WHAT IS ART AND WHAT IS FASHION?

Unable to sleep I found myself searching the cable guide for something to watch at 5:00 am. I came across a documentary on a 4 year old art prodigy named Marla Olmstead.

I won’t get into all of the details of this hour and a half long documentary but I will say that if you have not heard this amazing story I recommend you check it out:

http://www.artnewsblog.com/2008/03/child-painter-marla-olmstead.htm

In the documentary the question was raised what should be classified as art. This imaginative 4 year old abstract artist was able to create designs that rival the great Jackson Pollack

and was said to have works that should hang in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MOMA).

Still the critics question should the works produced by a 4 year old be in the same company as Rembrandt

and Whistler?

Can an elephant or dog create beauty on a canvas? Some say yes while others refuse to see the beauty in abstract art.

This being a fashion blog, of course this tale leads to the question; Do avant garde and haute couture fashion designers have a place in fashion?

Some say that Marc Jacobs reigns supreme when it comes to fashion and I am not denying that I covet all things Louis Vuitton but the fashionista in me remembers Marc Jacobs’ roots. I remember when he single handily brought grunge fashion to the masses (oops, showing my age).
Although he created the buzz words “’IT’ Bag” and creates some of the best luxury designs in the world, he still loves to do more offbeat, innovative creations in his Marc by Marc Jacobs line. These are the creations that allow this genius to have the true creative outlet he needs to push the Louis Vuitton brand to the forefront of luxury fashion.

So again I ask What is Art and What is Fashion?

After writing my blog about Thom Browne (see blog dated 11-13-08) I went to see my friend Amanda and was told by another friend that I was the topic of conversation in their department that morning and he had a question for me.

He asked, “Do you really think that the average American male would wear Thom Browne’s designs?”

I have been in many a conversation having to defend and explain a fashion designers vision. Like the old saying goes, “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. “

I am aware that most people do not have my view when it comes to fashion and I am also aware that not everyone likes my style – FOOLS!

However, it has become my ultimate mission to convert the masses (this blog is for you) to broaden their view of what they consider fashion.

If you can appreciate the brilliance of Dali

or marvel over Picasso

and Escher

then I implore you to open your minds to new fashion design concepts.

I have mentioned in many a blog that one of my favorite fashion designers is Alexander McQueen

but what most people don’t know is that McQueen told Marilyn Manson to stop stealing his style when receiving Britian’s Designer of the Year Award (1 of 3) presented by Lil Kim; his muse at the time.

Some of my favorite over the top McQueen creations were the circuit boards on catsuits at Givenchy, ball skirts using laser cut wood, a machine spray-painted gown (this was done while the model was on stage), and only McQueen could be bold enough to see the beauty of an amputee model.

Art is relative and I hope this blog allows you to open your mind when you see and outrageous fashion collection. That you will be able to pull apart the drama of the show and see the collection with an artistic eye and say, “OK that’s a bit much for me but I can appreciate the work the designer put into making it.”

The AB-FAB picks on this blog will be some of my favorite avant garde and couture designers:

1. Alexander McQueen – DUH!!Here are links so that you can see this avant garde designers' genius:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KzHaW5K2Q8&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bCShCcD3N0&feature=related)
http://www.thaicatwalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=17857

THIS ONE IS TRULY GENIUS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_HHa8T6xQo&feature=related

2. Ozwald Boateng – a black British bespoke menswear designer – FIERCEABULOUS!! His looks have been seen on many celebrities and featured in many movies. He is hoping to one day break into American fashion and turn American men in to gentleman.

Here is a link to watch a video of Ozwald’s TV show.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyXZZRr9yLQ

3. Philip Treacy – Those that know me; know I love a fierce hat. Philip is another British designer (are you seeing the pattern yet?) that creates some of the most luxurious hats in the world.


http://www.philiptreacy.co.uk/ - the 2001 RTW (ready to wear) collection

Here is a hat that Philip Treacy did for one of Alexander McQueen’s collections in 2008 (he also designed the hat that Sarah Jessica Parker is wearing in the Alexander McQueen look above)

4. Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton Couture – designer for Louis Vuitton for almost a decade now.

