ELECTRIC HOLIDAY

The Walt Disney company have teamed up with Barneys New York to create an animated short for their November window display. The piece is titled "Electric Holiday" and is described as "a moving art video that is conceived to be a playful interpretation of the high fashion world". The short film follows Minnie Mouse around Paris before she steps out on a catwalk and is transformed into a humanesque fashion model. As well as a handful of other well know disney characters who walk the catwalk wearing outfits based on their character. Minnie wears Lanvin, Micky in Balenciaga, Cruella De Vil in Rick Owens, Snow White wears Nina Ricci and Daisy in Dolce and Gabbana. The short also stars some celebrities and known fashion figures including; Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker, Steven Meisel, Franca Sozzani ,Suzy Menkes and Anna Della Russo.

Sarah Jessica Parker even looked the part at the recent Barneys New York window unveiling event she co-hosted on the 14th November. 

SUNDAY PORTRAIT WEEK 023

001. So on monday i handed in my first project! I hand my tutorial on Tuesday and i think it went really well. My sketchbook isn't as strong as my fashion guide, but that was expected. My sketchbook was quite messy in the beginning pages. I really obviously, want a first but i don't think i'll get one. My fashion guide was so long though! 

002. Finally this week i went to the christmas market! I was so excited! I've been walking to uni past it everyday wanting to go in. Me and Dylan went last Sunday night, it was quite busy but the atmosphere was nice. The smells were amazing! I got a cheese hot dog thing (i can't remember the name) and a nutella waffle. I ended up scraping it all off. The stalls were average, nothing i would want to buy by any means. I did get the cutest little german mug when i got a hot chocolate though. I love it so much! I'm going to collect them. 

003. So after completing my first deadline Emily, Caitlin and I decided to go out to that Motown night on wednesday as a celebration. I drank too much. I only got one drink in the club but i think it was the pre-drinking that got me. I don't usually drink vodka and i won't again after that night. I only remember the first half hour, if that, of being there. But i apparently fell off a stage and whilst lying on the floor i came to the realisation that i couldn't walk.  This is where the horrible flashbacks of holding my ankle whilst crying in the middle of a dancefloor kicked in. I must've hobbled to a table where i passed out. After my friends telling me to wait there while they went to the toilet, i made a break for it. Somehow i ran up the stairs and round the backstreets of Leeds. I woke up the next morning fully clothed thinking i was back in Whitehaven. (Probably because this is a usual occurrence when i'm home). I had got a taxi though, thank god. Anyway I haven't been able to walk for the past few days, even still i have a limp. My ankle is as thick as a pint glass! It's so painful, i sprained it when i fell off the stage. I knew my clumsiness would hurt me one day. 

WEEK IN PHOTOS

Our first Tacos, Nice hair, Late night brownie delivery to get us through a night of coursework, Neoprene fungi, Pencil drawing, Messy pleating, Leeds Christmas tree, Finally visiting the German Market, ... , Pretty Donuts, The most chocolatey waffle ever made, Nutcrackers, My new favourite mug from the market, Ting, Froth & Fodder have the best signs, 80's research, Pj day, Librarian, Putting on clean sheets is the hardest thing, boring laundry, Motown night. 

POWER DRESSING

Throughout history it had always been a struggle for women to get equality in the workplace. The trend of Power Dressing became very popular in the 80's originating from the fact women in the workplace was no longer unusual. Women wore large shoulder pads and strong silhouetted suits to give of the vibe of equality, they are just as good as men, and just as big.

The trend of Power dressing was popularized by Joan Collins and Linda Evans from the US soap opera Dynasty, which portrayed the fantasy lifestyle of wealthy Americans; an era of 'pay and display'. The show was watched by over 250 million viewers around the world in the 1980's and influenced women from most of the western world to wear large padded shoulders and glitzy jewellery. 

(Kate O'Mara and Joan Collins in Dynasty)

(Joan Collins, John Forsyth, Linda Evans)

(Joan Collins as Alexis Carrington Colby)

(Dynasty cast)

The lavish use of both fine and costume jewellery was worn day and night on the show and it drifted into mainstream fashion. Huge, even over-the-top fashion earrings several centimetres across drew attention to faces that were drowning in deep shoulder pads. Diamante, pearls and gold chains were intended to tell the rest of the world you had arrived.

(80s working couple illustration, Feature in an unknown 80s magazine) 

(80s cartoon wearing a tailored suit with large shoulders)

(Versace Spiring 1987)

(Versace Spiring 1987)

(Vogue UK, September 1983)

Women wanted to "powerdress" in the 80s as it was no longer uncommon for them to work, they wanted to show that they were equals of men and giving them a larger appearance was a way to do that. Blazers were worn lower to those made in previous years using only 4 buttons instead of 6 from the 1970s . Button-down collars were in and bright bold colours and patterns. Many of the outfits had velcro inside the shoulder so you could attach different sized pads. Synthetic fabrics were not as in style in the 80s as they were previously. Wool, cotton and silk returned to popularity for their quality.

