Blog 2 - Ann Roth - Sam.C

Roth began her career at the Pittsburgh Opera as a Scenery Painter. Eventually overtime Roth intended to remain in the production design field until she met Irene Sharaff, who introduced Roth to the Costume design area. Sharaff took Roth in as an apprentice to work on five films and five Broadway productions, before Roth headed out on her own.

Overtime Roth has achieved two Emmy Award nominations, and in 2000 was honored with the Irene Sharaff Award of a Lifetime Achievement. Also in 2003 the Hollywood Film Festival honored her with the Outstanding Achievement

in Costume Design Award.

Ann Roth has worked on Costume from many well-known film and Broadway productions. Considering Roth has had the chance to work on so many different varieties of films and Broadway productions, she has been able to expand her horizon in the Costume industry.For example Roth has worked on films such as Julie and Julia, and The Village.

Even though both these films for example have been created for very different times from the human society, it has given Roth the opportunity to explore different areas of costuming. From these two films Roth has moved from colourful somewhat co

nservative to 1800’s, very conservative and not

able to work with much colour.

Blog 1B - Vivienne Westwood - Sam.C

Westwood studied at the Harrow School of Art, studying fashion and silver smithing but left after one term quoting “I didn’t know how a working-class girl like me, could possibly make a living in the art world.”

However in 1971 after her failed marriage to Derek Westwood, Vivienne Westwood met Malcolm McLaren who decided to open a boutique at 430 King’s Road called “Let it Rock. The clothing line was inspired from bikers, fetishists and prostitutes. During this time McLaren became the Manager for the Sex Pistols and so they begun wearing Westwood’s clothing range.

Westwood’s first catwalk was in 1981, with the theme Pirates. Between 1988 – 1992 Was dubbed by Westwood as “The Pagan Years.” These years drew inspiration from the upper class women.

From 1993 – 1999 was Anglo mania, and from 2000- present was “Exploration.”

Westwood’s 2005/06 Autumn/Winter collection drew inspiration from Wolfords exclusive knitting technology. Westwood has since wo

rked close with Wolford since 2003.

And many more companies who have either used her name or she has worked close with them, helping with designs and experimenting in another areas of design.

Westwood also had many of her collections seen in the 2008 film Sex and the City.

Blog 1A - Christian Dior - Sam.C

Dior began is career in the world of Fashion by selling his hat designs, which initially were more successful than his dress designs. However, in the earlier years of the Fashion industry, Dior worked for designers such as Robert Piguet in 1938, Lucien Le

long in Paris 1941. Amazingly in 1946 Dior opened his own house, which was backed by textile manufacturer Marcel Boussac.

Dior presented his first collection in 1947, the ‘New Look’, featuring rou

nded shoulders, a cinched waist, and a very full skirt. After the war Dior helped to re-establish Paris as the fashion capital of world-fashion, and became the last great dictator of style in the 1950’s.

In 1948 Dior decided to arrange licensed production of furs, socks, ties, perfumes, and clothing in regionally separate production centers. Thus spreading the brand name around the globe quickly.

In 1953, Dior hired Yves Saint Laurent, who became head designer after Dior’s sudden death in 1957. From this Saint Laurent introduced the trapeze dress. After Saint Laurent the house was run by two more successors, before John Galliano was given the responsibility as

head designer in Dior’s company in 1996.

In the 21^st century Dior is one of the most influential brands in the fashion ind

ustry. Along with several other fashion heavy weights, Dior is still leading the fashion industry.

Blog 3 – Bob Mackie – Sam.C

Blog 3 – Bob Mackie – Sam.C

Robert Gordon Mackie, aka Bob Mackie, attended the Pasadena City College and the Chouinard Art Institute.

Mackie has quoted that, “A woman who wears my clothes is not afraid to be noticed.”

Mackie is often called the sultan of sequins, known for his sparkling and imaginative costume designs. Mackie was also thrice nominated for an Academy Award. Mackie’s close attention to detail, as embodied in the design, choice of fabric, use of colour, and opulent embellishment, is legendary. When a woman chooses a “Mackie, “ she dares to be noticed.

By the mid-sixties, Mackie was the hot young “Mad” designer and was designing costumes for many of the top television variety specials, featuring Fred Astaire, Mitzi Gaynor, Dinah Shore and Diana Ross and the Supremes.

In 2009 Mackie created the “Went with the Wind” Carol Burnett Show Doll, to pay homage to his dear friend and the infamous “Green Curtain Dress.” The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History honoured Bob Mackie and his inventive genius by displaying the “Went with the Wind” dress as part of the American History Museums Kennedy Centre Honours Collection.

One of Mackie’s best-remembered creations had a humorous aspect. The garnish ensemble worn by Cher at the March 1986 Academy Awards: black stretch pants, a bejewelled loincloth, knee-high boots, a black chain link top, and a huge feathered Mahawk headdress that was one and a half times taller than her head.