But it was the androgyny promoted by Chanel that dominated women's fashion in Europe in 1919. ... Once the matchless pace setter of individuality in fashion, Poiret snorted that her clothes resembled 'Cages lacking birds. Hives lacking bees.' The 1910s are not a well-known decade in fashion history. Despite the success of Downton Abbey, many … Continue reading The Myth of Chanel and the 1920s: I – A Sea Change
Category: mythbusters
The Myth of Chanel and the 1920s: Introduction
In November 1919 pictures of Gabrielle Chanel's chemise dress had filled the pages of Vogue: 'A gown that swathes the figure in straight soft folds, falling at the sides in little cascades.' The editorial commended Chanel's reliance on an uncluttered natural beauty, with a dress that showed only a slender pair of shoulder straps holding … Continue reading The Myth of Chanel and the 1920s: Introduction
Fashion vs. Feminism
AuntieNan left a comment on my Godey's post that I started to answer, but realized it was going to be long enough (and could do with illustrations) that it'd be better served as a full post. I had a costume history teacher who talked about the development of feminism and how a burst of power … Continue reading Fashion vs. Feminism
Fashion History Mythbusters: Victoria, Queen of Fashion
Victoria and Bertie, 1844 It is hard to understand Victorian era purses without first understanding Queen Victoria and her long rein over England. Her influence was so pronounced that it greatly affected styles and her middle class attitude was reflected in fashion. - Victorian Era Purses It's easy to understand why this misconception exists. The … Continue reading Fashion History Mythbusters: Victoria, Queen of Fashion
Fashion History Mythbusters: The Tan
Since Coco Chanel and her chums made sunbathing a trendy pastime in the 1920s, the sun tan has barely been out of fashion. - Channel4 Around the mid-1920s, the fashionable set did an about face on tanning. ... when legendary arbiter of style, Coco Chanel, got tan while vacationing on a friend's Mediterranean yacht, the … Continue reading Fashion History Mythbusters: The Tan