• About the “me” of meappropriatestyle
  • Etiquette/Ethics
  • Huffington Post UK articles by ‘me’
  • Stay connected to meappropriatestyle
  • What is meappropriatestyle?

meappropriatestyle

~ an on-line fashion, design and arts magazine exploring topics of cultural interests from historical reference to current trends

meappropriatestyle

Tag Archives: fashion and history

A fashion/style symphony conducted by Japanese designer, Hiroko Koshino for a/w ’16

28 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by meappropriatestyle in accessories, avant garde, dress = ensemble, fashion and history, headwear, jewellery, runway favourites, runway presentation, style = innovation, women's fashion, womenswear, womenswear designers

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

autumn/winter 2016, avant garde fashion, fashion and history, Hiroko Koshino, on runway fashion, quirky accessories, runway presentation, statement accessories, Tokyo Fashion Week, women's fashion, womenswear- a/w 2016

 

 

For Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week-Tokyo, a / w 2016

Japanese designer, Hiroko Koshino

presented a stellar collection.

 

 

Having studied at the prestigious Bunka Fashion College, Tokyo

Ms. Koshino has been a fashion industry factor since the mid-1960s

when she opened her first high-end clothing store in Osaka.

 

She progressed to show successfully her inspired creations around the world.

Throughout the decades, Ms. Koshino has won a number of awards for

her work in fashion and art.

 

It is then of no surprise, that her autumn/winter  ’16  runway presentation

was a visual treat, expertly melding:

 

style influences from various eras

mixed fabrication of luxe textiles

diverse print designs

avant-garde accessories (headwear, jewellery, tights)

…

In all, a ying yang vibe of complementary contrasts.

…

 

 

Hiroko Koshino

a / w  2016

 

Bring on the drama

in purple hues

long length cape / crushed velvet trousers

tokyo fw, a16, hiroko koshino, the drama, velvet trousers, cape, purple

…

Grey matters

light weight knit, body grazing maxi dress

exposed shoulder

large outer pockets at sides

stylised belt

tokyo fw, a 16 hiroko koshino, grey knit runway_00190_xn

…

Modern Victoriana

elaborate headwear / bold statement neckwear

tokyo fw, a16, hiroko koshino, victorianan inspired

…

Office stripes

wide pinstripe skirt / matching trousers

pinstripes, mbfashionweek runway

…

Varied print infusion

wrist to upper arm-cover

fashion fun-tastic tights

tokyo fw, a16, hiroko koshino, mixed prints

…

Scripted:  and the word is ‘fabulous’

cropped top

“wordy’ print skirt, asymmetric tiers

tokyo fw, a16 hiroko koshino, mbfashionweek, scripted ruffled tiered, runway_00

…

Trouser suiting

jacket:  bat-winged sleeves

trousers:  slim fit

tokyo fw, hiroko koshino,trouser suiting, slim fit, mbfashionweek

…

Harness the look

 deconstructed  and bib-like harness vest

tokyo fw, a16, hiroko koshino,harness , mbfashionweek runway

…

A mix bag

mixed fabrication

(t)  knit / leather accents

(b)  faux fur sleeves / varied texture textiles

tokyo fw, a16, hiroko koshino, mixed fabrication, knit:leather  mbfashionweek runway

tokyo fw,a16, trouser suiting, asymmetric hem faux fur sleeves,

…

Flapper appeal

A 21st century interpretation of a 1920s fashion statement

tokyo fw, a16, hiroko koshino, flapper appeal,

…

Share this:

  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Favlook – Lookfav Focus: sumptuous dress for everyday, for everyone

28 Sunday Feb 2016

Posted by meappropriatestyle in art history notes, colour, colourspeak, dress = ensemble, dress history, fashion and art, fashion and history, Favlook - Lookfav Focus, free to be me, style inspiration

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

conspicuous consumption, dress history, fashion and art, fashion and history, Favlook - Lookfav Focus, free to be, free to be me, luxury fabrics, ostentatious dress, sumptuary laws

 

 

Dress to impress

in all finery:  clothed in opulent fabric

is a multi-sensory sensation

at one point in time, only to be experienced by those of the ruling classes

and reserved for special/important occasions.

 

…

Throughout history,

various societies have enacted sumptuary laws

which were regulations designed to control what people wore

and in some instances what they did-

in terms of demonstration of wealth.

These laws kept ‘fashion and dress in check’ ,

as means to identify an individual’s socio-economic station

by clothing worn.

…

During the medieval era in Europe,

sumptuary codes prevented any attempt of elevation in status through dress.

