A Fashion Year in Review

By Paige McKirahan

 

As 2018 is coming to a close and everyone is making big plans for 2019, we here at TalkingFashion thought it would be remiss to not shed light on some of the industry’s favorite books, blogs, and moguls from this year. Whether you’re looking for those last minute gifts for late holiday parties or trying to find the perfect obsession to carry over into the new year, we’ve got you covered!

When it comes to fashion in literature, there is no shortage of publications covering everything from history to technical design. Read on to see our top books of 2018 that are sure to be a coffee table hit!

 

For the history buff:

Francesca Liberatore is a biographical novel discussing the life of Italian designer who worked for some of the most infamous fashion houses in couture history, including one belonging to none other than Jean-Paul Gaultier. Even though this title is not yet published (release date February 2^nd, 2019), it is highly anticipated by fashion readers all over the globe.

Ferris Bueller: Catharsis is a photographic novel showing the fashionable archives found in one’s childhood bedroom located in Queens, New York. The room, which belonged to marketing consultant Rodney Bailey, shows us how styles survive the test of time and how some don’t share a similar fate.

 

 

Stephanie Pfriender Stylander: The Untamed Eye dissects how photographer Stephanie Stylander navigated the wild climate of the fashion industry in the 1990s. She was, at the very least, one of the most cinematic photographers of her time and she worked with all of the greats not only in fashion, but in the entertainment industry as well.

Tudors to Windsors shows 500 years of British royalty depicted in photographs and other artworks, exploring dynasties by year and fashion. These images embrace how the royals they display would have been interpreted based upon the popular culture and contemporary styles of the time, offering great insight into portraiture and trends. 

 

For the model and subject obsessed:

Overworked Body #2: An Anthology of 2000s Dress features a complication of photos that have been recreated based upon iconic interpretations of fashion from the past two decades. These reimaginations are so popular that the book has been out of stock consistently since its release.

 

 

Posturing aims to discuss aesthetics in fashion shoots and how models and photographers work with the body to create visually stimulating image. It tells readers how these positions work to tell stories and discusses how what the body means is ever evolving. 

Schoeller: Close bounds 120 portraits featuring some of the world’s most famous people across all mediums ranging from fashion and politics to entertainment, and sports. These up close and personal shots are all have identical compositions, but also have different moods because of the subjects’ different looks.

 

For the design lovers:

 

 

Hermes Pop-Up is the quintessential pop up for fashion lovers; its annual release illustrates the luxury brand’s upcoming creative direction for the year in the most stimulating way. The book expands on their iconic scarf designs and has now become a beloved tradition that began in 1987 for the brand’s 150^th anniversary. This year’s theme? Lets Play!

Jewellery: Art Nouveau to 3D Printing aims to present a comprehensive collection of jewelry and its respective designers starting at the beginning of the 20^th century and spanning to the present. It examines pieces from all around the globe that are made from a multitude of materials and explores the influence of art movements on the design of these jewels.

Italian Tailoring discusses the longstanding traditions and technical practices in Italian garment making. The longstanding legacy of elegant, good styling and appreciation is widely associated with Italian pieces and this insider view profiles 28 iconic tailoring shops in Italy and the designers that created them.

 

Moving on to our favorite blogs (other ours, of course), it seems that 2018 was truly the year that this genre of writing became overtly popular. From moms to fashion moguls, everyone wants to share their thoughts on a wide range of topics. Continue on to find your newest favorite blogger to add to your reading list!

 

Modest Mira

This Manchester based stylist and influencer draws in readers with her fun language and captions, showing that you don’t have to comprise style when dressing modestly.

Slip Into Style

Ellie, a Parisian influencer, has an cool-girl aesthetic to die for. From her blog to her Instagram, her urban luxe look stuns readers and she fearlessly mixes materials and trends to create stunning ensembles.

Caro Daur

Caroline Daur, fashion blogger and Instagram superstar, is having quite the year as she has just hit 1.2 million followers in addition to being handpicked by Stefano himself to walk in Dolce & Gabbana’s Milan Fashion Week Show. Her ever changing style keeps readers hooked and her affinity for fun fashion makes it easy to see why she's a blog favorite.

Work Work Work

Katherine Ormerod is the genius behind the fashion, life, and career blog that gives readers great insight into cool-girl niche brands everyone crazes over before they become mainstream. Her chic, everyday style makes you want to hit the mall and her fashion savvy attitude is one that captures the public with ease.  

Margaret Zhang

This Chinese-Australian blogger does it all; Zhang is photographer, director, stylist, and writer (a woman of all trades!) based out of New York and is taking the fashion world by storm. Breaking the mold of the typical fashion girl, this law graduate can do it all while strutting in Saint Laurent boots. 

