Photos By Gail
In 1960, Norman Norrell created one of his most daring and sensational innovations, the first culotte-skirted, wool flannel day suit. Soon thereafter, he debuted the culotte evening dress. Although it took years to gain widespread popularity, Norell responded to the fact that modern women were more mobile than ever and needed clothing to match their lifestyles.
Continue reading Eye On Design: Beaded Culottes Dress By Norman Norell
Photos By Gail
This Twiggy London Girl Dress (1966) was part of a product line by British teenage model Twiggy, so nicknamed due to her skinny, twig-like frame. The short, A-line construction plays on the silhouette that many designers were working with during the 1960s to free wearers from the heavily structured styles of the previous decade.
Continue reading Eye On Design: Twiggy London Girl Dress Circa 1966
All Photos By Gail
Lucy Jones creates fashionable garments for wheelchair users and people with diverse abilities who sit for extended hours at a time, as both groups of people are often unable to consume mainstream fashion. Jones designed this Shirt (2017) for a seated body. It has a cropped silhouette to prevent bunching and discomfort, and features easy-to-use magnetic fasteners.
Continue reading Eye On Design: Lucy Jones Shirt for Wheelchair Users
All Photos By Gail
In 1937, Anglo-American couturier Charles James created the first high-fashion, down-filled jacket; an early James masterpiece. James meticulously constructed this classically inspired garment around the human form, resulting in a jacket quite unlike the boxy version produced by Eddie Bauer. Continue reading Eye On Design: Down Filled Evening Jacket by Charles James
All Photos By Gail
The spring 1991 collection by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel was clearly inspired by surfing wet-suits. The Blue and Black Sequined Grosgrain Jacket was one of several brightly-colored versions covered in shimmering sequins that glistened like wet neoprene, and the lines of black, grosgrain trim are similar to the seams of a wet-suit. Lagerfeld called this jacket “the city surfer” look and noted that it was “perfect for diving into the nightlife from Paris to Rome to London to New York.” Continue reading Eye On Design: Karl Lagerfeld’s Blue and Black Sequined Grosgrain Jacket