Assignment 7.1 Contemporary Brand Jeans

Rock and Republic

Over the past 6 years, Rock & Republic has transcended the premium denim world to become a international lifestyle brand. Its luxe yet edgy approach to fashion is personified by CEO and Creative Director Michael Ball. Constantly redefining the boundaries in the fashion industry, Rock & Republic is at the forefront of design.

Paper Denim and Cloth 

Paper Denim & Cloth manufactures denim jeans, t-shirts, shirts, jackets, and skirts for men and women. The company sells its products through retail outlets. Paper Denim & Cloth was formerly known as Mudd LLC. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in New York, New York.

True Religion Brand Jeans

Jeffrey Jeffrey Lubell founded True Religion in 2002 with the intention of redefining premium denim. His vision was to make quality, American-made, authentic, timeless, great fitting, 1970’s inspired jeans wear, with a trendsetting appeal for today’s consumer.

Seven for all Mankind

7 For All Mankind was the first company to truly bring premium denim to scale, marking Los Angeles, California as denims’ venerable center for research and development worldwide changing the landscape of denim forever.

Evisu 

Once upon a time there was a real connoisseur of jeans, Hidehiko Yamane – as expert and demanding as only certain Japanese “otaku” can be. He passionately searched for the best products to import from anywhere in the world. Today the little Osaka trademark has become famous all over the world, with 400 shops besides more than 50 in Japan. Today, Evisu continues to expand with its newest additions including ‘Evisu Shoos’, ‘Evisu European Edition’ and ‘Kizzu’.

Diesel

Founded in 1978, Diesel is an innovative international design company, producing a wide-ranging collection of jeans, clothing and accessories. Diesel is a leader in pioneering new styles, fabrics, manufacturing methods and quality control to guarantee an outstanding product. The company is present in over 80 countries with over 5,000 points of sale and more than 300 monobrand stores (200 of which are company-owned and the rest in partnership with local distributors).

Chip and Pepper

In 1987, identical twins Chip and Pepper Foster created a Canadian sportswear label (aptly named Chip & Pepper Wetwear) that grew into a multi-million dollar company.  In 2003, they began their fashion renaissance in America by launching a high-end denim line that has become a cult favorite among celebrities and hipsters.  Launched in the denim capital of Los Angeles, the vintage inspired collection merges novel washes and superior quality and fit.  Each piece is as unpredictable and as full of life as their personalities, channeling the dynamic energy and cool buzz of its namesakes. 

Antik Denim

Formed in 2004, Antik Denim has quickly become a recognized premium denim brand in the U.S. and internationally. The manufacturing of the collections is distinguished by a craftsmanship and care reminiscent of a lost art. Each pair is individually decorated, chasing an era when things were made by hand. Exclusive Japanese, Italian and American fabrics are used for their quality and comfort.

AG Jeans

The AG Adriano Goldschmied brand, founded in 2000, began as a small boutique line of contemporary denim. Riding the wave of premium denim startups in the early 2000’s AG has been able to sustain over the years and grow expanantially -  a feat many of its contemporaries have not managed to accomplish. 

Abercrombie & Fitch 

Abercrombie & Fitch has transformed itself into a teen clothing sensation in the past decade. Previously having become obscure in the marketplace, through a major rehaul in image, product, and target market it is now a major player in the teen market. 

Assignment 7.1 Original Designer Jeans

Dolce & Gabbana, Fall 2008

Dsqaured, Fall 2008

Tommy Hilfiger, Fall 2007

Gucci, Fall 2009

Roberto Cavalli, 2006

Assignment 7.1 Classic Denim

Outdoor workers circa early 1900's dressed in denim. Denim was originally considered only appropriate for out door hard labor. It was not until the 1970's that denim was considered appropriate attire for everyday wear. 

A Levi poster, circa early 1900's. Denim popularized because of the California Gold Rush - Levi Straus was the first to truly capitalize on this event. Throughout the decades Levi has managed to stay in the game. 