Look De Pernille

When Pernille Teisback launched her namesake blog in 2012, her sleek Scandinavian looks captivated thousands of readers across the world. This Copenhagen native provides your one stop shop for all upcoming street style trends, and her Instagram proves that she can put her tips into action.

Helena Bordon

As one of the industry’s most influential writers and fashionistas, this São Paulo native is the daughter of Vogue Brazil's style director. Her fashionable roots shine through as she is now a blogger and co-founder of popular high fashion streetwear brand, 284. 

SheWearsFashion

Kavita Donkersley, a fashion icon who hails from London, coverts around the globe with a high fashion wardrobe that every fashion lover dreams of. She has been a staple blogger now for several years and readers have loved watching her style evolve over time. 

 

WeWoreWhat

 

 

Danielle Bernstein is a New York based fashion blogger who is the source of our favorite fashion inspo. With her handy tagged items and cool, clean aesthetic, it's not hard to understand why she has such a cult following. 

NotJessFashion

Another great source of enthralling outfit inspiration, this Big Apple blogger stuns with her advice covering everything from style tips to guides for upcoming bloggers. Her unique photos and empowering voice inspires her followers to be confident in their fashion choices and they love her for it!

 

Lastly, as the year of the influencer comes to a end, I am sure we all follow a few Instagram stars with fabulous wardrobes and style. Let these fashionistas profiles do the talking and check out this years biggest industry influencers below!

 

Alexa Chung

 

 

Julia Engel

 

Chiara Ferragni

 

Gabi Gregg

 

Jenn Im

 

Gala Gonzalez

 

Olivia Palermo

 

Leandra Medine

 

Garance Doré

 

Jeanne Damas

 

 

There you have it, fashion lovers! We hope you have found a new interest from seeing all of these amazing fashionable creatives, because we sure did! This year of fashion will be hard to top, but we are more excited than ever to see what 2019 has in store for us! 

 

Sources:

The Master of Bias: Charles Kleibacker

 By Paige McKirahan

 

Though there have been many iconic designers in the past century that have made a substantial mark on the fashion world, Charles Kleibacker may be the most enigmatic. Born in 1921 in Alabama, this American creator earned his nickname “Master of Bias” because of his affinity for complex gown designs involving cuts diagonal to the weave. Despite his iconic status in the fashion world, Kleibacker wasn’t always so well versed in the industry; he attended the University of Notre Dame and majored in journalism, which lead him to attend New York University for his graduate studies.

 

 

Kleibacker in 1565

(photo credits to threadmagazine.com)

He eventually relocated to California and met singer Hildegarde in San Francisco after running into one other in the same hotel. His large station wagon landed him a job as her driver and he toted around her and her entourage on tour all around the globe. It was in Europe when he finally realized his love for fashion after meeting a multitude of fashion designers through Hildegarde. His interest was piqued while in the offices of Christian Dior, and this prompted him to submit a set of early designs that earned him a spot at Lanvin in 1954. He worked there for three years and promptly returned to New York to work for Nettie Rosenstein, on the most highly regarded American fashion designers of her time.

 

Kleibacker for Lanvin, 1967

(photo credits to pinterest.com)

In 1959, he moved out of the shadow of others and into his own light when he began designing his own collection out of his brownstone in the Upper West Side. The line was a huge success and by the mid ‘60s, he was creating pieces for some of the most exclusive luxury clothiers including Henri Bendel and Bergdof Goodman. His trademarks were silk and wool crepe and of course, the bias cut; this special practice created designs that had a true cut look, not one that appeared stamped out.

 

Kleibacker designs

(photo credits to garmentozine.wordpress.com)

After his great success in New York, Kleibacker came to Ohio and became a Designer- in- Residence at The Ohio State University’s Costume and Textiles Collection. His work was a part of a 2005 exhibit there in the College of Human Ecology. He then became an adjunct curator of design at the Columbus Museum of Art and organized multiple fashion related exhibits. He remained there until the time of his death in 2010, when he passed away due pneumonia at 88 years old. Our very own CEO had the pleasure of working closely with him on multiple local fashion shows and events, making him also a close companion of our brand here at TalkingFashion. As an amazing designer so close to our home office, we felt it would only be appropriate to celebrate his wonderful life; one with a nickname like “Master of Bias” is hard to forget.

Sources:

Charles Kleibacker. (2018, October 06). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Kleibacker

 

Pop The Cork on New Year’s Eve Fashion!