The nobility projected their rank by ostentatious attire worn and

prohibited the rising middle class

from dressing above an imposed societal station.

…

Conspicuous consumption was controlled by law

which allowed only a set few to wear luxury items.

…

Luxury-wear on parade

15th C

 

Mois de mai

(month of May)

a page from the illuminated book of hours (prayer book),

Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry

painted by famed Dutch miniaturist, the Limbourg brothers, circa 1412 – 1416

for their patron the French prince  John, Duke de Berry

medieval dress, Frères_Limbourg_-_Très_Riches_Heures_du_duc_de_Berry_-_mois_de_mai, wikimedia_

 

(image from wikimedia.org)

…

 

Today dressing in extravagant clothing of

 

exquisite fabrication

jewel colours

intricate workmanship

elaborate details

 

is a daily event of being robed in attire fit for royalty

or seemingly so-

how wonderfully ‘sumptuous’ is that?

 

 

…

Lux-wear on parade

21st C

everyday, everyone

the look, coat, textural, brown teddy with mint-green sleeve cuffs, www he look, ootd, knit, pattern, texture, knit coat,  gilet, www the look, trousers, burgundy red crushed velvet trousrs, www

(images from whowhatwear)

…

street style, men, peacock parade, manofmany.com Pitti-Uomo-Day

(image from manofmany.com)

…

street style, suting in grey, Pitti Uomo FW16

(image from jaiperdumaveste.com)

…

 

 

 

Share this:

  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

“Outta Sight!” : ’60s vogue for a / w 2015 by New Zealand designer, Karen Walker

22 Tuesday Dec 2015

Posted by meappropriatestyle in accessories, andro-chic style, androgynous dress, fabrication, fashion and history, fashion cultural reference, fashion fun, fashion historic reference, fashion inspiration, knitwear, leather wear, prints, ready to wear, style ideas?, trouser suit, womenswear, womenswear designers

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

'60s fashion - inspired, '60s historical relevance, 60s fashion, fabric mix styling, fashion and history, Karen Walker- designer, textural fabrication, womenswear, womenswear- a/w 2015

 

 

New Zealand based designer

Karen Walker

presents her collections on the runway of New York Fashion Week.

 

Hers is a design aesthetics which celebrates women with a nod

to historical perspective.

For a /w 2014, Ms. Walker drew inspiration from the suffragette movement–

in acknowledging her home country New Zealand, which in 1893

was the first Western nation to grant women voting rights.

 

…

In the spirit of looking to the fashion past for present design direction-

her Fall 2015 collection paid homage to ’60s trends:

imaginative  prints

colour bursts

mini skirt hems

shift dresses

boxy jackets

denim dimension

A-line silhouette

boots boutique

trouser fashion

androgynous attitude

…

“Outta Sight” baby!

from designer, Karen Walker  a / w  2015

 

Mod squad

karen, walker, fall 2015, mod squad

…

Graphic magic

karen walker, fall 2015, print,

…

Blue attitude

cobalt-blue leather coat with front zip detail and textural accent

karen walker, fall 2015, blue attitude

…

Denim direction

denim shift dress

collared, three pocket detail, zip front

karen walker, fall 2015, denim dress as smock,

…

denim skirt with mustard-yellow stitching and frayed hem

boxy, cropped jacket in mustard-yellow

karen walker, fall 2015, cropped jacket

…

Mixed print

karen walker, fall 2015, mixed print

…

Graphic intent

karen walker, fall 2015, graphic intent

…

Accessory express

chunky scarf

black, zip top, hand held bag

  tread sole, caramel-brown ankle boot

karen walker, fall 2015, accessory express

…

Trouser suiting

karen walker, fall 2015, suiting

…

“Sheer”  sensation

honey hue, long length leather gilet

shearling lining

karen walker, fall 2015, accessory express

…

The Ensemble

high waist, rolled hem jeans

denim blouse with ruffle detail

cropped jacket

karen walker, fall 2015, rolled hem

…

Fabulous fabrication

textural, orange/brown colour coordination

karen walker, fall 2015, textural _

…

(images from vogue.com)

Share this:

  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

A new ‘reign’ of Rayne: The Fashion and Textile Museum, London hosts the exhibition ‘Rayne Shoes for Stars’

15 Monday Jun 2015

Posted by meappropriatestyle in accessories, Accessorise Me!, exhibitions, fashion and business, fashion and film, fashion and history, fashion news, mark your diary, shoes... glorious shoes, womenswear

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

'RAYNE Shoes for Stars', accessories, fashion and history, fashion exhibitions 2015, fashion news, Mark your diary!, shoes, statement shoes, summer exhibitions - 2015, The Fashion and Textile Museum - London

 

 

This year’s fashion exhibition summer season is all about the shoes.

