On Tuesday, Anne and I visited the Fashion D.Fined: The Past, Present and Future of Detroit Fashion exhibition at the Detroit Historical Museum. The exhibit featured work by designers spanning several decades and local to Detroit or the metro Detroit area.
From the museum's website:
"Fashion D.Fined explores 20th century design and retail
alongside the designers and grass roots fashion retailers of today,
including costumes from the 1940s, 50s, 60s and even 70s from well-known
retailers such as Hudsons, Himelhoch’s, Claire Péarone, B. Siegel
and Winkelman’s.
Additionally, today’s innovative Detroit designers and retailers are
highlighted. Legendary designers John Varvatos, Anna Sui, Tracy Reese,
Vicki Sarge and many more creative Detroiters who have made their
mark locally and nationally are featured, along with retailers,
designers, and manufacturers like Carhartt and Will Leather Goods and
smaller boutique shops like The Peacock Room.
(Click here to view the source page.)
I didn't catch the names of the designers for all of the garments photographed.
My favorite look is the first one. While it's not high fashion, it is something I would wear - minus two of the collars.
I have a challenge for Kyle, the zippered-pocket queen. How would you make this? Do you think the zipper is functional? It looks like it opens up to the pocket, but then there's a pocket flap. Hmm...
The dress on the right is by Anna Sui.
This dress was gorgeous in person and really...grand. I think the buildings were also hand-painted by another local artist. The building in this picture is the Penobscot Building in downtown Detroit.
This designer sources her material from old automobiles. The petals are leather and the underskirt is made of seat belts. Oh and yes, that necklace is made of bullets
This ponte knit dress is gorgeous and not a print! Each oval is sewn into the garment. Look at how precise the points are! Anne said that this would be a fun challenge to sew. Yeah, no. Trying to sew those points would drive me insane.
This is a jacket made by John Varvatos for Jimi Hendrix. This is the best glare-free shot I could get. The details are divine.
In addition to garments from native designers, there were several images and placards describing fashion in the D over the years. This is an image of a greeter at the old J.L. Hudson building downtown.
When
I think of fashion, my hometown normally doesn't come to mind.
Visiting the exhibit made me realize that talent can be found anywhere
and one doesn't have to be from NYC, Milan, Paris, or other major
fashion hubs to make a statement.
I can't remember the last time I visited the Historical Museum. I enjoyed the visit with Anne and will likely go back to see the other regular installations. Thanks Anne!
***
Up next: I need to finish my year-in review post. I made two, yes TWO garments already to kick off the new year. And, I've started work on a third!
Until next time, peace!
L