By Paige McKirahan

 

As the biggest party of the year is looming towards us at a rapid rate, panic surrounding finding the perfect New Years Eve outfit is rising. With a year as fabulous as 2018 coming to a close, it is only appropriate that we look just as fabulous as we bid it goodbye and step into the last year of this decade. Though some people tend to rely on their clothing itself to provide them with their NYE glam, we here at TalkingFashion think that this year’s make or break pieces will lie in one’s accessories. Not only can you completely transform a clothing piece with jewelry and other fun additions, you can also create a complete, cohesive outfit that stuns from head to toe!

 

 

Accessories can emulate more vibes and attitudes than just clothing alone, which makes them an integral part of a party outfit for all types of fashionista! From minimalists to haute couture connoisseurs, accessorizing can elevate a look from basic to Times Square chic.

Are you a fan of the little black dress instead of the disco ball aesthetic for your impending New Years fun? Personalize that classic piece by adding everything from a head scarf to a dazzling bracelet to allow your personality to shine as bright as the Times Square Ball! You’ll be the talk of every party with your expertly curated style; if you are lost on how to create your perfect look, we are here to help! Check out our collections or enlist one of our expert stylists to assist you in making sure you’re walking into 2019 as fashionable as ever!

 

Calling All Columbus Readers!

By Paige McKirahan

 

If you have found yourself in Ohio for the holidays, you may be left wondering how to spend your last week of the year in the Buckeye State. As one of the nation’s top three fashion capitals, Columbus has seemingly crept to the top of this elite list while no one was watching. According to Columbus Monthly, Columbus employs more fashion designers than ANY other city in the United States outside of New York City and Los Angeles. Our state’s capital is chock full of small boutiques working alongside huge fashion giants like Victoria’s Secret, Lane Bryant, Express, Abercrombie & Fitch, and previously Henri Bendel. Other popular, locally-grown shops like Homage are also gaining great visibility and contributing to the area’s reputation as a vibrant, evolving capital. We hope all of our Columbus fans bought some local goods for all of those on your list this season, because we sure do love being a part of this amazing network of fashion innovators!

 

Now that Holiday shopping days are over, though, what else does this amazing city have to offer? Does the cold weather and the holidays have you or your family feeling a little stir crazy this Christmas season? Well, grab you jackets and get ready for a full day of fun at Columbus’ greatest attractions on December 29^th for FREE!

Thanks to The Columbus Foundation, local residents can spend their Saturday exploring central Ohio via free COTA rides all day long. The Wexner Center for the Arts, Ohio History Connection, Franklin Park Conservatory, and COSI are all participating in the free general admission event. The Columbus Museum of Art is also partaking in the winter fun; our CEO and one of our favorite designers, Charles Kleibacker, have both held positions at that venue. Be sure to check out all of the beautiful art they have to offer!

Whatever you spend the rest of your 2018 doing, we here at TalkingFashion want to wish all of our readers a Happy New Year and a FABULOUS New Years Eve! When picking out that perfect outfit for your night on the town, don’t forget to end 2018 wearing what YOU love and continue doing so for all of 2019!

Sources:

We're Number Three: Columbus' flourishing fashion industry. (2016, March 30). Retrieved from http://www.columbusmonthly.com/lifestyle/20160323/were-number-three-columbus-flourishing-fashion-industry

Staff, N. (2018, December 13). Columbus Foundation celebrates 75th anniversary with free COTA rides, other freebies. Retrieved from https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus-foundation-celebrates-75th-anniversary-with-free-cota-rides-other-freebies/1657569111

History of Hobe: Vintage Figural Fun

By Paige McKirahan

 

When discussing vintage figural designers, it is only appropriate that we discuss Jacques Hobe, master goldsmith and the creator of Hobe et Cie. The Parisian company, which was founded in 1887, is known as a brand who had a hand in the creation of the phrase “costume jewelry”. His son William, who was also a master jeweler, began the American branch of the company out of New York and it shot the brand to the fame it holds today. His goal was to create extravagant, expertly designed costume jewelry for the upper and middle classes. The younger Hobe’s first commission in American was for Florence Ziegfeld in the 1920s for their Broadway productions. With that success, many doors to other film studios and commission opportunities flew open with ease.

 

 

In its prime, Hobe designs were sought out by everyone from movie stars, costume designers, and red carpet walkers. They could be seen in showrooms across the nation with two being in LA in addition to the flagship New York location. The jewelry produced by Hobe was like nothing anyone had ever seen before; William’s craftsmanship and brilliant use of figures and crystals captivated the public. It’s expensive aesthetic made it a staple in leading department stores and boutiques until the brands conclusion, and all pieces were designed by members of the Hobe family and guest designer Lou Vici who worked for the company from the ‘30s to the ‘70s. Looking for some vintage figural fun? Check out our Hobe selection in our collections!

Sources:

Everything About Vintage Costume Jewelry. (2014, May 1). Retrieved from http://vintagejewelry.wikidot.com/hobe