The architectural essence of Fashion

Audrey Hepburn in Hubert de Givenchy from one of my all time favorite movies "Breakfast at Tiffany's". A French aristocrat and fashion designer who founded The House of Givenchy in 1952.

The movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's" inspired Coco Chanel to start designing little black dresses, a staple in almost every woman's closet. Coco Chanel and Jean Patou are credited to the origins of the LBD in the 1920's.

The iconic design of Coco Chanel remains eternal and captivating with an undeniable sophistication in styling. 

"Fashion is architecture, it is a matter of proportions"

~Coco Chanel~

I flirted briefly with the idea of designing loungewear. I feverishly sketched away and somehow during this time we wound up starting up a Greeting card design business. I guess there is always the future for my special allure towards fashion. As I am once again sketching fashion design. Truly fashion is a temptation and beckons me as a future endeavor. But of course one never knows what their future has in store.

Photographed by Irving Penn and published in Vogue September 1993 - Gianfranco Ferré intricate feminine design.

Gianfranco Ferré was trained in architecture as well as Yves Saint Laurent. Gianfranco Ferré throughout his legacy was know as "the architect of fashion".

Modernist, practical and heavenly fashion design eventually transcends into our home interiors. But in this post I am concentrating on fashion and the passionate emotional connection we all feel to it. A fashion into decor design post will follow later this Fall. I believe classics will always endure and prefer to incorporate architect furniture designs into our row-home. That is mixed into a past, present and nod to the future eclectic design.

In the early 90's a renaissance Piazza was built by the Italian Trade commission as a gift to New York City and was a visually simulating feast for the eyes. A Piazza is meant to be the heart of a community's life and this one was conveyed beautifully. Blending a harmonious collection of Italian design and craftsmanship in a architectural structure that invited your imagination to freely explore. John and I attended the exhibit and leisurely experienced the Piazza feeling greatly inspired and visually rewarded.

A plastic architectural model of the Piazza 

In the Piazza was an exhibit of Valentino's fashion designs made for his famous American clients. Clients like Elizabeth Taylor and Jackie Kennedy. Americans named Valentino back then "King of Chic".

The exhibit wasn't set up like a stiff restricted museum setting where you couldn't walk around freely. This exhibit allowed you to get up close and personal to fully appreciate the dresses, a 360 degrees of loveliness and awe. It was on that very day I fell deeply in love with Valentino and I realized fashion is truly architectural and Valentino's fashion design was sublime. To quote Carrie Bradshaw (Sara Jessica Parker) from the iconic and still remains my favorite show "Sex and the City" ... "Hello lover"...

"There are only three things I can do - make a dress, decorate a house, and entertain people.

~Valentino Garavani~

I know what women want. They want to be beautiful."

~Valentino Garavani~

Every year I look forward to watching actresses of all ages walk down the red carpet at the Academy awards. We always start with watching the red carpet pre-show. I find myself enamored observing the celebrities style and their fashion choices. I'm always thrilled to see vintage Valentino and confidence exhibited when the stars take a risk and support wearing young talent.

In 2001 Julia Roberts wore vintage Valentino, in the year she won the Oscar for the movie "Erin Brockovich". Graphically stunning in a Black and White Valentino gown as Julia Roberts bedazzled us all. Such poise and a radiant smile, truly America's "sweetheart".

For the 2014 Academy Awards Jennifer Garner wore this vintage Valentino. I honestly was completely captivated as she gracefully walked the red carpet and charmed us in a uniquely Tangerine one shoulder strap. Oh Jennifer, you wore it well, another sweetheart I adore and to me she will always be Sidney Bristow from Alias. 

During the decade of the 90's John and I owned a Greeting card company. I drew and designed cards, die-cut notepads and stationary in our nearly 200 piece line. My artwork was manufactured with John overseeing all of it's production. We were sold internationally.

The Greeting card Association has their own version of the Oscars, named the Louie's. It is a gala event held annually in New York City. Cocktail reception followed by a dinner, speeches and afterwards awards are given. All Louie submissions are blind judged by a panel of industry experts. I was fortunate to experience the Louie's when I was nominated for a friendship card I designed in 1991 and we attended the event in 1992.

I only ever, seriously ever, wear Black and in the Summer White. It's my artist thing ... I am truly an observational sponge and wearing color distracts from my absorbing inspiration that I find everywhere -everyday. 

