Fashion Collaging

Exploring Fashion Throughout the Decades

Artist Statement: For this project, exploring decades through a fashion, beauty, and cultural lens, I chose to focus on the 1920’s, 1970’s, and 1990’s. These are my favorite decades in history, and I absolutely loved learning more about the culture of these decades, and what inspired the lead designers of that time.

In the 1920’s, Lanvin, Chanel, and Poiret led the fashion scene. All of these incredible designers were inspired by the changing times and attitudes, and began to take inspiration from menswear to create women's clothing. To this day, the flapper dress is one of the most recognizable trends from the 1920’s. Paired with Mary Janes and a long pearl necklace, women flaunted this outfit both on and off the stage. Another popular dress created by Jeanne Lanvin was his robe de style, which is featured in my collage. Influences from the 1920’s style can still be seen in today’s fashion scene. Brands like Lanvin, Saint Laurent, Givenchy, and Prada’s collections are obviously influenced by the 1920’s, whether it be the sequins, the silk material, or the statement jewelry.

In the 1970’s, popular designers included Yves Saint Laurent, Halston, Stephen Burrows, Bill Blass, and Vivienne Westwood. Halston reigned over the 1970’s New York scene, with his iconic easy on easy off minimalist dresses made of comfortable viscose, jersey, and silks. Burrows, along with Halston, Anne Klein, Bill Blass, and Oscar De La Renta made up the team of American designers to compete against the French designers in the “Battle of Versailles” in 1973. This event was created by Eleanor Lambert of the Met Costume Exhibit, in order to showcase these American designers' amazing talent in Paris. Overall, 1970’s style can be described as somewhat bohemian; yet tinged with sophistication and glamor. Popular styles during this time included flared pants, short skirts, shearling coats, round sunglasses, patchwork, below the knee boots, rompers. It also wasn’t until this time period that pants became acceptable for women to wear. In addition to being fashion icons, people like Cher, Sharon Tate, and Lauren Hutton also helped to set the beauty trends for the decade. The look consisted of long and straight hair, spidery lashes, smoky eyes, and natural face makeup. For my collage, I collected looks from the previously mentioned designers, including one of my favorite Halston gowns. I was happy to find many silk, satin, suede, and jersey fabric swatches; in colors that pair nicely with the looks I included.

After a period of such excess as the 1980’s, the 90’s was more toned down and minimalist, whether it be in terms of design or lifestyle. Style during the 1990’s was a bit of “anything goes,” meaning that people were allowed to dress how they wanted, whether it be grungy or preppy. Wafer thin Kate Moss, Naomi Cambell, Christy Turlington, and Linda Evangalista were the “it girls. Some of the top designers from the 90’s include, Gianni Versace, John Galliano, Calvin Klein, Tom Ford, Anna Sui, Isaac Mizrahi, and Marc Jacobs. Many of the top designers were American, representing a shift from Paris to New York being equal in their influence and power over the fashion industry. Music, film and television, and fashion all intersected to inspire and entertain people. The culture was youthful, experimental, and all around fun. I tried to capture this mood in my collage, and show how the designers of the time were influenced by the culture. One of my favorite fabrics to include, is one where the motifs pair perfectly with a look from John Galliano’s A/W 94 Japonisme collection. 

Overall, this project was a lot of fun for me. My methods included researching, collecting images and fabrics, printing, and both digitally and physically collaging. I learned so much from doing deep dives into the Time and Vogue Magazine archives; as well as watching movies and interviews from the specific decade.

Collaging, Fashion, Beauty, Fabric Swatching, Research, History