SARAH BURTON AND PHILLIP TREACY

After the Symposium with Sarah Burton and Phillip Treacy, I think I found better answer of these two questions: 

1 Is fashion art?

2 What is an expert?  

When Elisa Stephenst asked Philip Treacy what fashion is about, he said " 

Fashion is based on work, knowledge, and craft. You use all those elements to 

make dreams for people. Whether it's photograph or show,you inspire the 

customer to shop by your efforts. It's all based on craft, concentrate, 

technique, and history of style."

To be a good designer, or fashion expert, passion is very important. However,

 only passion is not enough. I think fashion is art, because it's not only about

beauty. It's about all the stuffs that are behind the beauty. Through fashion, designers can communicate with people, can inspire people, can create life styles for people. Fashion is also business, because all the things above are based on knowing what people want. Sarah said that repetition and lack of creativity in many fashion shows can be a problem. People get tired of things easy, especially nowdays, everything develop so fast. Everybody has there own philosophy about beauty and fashion, and people wants things that are special. It's the "I want some thing different" power pushing fashion move forward. It's very important for designers to know how to find the balance between art and business.

Poser?

What is a Poser?
Basically it means
Someone pretending to be something they're not.
A person who acts in an affected manner in order to impress others.

What is a fashion poser or expert?

Fashion Expert Vs Fashion Poser

What is a fashion expert or a fashion power?

Fashion Expert – A fashion expert has an extensive knowledge of the various level of fashion: manufacturing, distribution, retail, merchandising, textiles, design and pattern making. A fashion expert has a good knowledge of fashion history, both current runway and general fashion history. The creative expression of an idea or inspiration is easily understood by an expert. It takes experience, education and passion to become a fashion expert.

Fashion Poser – A fashion poser admires the expert and strives to appear as an expert. However, the fashion poser does not understand the chain of fashion from inspiration to sales. A poser is uninformed on the basics of fashion history. The poser doesn’t appreciate segments of fashion that aren’t glamorous, but still relevant, like technical design. A fashion poser relies on bloated esteem, rather than actual knowledge, to interpret fashion. A fashion poser loves beautiful clothing but does not put any effort into fashion other than giving monetary commentary on fashion.

How to Not Be a Poser

1. Don't try to look like a celebrity.

2.Avoid doing things just because everyone else is doing them. If something interests you, learn about it, and truly involve yourself in it

3.Be honest about your opinions and interests.

4.Be committed when you try something new.

5.Remember, the most important thing is to be true to yourself.

6.Wear whatever you like.

7.The keyword here is be unique.

8.Don't abide by the rules of a certain subculture like punk, scene, prep, or goth

9.Don't say or wear something just because someone else does.

Talking about poser, there is one guy I really want to talk about. He is Frankie Han.

He is the Project Manager of  Marie Claire China.

I think his style to some extent is trying to please the public with claptrap.

I have to say as a  Project Manager, he has to understand fashion. However I think he misunderstand a little bit.

Everybody has the right to have their own style. There is nothing to be said against it. However for some reason, a lot of people think that guys being girly, or being gay is fashionable.  

Just because you are gay, or you wear leopard,or wear luxury doesn't necessarily means you understand fashion.

There was a interview about him, and he said he's style is different from these two guys Andre J, and Bryan Boy, but here are some pictures of these two guys.

Bryan Boy

                                                                         

                                                                         Andre J

In the interview, he said that "I'm not as crazy as Andre J, because I don't understand why men would wear skirt".

In my mind, I don't think that's something an fashion expert would say. Because if he really understand and appreciate the "androgynous" style, he would have an open mind about men wear skirt. It's just may be Andre J wears skirt in a not good way.

I think in a Country like China, people are still learning  fashion.  Frankie Han suddenly appear, and become famous just because he is different. Therefore people starts to think that is fashion.  

In terms of  the "androgynous" style, needless Jean Paul Gualtier is a very good example of what a fashion expert should be like.  

At last, here is a picture of a Chinese artist. Gualtier designed the clothe for him. I think it would be a good ending.

Chloé Fall/Winter 2012 Ready to Wear Runway Report!

Fall is Clare Waight Keller's second season at Chloé. For direction she looked to her own experience as a Brit in Paris. "It's about a British girl falling for the classic elements of Paris...pearls, lace," said the designer.  Backstage she explained that she tried to mix the casual vibe of English sportswear with the dressier sensibility of the French. English sportswear is described through red sweat pants paired with a Parisian lace blouse with long silk sleeves. She maintained the easy and casual design style the brand is famous with drop waists and suiting fabrics.

