Going Green Gets Fashionable: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure
Pulsing beats and bright lights mesmerize the audience as the first model hits the runway. She is dressed in black and white- an obvious answer to this season’s style report- her confidence is unfaltering despite the blinding flashes of the cameras. Her high heels pound the uneven cobblestone beneath her with a click, clack, commanding the attention of all eyes as she rounds the four corners of the courtyard. Graceful but fierce, she strikes her last pose before leaving the runway, making sure no one forgets her beautiful garments. “Chanel?” you might ask. “Prada? Louis Vuitton?” No, this year’s finest fashions debuted at the Lorenzo de’ Medici Spring 2009 Fashion Show, One Man’s Trash is another Man’s Treasure.
Take it From the Pro’s: Sometimes the best way to start is to pick-up where someone else finished
There is a common phrase that states: the only way to know where we’re going, is to know where we’ve been. Esteeming this statement holds a degree of truth, what advice can be given to those who are just beginning? It seems impossible to draw from our pasts if they are lacking in experience; a position in which most students find themselves as they transition into the work field.
There is an approach however that is not only a feasible option, but in my opinion, an effective remedy. Examining the career paths of those who are already accomplished offers insight into the inevitable difficulties ahead and the persistence necessary for success: a technique used by Alexandra Ferroni in her Intro to Fashion Industry class.
Last Wednesday “Unzipped,” a documentary about one of high fashion’s most acclaimed designers, was shown in class. This documentary follows Isaac Mizrahi from the development of his preliminary ideas, through the obstacles that shape his decisions, and to his 1994 fall collection show where the maturation of his plans allow them to materialize. Through a collaboration of passion, anxiety, and one heck of a sense of humor, Mizrahi demonstrates having all the qualities that promise accomplishment. With cameos by supermodels Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford, this film reveals the truths behind the world’s most competitive businesses.
Isaac Mizrahi proves that he is not only universally iconic, but a primary role model for fashion design prospects as well as the industry’s future giants. As his project progresses, we are enlightened by his inspiration, we seek consolation in his unavoidable setbacks, and we share in his celebrating of yet another masterpiece. Bravo!
So for students standing at the periphery of their future, the answer is surprisingly simple: when we think know where we’re going but we haven’t exactly “been,” we must consider heeding the advice of those who have. 
Anthropology Trip through Artisanal Florence
Last week in the Anthropology and Desirability of Fashion class, taught by professor Noel Gazzano, students ventured out of the classroom and onto the streets of Florence to observe and learn about artisans in the area. In class, students had a discussion of what qualifies products as artisanal. They also discussed the recent collaborations between small businesses producing hand-crafted items and high-fashion designer labels in the industry. Students visited three shops along the Ponte Vecchio; one specializing in hand-made shoes, one specializing in hand-made leather bags and other leather goods, and the last one specializing in hand-crafted Venetian glass beads. The class got the opportunity to listen to two shop owners discuss both the hardships and the rewards they encounter working as independent artisans in an industrial world. Although worthwhile, both shop owners shared the same perception that it is hard yet fulfilling work. However they have found success as independent entrepreneurs as well as success in the fast-paced fashion world. In fact the hand-crafted leather bags have recently been shown in Paris. The Venetian glass bead designer was asked by Chanel to create the beads for their spring 2006 line. The order was set for 10,000 hand crafted glass beads; a process that took about five months. As one can see, the realm of artisans and hand-crafted goods has increasingly diminished throughout the years, but the constant search for originality and uniqueness sought out by top designers and fashion admirers alike still provides hope for these artists and others like themselves.
Fashion Design I Students Gather Inspiration From The Museo Del Costume
Students in the Fashion Design I class recently attended a field trip to the Museo del Costume located in Palazzo Pitti. Here this gallery features traditional costume from specific periods of time dating back to as early as the 18th century through to the 20th century. Among one of the most ancient textiles is the funerary cloth of Cosimo I de Medici.
Here students were asked to observe and gather inspiration from the pieces of the gallery and sketch possible ideas for their midterm projects.
Introduction to the Fashion Industry: Roberto Cavalli Factory
Recently we took a trip with Julia Steinle’s Intro to Fashion Industry class to
the Roberto Cavalli Factory. Located in the Florentine suburbs, it is the home
of Cavalli’s saligraphy(fabric printing) and sampling. During the trip we
learned a lot of information about printing fabrics, one of Cavalli’s
specialties.
There are 2 types of printing utilized by Cavalli; Screen printing and digital
printing. The 1st type of printing is achieved by using a series of screens to
develop the pattern layer by layer. One by one they are leyered based on
postion(background or foreground), shadow, lines or color. The more screens
used on a pattern, the more expensive it is. With screen printing, the colors
that are used are very important. Most fabrics require different types of
paints. For example acid colors(the most vibrant) can only be used on silks
and lycra. THe problem with this is that it is very hard to replicate that
same vibrancy on other fabrics with other paints and outfits made with
different fabrics must have all parts matching.
Cavalli’s newest innovation is the introduction of digital printing. Digital
printing is very similar to the laser printer that we all use at home…only on
a much larger scale, of course. Digital printing eliminates the need for
screen by screen printing, instead everything is printed at once. This means
that a prototype can be printed in 3 minutes, where as screen by screen it can
take 1 1/2 hours! If more than 15 prototypes have to be printed it is best to
use this method, but less than 12, screen printing is more efficient. The
advantage to digital printing is that it is cheaper and faster. It also gives
the designers more freedom. They are able to come up with a lot more patterns
and designs because it is so cheap and easy to do. That DOES become a problem
though, since the designers tend to get a little crazy with the number of
designs. Last fashion show was the true test of digital printing; all outfits
were printed digitally. Here are some of the pictures of the factory!
