Tags archives: Wearable Art
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7 years ago
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Many of us get dressed and undressed everyday without much thought. But for some people, changing in and out of clothing, or dealing with buckles, zippers and laces can be a frustrating task.
According to Fashionista.com, in the U.S. alone, there are 59 million people living with disabilities, and 'their clothing options are greatly limited.'
Thankfully, 'adaptive wear' has emerged as type of clothing made for people of all abilities that adheres to various function and style needs.
Photo Credit: Lucy Jones Design
And thanks to programs like Runway of Dreams Foundation and Parsons' Open Style Lab (OSL), there has been an increase in the availability of clothing geared for children and adults of all abilities.
In addition, Target has rolled out a 'collection of sensory-friendly apparel for children,' including items with zip-off sleeves, side openings, or openings in the back for those who are sitting or lying down.
At Parsons' Open Style Lab (OSL), designers, engineers, and occupational therapists work in unison to create accessible wearables.
OSL was initiated at MIT in 2014, the program aims to challenge the fashion industry to consider the variety and uniqueness of all bodies, ages and abilities in the world. And designing for the underserved leads to better products for everyone —a core tenet of Open Style lab’s curriculum
Watch video below to learn more about Runway of Dreams and adaptive wear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=hEdCmCSPmJY
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7 years ago
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The 66th annual London Fashion Week kicks off on September 21, and the star to watch at the fashion event of the season is Matty Bovan — fearless designer known for creating 'clashes of textures' that are often spray painted, knitted, and or crocheted.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYipeGXnVVg/?hl=en&taken-by=babbym
The York, England based upstart has worked with Marc Jacobs, and Miu Miu. Bovan is also a former junior designer at Louis Vuitton who won the L’Oréal Professionnel Creative Award and the LVMH Graduate Prize after graduating Central Saint Martins (CSM) in 2015.
Image Credit: The Guardian
And it's at Central Saint Martins where Bovan delved into the world of Knitwear: “Being able to create your own fabrics gives you more scope, he tells Artefact about his attraction to knitwear.
He adds, "[knitwear] is the foundation of a lot of textiles, "[it] also gives more creative room to the design process.”
Image Credit: NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Since CSM, the designer has ignited the fashion world with vibrant, color- and-texture-rich looks. The Guardian aptly connects Bovan's aesthetic with 'great tradition of wonderfully original English eccentrics that includes Zandra Rhodes, Vivienne Westwood and Bodymap.'
Image Credit: The Guardian
We can't wait to see what you have in store next week, Matty!
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7 years ago
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The future is certainly terrifying. From climate change to our political climate, there is a lot of uncertainty. But one thing is for certain — robots will take over the world's workforce — especially in the world of footwear.
Talk about a walk-up call!
And possibly leading the robotic revolution is the company Grabit, Inc., a materials handling solutions company.
The California-based (Nike-backed) robotics startup employs 'electroadhesion' in order to automate the handling of any material. To be exact, the company, applies 'electroadhesion' via 'flat pads of electrodes that, when charged correctly, create an electric field that adheres to nearly any surface,' Bloomberg reports.
Grabit’s shoemaking robot at the company’s headquarters in Sunnyvale
Photo Credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg
Unlike using human hands or pliable materials, electroadhesion can offer manufacturers the ability to work around such pesky issues like gripping materials by channeling the same sort of static cling that also makes a balloon stick to your head.
Sounds simply genius? That's because it is! 'Electroadhesion has the finesse to handle something as fragile as an egg, as flimsy as soft fabric and as unwieldy as a 50-lb box,' the company says on their website. They also assert that their line of equipment provides a cheaper, faster solutions that uses less power.
And the static electricity that Grabit can yield has the ability to 'make machines work at[...]
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7 years ago
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What better way to push your latest collection than by casually featuring it throughout an entire music video.
