Hello readers!
Paris 1962: Yves Saint Laurent and Dior, Christian Dior, The Early Collections documents the world of early 1960s haute couture. Featuring images of tastemakers, fashion icons and the garments themselves, it offers a glimpse into an exclusive and glamorous world. Thanks to the FIDM Museum Shop, we have one copy to give away to a lucky reader!
If you'd like a chance to win, post a comment about your favorite designer. It doesn't have to be a designer who works in the haute couture tradition, but you need to specify what it is about that designer that captures your affection. Post your comment by or on Friday, January 14, 2011. We'll chose one winner at random.
Good luck!
That’s easy: Ralph Rucci. I love the structural quality of his designs, the gorgeous fabric choices, and the way he uses self-fabric to embellish and as construction elements.
I love Madame Gres– her lines and use of the bias are impeccable and every piece is so elegant and sophisticated. The craftsmanship of the inner structure of many of her pieces is amazing as well.
I just adore Lilli Ann in the 50s. Her dresses from that era are so stunning. Her choice of fabrics and design lines work perfectly together. I’ve seen one up close and they are incredibly flattering to many body types. She’s got my vote!
I’ve always loved Christian Dior’s designs. Oh so feminine and jet extremely strong silhouettes. And lovely details
My favorite designer has always been Erte. I love the air of drama and mystery his designs evoke. His illustrations are beautiful in their simplicity. Thanks for the giveaway; my fingers are crossed!
My Favourite Couturier is CRISTOBAL BALENCIAGA , because he worked always with four ideas for created beauty and elegance, in the beginnings and in the late years, you could see the same idea of the creator, but in diferents moments.
Thanks
I like your collection.
I love Dior of the New Look period. It’s the interior structure of the clothing that suckers me in every time. I’m always asking myself how he did that.
I’m going to go with Dior’s New Look as my favorite. A cliche’ perhaps, but so incredibly stylish. I particularly love the cocktail dresses.
thanks! my favorite designer is Miuccia Prada, spec. her work for Miu Miu. I love how she mixes colors and is both whimsical/quirky yet very elegant.
Two hundred years before YSL, Rose Bertin became the first fashion designer to make a name for herself in the business, and she did it without labels, licensing, or advertising!
My favourite designer is Lena Hoschek because of her big skirts and inspiration from menswear. If I had to pick one designer to make all my clothes, she’d be the one.
My favourite designer is Elizabeth Hawes; her garments are beautiful but also practical, they were made for real life. I also love her for her informed and passionate writings on feminism, social justice issues, and the problems she saw within the fashion industry. Elizabeth Hawes was an enormously talented and courageous woman!
Crossing my fingers to win the book, how nice of you to offer it as a prize! I absolutely love your blog and check it often. Please keep up the great work!!
Unsurprisingly for folk posting on this thread, I’m decidedly fond of Christian Dior — the lines and construction details of his clothing are fabulous, and a delightful study.
I’m a big Billy Reid fan right now. I love the classy, southern look and the bright colors he uses. His clothes are crisp and adorable at the same time. The Billy Reid shop in Soho is one of my favorite places to visit!
I love Betsy Johnson. She captures whimsy,sexy, romantic, and unexpected. I loved when she turned 40 and she had all her girlfriends model her clothes. Ageless fun is what makes her work so amazing. I love her jewelry too.
Tereese Radenbaugh
My favorite designer has always been Edith Head. I’ve always thought that being a costume designer is somewhat more difficult that being a fashion designer–simply because you can’t just have one “signature” look–you have to capture the vision of the play or the film and bring that to life through the clothing worn by the characters. Ms. Head’s originality and talent were limitless–she was able to re-invent herself over and over again–and most fascinatingly, she had NO formal training in design or clothing construction.
I love the easy and oh-so-wearable designs of Claire McCardell. She was a fashion revolutionary of her time.
Cristobal Balenciaga, for sure would have to be at the top of the list because when I look at photos of someone wearing one of his creations (think chemise dress, or one of his capes) there is pure feminine drama. I don’t think there is enough of that anymore. Carolina
At the moment it’s got to be Fortuny. I have this cracked idea that Mariano Fortuny was serving the Wizarding population in Diagon Alley well before ever serving Muggles.
