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Fashion’s Favorite Gifts
Fashion’s Favorite Gifts
By Paige McKirahan
Hello TalkingFashion lovers! It is finally December; since its the season of giving, we feel that there is nothing better to give or receive than the gift of fashion! If you’re one of the elves who has made a dent in their holiday purchases with our cyber sale last week, you’ve got the right idea! But if you’re like me and haven’t even came close to formulating gift ideas for your loved ones, not to fear; the perfect holiday gift inspiration is here! We have decided looked at some of our favorite fashion fanatic’s holiday gift lists and found some great ideas for the most flamboyant to the most minimalist on your list. Read on to see our top five gift ideas from the industry's finest and how you can find similar items in our store to get that quick holiday fix!
Marina Larroude, fashion director at Barneys New York, says she looking for shine this festive season.
She would love to add more sparkles to her wardrobe for the holidays; she specifically mentioned a sparkling Sonia Rykiel bag, but you can find some shimmering pieces right in our collection!
Dion Lee, women’s ready-to-wear designer, is all about giving jewelry to her loved ones.
The talented creative claims that the only purchase she's made so far this winter is a custom jewelry piece. She finds jewelry to be one of the best gifts because of its “intimate and timeless” feel. We agree, Dion!
Rickie De Sole, fashion director at W, is hoping for a new timekeeping piece this Christmas.
He claims that classic watches that go with everything are essential to ones outfit; this is proven by the fact that he's worn the same watch since college! He loves the Chanel Boyfriend style, and it has been the only piece that have prompted him to consider breaking his longstanding devotion to his current watch! Check out a similar style below!
Michelle Cordeiro Grant, founder and CEO of Lively, is all about vintage pieces with a story.
Number one on this boss woman’s list is vintage scarves or other vintage accessories from secondhand stores! She loves when her gifts have a story and a well known history as it adds new depth to any classic piece.
Tanya Taylor, Toronto-born designer, is in the market for beach-inspired fashions!
This colorful designer loves all things tropical; this ocean affintity stems from her son's name, which is palmer! Palm themed accessories and earrings are a sure to be a success under the tree this year!
To shop any of the items you see above, click on the image to buy with ease! For other gift options, head over to our collections and start checking off those items on your list!
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Metallic’s Glimmering Fashion History
Metallic’s Glimmering Fashion History
By Paige McKirahan
From the eye catching metallic jumpsuits of the ‘70s to the glimmering casings of the latest iPhones, metal motifs have been loved for decades across all art mediums. As we have learned by seeing all of our mother’s fashions cycle through popular revivals, the metallic trend has come in and out of the style again and again. Though there was some metallic glamour seen in the 1930s and 40s, it wasn’t until later in the century that this style truly began to shine. Starting in the 1970s, metal moved into fashion as the disco era was in full swing; in order to shine bright under disco lights, colorful metallic clothing and accessories were essential. ABBA blazed the trail with their shimmery looks and glittering performances, but this journey was stopped short before the end of the following decade when neon in the ‘80s prevailed.
Farrah Fawcett sporting a gold dress in the 1970s
(image credits to pinterest.com)
As grungier, minimalist styles proved themselves to be on trend in the ‘90s, the early 2000s left that minimalism behind and headed towards a shining future. Both silver and gold aesthetics were the “it” styles both on the runway and in the jewelry industry. This boom happened once again in 2013 when heavy metal saturated Ready to Wear collections across the globe from Balmain to Gucci. Every color could be seen with a metallic sheen and this aesthetic was applied to everything from belts to pantsuits.
Once again, we see have this metal obsession come back into the light as these shiny styles dazzled on runway all over the world this past fall. As the trend has evolved, it is considered perfect for spring and summer looks that are fit to sparkle under the sun. But don’t think that these metal hues are just for the warm weather months; implementing darker metallic shades into a fall and winter outfit can elevate any chic cold-weather look. New Years Eve is the best time to shine and if you're looking to emulate the Times Square Ball, check out our collection for some time stopping metallic pieces perfect for any end of year celebration!