 

In addition to the show-

Shoes: Pleasure and Pain

at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London

the Fashion and Textile Museum (FTM), London

will also host its own shoe exhibition, which chronicles the history of

celebrated British shoe label:  Rayne.

The exhibition highlights a sampling of over 100 shoe models

from the Rayne archive.

…

(image from vogue uk):

rayane,  shoes, mary jane orn by tallulah bankheand d34bc695-3361-429e-aff0-6d4fca6fd6b8

Worn by Tallulah Bankhead

American actress of stage and screen from the 1920s – 1950s

…

(image from the designmuseum):

rayne, shoes

Satin with jewel encrusted buckle

…

Founded in 1885, as a family concern

the Rayne shoe company rapidly became the popular supplier of

bespoke costume shoes for the London theatre community.

By the 1920s a selection of Rayne retail stores had opened and

in 1959 the famous flagship boutique was established at the prestigious

retail local of Old Bond Street, London

…

Rayne shoes became a mark of the “well – heeled” lady.

Worn by Hollywood starlets such as

Elizabeth Taylor, Vivien Leigh, Bridgette Bardot, Diana Rigg

and donned by members of the British royal family-

Rayne shoes were highly sort after footwear:

particularly given that the present British monarch

Elizabeth II wore Rayne shoes on her wedding day.

…

rayne, shoes

The future Queen Elizabeth II on her wedding day

20 November 1947

The royal bride worn Rayne

…

(image from vogue uk):

rayne, shoes

The actress Vivien Leigh and Mr. Rayne, 1945

…

rayne,  shoes

The actress Diana Riggs in Rayne boots

…

rayne,  shoes

Black satin pumps with jewelled heel and brooch

worn by Elizabeth Taylor

…

(image from the dailymail uk):

rayne, shoes

Brown, suede plaforms worn by the Queen Mother, 1945

…

rayne, shoes

‘Cleopatra sandals’

worn by Elizabeth Taylor during filming of the movie Cleopatra, 1963

…

rayne, shoes

Worn by Brigette Bardot

…

(image from rayneshoes)

rayne, shoes

Black/white colour story, bejewelled

circa 1950s

…

Throughout its prestigious history,

many noted designers including among others

Norman Hartnell, Mary Quant, Bruce Oldfled

have worked/collaborted with the Rayne label.

…

In 2013, the Rayne brand was relaunched

now appreciated by a new generation of fashionistas.

The exhibition at the FTM is

in recognition of  the label’s history and

in celebration of ‘the new reign’ of Rayne.

…

(images from rayneshoes):

The new ‘reign’ of Rayne

Edith

rayne, shoes

red satin

…

Beatrix

rayne, shoes/boots

knee high boots, champagne hue, leather, embroidery

…

Adele

rayne, shoes

wine colour, patent leather, grosgrain bow detail

…

Lillian

rayne, shoes

ankle boot, black, leather, floral embroidery

…

RAYNE Shoes for the Stars

The Fashion and Textile Museum, London

Until 30 August 2015

…

For further information on the FTM exibition, visit:

http://ftmlondon.org/ftm-exhibitions/rayne-shoes-for-stars/

…

For additional details on Rayne shoes, past and present

visit the company’s website at:

http://www.rayneshoes.co.uk/history
…

Share this:

  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Renaissance man, Matthäus Schwarz: the first fashion blogger

19 Thursday Mar 2015

Posted by meappropriatestyle in fashion and history, fashion historic reference, history notes, hosiery, menswear, personal style, style = innovation

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

'Dressing Up: Cultural Identity in Renaissance Europe', fashion and history, Klaidungsbüchlein (Book of Clothes), Matthäus Schwarz, Renaissance book of fashion, Renaissance fashion, Renaissance menswear

Roughly chronicled on the historical timeline

as a period marked from the 14th to the 17th centuries,

the Renaissance amounted to a high point of European civilization.

Translated to mean  a “rebirth”,  it is considered a cultural movement

which commenced in Italy, eventually spread throughout Europe

and bridged the divide between the medieval period

and that of the early modern era.

…

The Renaissance seemed a time of energised activity and new perspectives:

of intense study of the past and innovation for the future.

It was characterised by keen enthusiasm for

knowledge of classical history of the ancient world

exploration of the New World

urbanisation and the growth of cities

manufacturing and invention.

It was a time of the established great and grand

as well as the rise of the social climber.

It was a time of magnficientia .

…

As commerce in cities steadily soared,

there were many opportunities for money-making ventures.