(Margaret Thatcher)

Margaret Thatcher is said to have been the original powerdresser being the longest serving British Prime Minister and the only female. Although her policies were not supported by everyone and she was denounced by feminists for not supporting women, she normalised female success. She was an outsider who pushed her way through a wholly male dominated profession. 

(Princess Diana)

(Princess Diana wearing Escada)

Princess Diana was a fashion icon for powerdressing in the 80s, although in the beginning she was a cause for embarrassment for the royal family. So much that she had tutors from Vogue, Diana took what she wanted from the "fashion lessons" and did her own thing become one of the main trendsetters of that period.

(Inspiration for Legally Blonde?)

Power Dressing is definitely one of the more memorable trends of the 1980s, although it is not a subculture like the Goths or New Romantics it is still as distinguished.

DANCEWEAR

Leotards have been a fashion trend since the mid 70's where metalic spandex became standard for the Disco era in the late 70's. Whenever anyone thinks about 80's fashion it is guaranteed one of the first styles they come up with will be Dancewear.



The popularity of Aerobics and tv programmes/films such as Fame, Flashdance and Staying alive; dancewear was a massive craze. Polka dots, stripes and bold coloured leaotards paired with leg warmers and a headband, even an elasticated belt, are typical of the style.  

(Source http://southernauthors.blogspot.co.uk)

One of the main fashion icons for this era was Olivia Newton-John, established for this trend mainly by her "Physical"video. 

The song was an enormous success when it was released, selling more than 2 million copies in the US alone, certified Platinum and spending 10 weeks on the Billboard Top 100 list. She was even nominated for a Grammy for Best female pop vocal performance and a winner of the Billboard Top Pop Single. Though with it's success still came controversy, the single was a lot more edgier than her previous "good girl" image and the song was censored and even banned by some radio stations due to the sexual content and implications.

The sheer popularity of the song shows just how big the Dancewear trend really was in the 80's as "Physical" went on to be the biggest-selling single of the entire decade. 

Films such as Fame further established the Dancewear trend throughout the 80's. To read more click (Here). 

Aerobics and exercise in general was at the height of it's popularity in the 1980's. People had more money in the 80's due to the rise in house prices and the stock market, women went out to work, they did more for themselves and had a disposable income. There was a luxury of free time they did not have before, when appliances for the home were not readily to hand. Women went to exercise classes, people wanted to get fit. Jane Fonda was one of the most popular advocates for Aerobics, having her own exercise video, people aspired to have a figure like their idols they saw on the television.

I found this video whilst researching exercise from the 1980's. It is from the National Aerobic Championship USA in 1986. A world away from what you expect to see on television these days. 

SUNDAY PORTRAIT WEEK 022

001. It has been the busiest week ever! And i realise i say that every single week, but it's true. Tomorrow is my deadline for my first brief. I'm still not even finished i can see myself no sleep whatsoever tonight. For this brief we had to create a Fashion Guide, basically a professionally presented sketchbook, as well as an actual sketchbook and a contemporary reference file. So far i think my guide looks really good! But i'm not as pleased with my sketchbook, i can't believe how bad the first few pages were! I definitely think i've improved. 

002. Dylan has been staying with me for the past week, because he had an internship at B&W Studios. He seems to have loved it. I don't want him to leave, even if i am left hanging out of my bed every night with no room. 

003. This week we celebrated Mexican Night in flat 171, so much food! I really want to do themed nights all the time, they're so fun. And to top it off when we finished eating, we got a great view of fireworks! Now time to get back to work!

WEEK IN PHOTOS

Dylan's Obsession, I decorated my IPhone case super sparkly!, Walking back to my flat, Thought i'd mix it up a bit from my usual Tesco Meal Deal, Mould inspired dress designing, Cheeky Cone, Mould researching with help from Imogen's cheese, Creating fungi effects with Neoprene, Water soluble fabric has finally arrived, All i seem to eat these days, More mould to be found in our fridge, Feeling Chistmassy with a mince pie and milk, I went a little overboard with shopping for Mexican night, Mexican Night, Mexican Flatmates, Best Enchiladas, Mexican Dylan, Even fireworks to top off our night, Experimenting with fungi shapes to create dresses, My view, Mushroom printing. 

 

NEW ROMANTICISM

The New Romantics was a fashion movement that peaked in the UK in the 1980's. It was often associated with the The Wave music scene. Typically wearing heavily embellished clothing, dramatic make-up, extravagant fabrics, elegance and finery.

(Visage - Fade to Grey)

The movement is said to have developed out of David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust and Roxy Music nights, which was run during 1978 in  nightclub Billy's based in London. Due to the vast growing popularity of the event it was forced to relocate to a Wine bar in Great Queen street, Covent Garden. The organisers, Steve Strange and Rusty Egan from the band Visage,  ran an event every tuesday called "Club for Heroes" where people would dress as crazily and uniquely as they could to attract the most attention.

The club was known for it's strict dress code and door policy. If you didn't make enough effort with your style you could easily be refused. Blitz was a very important part of the movement inspiring many people. Boy George (before Culture Club) even worked as a cloakroom attendant at Blitz. 

(Visage outside The Blitz Club 1980)

(Membership Card for The Blitz Club)

(George O'Dowd and Stephen Linard at Heaven in 1980 by David Johnson)

New Romanticism stems from Punk and Glam Rock combining androgynous style with heavy make-up. The clothing was based on English Romantic themes such as frilly shirts, luxury fabrics, clowns, puritans, Russian constructivism, 1930's Cabaret and in Adam and the Ants case, it seems Pirates. 

Soon after they began to gain mainstream attention, however, many New Romantic bands dropped the eclectic clothes and makeup in favour of sharp suits that echoed Bowie's Thin White Duke image.

(Stars of the Blitz in 1980: George O’Dowd, Kim Bowen, Julia Fodor, Lee Sheldrick. Photographed by Derek Ridgers)

(Blitz club-goer Myra and fashion designer Michelle Clapton modelling for Stephen Linard’s neo-gothic collection at St Martins, May 1980.) 

(Theresa Thurmer, at the Blitz Club, 1980)

(Boy George and Stephen Linard)

SUNDAY PORTRAIT WEEK 021

001. It has been a seriously busy week weekend! I came back to Leeds on Friday after spending 6 days at home in Whitehaven. Being alone in Leeds has really made me appreciate home, never thought i'd say that one! I haven't really been up to much since being at home, except watching tv and pestering my cats with love. 

002. Halloween was fun, i did my sister's make-up and was very proud! I spent Halloween at Dylan's not expecting that i would be forced to wear skeleton make-up. Dylan looked really good, i, on the other hand, have a strangely round head; so making me look gaunt and shallow just wasn't going to turn out well! He did a good job though, he's so talented. Aw. I was shocked how empty the streets were honestly. We knocked on quite a few doors; half would not answer despite us being able to see them through their windows or even people shouting at us to go away, the other half complaining that we were the only people that had knocked on their door that night! What has happened to children these days? It's Halloween! A night you are obliged to get free sweets from people and dress up. Instead they would rather do what they do every night, xbox, tv. 

003. There was a another vintage fair this weekend in the Corn Exchange. It really wasn't as good as usual but i did manage to pick myself up a jumper, i'm not usually a jumper kind of person but i couldn't stop looking at it. My sister thinks i'm giving it to her, pfft. After our trip to the market we found another vintage kilo sale on in Wire. It wasn't that great either, we got there at about 3ish so by then all the good stuff would have gone. I got my sister a scarf though because i'm so nice. 

004. Today is mine and Dylan's 2nd Anniversary! So i thought i'd post our first photo together, just to mix it up a bit. And because i can't be bothered to take a photo of myself. Dylan's hair was unreal. We were going to go for a meal, but why do that when you can cook one yourself that will taste a lot better. And a hell of a lot cheaper. And i'm now the proud owner of Lady Gaga's Perfume. 

 

WEEK IN PHOTOS

Stealing Chelsea's phone and posting her cringey photos on Facebook, Tit Flaps, Love Honey Boo Boo, A picture for Caitlin, Mine and Sammi's Faces, Halloween at Jess's, College Friends!, Matthew and Kirsten, My Halloween mask, Boy Band hair, Indian Night, No Pumpkins left so we settled for a squash, My mad skills, Dylan's handywork, Chocolate Orange cupcake, Hiding a dressed up mannequin in my bathroom to scare me Dad is mature, Vintage jumper, Ugliest shoes ever made, Romantic chicken, Anniversary meal, Surprise Lady Gaga Perfume.

 

EVER OURS

I have never been on the EverOurs website before but i found it through a blog giveaway. After scrolling through site i have discovered what i've been missing out on all this time! I am in absolute love, i can see myself spending a lot of money here that's for sure. There are so many things i'm trying to stop myself from buying right now, but the thought of my student loan diminishing is keeping me from entering my bank details just yet. Here are a few of my favourite items!

Black PU Leather Blazer, £23.00

Red Cat Jumper, £16.00

Black and Gold Glitter Jumper, £16.00

Duck Egg Knitted Jumper, £15.00

It seems like i'm having a little jumper obsession at the moment. Well it is Winter so i'm allowed. I don't own a lot of jumpers, in fact, i own one. Pretty pathetic effort on my part. I absolutely love the Black and Gold Glitter jumper, metallic is very in trend this winter. I managed to get a few nice pieces at my last Vintage fair outing but a few more can't hurt. The Cat Jumper isn't something i would usually go for, but i love cats, so naturally... I'm buying the blazer. 

(Apologies for the photo quality, they are straight from the website)