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The Met Museum Presents Jewelry: The Body Transformed
The Met Museum Presents Jewelry: The Body Transformed
By Paige McKirahan
In the wake of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s most successful fashion related exhibit since its conception (talking about you, Heavenly Bodies Exhibit!), we here at TalkingFashion we have been excited to see what was next for the art-filled attraction based in New York City. Lucky for us, the topic for their new display covers none other than jewelry throughout time; museum patrons will be able to view over 200 pieces from dated 2600 B.C. to the present. The exhibit, which is titled “Jewelry: The Body Transformed”, opened on November 12th and will have a 15-week run in the iconic museum.
If you are lucky to see the exhibition, you will be faced with an exploration of how “jewelry acts upon and activates the body it adorns” from a historical perspective. The pieces are chiefly taken from the Met collection and many portions of the exhibit pair the jewelry with sculptures, prints, and photographs in order to enhance their story. Jewelry from around the world will be organized into galleries by the part of the body they embellish starting from the top of one’s head and hair; to the nose, lips and ears; neck and chest; and lastly waist, ankles, and feet.
After the exhibition is separated by body part, the remaining galleries are arranged thematically. The Divine Body is focused on early conceptions of jewelry and its previous link to immortality. The Regal Body will look at the use of jewelry as a status symbol. The Transcendent Body moves away from a rank-based evaluation and looks to jewelry’s historical link to the spirit world, where it was said to conjure spirits, appease gods and conjure ancestors. The Alluring Body gallery will celebrate how jewelry evokes romance and desire and the final portion, The Resplendent Body, will focus of elegant pieces designed for luxury settings. To see other magnificent pieces currently on display, head over the The Met's exhibition page. If you are looking to do more than just appreciate historical jewelry, head over to our collection and purchase a piece beautiful enough to be in a museum!
(all image credits to metmuseum.org)
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Folk Art Influence: American Art Turned Fashion
Folk Art Influence: American Art Turned Fashion by Morgan Watkins
When you think of the term “folk art,” what comes to mind? Do you instinctively hum a tune by Mumford & Sons? Do you imagine paintings of rural lands or cows? Regardless of whatever conceptions you may have of folk art, there’s a lot to be said about its staying power in America and how it’s shaped artists and fashion designers alike. Want to learn about folk art and its impact on the fashion world? Keep on reading!Folk art was introduced to the eastern regions of America in the 1700s. Vastly talented artists, who were characteristically self taught, used a variety of mediums to communicate their surroundings to the people around them. Initially, these art pieces served as forms of income for individuals around the country. Paintings of landscapes and portraits were most common around this time, featuring simplistic techniques and styles that perfectly reflected this era. Portraits displayed fairly basic backgrounds but intensely detailed facial features and expressions. These creations also serve as a wonderful record of what the fashions looked like centuries ago, even if the paintings were simple. Landscapes depicted images of all scenery imaginable, whether that be the sea, forests, farmland or townships. By the 1800s, mourning paintings were quite popular, presenting portraits of lost loved ones and families weeping at funerals. Important life events in general, like weddings and births, were also documented via folk paintings.
(Image from https://folkartmuseum.org/exhibitions/a-shared-legacy-folk-art-in-america/)
Sculpture was yet another medium utilized by 19th century folk artists. The earliest American folk sculptures were carved from wood and perched upon the stern boards and figureheads of ships. These carvings mimicked female figures and were said to protect the ship. Cigar and tobacco shops also worked with folk artists to create lifelike signs for their businesses. Carvings of life sized Indians and soldiers were most commonly requested by shop owners, who set the self-standing sculptures outside the doors of their storefronts to attract customers.
(Image from https://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2258/lots/189)
One of the most common associations with folk art is quite arguably the patchwork quilt. The American staple was birthed from Amish communities in the 18th and 19th century Midwest, where resources were limited and winters were cold. These quilts served utilitarian as well as decorative purposes, as folk art can be either or. Another folk art attribute that was prevalent in quilt making especially is the concept of creating works with your own two hands. And while quilts, paintings and sculptures are all examples of art you can touch, intangible forms like music, poetry and dance also have their place in the realm of folk art.