Chanel ushered in the modern era of women’s clothing that outlastet the century. For her timeless appeal, she is my favorite
It’s hard to pick just one. But i adore John Galliano and his aesthetic. His shows are very theatrical and the collections for his line and Dior are always eye catching and stunning. Colorful, dramatic, sensual and sophisticated at the same time.
Vera Wang’s whimsical, romantic use of ruffles and detail have always captured me. The fact that she is making desings for Kohl’s and David’s Bridal is fabulous and exciting because her breathtaking masterpieces are becoming more accessible to the every day woman.
Lucile (Lady Duff Gordon) – I love her kooky names for designs. “The Elusive Joy of Youth” evening gown; “The Sweetness of Love” dinner dress; “When Life’s Young Pleasure’s Woo” evening gown.
My favorite designer is Edith Head. Her collections have a timeless quality and definitely enhanced any project she worked on.
I would have to go with Galliano on this one. His designs are so unique, with a style all his own, and he has this ability to allow his viewers to actually enter into an alter universe when they see his shows emanating from the runway. Love love LOVE!
Jacques Fath – a master.
Alexander McQueen because I followed the designs that have been created throughout recent years. McQueen has an excellent reputation in the fashion industry, focus on clientèle. Alexander McQueen has raw energy and contrasting female strength, fragility and sensuality in all of the collections. I have an understanding that Sarah Burton is the new creative director the new spring collection is strong and powerful, including the classic tailoring that McQueen used. Burton’s collection still draws from McQueen’s aesthetics of monarchy powerful statement edges and prints. To me McQueen is the design of dreams.
Such a tough decision, but there was an article I read about Issey Miyake that I will never forget, and therefore, will post him as my favorite designer. In the article he explained that surviving the atomic bombing of Hiroshima made him want to contribute as much beauty to the world as humanly possible. He previously avoided talking about it because he did not want to be defined by his past. His work acts as a counter balance to the horrors he experienced as a young boy. On top of all of that, he is a master of textiles, technology and imagination. He is able to create bright and dynamic forms for the body that defy contemporary trends in fashion, while employing techniques that are both historic and new. He is a true master.
My favorite designer is Mariano Fortuny. I have been fascinated by his pleating technique since I first saw a picture of the gorgeous topaz-colored Delphos Dress in my first fashion book by the Kyoto Costume Institute over two years ago. The article in your blog confirmed my choice. And I agree that Fortuny is an artist, the way he designed how the pleats fall and are supported by the beautiful Murano glass beads. I would like to emulate his pleating technique to further my knowledge of costume design/construction.
I will buck the trend and go with the guy who started it all – Charles Worth.
From hoops to bustles to giant sleeves his work was always beautiful and captured the best of the era.
It’s always hard to choose a favorite designer. One of my all time favs is EMMA DOMB circa 1950s. I’ve had the opportunity to own a pink 1960s Emma Domb coat and it was the cutest thing. Though nothing can compare to the exquisite 1950s formal dresses she made. I hope to own one some day!
My favorite is Boué Soeurs. Their cute floral details are sweet and romantic while their lacework is simply beyond. It’s a shame there’s not more information available on them.
Valentino Garavani . . . an amazing body of designs. Few in fashion could express themselves as beautifully as he has!
Lucille. She really pushed the envelope for the established mores of the time period and was the first one who came out and said that underwear could be feminine, flirty and beautiful.
Hubert de Givenchy and John Galliano. Givenchy created classic, beauty, elegance. After his retirement, the brand Givenchy is not the same. Galliano awes, amazes, and amuses me. That quirky little man and his obsession of extreme and opulence. He is so abundantly creative and clever.
Oscar de la Renta continues to capture my heart! His clothing is timeless, feminine, wearable and flattering. His use of color and fabrics is masterful. He is the quintessential American designer!
Simply: Roland Mouret. His first collection draping fabrics on the body held together by hatpins.
Thanks to all of you for entering our Paris 1962 giveaway. We loved reading your entries! The winner of the book will be announced tomorrow, 1/18.
Thanks for your readership and support of our blog.