Photo: Urban Daddy
That's just what Raf Simons- helmed Calvin Klein did in a collaboration with Brit indie band The XX, featuring A-list teen stars Paris Jackson, Millie Bobby Brown, Ashton Sanders ('Moonlight'), and designer Raf Simons' go-to muse Lulu. Talk about an ideal off-runway opportunity that perfectly provides an outsider's edge to the iconic mass All-American label!
The mini-film within a traditional music video, set in Los Angeles, plays out like a sendup to mad-cap teen movies of the past like 'American Graffiti' or 'Dazed and Confused' — a day in the life of teens, beautiful and bored, looking for love and adventure. However in this instance, the kids are playing hooky from school, and the kids wind up in two architectural treasures — Lloyd Wright’s Sowden house and John Lautner’s Rainbow House. (Check out the video at the bottom of this post)
But the triumph in this video is the fact that mostly every stitch of clothing in the mini-movie is from yet-to-be-released Fall 2017 collection from Calvin Klein. Simons, recent CFDA award winner for both best Menswear and Womenswear Designer of the Year, served as artistic director for the video -- directed by Alasdair McLellan.
According to The XX, this is the third video that McLellan shot for the band, and Simons provided the creative concept. It's also a 'love letter to Los Angeles, a city clo[...]
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7 years ago
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Who would've pegged the Dutchess of Cambridge to be a sneakerhead — well not exactly — but she does love a particular pair of Superga trainers, and the internet is loving it!
Whether it's on the cover of British GQ, shopping, or attending London Marathon, Kate seems to be wearing cute white sneakers everywhere she goes.
https://twitter.com/BritishGQ/status/869155795337973761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.etonline.com%2Fnews%2F218547_prince_william_candid_about_mom_princess_diana_nearly_20_years_after_death%2F
And as we've reported before the "Kate Effect" is real, and if she likes your brand it will sell like hotcakes.
Case in point: a Nordstrom reviewer writes: " Kate Middleton-approved...I've been searching for the perfect walking shoe for an upcoming trip to Europe...I can say they are equally comfortable and stylish."
Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images
According to Daily Mail, the Superga 2750 Cotu Classic trainers were first spotted on Kate in October 2016. The same exact shoes have also been spotted on celebs like Alexa Chung, Karlie Kloss and Emma Watson — however it's Kate who has made the biggest impact on the Italian footwear.
'Superga has seen the sales figures for this style double since Kate has been stepping out wearing them repeatedly,' says a rep. The their sales have DOUBLED, increasing 100% thanks to the princess.
And don't worry. Despite the sharp jump in sales, the sneakers are available.
'As they are Superga's most pop[...]
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7 years ago
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Like athleisure, bodysuits have become an important fashion staple for the past few years. So much so they've even seeped its way into haute couture shows and even this year's Met Gala with Bella Hadid rocking a sheer and glittery Alexander Wang number.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTpgA6khVlb/?taken-by=bellahadid&hl=en
And just recently, Refinery 29 featured the The Negative Underwear 'Essaouira' bodysuit in black, which has sold out a record FIVE TIMES since its release.
Here's a version of the same bodysuit in white (still fabulous)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPxKppDA_L6/?taken-by=negativeunderwear&hl=en
The 'Essaouira' is made with a stretch eyelet fabric that the label calls its "anti-lace," Refinery reports. And the model has been worn by a multitude of famous names including Miley Cyrus, Hannah Bronfman, and Emily Ratajkowski.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNR_h2pDjQu/?taken-by=negativeunderwear&hl=en
Although bodysuits are de rigueur because they are super sexy and effortlessly hug close the body, the ones made without snappers certainly come with many drawbacks, and toilet challenges, and the pantless ones can ride up, leaving you with an unflattering wedgie.
As demonstrated perfectly by Mariah Carey:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BS1Cz1KFtv0/
However, despite the drawbacks, bodysuits are still fun to wear, and there are so many options to choose from, including from brands like Wolford, ASOS and Need Supply Co.
But if you ne[...]
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7 years ago
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Even more awesome than the Wackids playing Rage Against the Machine using children's toys, is the announcement that world-renowned sartorialist Edward Enninful will be the new editor-in-chief of British Vogue — one of the most storied woman's magazines in the world.
