants to make something.
Fashion garments are increasingly being shown in art's sacred institution, museums (sorry Karl Lagerfeld), and with it comes a focus on whether it's directly or indirectly related to art.
This debate will continue for many more years to come, and the argument between the two sides will continue with it.

BUT WHAT DO I THINK?!

I'm gonna hate myself here, and sit on the fence a bit with this (sorry!) I think it depends on which fashion designer you're talking about, and the garment being looked at. Alexander McQueen and Elsa Schiaprelli are definitely artists in my mind. The creativity behind their clothes is just breathtaking. Whereas Karl Lagerfeld creates quite simple and ordinary garments.

(Not my cuppa tea either...)

So I'm afraid I haven't really got a straight forward answer for this question, but then again, who has?!

Arty Farty.

I've been all boffiny the last few days and got on with some serious work. :-P We've been able to decide the subject matter for the 'Monday module' at college, and we'll be working from whatever we've chosen to create creative shebang. It has to be from a lecture we've attended though... But luckily I found something awesome! ;-)

ROMANTICISM!

(And thus, the Pre-Raphaelites, 'cos they were part of it...)

I am absolutely head-over-heels in love with Pre-Raphaelite art. It's absolutely stunning. If you get a chance, check out 'Frank Cadogan Cowper'. His work is just breath-taking. Oh, and of course, not to mention the very famous 'Edward Burne-Jones', whom I was first introduced to from watching the brilliant film 'An Education'.

Anyway, here's some paintings I've done. :-)

My version of Frank Cadogan Cowper's 'Vanity'.

I couldn't find any details about the original version of this, but here's my version of another Pre-Raphaelite painting...

My version of 'Dante Gabriel Rossetti's' 'Lady Lilith'.

Oh, and this is the creative mess around me...

And a scrummy Belgium bun I ate while taking a break... Omnomnom.

Talk soon!

Bargain!

Hello all! Yesterday I went on a little shopping/walking trip. :-P To get to the most important part of it, my lovely gentleman bought me a designer dress. ;-) Well, I would call it designer, mostly from the original price tag! Originally it was £130, but one of the staff members came up to me when I was looking at it and she told me she was just about to put it on the £20 sale rail! Last one, and my size!

                                           This is what it looks like without much jazzing up...

                                               

And this is how I wore it today, all layered up for Blighty weather...

The dress is by Almost Famous. Just had a quick look on their website and they have some other lovelies on there! These are my two favourite dresses on there... Not in the sale though! :-(

Oh, and just before I go today, look at this little project I've been hiding... ;-)

I'm working from this knitting pattern...

The rib style had to be changed slightly 'cos neither me nor mama could work out the instructions for the twisted rib stitch on the original pattern...

Some good ol' 1940s spirit!

So I've just discovered that Lucky Lucille is holding a fantastic 'sew-along'. It's called 'Sew for Victory' and you basically have to attempt to sew a 1940s inspired piece of clothing (or outfit!) and she'll post your crafty skills on her blog! I'm new to the whole 'sew-along' business, but I have plenty of experience of sewing with vintage patterns (especially 1940s & 50s ones), so I'm hoping to create something great! :-D I'm still kind of deciding what exactly I want to make (I have so many projects lined up in my head! Should probably make myself a 'sewing router'!) I'm definitely seeking inspiration from good ol' 1940s films. Anyone ever watched Blithe Spirit? Well if not, then you must! The character 'Ruth' wears some stunning outfits, each one I want to make! I wasn't able to find any pictures that truly showed them off, but here's some that'll do! :-P

Bleurgh.

I've been feeling pretty negative lately. I don't feel very confident in my college work and worrying what exactly I'm doing with my life and where I'm going. :-\ I want to be as chic as a 1947 Christian Dior model...

...be a perfect 1950s style housewife...

...sell vintage style clothes in my own boutique...

...be as famous as Dita Von Teese in the burlesque world...

...oh, and be a vintage style pin up model.

Oh dear...

Button up.

A another kind of "non-week" really. Completed my shirt for Monday's module (sewed on buttons and gave it all a final press). I used quirky buttons to funk it up a bit. Kinda like these...

I suddenly realised that I didn't say at the end of last week's post that I created the buttonholes of the shirt with a machine. Now I've always created them by hand at home. I do own a vintage buttonholer attachment for my 1950s singer, but me and papa still need to figure the darn thing out! However, using the "modern" one at college has definitely made me more determined to work it out... I'm never gonna swap my vintage sewing machine for a modern one though! I love it far too much!