Historical & Artisitic Styles

I had a lot of fun working on this particular addition to my source book. I hope you enjoy it!!

Baroque

The image I chose to represent the Baroque period is of Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth: The Golden Age.  The film is set in the late 1500's and the costume designer on set was Alexandra Byrne. I chose this particular picture because I've seen the neckline represented in todays fashions. Although the inspiration is more than 400 years old, couture designers still borrow from it. 

Rococo

This image is of Catherine Zeta Jones in The Mask of Zorro and it represents the Rococo period. The film is set in the early 1800's and the costume designer on set was Graciela Mazon. I chose this picture because this is one of my favorite movies and because I like Catherine Zeta Jones' own personal style. 

Romantic 

This picture represents clothing from the Romantic period. This picture featured Chiwetel Ejiofor, Morgan Freeman and Matthew McConaughey. The film is set in the mid 1800's and the costume designer on set was Ruth E. Carter. I chose this picture because it features two of my favorite actors, Morgan Freeman and  Chiwetel Ejiofor and also because the movie represents a very pivotal time in American history. 

Neo-Classical

This picture represents fashions from the Neo-Classical period.  Uma Thurman's high waisted, sheer layered dress is  perfect example of the Neo-Classical influence!! I chose this dress because it reminds me of the dress I wore in my sisters wedding. 

Impressionism

This picture represents fashion inspired by the Impressionist period. All the women in the cast are wearing something that represents the Impressionist period. The designer on set was Brienne Glyttov. 

Wearable Art

Finally, this is a picture of a photo shoot for Sex & The City: The Movie. I chose this picture because Sarah Jessica Parker is such a style icon. I am not exactly sure of the designers for any of the pieces but I assume that they are current garments because they movie was so heavily based on fashion. Im sure Sarah Jessica Parker & Patricia Field worked together to achieve these looks. 

The Women's Power Suit...

I chose the women's power suit because of how much it's meaning has evolved over time. Initially, the power suit was a symbol of achievement and stature in the 80's. It has undergone a makeover today as it has become more of a symbol of style and femininity depending on the wearer. 

I am going to give a brief history of the women's suit and then show how it has changed through the years. 

The picture below is of the first women's suit, the Chanel Tweed Suit. This suit was designed with the feminine woman in mind for acceptable afternoon or evening wear. This picture is of Shirley McClain in Chanel, playing Coco Chanel in what I assume was around the 1920's.

The suit has morphed into several different variations as many women throughout the years have worn them. Katherine Hepburn donned a men's suit in the 1938 movie Bringing Up Baby. She was a pioneer of in the revolution of women's clothing and how it was worn. As one of the first women to wear trousers in public, she set the tone for women everywhere to let them know that women in men's clothing was and will always be acceptable. 

This picture of Katherine Hepburn is a good representation of the women's powersuit as we know it. 

The picture below is of the cast of LA Law. As you ca

n see fit of the suits on the women is a little more tailored and the ever popular shoulder pads have made their appearance. These cuts are from the mid 80's. This look was worn with pearls and a silk or polyester shirt. It was still feminine with a more profession twist. 

The picture below is of the cast of Lios & Clark in a much more modern (for that time) suit. As a journalist, she had to maintain a certain amount of professionalism however, the cut and color of the suit, as well as the detail are still feminine. 

The picture below is of a very authentic power suit from the late 90's. The cast is of the practice and actually, all of the actors and the actress are wearing power suits. While the shoulder pads aren't there, the cuts are very straight, accentuating nothing and the lines are more masculine and strong than feminine and delicate. 

Finally, this picture is from the early part of the millennium. Cynthia Nixon is pictured here with the rest of the cast of Sex & the City in a very modern day powersuit. The difference you'll notice here is that the suit is worn with a skirt but that the skirt itself doesn't take away from the power of the suit. The cut is very tailored, coming in at the waist and bustline however, it is clear that this suit is all about business!