From his work with i-D, Italian Vogue, and W Magazine this shouldn't come as a surprise, however this is actually big news! Simply because, as Lauren Cochran aptly sums it up, Enninful is "a black man at the helm of the most established fashion magazine in Britain" — working in an industry that is predominately white and that seems to largely service more privileged sections of society.
In fact British Vogue has been taken to task for "its lack of diversity in model casting." As Cochran points out, Jourdan Dunn was the first black model to grace the cover of British Vogue as its solo star in 12 YEARS! (Naomi Campbell was the last model to appear on her own cover in 2002 ).
Naomi Campbell and Edward Enninful at 2016 Fashion Awards
Photo Courtesy: REX
And Enninful has been highly vocal, dressing down the fashion world for its blatant lack of diversity.
In a talk last year, Enninful says to an audience: “If you put one model in a show or in an ad campaign, that doesn’t solve the problem.” He continues: “We need teachers in universities, we need internships, we need people of different ethnic backgrounds in all parts of the industry. That really is the solution; you have to change it from the inside.”
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7 years ago
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Sayonara 2016! As we wait to learn and experience more of what this new 2017th year of existence has in store for all of us, one positive thing is for certain: New year = new start!
And for starters, there are a few epic moments that we already know will happen in 2017. Check out three of the most amazing below. Happy new year!
Alexander McQueen Biopic
Announced in late October 2016, a biopic, based on the Alexander McQueen biography "Blood Beneath the Skin" by Andrew Wilson will start filming Spring 2017, and will hit movie theaters later the same year.
Starring former "Skins" heartthrob Jack O'Connell, all of buzzy buzz surrounding this movie seem to unanimously agree that the actor closely resembles the troubled designer, who committed suicide in 2010 at the age of 40.
We can't wait to see McQueen's incredible life story be brought to life.
Below Alexander McQueen, left and actor Jack O'Connell
Photo Credit: Getty
Gingham, Ruffles and Wide Legs, Oh My!
Key clothing trends to expect in 2017 are ruffles, gingham, and wide legged pants — items that you might still have in your closet from seasons past, might be ready to take centerstage again.
Below: London Fashion Week Looks from L-R: Toga, Peter Pilotto, House of Holland, Simone Rocha and Molly Goddard.
Photo Credit: Imaxtree/Fashionista
More Over, "It" Bag, Make Way For Mini Purses
When Nicolas Ghesquiere debuted an iPhone case shaped like a bag October 2016, little did we know that there was a bi[...]
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8 years ago
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On September 24, the National African American Museum opened its doors to public. And while the museum's timed passes are sold out for the rest of the year, it's still a great time to learn about what's currently on exhibit.
And if you are wondering if there's a showcase at the museum that relates to the world of fashion, you're in luck. The museum will be showcasing a selection of Ann Lowe's dresses, and they are a must-see!
Ann Lowe — a highly sought after designer in her day — is the first world-renowned black designer who created dresses for socialites and brides. She created looks for families including the Auchinclosses, DuPonts, Kennedys, Posts, Rockefellers, and Roosevelts. She is also the first black designer to own a boutique on Madison Avenue. And her stunning creations were also sold at Henri Bendel, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus.
Pink satin and organza ball gown, designed by Ann Lowe, 1959, once owned by Patricia Penrose Schieffer, wife of CBS News' Bob Schieffer. Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane. Photo courtesy of NMAAHC
Famously, Lowe designed Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding gown in 1953. Lowe crafted a dress made up of fifty yards of ivory silk taffeta for the Bouvier-Kennedy nuptials, and cost approximately $700 — roughly $13,000 factoring today's inflation, according to Racked's Danielle Kwateng-Clark .
And as Kwateng-Clark deftly sums up, Lowe "did the impossible in the Jim Crow-era by making a name fo[...]
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8 years ago
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Hello, September! This fall, get ready for Kate Moss, patent leather, platform boots, Ally McBeal-inspired mini-skirts, and "Pretty Woman" style references!
