Another great sighting at The Way We Wore. Kanye West visited us at the shop right before the VMA’s. He picked up a vintage flag scarf that he wore during his performance of “Otis” with Jay-Z. Looks like the American flag is making a comeback in fashion.
I love Haider Ackermann and here is why:
Even though it is my sworn mission statement to continue to be a progenitor in the advancement of the appreciation and understanding of the cultural, sociological and practical importance of vintage clothing, I cannot help but sometimes be swept away by the ultra modern meanderings of contemporary designers who’s visions steer clear of all ideas of the past and forge fast ahead of the crowd to uncharted and mysterious places. Mr. Ackermann is on the forefront of this ideology and I can’t help but be caught up in his creations.
Since his launch in the early part of this decade he has delighted and titillated me with his innovative use of draping and cutting. In my humble opinion he is one of those designers who truly seems to love working with the female form. His tailoring is impeccable. His silhouettes inspired and his pieces always seem to be functional beyond their form.
As I have said, it feels as though I am disloyal in a sense to my true love – the beautiful and the damned garments of the past that keep their relevance and their dignity throughout the ages, whether they are to be worn or just admired in the temperature controlled glow of a museum setting. As much as my heart longs to tramp through a dive bar with a skinny bitch on the rocks with a twist of lime in a Schiaparelli gown – so do I desire to high step it like a human gazelle across a New York city street in an Ackermann suit cut to within an inch of my frame.
I suppose there is room for it all in my heart and my closet.
Doris Raymond was chosen by Vanity Fair to represent the category of fashion for its exclusive “Spotlight on Innovation” BMW series – a dynamic in-book portfolio exclusive to the September Style Issue. Additional categories include film, architecture and design.
The portfolio consists of original photos and an in-depth video conversation directed by photographer Art Streiber about advancements being made in fashion now and how they will affect the culture at large in the future.
The vintage specialist and collector has long espoused the notion that vintage fashion is the beginning of all design inspiration as quoted within the portfolio: “I define innovation in fashion as the ability to derive inspiration from things that already exist. Designers know that the best way to come up with creative inspiration is to mine the past. Vintage clothing is not fashion backward, but fashion forward.”
Ms. Raymond was originally featured in Vanity Fair when she opened her boutique in Los Angeles over seven years ago.
The Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology is about to welcome a one-of-a-kind exhibition, featuring more than 100 items from fashion icon Daphne Guinness’ expansive clothing collection. Guinness, who co-curated along with FIT’s Valerie Steele, was not only a close friend of Alexander McQueen, but she also owns Isabella Blow’s entire collection. Guinness, who is lauded as being one of the most stylish women in the world, has created special images and video for the exhibition.
Daphne Guinness runs September 16, 2011 through January 7, 2012 in the Special Exhibitions Gallery at the Museum at FIT.
Known for bright colors and great graphic prints, the Finnish company Marimekko gained fame in the 1960s and 1970s and continues to be popular today. Founded in 1951 by Viljo and Armi Ratia, Marimekko made a splash when Jacqueline Kennedy bought eight dresses to wear throughout the 1960 presidential campaign. The clothing is hailed for liberating women, as the silhouettes do not require stiff undergarments, stockings or heels. Crate and Barrel has a longstanding relationship with the label, utilizing their designs on textiles and as display backdrops in the stores.
Shown above is a 1960s graphic polka dot cotton dress with brown stripes, a trapeze style and bias drape train in the back. Visit 1stdibs for more information.
