vital(scene): for the love of labels - the art of designer ready-to-wear

For the Love of Labels: the Art of Designer Ready-to-Wear is an exhibit featuring items from UGA's Historic Clothing and Textiles Collection housed at the Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors. The exhibit explores ready-to-wear creations by celebrated fashion designers. Some of the labels featured -- Burberry, Chanel, Halston, Christian Lacroix, Oscar de la Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, Missoni and Christian Dior.

I just happened to stumble across this exhibit while visiting the Lyndon House for a totally different mission; but I am very glad that I found it. Having my camera at the ready for my top secret mission (read: eddingway anningplay), I snapped the entire exhibit which can be found in one of my Flickr sets. I totally recommend visiting in person to get the full effect, but it's understandable not all will be able to overcome the time-space-physical proximity-barrier.

   "While this dress may seem extreme and unique through the eyes of a 21st century citizen, it is actually a classy version of what was popular in the 1970s."   

Each piece is accompanied by more than just a description of the designer and the year debuted; the text also includes how the particular piece is a reflection of the entire label and puts in context the time in which it was fashionable - if there is any doubt that it wasn't. For example, a Frankie Welch gown designed to celebrate Jimmy Carter’s presidential inauguration that’s happens to be made with a peanut print. Get it?

For the Love of Labels will be on display until January 20, 2009 at the Lyndon House Arts Center (293 Hoyt Street; Athens, Georgia).

from thestylemusings.com

flash(back): daria

Sandi: As president of the fashion club, I'm calling an emergency meeting right now.

Stacy: But Sandi! I swear this shirt is 100% cotton. It just looks like a blend!

Sandi: Stacy, if you're finished with your unsolicited outburst on fiber content, I'd like to call your attention to the fact that we're surrounded by moving fashion violations!

from thestylemusings.com

photo cred: mtv

ciné(screen): coco chanel

Lifetime debut the Coco Chanel movie last Saturday, which is about the 'rags-to-riches'life of Chanel. If you missed it, it is available on iTunes (plus, that way it is only a little over two hours sans commercials).

The film opens in 1954, the year that Chanel staged her comeback into fashion after a self-imposed exile. It is both sad and shocking to see the reaction of her audience. I love historical pieces, but they are always bittersweet. You already know how it is going to end and if the producers stay true to the story, there are always moments where you truly wish you could change history.


The film jumps back and forth to her present and past. I enjoyed seeing the details of her life play out, that are usually only a sentence in a written bio. You see the interaction between Chanel and rival designer Paul Poiret, her love affairs, her overall strong will and sadly her disappointments. Even though Shirley MacLaine gets top billing, I felt that Barbora Bobulova did an amazing job too, playing a young Coco. Definitely worth a watch.

from thestylemusings.com

photo cred: lifetime

mag(rac): vogue italia

Vogue Italia ~ September 08 ~ The Honorable Daphne Guinness

from thestylemusings.com

mag(rac): vogue italia

The first time I heard about this issue - incredibly excited. The entire project has been extremely successful with the the first printing selling out in 72 hours. Vogue Italia had to reprint 30,000 extra copies for American newsstands, 10,000 for British newsstands and 20,000 for Italian newsstands. Amazing. When I got my copy of the July 2008 Issue of Vogue Italia - A Black Issue, I really wanted the pink cover with Naomi, but that one was already opened and thumbed through. At a 'crossroad' between the high traffic copy or Liya Kebede, I choose my shrink wrapped red copy with Liya. Stilled rocked.

from thestylemusings.com

photo cred: vogue italia

front(lines): yves saint laurent

Catherine Deneuve and Yves Saint-Laurent, 1966

Yves Saint Laurent has passed away at the age of 71, at the Paris home he shared with Pierre Berge.

from thestylemusings.com

photo cred: cinebeats

front(lines): barneys

While I was my doing my obligatory weekly...er sometimes daily Barneys site check, I saw this tease --  Rogan for Target's Go International line will be previewed and sold at Barneys Madison Avenue flagship on Friday until Sunday, and then at Barneys Los Angeles store from May 16 to 18. Barneys will limit purchases to three pieces. The line will only be in stock for five days and, after that shoppers will have to wait for the collection's debut at Target as part of its Go International line on May 18th...not that long.


Barneys sells designer Rogan Gregory's primary line, which features trousers for $230, dresses for $320 and anoraks for $450. Rogan for Target will be priced between $15 and $45.

from thestylemusings.com

photo cred: wwd & target