I sketched a dress design for the Louie gala and presented it to a young up and coming fashion designer/seamstress in Philadelphia. Patiently she listened to my ideas and created magic for me. I adore texture and I went with a Black silk crepe, lined underneath, fitted waist with a thin belt with a vintage rhinestone square buckle. The bodice had a sweetheart neckline, not overly plunging, with short feminine capped sleeves. The skirt had a slight A-line flare for movement and looked stunning with the silk crisp and crimped appearance of the crepe fabric.

Although that year I didn't take home a Louie, I did experience my Cinderella moment, I guess perhaps it truly is a once in a lifetime moment. Even my shoes, heels with Swarovski crystal Pavé bows fit perfectly. As this Cinderella (me and John my Prince Charming) was driven home in a NYC taxi to our boutique chic hotel I was floating on air, and magically the cab didn't turn into a pumpkin!

Fashion is all about self expression, it conveys who we are and how we feel about ourselves for the world to see. That magical awards night I not only felt pretty but I looked pretty.

My advice is to wear your personal style well, always with pride and confidence and of course be aware of your body contours and what works best for you. Fashion enhances and can make an ordinary day seem special.

My gathered poetic words today is named Emma. About a young inspiring fashionista, told in a fable.  I have always followed fashion and know to look at the up and coming talent for fashion forward designs and trends. So before my poem of Emma I want to name a few to take seriously and will be enjoyed and admired now and in many future decades.

A young designer Oliver Rousteing, 27, brilliant, fresh and taking the celebrities by gale force winds of talent.

"Sometimes you forget that your passion can also be your work"

~Oliver Rousteing-~

New York based Katie Ermillio, Granddaughter to Grace Kelly's personal stylist. Her designs are very feminine yet minimal in a breathtaking way. Also Yang Li and Mary Katrantzous to just name a few...

I wish you a wonderful Labor Day weekend, my birthday is on Sept. 2nd and always celebrated around Labor Day. One of my lifelong BD wishes (we do get 3!) has always been to enjoy an Indian Summer until sweater weather arrives with the cool crisp autumn nights.

Enjoy the last weekend of Summer 2014. I've already have planned wearing my Black Calvin Klein waisted cable knit with shell buttons sweater on a pumpkin picking/buying adventure!

See you in a couple weeks, When I'll bring you back to Philadelphia with interior photos in our row-home. Below is my poetry of Emma.

XX,

Vera

From the age of six Emma was a passionate visionary fashion forward child.
Even back then our budding fashionista's clothing style was wildly compiled.

Captivated she would watch old movies from the 60's starring sexy sirens on her big TV screen,
Beautiful Sophia, Gina and Marylyn's gorgeous fashion styles were admired and studied to the umpteen!

Evenings Mom would tirelessly help Emma sew her movie star inspired haute couture,
realizing her daughter's vintage inspired designs with a modern flair held magical allure.

Dad's a real estate developer in Philadelphia and his company does factory loft conversions,
Emma's freshman year, Dad purchased an old wedding dress factory on one of his excursions.

Abandoned were dress forms along with bolts of silk, charmeuse, lace, satin, organza and crepe.
Now call it just coincidence or call it fate, but this was when Emma's destiny began to take shape.

Emma's family moved into one of the lofts with studio design space up on the second floor.
With Emma perfecting vibrant dyes from fruits and vegetables she couldn't dream for anymore.

Senior year was an exciting time, a new boyfriend and sewing prototypes of her elegant fashion.

Soon followed by an acceptance letter from the Art Institute in Philadelphia to study her passion.

With prom only weeks away, Emma is busy sewing her couture gown design for her special night,
Strawberries, beets and blueberries made a Periwinkle blue dye that was an absolute color delight.

Layered satin skirt with a gathered tulle overlay, with a bodice of lace accented by a sweetheart neckline,
Embracing Emma's waist was a rhinestone studded silk belt, very inspired design and ever divine.

Periwinkle blue to compliment her brown eyes and her chestnut hair, she looked simply breathtaking.
That evening everyones eyes were fixated on her admiring her astonishing style and visionary dressmaking.

Senior prom was Emma's stunning gown debut, on a magical twinkling star filled night ...
And also when our young ingenue realized her fashion future held promise to be big and bright.

© Vera

Photo sources:

1,2,5,6,7,10 Goggle

3,4 me, Vera

8 Dreamtime.com

9 Pinterest