From Alexander Wang's Fall/Winter 2016 looks to Thierry Mugler's 2017 Resort collection, various nods to the 90s are currently trending. Heck, even leggings are back, with Céline creative director Phoebe Philo styling stretchy pants under the label's latest set of skirts and dresses!
Here's a stunning example from Céline Photo: Monica Feudi / Courtesy of Céline
Gorgeous 90s inspired outerwear to look out for include Isabel Marant's red, Rock n' Roll patent leather trench, and Vivenne Westwood's puffer coat (below).
But in the world of womenswear, expect lots of style references this upcoming season from that memorable decade. Just this week, we saw the return of Kate Moss as the face of Charlotte Tilbury's fragrance "Scent of a Dream" (video at bottom), as well as Kenzo World's send-up to Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice" music video, directed by Spike Jonze, featuring actress Margaret Qualley.
Check out this insane video below!
And just when you've thought you've seen enough genuflects to the 90s, there are mini-skirt suits from Alexander Wang à la "Ally McBeal," and cut-out looks from Thierry Mugler, harkening back to the Julia Roberts classic "Pretty Woman." Smells like Teen Sprit? Oh yeah!
A look from Alexander Wang, Fall/Winter 2016.
Photo: Yannis Vlamos / Indigital.tv
Thierry Mugler's 2017 Reso[...]
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8 years ago
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Designers, looking for ways to connect your brand with clients? Master class is in session, y'all! Brand activation is the go-to marketing strategy for spurring direct consumer engagement via an event, campaign, or experience.
"Brand activation is not just about gaining affinity -- it's about inspiring consumers to act," says Amanda Hansen for Ad Age. A brand must present a flawless, harmonious, and fluid union of all available communication vehicles in a creative platform in order to activate consumer interest.
And it would appear that the women's e-commerce website Revolve Clothing are the experts at brand activation, and they have the ad-dollars to prove it!
Even their macaron game is on point.
They work with celebrities, jetsetters, model, style influencers in order to create an overall exciting and enticing image in order to drive consumers to their e-commerce checkout line. And this past month, the brand invested in a 6,636 square foot Hamptons beach rental that costs about a $37,500 a month to rent.
For the stunt, Revolve hosted tastemakers, including pay-for-play bloggers who boast a following of over 1 million on Instagram like Natasha Oakley (1.8 million), Danielle Bernstein (1.5 million), Chiara Ferragni (6.3 million), Eleanor Calder (3 million), Kristina Bazan (2.4 million), Negin Mirsalehi (3.2 million) and Camila Coutinho (1.9 million), according to Fashionista.
Revolve covered all of the bloggers' travel expenses, appearance fees, and[...]
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8 years ago
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Who would've thought that a classic summer white look could be effortlessly elevated with a pair of Kanye West-designed heels?!
This week, rising star Margot Robbie surprised many show fanatics while promoting her latest film The Legend Of Tarzan in London. She fashioned her chic ensemble with a pair of Lucite Yeezy Season 2 heels — a shoe that is part of the rapper's latest collection which hit stores last month on June 6.
Below: Lucite Yeezy Season 2 Heel
Photo Credit: YourNextShoes.com
What's amazing is that just last year, West was the subject of many takedowns, characterizing him as a joke designer that was fooling the fashion world with "beige under-things" and "broken-down basics."
"I don't read the reviews," West told Vogue's shuttered website Style.com sometime after the debut of Yeezy Season 1.
And now, it would appear that West's passion for fashion is becoming less of the laughing matter with the fashion bible now describing the Lucite heel as the "most-sought-after footwear of the summer."
Below: Kayne West appearing to have the last laugh.
Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images
And if you think that a bad review is actually a bad thing, think again.
According to Racked, one of Kayne biggest naysayers, legendary fashion critic Cathy Horyn, (the scribe responsible for the "broken-down basics" remark) is known for taking swipes at design stars.
Horyn once equated Oscar De La Renta to a hot dog, and she "famously has been banned from shows by[...]
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