International Fashion Calendar
I have chosen Geoffrey Beene + Hanae Mori to show you this time from the fabulous 1993
International Fashion Desk Diary by Shirley Kennedy.
Geoffrey Beene
From GeoffreyBeene.com
From the moment he burst onto the fashion scene, the name Geoffrey Beene has reflected originality of design, innovative use of fabrics, and thoroughly modern comfort.
Geoffrey Beene took distinct pleasure in knowing his couture
collections inspired both timeless and futuristic designs embraced by
both the urban chic and suburban sophisticates – that his vision
translated seamlessly from his New York atelier to Main Street
ready-to-wear.
A design pioneer,
Geoffrey Beene always dressed the body in balance, even as his designs
evolved from architectural to flowing soft structure. He had the
“masterstroke of a George Balanchine in dance and Ellsworth Kelly in
painting.” He challenged the American fashion establishment by creating
haute couture for women and classic, superbly tailored styles for men
that married comfort and luxury to timeless aesthetic simplicity and
exquisite detail.
Geoffrey Beene was obsessed not only with the notion of comfort,
but took inspiration from sports as well. His signature wit translated
t-shirts, tank tops and varsity-stripes into a new playing field that
combined fashion and fun: sequin numbered football jersey gowns,
colorful racing silk tunics and the basic sheath or jumpsuits with
zippers placed unconventionally and provocatively to showcase the body.
The above dress is so timely, so classic with its black sequins and stretch net!
Panne velvet is my favorite fabric,
this has black velvet, outlined in sequins
and white silk fraile.
Hanae Mori
From hanaemori-foundation.or.jp
Hanae Mori studied Japanese Literature at Tokyo Women’s Christian
University. After her marriage, she started studying design,
and in 1951 opened her first studio in Tokyo. Soon she became involved
in the growing post-war Japanese movie industry and designed costumes
for more than hundred films.
In 1965 she presented her first Collection abroad in New
York, which was highly acclaimed as “East meets West”. Prestigious
stores such as Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and I. Magnin recognized
the individuality of her designs and ordered her dresses. In 1975, she
presented her Collection in Paris, where in 1977 she opened her Haute
Couture Maison. She has been the only Asian designer to be admitted as a
member of La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne for 27 years.
Madame Mori’s achievements include costume designs for
opera “Madame Butterfly” at La Scala in Milan in 1985, for “Elektra” at
1996 Salzburg Festival, and for "Arabella" at NEW NATIONAL THEATRE TOKYO
in 2010. She also designed the costumes for Paris Opera Ballet’s
“Cinderella”, directed by Rudolf Nureyev in 1986.
She was named a “Officier de la Legion d’Honneur” in France in 2002, and received the “Order of Culture” in Japan in 1996.
Serenity:
This evening gown features Hanae Mori's signature butterflies
and blue-green print of undulating waves.
Mystery:
An embroidered black chiffon low-cut evening gown
features a full-sweep skirt + matching ruffled stole.
Magic words:
brush-stroke printed chiffon evening gown
in black & white. It has a graceful draped bodice.
Aren't these wonderful, dear readers?
Hope you enjoy these.
Love,
Peggy