Here is a link to some of Marc’s earlier works that launched his career. This Parsons Fashion Design (think Project Runway) educated artist was raised in New York but now lives in Paris because he says that’s where he gets his inspiration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L32WorKCOVY

5. Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel Couture – he is the leader in haute couture. Madame Chanel would be proud to see her legacy carried forth by this anomalous man. You can say without wavering that Karl Lagerfeld is the first and last word in fashion. His haute couture lines are what drive the ready to wear collections of every major fashion designer.
http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2008/fall/main/europe/couturerunway/chanel/slideshow.html?0

6. John Galliano for Dior Couture – another peculiar man that is known for his outrageous fashion shows and over the top designs. Women love to wear his “brand” designs but fashionistas know that he is legendary for creating the wedding dresses for Gwen Stefani and the Donald’s latest Milania Trump.
http://www.diorcouture.com/us/dior_us.html

7. Issey Miyake – you can’t talk about avant garde fashion without mentioning a Japanese designer. Issey is known for his layered looks and for brining avant garde style to everyday companies like Nike or was it Puma? I suggest if the designs are too much for you then try his fragrances.
http://www.isseymiyake.co.jp/

Stay Fashionable!

ANNA SUI SPRING/SUMMER 2009

Ladies I am here to tell you to bust out that Thigh Master because Anna Sui’s Spring/Summer 2009 collection is all about the thigh high mini dresses and pedal pushers.

The collection was clearly inspired by Spain; even the music was strong and extremely captivating. The rich bold color palette, mixture of patterns and tons of embroidery Anna Sui showed throughout the collection is exactly what you think of when you think of the fashions of Spain.

Anna has always been known as the rock-n-roll designer and this collection did not disappoint. She gave us her familiar haute hippie influences; leather crafted shoulder bags with fringe, flat gladiator sandals, and bangles as far as the eye could see.

Anna mixed in a few sweet pastel floral pieces and ended the collection with 2 black and white bull fighting style bolero jacket with cropped pants suits (ruffled shirts, bow ties and all).

At Anna Sui there was the rarely seen on the runway, smiling models. Models bopped down the catwalk looking happy and playful. Seeing the models so enthused to be wearing the collection was refreshing and kept me engaged the whole time.

This only being my second Spring/Summer 2009 collection that I’ve seen leaves me hungry to see what other amazing collections were shown during New York Fashion Week.

AB-FAB FIERCEABULOUS Picks:

No real AB-FAB picks for this collection. I love Anna's collections; they are always there for you to mix in a few ethnic, BoHo, haute hippy, trendy pieces to your everyday wardrobe.

Anna gives you the spice that is needed in every outfit but her shapes are always the basics simple sihouettes so the pictures above are to give you an idea of how you can incorporate Anna Sui into your closet.

Stay Fashionable!

Ebony Fashion Fair Fall 2008

Being a black woman in fashion I have always made sure to not only study my fashion history but to study my Black Fashion history. When I think of black fashions it always reminds me of church fashion shows from the 40’s when black people were not allowed at mainstream fashion shows. Instead church members hosted lavish fashion events using designers and models from their congregation and community. The music would bumpin’ and the fashions would be fierce.

I have a great understanding of the pioneers of black fashion. Ann Lowe was not only a designer of the Bouvier family at the height of segregation but designed Jacquelyn Bouvier’s wedding dress when she married John F. Kennedy (my favorite President).

I even have a deep appreciation for Sean “Diddy” Combs for bringing urban fashion to the masses at a time when Michael Kors was showing luxury. Of course African American musicians have always influenced stage fashions as well as the fashion in popular culture in their times.

For me there is no greater pioneer of black fashion than Eunice W. Johnson. This amazing black woman that was born in Alabama, college educated, and a mother started the Ebony Fashion Fair over 50 years ago.

Eunice Johnson was able to gain access to some of the greatest couture houses of the 60’s and was able to sit front row of their fashion shows, which would have been virtually impossible in America. As everyone knows France was the leader in fashion for centuries until the 1990’s.

Ms. Johnson actually started the careers of many well known black actors such as Richard Roundtree (that’s right – SHAFT – shut your mouth) and other well known African Americans. Eunice brought black models to European designers who snatched them up at a time when they could barely get work in America, most known is Pat Cleveland who began working Ebony Fashion Fair at the age of 15.

For those that don’t know Ebony Fashion Fair is a traveling fashion show of luxury and couture designs. It was my privilege and honor to once again attend the Ebony Fashion Fair 2008 Fall Show.

This year I decided to see the show at Strathmore Music Center in Bethesda, MD instead of in DC. Strathmore is a beautiful space but I was surprised at the amount of empty seats (which explains the ease of getting a 4th row center seat a week before the show). Last year at Constitution Hall in DC it was standing room only.

Ebony Fashion Fair show is not like any other fashion show; it is a dramatic event using all black models of every color and size. There was even a full figured model from Maryland.

