The Curse of the Golden Flower

I watched this film a long time ago and the thing I liked the most about it was the beautiful costumes.

The film gets its title from the Chrysanthemum symbol that is worn by the family and throughout the film the Queen embroiders it onto what looks like organza. This inspired me to use embroidery in my project to transfer my design onto fabric. I will use white thread and white organza.

My Art Nouveau Design

http://www.opulencesilksanddyes.com/Instruction_Main_Page/Chemical____Thickener_Instruct/Devore_Paste___Fiber_Etch/devore_paste___fiber_etch.html

Flowers

Koi Suwannagate

The LA Fashion Designer's Spring 2010 Collection:

 

This is my absolute favourite piece. It is similar to Givenchy's 2011 collection, but is more wearable. The bold black flowers look incredible against the sheer white background.

Devoré by Proenza Schouler



Image from StyleBubble.co.uk



Devoré does have a tendency to look outdated but Proenza Schouler's Autumn 2009 RTW collection brings it up to date. The jagged jewel colours cover the body in all the right places but show off some skin beneath black chiffon, cretaing modern twist.

If I were to use this technique, however, I would use a much paler, softer colour pallette of whites, creams and perhaps one or two pastel colours.

Trapping fabric

I really like this sample from Rockside Rooster, who

describes it as:

'Rose blossoms cut from chemical lace border, inserted between two layers of organza, and stitched in spirals. This piece was later melted.'

Givenchy Spring 2011 Haute Couture- So Inspiring!

I absolutely adore Givenchy's new collection, to me it conjures images of ethereal godesses from another universe. The way the slices of white fabric appear to be suspended in mid-air is incredible. The soft colour pallette works so well with the sharp lines and the three dimensional elements add the most beautiful textures I've ever seen on a garment. The above dress is my favourite, and the back of the dress is just as dramatic:

The strong architectural panels are further emphasised by a shock of fluorescent lime green. Although I'm not a big fan of fluorescent colour on clothing, I think it works in this instance because the dress is so fashion forward and futuristic. The collection was, after all inspired partly by Japanese toys, and from the back I can really imagine it transforming.

I intend to use this collection as inspiration for my final piece, which will be an Art Nouveau style garment. I think stylised natural forms and sinous outlines of flowers and leaves would look beautiful on a garment like this. I hope to create the same effect as Givenchy did in their collection by experimenting with a few techniques. I intend to look at:

• Devoré
• Batik
• Embroidery on sheer fabrics
• Trapping fabric between layers of sheer fabric
• Attaching 3D shapes (e.g. flowers) to sheer fabrics

Chanel Haute Couture S/S '09

Chanel Haute Couture SS09

These Origami style headdresses are so intricate and gorgeous

DIY Pom-Poms

I adore thse pom-poms from MarthaStewart.com, they look like Dahlias or Chrysanthemums!

Pom-pom flower Tutorial

 These are made from tissue paper, which I would love to try, and then try a fabric version, which would be a lot harder as I would have to press each fold and perhaps use starch to make the fabric stiff. I think these would look great on a Mucha-esque headdress, perhaps in a Diane von Furstenburg style:

"The Brunnette" by Alphonse Mucha

Diane von Furstenburg A/W '09

Designers who use Fabric Flowers

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

Valli's Spring/ Summer 2010 RTW collection included this interesting piece, with ragged fabric roses covering the entire front of the dress. I think the texture it creates is beautiful.

FENDI

Fendi's Spring 2009 collection, designed by Karl Lagerfeld featured several charming, rose blanketed pieces. The pink angular rosettes really brighten up the sheer, nude dresses, adding texture and colour in all the 'right' places. The looks come complete with matching rose covered purses.

ZUHAIR MURAD

Zuhair Murad's A/W 2010 Couture collection



Fabric Manipulation : How to Make Flowers With Fabric Part 2 : SecretLifeOfaBioNerd

Fabric Manipulation, How to Make Flowers With Fabric Part 1 : SecretLifeOfABio Nerd

Organza Petal Flowers Tutorial

Felt Spiral Flowers Tutorial

Burlap Flower Tutorial

Bib Necklace Tutorial

Art Nouveau

I would like to look at artists other than Alphonse Mucha, so for future reference here is a list of Art Nouveau artists from artcyclopedia.com:

http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/art-nouveau.html

Art Inspired Outfits: Art Nouveau

Original Source

Mucha:



Gustav Klimt:

Bib Necklaces





From article on http://www.whowhatwear.com/

After doing some market research I was very excited to see that bib necklaces are going to be a popular trend throughout 2011. They can be anything from big chunky plastic shapes to soft fabric ones, but they all have one thing in common- the ability to bring more colour and texture to any textile piece, often seamlessly disguising themselves as part of the garment beneath them.

Many, many designers have featured bib necklaces in their 2010-2011 collections, including Vera Wang, whose 2010 Spring RTW collection was decorated with an abundance of  bib necklaces:

I love this dramatic, jewelled bib necklace by Vera Wang, which instantly adds more glamour and femininity to the plain blouse.

This look by Vera Wang is a prime example of a bib necklace completely transforming the garment underneath. It could easily be part of the top, as it covers the entire front part of a very plain garment, making it look like a much more interesting piece, and still being wearable in an everyday situation.

The best thing about them is their striking resemblance to Alphonse Mucha's artwork. I think a bib necklace could be a very effective, creative and modern way of incorporating his Art Nouveau influence into a textiles piece.

Below I have posted some possible bib necklace inspiration from the Art Nouveau works of Mucha.

Perhaps the bib necklace could double up as a headdress, or be placed onto the head and added to a separate a flower headdress...