Dior & Yamamoto: The Fashion Revolutionists

The revolutionary "New Look", presented by Christian Dior in 1946

Timeless and revolutionary are words that are thrown around a lot nowadays, but it is purely subjective. Christian Dior's "New Look" changed the way women dress in the post-war era, as a reaction to the perceived limit and angular strangulation that predecessors such as Mademoiselle Chanel put on women's fashion. It's true, Chanel brought a freedom to women through fashion, but when there's someone good, there's always someone that's going to be greater. Not to discredit the monumental contribution Chanel gave to fashion, Dior happened to be the person to change it once again. It translates today with Raf Simons' direction of the Dior label, brining the revolutionary minimalist aesthetic of the designer.

Coat by Yohji Yamamoto (1983)

SS83 Dress by Yohji Yamamoto

As time progressed, the cycle continued, as Yohji Yamamoto stepped up and metaphorically said "This is not how it should be", through his 1981 debut collection in the fashion capital of Paris. Yohji brought a look that addressed the influence of Eastern culture on Western fashion, and vice versa, sending the fashion industry into an uproar for his (then) outrageous designs. His approach to fashion has led the way for other Asian fashion designers to come to the forefront, including the already renowned Kenzo Takada and the modern favourites Phillip Lim and Alexander Wang.

Zeile Cocktail Dress by Christian Dior (1954)

Jacques Heim fashion illustration, 1949

These powerhouse designers have brought two very movements to the fashion world, and the few select pieces that had an undoubtable effect on fashion in the masses are currently exhibited at The National Gallery of Victoria until 28 July 2013, called "Dior & Yamamoto: The New Look"

For more details on the exhibition and entry free, CLICK HERE

Images courtesy of the National Gallery of Victoria, Art Base and Fashion Journal

Vroom Vroom!

Girls with guns always love shoes and cars... according to Harper's Bazaar USA's March editorial, "V Room". At first it may be hard to decipher the link between automotive design and fashion design, but there are similarities, believe it or not. The mechanics, production, and skill in the design of these polar opposites and their interrelation were made clear with the "Car Shoe", designed by Gianni Mostile in 1963.

The Car Shoe were shoes designed to enhance adherence to car pedals and to be worn when driving, especially luxury sports cars. More recently, designers have caught onto the automative influence on footwear, such as Prada in their S/S12 collection and the checkerboard clad Louis Vuitton S/S13 collection by Marc Jacobs. Whether this editorial by Dan Forbes is a homage to the Car Shoe is up to you, but this is an editorial that caters to fashion and vintage car lovers alike, particularly those who have a knack for Mercedes-Benz.

Images courtesy of Trendland