Fashion Trends: The collection features lace! On dresses, blouses and skirts. While the fabric can be aging, it is presented in a modern and feminine way. Collar-less jackets are mixed with huge turtle necks, very stylistic of the brand. A strong trend is quilting and paper bag waist design. A high neckline is present in almost every look, but is less trend and more brand style.

Beauty Trends: Fresh faced, nearly make-up less, models set a trend for minimalist make-up this season. Aaron de Mey was quoted describing the makeup style as" a young Kate Moss, super fresh girls — like the girls that go to music festivals or the beautiful French girls you see in the street wearing really stylish clothes but no makeup." Eyes had light pink shimmer with subtle blush and nearly nude lips. This style was complemented with simple, loose waves to add to the casual, fresh face look.

The makeup in this collection rounded out the French sensibility to the English collection. The

models did look like young stylish Parisian woman that traveled around England the summer before.

Lace will have strong traction in the market place because of its femininity and modern cut to the garments the lace is used on. I think the sweat pants will be really popular because they are casual and young, but not too young for the brands target customer. The beauty styling may set a fresh-faced trend but with all the color in stores right now, I don't think it will set much of a trend.

The Real Housewives of Miami

From left to right: Alexia Echevarria, Marysol Patton, Larsa Pippen, Cristy Rice, Lea Black, Adriana DeMoura-Sidi

Lea Black: Originally from Texas, Lea’s married to a lawyer and has a 9-year-old son. She relieves her guilty rich-lady conscience by doing philanthropic works, and when it comes to politics, she loves her some President Obama.
Larsa Pippen: Married to NBA star Scottie Pippen, Larsa was once tagged as the “Hottest NBA wife.” She claims she’s successful in pretty much everything, and that's true—at least in the baby-making factory: She is the mother of four Pippenettes.
Marysol Patton: The owner of a PR firm, this Miami denizen and divorcee is all about throwing parties and spending time with her psychic mother, Elsa, who must get her anti-aging tips from Joan Rivers.
Alexia Echevarria: Mother of two from a previous marriage and executive editor of Venue Magazine, Alexia lives in Miami Beach with her new hubby, who goes by the unfortunate first name of Herman.
Cristy Rice: The former wife of NBA star Glen Rice, she’s the singleton of the group who must learn how to deal with being a single mama (without the drama) and managing her clothing business.

Adriana DeMoura-Sidi: Newly engaged, this sassy and flirty young ‘un of the group gets into lots of trouble. Sounds like she’s Miami’s version of Camille Grammer, or better yet, Jersey’s Danielle Staubgoblin. Watch out!

Alexia Echevarria 

"Cuban Barbie"

From her hair color and hair style, it's not hard to tell that she is ver inspired by Barbie doll. Echevarria maintains a slender and toned body to maintain her barbie asthetic and may have had surgery on her bluging clevege. She is famous for she is the editor of Venue Magazine, a fashion magazine based in Miami.

In my mind, I think women who likes barbie-esque styles and tends think and act like they are princess', typical behavior of the elite 'housewives' group. I think pretty much all the 'housewives' have similer style (and act in a similar way). The style is characteristic of long hair, plastic surgery on the face and body, but also body-con garments with low neck lines and short hemlines. This style constantly displays their 'plastic' body. In a way it is ironic that rich woman choose to wear less clothing when they can afford more. Their wealth keeps them away from any danger, cat calls or crude words lower class women endure as a result of body-con wear. 

However she is different from the  others. At least she has her job.

She has a sexy and sweet style, which is influnced by the Latin culture in Miami. Her style is very beach wear and club wear with the glitz and glam that a rich housewife can afford.

Gomez-Gracia  "No Dessert Dress"

It seems like she likes the "Y" shape cloth

Gomez-Gracia, a women’s British contemporary brand, has a polished daytime chic with saucy details that are just right for twilight. Feminine and refined with an edgy, rock and roll twist, Gomez-Gracia is about sensual cuts and flattering lines (perfect for a Miami housewife). The combination of luxury, textured and often contrasting fabrics, tempered with tongue-in-cheek details make this line perfect for the work-hard, play-hard woman.

                                              She likes to wear somrthing shine and  animal print.

                                                             Alexia Echevarria Youth

This Miami housewife is a perfect example of an American version of the gaudy and tacky rich women wearing tight lepord print and low cut shirts in Italy, a typical clique'. Personally, I would not consider her a style icon, or even fashionable, since she is recycling the same silhouette and style with different fabrics (and he is fiercely following the typical garb of a Miami woman).

Her fame may bring a high rise in the style in general and possibly help the Cuban Barbie style float across the country. She is also enforcing the clique style of not only wealthly woman in America but the elite business woman in Miami. Her sexuality is constantly on display which may not be a positive image of a woman in the workfield. Her fame is only bringing this image into the media and influencing the style of young career focused woman across the U.S.