Assignment 6.1 - Genealogy of a Garment - Heels

2007

These ‘lego’ high heels by Balenciaga, circa 2007, have been immensely popular and copied by such brands as Steve Madden. 

1960’s

Mary Quant platform shoe, circa 1966. Mary Quant was on of the most influential fashion designers during the 1960’s. She is accredited with creating the mini skirt. 

1939

There are probably only a handful of movies that most everyone has seen; Wizard of Oz is probably one of them. The ruby red slippers worn by the late iconic Judy Garland, of which there were seven made, have sold at auction for as much as $666,000. A pair is also on display at the Smithsonian  Museum in Washington, D.C.

1910

High button shoes were all the rage in the start of the 20^th century. Period movies such as Titanic (which is tied with All About Eve for the most Oscars won) heavily featured such shoes on actress Kate Winslett. This film was so popular and influential that the 1910’s style was worn by most everyone at the 1998 Academy Awards. 

1700

Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, painted 1701. During this time in Versailles the nobility were still living very high on the hog, so to speak. Some of the most iconic figures came out of this period in time from Marie Antoinette during the fall of Versailles to Napoleon after the French Revolution. Moreover, this period in time provides inspiration for designers most frequently. 

Assignment 5.1 - Compilation of Historical Styles

Folkloric Costume 

The cowboy is a look, style, and way of living unique to America. During the western expansion of the United States, the cowboy became an iconic figure; known often to be wild and dangerous. Countless films have been produced over the years based on the theme of ‘the cowboy’. Moreover, the cowboy look frequently pops up in many designers’ collections periodically. 

This folkloric look so often co-insides with the cowboy look; hence the childhood game cowboys and Indians. Different interpretations of this look also appear on the runways periodically; although perhaps more sporadically then the cowboy look.

Ethnic Costume

African costume is an example of ethnic costume in Western Culture. This particular look also impacts modern fashion. It is historically important and also very real social and political impacts to this day. 

This is an example of ethnic costume in Western Culture: the Geisha. Asian culture has provided a sense of mystery to Westerners since the days of Marco Polo and continues to this day. Memoirs of a Geisha was nominated for six academy awards in 2005 and won three. The word Geisha most simply translated to English means an entertainer. 

Medieval Revival 

Alexander McQueen Fall 2007 ready-to-wear. Another modern interpretation of medieval costume. The body is completely covered; however, unlike medieval costume this modern take is form fitting, flattering, and sexy. Sexy today is most always desired; however, in medieval times it was frowned upon to say the least. 

Alexander McQueen Fall 2006 ready-to-wear. Modern medieval with a twist. This modern interpretation clearly takes elements from different time periods; however, the top half of this costume is remarkably similar to what Theodora may have worn during the Byzantine era. 

Classical Revival

This light and airy number by Chanel, circa 2007, is an example of a modern twist on classical costume. It is essentially a sewn tunic with sleeves. 

Giorgio Armani Spring 2005 ready-to-wear. This dress is reminiscent of ancient classical costume for women. 

Medieval Costume

Empress Theodora depicted center wearing an outer tunic known as a dalmatic. This costume was the common uniform for women of privilege during this time. Fine fabrics were used during this period in this part of Europe. It is during this time that Western Europe seeps deeper into the Dark Ages; people become illiterate and art stops being produced essentially. However, the Byzantine Empire thrives. 

A portrait of a woman during medieval times. Note the lace veil, hair shaved to make the forehead larger, and odd hair shape. These were the ideals of beauty during the transition from the Dark Ages into the Renaissance. 

Classical Costume

Socrates speaking to Plato in Athens; both in classical costume. This painting, by Raphael is one of the most famous works of art in Western Culture. These men are most important to note for their thoughts and ideas shaped Western Society as we know it. 

A young boy in classical clothing. Note the many layers of fabrics and the way in which it is draped.