Feathers, fashion and art: Birds of paradise.

Last week, an exciting exhibition opened in the fashion museum (MoMu) in Antwerp (20/3 - 24/8/2014):

 

 

"This exhibition is a tribute to the elegance and refinement of the application of plumes and feathers in fashion and haute couture. Through a mixture of 19th-, 20th- and 21st-century accessories, garments and couture dresses, the different characteristics of the various plumes and feathers are highlighted: sophistication, femininity, lightness, wealth, luxury".

Some pictures:

 

Dries Van Noten

 

 Marlène Dietrich's swan's down coat

 

 

 

 

Roger Vivier

 

 

British artist Kate MccGwire makes sculptures with feathers:

 

 



 

Want to see more?

Have a look Here and here: the MoMu facebook page.

Here is a short video:

 



 

"Plume embroidery is typically used in haute couture and evening wear owing to the costliness of the feathers, their elegant form and the technical refinement of feather embroidery. 

The exhibition also covers the craft of the 'Plumassier' and the diverse techniques of feather embroidery."

More about this in my next post.

Enjoy

Kristien

 



 

 



 

 

The spring - summer 2014 Liberty Art Fabrics.

Each spring and autumn , Liberty launches a new seasonal fabric collection , apart from the classic designs which stay.
I would like to give you an overview of the 2014 spring - summer collection: "A gallery of print".

 

The collection has been dedicated to the Liberty store on Regent Street in London.

On the Liberty Craft Blog there is a lovely post with an overview of all this seasons Tana Lawn fabrics.

Some examples:

 

Basement

 

 

1st Floor

 

2nd Floor

 

3rd Floor

 

4th Floor

 

One of the most popular prints seems to be the "Queu for the Zoo" print, representing Liberty’s Childrenswear Department.

 

 

This print has been designed by illustrator and children’s author, OK David.

 

 

Here is an interview with him.

Some of my favorites:

 

 

Nomad

Liberty has historically always boasted the best selection of Oriental rugs and carpets in Europe.

The pattern honours Liberty’s Rug Department. Nomad’s small geometric motifs represent flowers in the ancient graphic language of tribal rug tradition.

 

 

Isabel Susan

represents the Arts and Crafts department. The design was based on an early 1900s design with references to Bianchini artworks and the Arts and Crafts movement

 

Poppy's Patchwork

This archive design, originally a scarf pattern from 1975, was chosen to represent the haberdashery department. The design was re-worked in-house to portray the beauty and intricacy of an old patchwork quilt.

Which print is your favorite?

Enjoy and have a warm weekend.
Kristien