(Image from http://amishamerica.com/hostetlers-quilt-shop/)
So how has folk art presented itself in the fashion world? Well, just recently, Raf Simons was celebrated by the American Folk Art Museum for the Americana quilt designs he created for Calvin Klein. And celebrating the 50 year anniversary of his brand, Ralph Lauren presented a collection dripping in folk art influence for New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2019. The designer claims that his collections and mood boards are birthed by American inspiration, listing American folk art as a specific example. Lauren’s American muse is clear in his patchwork designs, paired perfectly with folk-y patterns and fabrics like wool, plaid, and tribal print.
(Image from https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/raf-simons-to-be-honored-by-american-fo lk-art-museum-1202770974/)
Above all, folk art is an outlet that has always been for the people, by the people. Although it started out as a means to make a living, folk art has evolved into a contemporary practice made for self expression and community bonding. Its inclusivity, patriotism and effortless attitude makes it an art style that will likely withstand the test of time, growing with us in fashion and other gorgeous art forms worth admiring.
(Image from https://www.bangstyle.com/posts/ralph-lauren-50th-anniversary-ss19-fashion-show-318 6)
References:
Aktar, Alex. “ Ralph Lauren Marks 50 Years at Star-Studded Central Park Show.” New York Post,8 Sept. 2018, https://nypost.com/2018/09/08/ralph-lauren-marks-50-years-at-star-studded-central-park-show/.
Lockwood, Lisa. “Raf Simons to Be Honored by American Folk Art Museum.” WWD,8 Aug. 2018,https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/raf-simons-to-be-honored-by-american-folk-art-museum-1202770974/.
Sessions, Ralph. “Folk Art.” Scholastic, http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3754295.
“What Is Folk Art?” Museum of International Folk Art, http://www.internationalfolkart.org/learn/what-is-folk-art.html.
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Folk Art in Fashion Culture: Folk Couture
Folk Art in Fashion Culture: Folk Couture
By Paige McKirahan
When evaluating the vast number of art movements that have influenced fashion and design for centuries, it seems like the list of inspirational aesthetics is never-ending. From Art Nouveau to Art Deco, we have seen the line between art and fashion become blurred; the Folk Art movement is no exception and has undoubtedly enjoyed its own transition into the fashion industry. So much, in fact, that the American Folk Art museum created an entire exhibit dedicated to this assimilation. The “Folk Couture: Fashion and Folk Art” show, which was first introduced in early in 2014, called upon 13 couturiers to create one of a kind designs that correlate with specific pieces in their art collection. The connection between the two may not always be overtly evident, forcing the viewer to truly consider the pieces and how they have similar characteristics. Yes, some specific motifs from the art that inspired the clothing piece are used, but there are no direct translations of the artworks incorporated into the pieces.
Jean Yu’s chiffon dress and its inspiration, Porcupine, created by David Alvarez in 1981
(photo credits to artnews.com)
Fashion may be the hook to reel in some visitors, but the pieces in no way overshadow the art; instead, they complement the work rather than distract from it. The designers chosen by guest curator Alexis Carreño to design and create these fashion pieces are overwhelming eclectic. Even if they do not normally design pieces with folk art in mind, they all had a great eye as to what aesthetics would transition well into fashion and wowed spectators with their work.
Art often envelops fashion and vice versa; we see this cannibalistic practice illustrated with folk quilts being made of clothing scraps and folk painters like Ammi Phillips looking to fashion in print for posing inspiration. In a city where fashion reigns and museums are always looking for ways to draw in patrons, the American Folk Art Museum proved that other New York museums can incorporate fashion into their galleries successfully (and without the help of Anna Wintour). Feeling inspired by folk aesthetics but not looking to create your own gallery-inspired piece? Check out our collections to find some accessories that are already made and ready for you to purchase!