Prince, courtier, merchant- all had the means for displays of wealth

and went to some lengths to ensure that all knew.

Magnificentia was key to this Renaissance attitude-

that of conspicuous expenditure.

…

Some financed the construction of public buildings.

Others bought works of art for private collection and

 there were those who spent their acquired wealth on looking fabulous.

…

Matthäus Schwarz (1497 – 1574)

was a German accountant who worked for the Fugger family,

a prominent German mercantile and banking house.

From an early age Schwarz was captivated by fashion.

He spent most of his income on clothes

and on chronicling himself attired in his garments.

It would seem that Herr Schwarz was the first recorded “fashion blogger”–

an accountant by trade and a serious sartorial stylisto by vocation.

…

matthaus schwarz, portrait, by hans maler

Matthäus Schwarz

by German portraitist,  Hans Maler

…

For forty years, 1520 – 1560, he commissioned watercolour paintings

of himself in various fashionable outfits.

His first watercolour “fashion sitting” was at the age of 23.

Sumptuary laws,

(which dictated what a person could and could not wear

given their social rank)

put some restrictions on the range of Herr Schwarz’s ensembles.

Yet, he did manage to acquire an enviable wardrobe,

which reflected his sense of fashion innovation.

…

(image from tumblr.com):

matthaus schwarz, 29 1/2 yrs old, tumblr.com

Matthäus Schwarz

At 29 1/2 years old

…

Herr. Schwarz had his his forty years of  “selfie” watercoulour fashion images

bound into a book, titled Klaidungsbüchlein (Book of Clothes).

It is probably the first book on personal style and fashion-

of an evolution of self expression and identity through clothing worn.

The book is of interest to scholars as source material to

images of Renaissance dress.

…

Matthäus Schwarz

An outfit for every occasion

(image from ttolk.ru):

matthaus, schwarz, in fur and red tights

From the back

wearing fur and red tights

…

(image from medievalists.net):

matthaus schwarz, archer

As archer in a suit of yellow/grey ruffles

with colour alternating hosiery

…

(image from bbc.co.uk):

matthaus schwarz, lute

With lute in an embroidered lilac tunic with gold details

cinched at waist with matching hose

…

matthaus schwarz

In wide brimmed hat, embellished top, tiered breeches and solid tights

…

matthaeus schwarz, nude, bbc,_68040084_newnude464

In the nude

back and full frontal

(Body appreciation without the trappings of clothing.)

…

Matthaeus Schwarz
Red as go to colour statement

…

(image from notevenpast.org):

matthaus schwarz

Black/white coulour story:  a young Schwarz with falcon (l)

Black ensemble with a peek of red:  an older Schwarz (r)

…

(image from univ-paris1.fr):

matthaus schwarz on horseback

On horseback in an outfit of puff sleeves and full pleated skirt

…

(images from bbc.co.uk):

mathhaus schwarz, with sword

With sword

…

matthaus schwarz

At work and play

…

Matthaus Schwarz

At the ready

in armor attire

…

Only two books of Klaidungsbüchlein (Book of Clothes) were made-

the original and a copy.

The readership was limited to a select few of the author’s choosing.

Through the generations, the books had remained in the possession of

Herr. Schwarz’s descendants.

The original is now in the Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum

in Braunschweig, Germany

…

For further reading on Matthäus Schwarz and Renaissance dress, have a look at:

Dressing Up: Cultural identity in Renaissance Europe

by Professor Ulinka Rublack, Cambridge University

…

Share this:

  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

meapp-tweets

  • Feet Adorned: #embellishedFlats from #ReneCaovilla #womensStatementFootwear #balletShoes #womensFashion… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 11 minutes ago
Follow @meappropriate

meapp-facebook page

meapp-facebook page

Independent Fashion Bloggers

IFB

Follow meappropriatestyle pinterest boards

Pinterest_symbol_word_2

Follow meappropriatestyle pinterest boards!

meappropriatestyle1@gmail.com

bloglovin’

Follow on Bloglovin

meapp-rss feed

  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

recent posts

  • Yohji, Jr.? Meet designer Teppei Fujita of menswear label Sulvam
  • SSS: Sweater as Scarf Styling
  • Go for the Gold: Layering with athleisure wear for Fall/Winter 2016
  • Welcoming the new season: ‘Autumn’ , a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
  • New kids on the block: designers Virgil Abloh (Off White) , Shayne Oliver (Hood by Air) and Demna Gvasalia (Vetements) set a new tune to fashion

archives

Blogroll

  • Design and Culture by Ed
  • THEURBANSPOTTER

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×
    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
    %d bloggers like this: