haute couture

Poiret Study

Illustrations

This is an image which is also a bit about the dawn of the 20th Century. 

Evening Gown Sketch of Poiret Gown

For those in need of a history snippet in the couture annals of Paul Poiret: As the 20th century began to evolve all areas of culture, it most certainly ushered in liberation for women’s wear. Enter, Paul Poiret. Born 1879 in Paris, France, when he began his couture house in 1903 he quickly became known as the Le Magnifique. 

Popular especially with the Bohemians of that era, Poiret’s creations were primarily inspired by the Orient. [In the usage of “Orient”, one has to conjure all areas South and East of the European continent.] 

As cited in the book, “The Collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute: Fashion” [Taschen Publications, 2002]:

“It was Paul Poiret who first put forward a new line of fashion that did not require the use of a corset.”

My study [from pages 424-425 of the aforementioned book] is not exact in color – as the photo clearly depicts a rather coppery pink dominating the evening gown of 1920. The gown itself was constructed of both silver lame and silk tulle, and accented with both silver and wood beading.

In Gaultier’s Fashion

Illustrations, Projects Series

Prophetic or just strange…? Yet, when I learned that designer Jean Paul Gaultier had announced his retirement, I had already begun this sketch of a Niall McInerney photo found within the pages of Colin McDowell’s Gaultier biography. 

From his fairly humble beginnings, Gaultier began his breath taking career when he was employed by Pierre Cardin. Jean Paul was a mere 18 year old at the time! [Does anyone speak much of Cardin today? Would it be hubris to view Gaultier as having surpassed his mentor if we are to think of the legends of haute couture?]

Gaultier has often come across as an impish mischief maker; this being one of the many reasons I personally adore him but also gives one the sense that he will not disappear entirely. And since his own style – more often than not – is typically a striped sailor’s shirt, I felt the need to lend stripes to the model’s gloved hand.  

Les Journées ou Gaultier

More Haute Couture Cuts

Brushwork

Within this presentation for Dior, my gaze fixated on only the bottom half of their ad. I had been working on a new triptych for my “Diaphanous” series and it seemed to be lacking… something… So, I have to thank Dior for providing me with an answer, found here:

A Dior ad featuring two models, both wearing billowy attire.

Dior Ad for Spring 2016

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