From Christian Dior: "Filmmaker Mélinda Triana traces the making of the Dior Spring-Summer 2023 Haute Couture show. The behind-the-scenes mini documentary opens with Maria Grazia Chiuri who presents the collection’s starting point, archive images of Josephine Baker dressed in Dior, and heads into the Ateliers, revealing the savoir-faire behind the looks. It wraps with artist Mickalene Thomas who shares the story behind the set, composed of giant portraits of iconic personalities symbolizing a new pantheon of women."
From the Victoria and Albert Museum: "Discover changing silhouettes and key fashion developments across 100 years of British and French womenswear: from a Victorian wedding dress inspired by Indian textile motifs, to an Edwardian lace day dress, and a 1930s silk evening gown designed by Charles James. Assistant Curator Claire Allen-Johnstone unpacks the fascinating details of these different garments, revealing how fashions can be cyclical, often referencing the past, but with a modern twist."
Dune: Part Two is currently the biggest movie in the world and features costumes and clothing that are out of this world. But all the creativity and ingenuity utilized throughout the second part were born in the first film. Join the Dune: Part One costume designers, Jacqueline West and Robert Morgan, along with members of the film's cast as they "explore the inspiration and execution of the film's otherworldly wears."
Join former Mythbuster Adam Savage as he "gets up close with two of Aquaman's costumes created by FBFX for the new film Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom! FBFX director Grant Pearmain and principal 3D artist Nejad Khedarun walk Adam through the process by which they model and fabricate these costumes to perfectly fit the actor and bring the costume designer's designs to life."
From the Victoria and Albert Museum: "SIX the Musical is a pop-Tudor mashup, fusing historical and contemporary references to tell the story of the six wives of Henry VIII. Costume designer Gabriella Slade and costume supervisor Justin Allin take us behind the scenes, revealing the secrets of Catherine of Aragon’s striking glitzy gold costume, inspired by historical portraiture, architecture and stained glass – but with a nod to pop superstar Beyoncé." Click through and watch how this amazing costume was put together.
Have you seen the new Hunger Games movie? Are you a fan of the originals? Then join costume designer Trish Summerville and other members of the cast and crew of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes as they dive deep into the costume work involved in bringing the world of Panem to life.
From Cultured Elegance with Faith: "In this video, we will discuss an overview of 20th-century fashion and how to tell the difference between the different decades. 1900s, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s. We cover the Edwardian fashions, art deco fashions, Hollywood glamour, power dressing, mod looks, hippy looks, glamorous 1990s, and grunge looks."
Charles Frederick Worth was an English fashion designer who founded the House of Worth, one of the foremost fashion houses of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Considered by many fashion historians to be the father of haute couture, he first used models to "sell" his clothes and added labels to his work. If you were a Gilded Age lady of society, you would certainly have one of his designs.
From the Victoria and Albert Museum: "Join dressmaking expert and V&A volunteer, Sue Clark, as she examines one of the most iconic ensembles in post-war fashion, Christian Dior's 'Bar' suit. How was the suit constructed? And why was it hailed as 'the New Look'?"
The sixth and final season of The Crown debuts next month, and with that Netflix has given us a peek behind the curtain on the outfits and stylings of the previous season. See how a team of professional costume designers and make-up artists transform the actors of today into the British Monarchy of the past with insight from the designers, writers, actors, and more.
What goes into making a fabric? Sometimes it can be made in an instant when it is digitally printed, other times it can take many, many hours. This video is an example of the latter where "this plaid textile has been laboriously handwoven by Aurélia Leblanc in her Paris atelier on a vast warp with an 800-yarn weft repeat in over 40 colors of linen, cotton, raffia and dyed silk ribbons." The textile was made as part of the Dior Autumn-Winter 2022-2023 Haute Couture collection by Maria Grazia Chiuri.
You might be as surprised as some of the students from the London College of Fashion as to what goes on inside a Haute Couture gown. These students were invited to investigate iconic garments by Cristóbal Balenciaga, "The Master" of haute couture, and "deconstructed his processes and revealed secrets of the making and construction using digital pattern-cutting technology." Enjoy the video from the Victoria and Albert Museum.
With the release of the brand new Barbie movie, we want to introduce you to the lady who is responsible for making Barbie the fashion icon she is today. Meet Carol Spencer, a "fine arts scholar who answered a newspaper job advertisement in 1963 to become Barbie’s fashion designer — a position she held for 36 years until 1999, making her the figure’s longest serving stylist."
From CNA: "You won’t hear the sound of sewing machines at the Chanel atelier, or workshop, because everything is done by hand. Find out what else goes into creating these special, haute couture pieces."
From Dior: "Follow our cameras behind the scenes for a detailed insight into the conception, realization and unveiling of the Dior Autumn-Winter 2023-2024 collection. Accompany Maria Grazia Chiuri as she reveals the inspirational role played by the founding couturier’s sister Catherine Dior, explore the treasures kept in the archives, learn about the amazing savoir-faire involved, and then watch as artist Joana Vasconceles creates the show’s scenographic installation." There is something in here for everyone. From the creation of a leather flower skirt, to straw tiaras, and fabrics woven with stainless steel.
Do you want to know why James Bond looks so good? It's because he wears a bespoke (custom-made) suit. In this absolutely mesmerizing video, you can watch the beginnings of a handmade suit being made. From measurements to pattern making to the actual cutting of the fabric, this man is a true craftsman and he wears a suit through the whole process. And trust us, you don't want to mess with this guy's scissors.
What is the most delicate thing you have worked with? Silk, lace, antique fabric? Well, how about STRAW!?!? That's right, this dress made in 1865 was embroidered with straw and is part of the collection of the Weinmuseum in Italy. Find out how the straw was used to create this stunning ball gown that has lasted for over 150 years!
With just a bit of ribbon and a few pleats, you too could create one of these Dior outfits. Or could you? Take a look at the making of Dior Haute Couture Dress and decide for yourself.
We are always fascinated by the process of Haute Couture design. Take a look at this quick video showing how Dior embellishes one of their outfits.
The women of Gee's Bend, Alabama have produced some amazing quilts over the years and now even Amazon has taken notice. In their 2022 Amazon Fashion Gift Guide they are featuring six women from Gee's Bend in a fashion photo shoot.