Image #1:
A)“There goes an American” published in Vogue US on Feb 1, 1950 on page 124. The model is not named, however, the photograph was taken by Randall in Paris. The model is wearing a suit by Capri in grey wool tweed, attached black rayon crepe blouse by BG. Carson Pirie Scott, Propper’s nylon stockings, gloves by Meyers Make and opera pumps by Delman; all of which were sold in Bergdorf Goodman.
B) I have always been fascinated by the idea of Paris and the Parisienne chic with a Chanel tweed suit graciously residing on my body and when I saw this image I immediately thought about how beautiful and elegant the aesthetic of this image is. As the center of the image is a well-dressed woman with the Eiffel Tower backdrop, it gives a very powerful design message that underscores the simplicity and elegance of 1950s. Also, with a sailor uniformed man looking over his shoulder and gazing the model highlights the beauty of her clothes and her general attitude.
C)As I read the article that this image was a part of, I realized it was not a Parisienne woman but an American one whom was dressed completely in clothes that were sold in Bergdorf Goodman. This idea very much resonated to me as an international student I am living in New York, however, I am very much affected in my style from my hometown, which is Ankara, Turkey. In terms of design I appreciate the simplicity of the jacket suit but for my personal style I would consider this look outdated. However, in my design work, I am influenced by many different styles and stylistic references and I think this is a very strong example to what I would consider as inspiration in the initial steps of my design process.
Image #2:
A) “Chanel Brightens Dark Costumes” named article was published in Vogue US on Oct 15,1920 on page 56. The illustration features three women dressed in Renee’s Rolande’s garments. The woman on the left is wearing a brown velvet frock that is trimmed with loops of orange and French blue velvet. The Rolande gown of grey poplin which is in the middle “admits that its lines are so graceful that no trimming should interfere”. Also the influence of harem is hinted at the Renee gown which is on the right side.
B) This illustration featuring three different gowns of 1920’s with a backdrop of a room seperator that is also decorated with other illustrations just sumps up the lavish look of 1920’s for me which is not too over the top but elegant yet luxurious. I also very much enjoy the stylistic part of the illustration that underscores the details of the gowns very well.
C) On a more personal level, I can easily relate to the influence of Eastern symbols such as the turban and the harem pants as I have been heavily exposed to Oriental style during my upbringing as a girl living in the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The idea of mixing certain elements from different cultures has always been very fascinating to me as they can yield the most unexpected results. In terms of my personal style, I can see some similarities with the skirt becoming a more important item in my wardrobe for the last couple of years as well as the long shirts and tunics that have always been a regular part of my wardrobe.
Image #3:
A) Two evening dresses by Jeanne Lanvin. The left illustrated by Pierre Brissaud for Gazette du bon, June 1921; the right, an evening dress photographed for Les Modes, May 1921. Jeanne Lanvin was considered a romantic of her time and her almost etheral looking garments that are presented here are good illustrations of her style, which was contradictory to the roaring star of the time, Chanel and her simplicity.
B) These two images are convey the style and the attitude of their time impeccably, in my opinion. However, I am more delighted by the colorful stencil print, or poichoir, as it provides a much better understanding of the garment as well as very well thought color palette that underscores the garment while still giving it depth with the background. The illustration is very powerful and it evokes a narrative that transforms into the 1920s in which I am enjoying my martini in a party in my Lanvin gown and it is just beautiful.
C) When I consider my work, it sometimes shifts from style to style and it can be influenced by Romantic influences from time to time and I am a keen fashion illustrator who loves color so this illustration can be a very nice inspiration for my own work. Also, when I consider this image in terms of personal style it is not quite similar for me now, but in some twenty years I can very much see myself elegantly wearing this garment.
