The Influence of Impressionism on Fashion

Figure 1 - Monet’s ‘The Artist’s Garden at Giverny’ (1900) and a dress from Miss Dior Haute Couture Collection Spring-Summer 1949

Trend Overview - The Romantic Choker

Figure 1 - Dior’s Chokers consisted of numerical charms which reflected the heritage of the brand. 1947 reflected the year that Christian Dior released his first collection whilst 8 reflects the date 8th October 1946 in which the house was born.

As a child of the 90’s myself, the revival of the Choker has aways seemed more Spice Girls than Saint Laurent. However, throughout the recent SS16 collections, this accessory seemed to have appeared on numerous catwalks. Moving away from 90’s ‘pop culture’ plastic, it appears the choker has been regenerated. Introducing the Romantic Choker. 

Christian Dior SS16: Simons' Flower Garden

Figure 1

In Spring 1947, Christian Dior released his revolutionary collection which was labelled by Carmel Snow as the ‘New Look’. This was due to the fact that Dior’s designs were in divergence to the wartime clothing which women had formerly been used to. Within this collection, his pièce de résistance was the ‘Bar Suit’. 

The Primark Scandal: A High Street Downfall

Nothing says ‘cheap thrills’ like Primark.

It epitomizes fast fashion; a store where people can go and make quick guilt-free purchases. Fashion isn’t only for the wealthy and so Primark lies as somewhat of a haven for many. Even the fashion conscious mix cheap with chic thinking it’s only the label inside, but it’s becoming the label itself to really define the fashion industry today.

The Good, The Bad and the (Not So) Ugly

Ah, selfies and social media. We love you but you’re sometimes just crazy.

What are the odds Kathleen Hanna, a riot grrrl and feminist icon, wants to collaborate with Miley Cyrus, a former Disney star? Seems unlikely, right? But, Miley has changed her former tween star image. Looking through her Instagram, you can see how she’s carefully crafted a new outspoken ‘bad girl’ image. It’s exactly what landed her in this situation and made her so famous. Her pictures scream ‘I do what I want and I’ll do it the way that I want to’. She’s using Instagram to portray herself in that certain way, and in a way we’re all the same.

50 Shades of Fashion: Is Bondage the New Grunge?

It seems it isn’t just Rihanna now who seems to be singing praises about chains and whips. Following the 3.1 Phillip Lim show in New York, fashion writer Laird Borrelli-Persson was quick to announce the birth of ‘grundage’. Designers embraced looks of statement leather and oversized chokers teamed with harnesses and intricate lacing. It is the perfect merge of daywear and nightwear. Super sexy yet somewhat super chic.

Why There is No Space for Mediocrity in Fashion: The Rise of Tom Ford

 “I suppose, yes, I’ve been guilty of provocation but it’s also common sense marketing - put a bottle of scent in a women’s cleavage, or between her thighs - and men will notice” (Vogue UK June 2009). 

It seems oxymoronic that in advertising, the fashion industry, and many others alike, regularly use models wearing little to nothing in order to sell their products. We’ve all heard the much-discussed and controversial concept of whether ‘Sex Sells’, and no-one has proved it quite like Mr. Tom Ford.