LdM:Fashion Design Dept.

Going Green Gets Fashionable: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure

Marc — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:16:07 +0000

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.

Focusing on fashionable sustainability, design students at LdM were given old vintage clothing to reinvent and reconstruct into a new and unique pieces. With guidance from the Trend Forecasting students, the designers used three of 2009’s biggest trends as inspiration- black & white, Americana, and tribal. Dowdy knits and drab skirts where transformed into chic separates fit for any major designer’s runway, turning the trite saying “reduce, reuse, recycle” into “recycle, reconstruct, remarket”. Petra Barnes, director of the fashion show and School of Design Supervisor, explains the success of the event, “Most of the garments were created by first year fashion design students which are amazing accomplishments that the whole fashion department is very enthusiastic about. Our designers have been working hard all semester to produce new environmental friendly looks through different techniques such as screen printing, embroidery, beading, gathering and draping.” The design student’s hard work and determination paid off when their creations hit the runway for all to admire.

The masculine, edgy boldness offset by the feminine touches of the black and white theme created a beautiful contradiction. Black trousers paired with simple white t-shirts, embellished with puckering around the neckline and hand-sewn flowers made their way down the runway without fail. Mini skirts, dresses, and even an evening gown all marked with the stark contrast of the two colors were presented to the audience’s sheer delight.

Stars and stripes, rock n’ roll, and pop art all encompass the American spirit designers used as insight for their Americana creations. The vintage graphic T’s became a reoccurring motif throughout the scene along with lots and lots of denim. Varying shades of red, white and blue intermixed with unusual textures created a new spin on an old favorite. The audience loved the tribute to Old Glory- stars and stripes tres chic.

The newest global fusion fashion trend was executed with excellence in the tribal segment of the show. Models wore clothing featuring earth tones with the occasional and unexpected pops of electric blue and hot pink hues, which acted as the overall color palette. Bold prints were intensified with customized touches such as beading, feathers, and fringe. The tribal creations without a doubt left the audience wanting more.

In the end, one man’s trash did become another man’s (and woman’s) treasure! The designers rose to the occasion and embraced the sustainable elements of the new, “green” fashions with style and creativity. It’s safe to say we are all awaiting the next Lorenzo de Medici fashion show with eager anticipation.

McCauley Bennett

To view some of the pictures of the Spring 2009 fashion show please sign up for the Fashion Department Lorenzo de’ Medici facebook group.

Share This

Take it From the Pro’s: Sometimes the best way to start is to pick-up where someone else finished

Ashley — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:33:57 +0000

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.

Share This

Anthropology Trip through Artisanal Florence

Leanne — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:10:10 +0000

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.

Share This

Fashion Design I Students Gather Inspiration From The Museo Del Costume

Leanne — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:27:24 +0000

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.

Share This

Introduction to the Fashion Industry: Roberto Cavalli Factory

Leanne — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:56:19 +0000

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!

Share This

New Courses at LdM: History of Costume

Leanne — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:54:23 +0000

The Fashion Department here at Lorenzo de Medici offers many interesting courses designed to engage creativity and challenge student’s abilities. This semester the school has added another class to the list of courses available to fashion students studying abroad. Lorenzo de Medici’s History of Costume class, taught by professor, Angharad Rixon, allows students to explore historical styles of the Western world, from the garments of the ancient Egyptian people to the runway looks of fashion in its modern day. In this class students observe pictures of historical artifacts and artworks as well as visits to museums in order to understand the lifestyle of people within the context of specific periods in history.

Although the objective of this course is for the students to equip themselves with the skills required to recognize and analyze costumes of various time periods, Angaharad Rixon hopes that the students take more away from this course than just that. Her two main reasons for teaching this class is for students ‘to understand the development of forms and styles’ as well as the technicalities of costume and fashion such as the ‘the cut and technology of fabrics’ but also for students to understand ‘the value of clothing’. Until the Industrial Revolution, most people only owned two or three dresses—and those were the people of higher social standing. With so much pollution, waste and poverty, she believes it is nice for students to see things from another point of view and share empathy with others who are unable to just throw articles of clothing away and purchase something new.

Share This

Welcome to the Fashion Blog

Leanne — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:46:09 +0000

Hi! We’re Alex and Leanne and we are freshmen here at Lorenzo de Medici in Florence. Since fashion is our passion, we will be updating you weekly on fashionable goings on around Florence. We will be sharing information on awesome field trips and events, new styles we see, and anything else we think you would like to know. If you have any information that you would like to share with us or would like us to post, feel free to email us at Alexandra.vadala1@marist.edu. Next post soon!!!

Share This

The New LdM School of Design

Marc — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 09:43:54 +0000

We work together. We grow together. Together we create: The LdM Design Farm.
Look for your animal in the main LdM website

Share This

Thanks!!!

elena — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 08:56:45 +0000

Manitese would like to thank all LdM Fashion Design students for all of their hard work, all others who volunteered their time, and all who purchased items from the Fall 2007 edition of Scuola Lorenzo de’ Medici’s “Second Hand Second Life” fashion show.
Without all of you and your collaboration, this fashion show could not have happened, and we would not have been able to raise EU620,00 to donate to the children of Guatemala.
Thanks to all involved for another successful edition of “Second Hand Second Life”!

Share This

Fall 2007 LdM Fashion show

elena — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:16:43 +0000

Share This