The emcee of the show not only reveals the designers and gives a description of the garments she keeps you laughing and reacting. The models are more than models; they are silent actors that are choreographed through different scenes so that you get to see the clothes from every angle with drama and flair.

Now the clothes are not the run of the mill fashions that most American women are used to seeing; these are high end couture which were just as over the top as the choreography and commentary.

There were furs, feathers, leathers and knits. There were so many amazing designs that I wrote 3 pages of notes on this 2 hours show. In my opinion I could have gone 2 more hours.

There were designs from Italy, Germany, Japan, Argentina and the Virgin Islands as well as designers from America and France.

A few noted designers included Oscar de la Renta, Anna Sui, Carolina Herrera, Luca Luca, Christian Lacroix, Missoni, Valentino, Vivienne Westwood, Thierry Mugler, Yves St. Laurent, Roberto Cavalli, Ungaro, Givenchy, Issey Miyake, and even accessories from Apple Bottom.

With 3 pages of notes it was too difficult to choose my FIERCABULOUS picks, so instead I have added some pictures of my favorites from the program so that you can get a sense of the designer’s and the amazing creations I saw that evening.

AB-FAB Designs FIERCEABULOUS PICKS:

1. This one is my favorite

2. NEED IT - FIERCE!!!

3. Fur on Fur

4. Just a little cocktail frock

5. As seen on Rachel Zoe's show

6. Isn't this the most beautiful model you've ever seen - FIERCEABULOUS!

For more information about Ebony Fashion Fair check out their website: http://www.ebonyfashionfair.com/assembled/history.html

Stay Fashionable!

IS THOM BROWNE THE NEXT BIG THING IN FASHION?

I was turned onto Thom Browne by a co-worker (thanks Amanda). Everyone that I work with knows that I love fashion. I always wear things that are a bit fashion forward for my mostly female Jewish non-profit philanthropic company.

For me every day is a fashion show and every time I leave my house it’s a potential photo op. Take today, for example, I decided to wear my above the knee grey pleated skirt with my red Izod argyle sweater, charcoal grey knee-high wool socks and my suede grey ankle boots that have black suede ties up the back; I know FIERCE!!

When my girl Amanda told me that she saw this designer that was totally outrageous and forwarded me the link to his website I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was immediately thrilled to see another British menswear bespoke designer. Thom is actually an amalgam of my 2 favorite designers Alexander McQueen and Ozwald Boateng.

Thom has the couture like attention to detail in his tailoring just like McQueen and Boateng but he reminds me more of Alexander at the beginning of his career with his need to shock in creating new silhouettes in menswear.

One of my favorite fashion journalists Tim Blanks says and I quote, “They all [the garments] whiffed of Thom’s ongoing Barnum and Bailey assault on masculine convention…” “…a new take on his continuing fascination with male powerlessness…”

You can see a slide show of Thom Browne’s Spring 2009 collection at the link listed below. All I can say is really low slung shorts, you know I love a man in a skirt, and Tennis anyone?

I now these designs are a bit out there for the average American male but keep in mind these outfits can be pulled apart and work with other items like jeans and plain sweaters and shirts to tone them down.

Thom kept the color palette mostly red, white and blue with greys, blacks, and black and white shown toward the end of the collection. The tone on tone check pattern and the English cut of the clothes are amazing. It reminds me of a modern version of the Beatles at the beginning of their careers.

The trenches are definitely covetable and I am crazy about the tennis theme throughout the collection (which was probably what seeped into my mind when picking out my tennis girl outfit today) with the terry cloth arm and headbands as well as the actual tennis racquet details in the fabrication. I can also see that Thom loves a wader length pant.

I know many doubted me when I said that Alexander McQueen would be a major name in fashion over a decade but now McQueen is a major luxury brand. I feel that Thom Browne will have a major voice in menswear but I fear that he will have the same trouble that Ozwald Boateng had breaking into the American market. However I have high hopes for them both.

AB-FAB FIERCEABULOUS PICKS (you have to go to the slide show to see them) http://men.style.com/fashion/collections/S2009MEN/review/TBMEN:

1. The high-waisted pants in slides 20, 36, and 48 are a refreshing new silhouette in menswear

2. For those that know me – I love a man in a skirt so check out slides 21, 29, 30 and 31

3. Slide #4 with the grey window pane 3 piece suit done with shorts – FIERCE!!!

4. All of the sweater vests are amazing. Check slides 11 and 12.

5. I love the navy with white tennis racket trench in slide 17

As a side note I know these guys don’t look too thrilled to be wearing these outfits but actually this is the look that most male models give on the runway.

Stay Fashionable!