MAKE A
STATEMENT!
WELCOME
WELCOME WELCOME! To another issue from your one and only FASHION.SILHOUETTE.
This week’s issue is a follow up from the previous, that was titled “Once Upon
A Tulle” I wanted to carry on the wave as there is so much more about skirts
that we just don’t know! Last week I covered the oh so beautiful Tulle; however
in this one I want to cover the STATEMENT SKIRT! Well as usual my fellow classmates
let’s clear the word statement!
STATEMENT:
- · A definite or clear expression of something in speech or writing:
- · An expression of an attitude or belief that is made by means of actions or appearance
Right so we
can see that it’s a form of expression of how one feels, thinks and knows about
themselves, enough to manifest their ideas into a physical reality <<<
(oooooh we getting deep ha-ha) So if this is true and it is, ask yourself why
do you not have one in your closet? Yea that’s what I thought (smile).
It is
customary of me to take you a little deeper into the skirt history, as I
usually do, so with that being said LET’S PEDDLE TO THE METAL!
>>>>>>>ZOOOOOM>>>>>>>>>
The Infamous
S-K-I-R-T Past.Present.Future.
According to an article I read via the website
Life in Italy, it states, Skirts can be sassy, flirty, business like, severe,
fun or elegant, but all of them definitely emphasize one quality; and that is
femininity. There was a time when the European women wore nothing but dresses
and skirts, even to the point that the word "skirt" became slang for
"woman" in the English language. But skirts were not always as
feminine as they are today.
Skirts are
one of the oldest styles of garment known to mankind: after the loincloth, it
was the skirt that graced the human form. Once a rectangular piece of material,
be it animal skin or leaves woven together, was wrapped around the waist, the
essential skirt was created.
Importantly,
men as well as women wore skirts, and ancient art shows remarkably
"manly" men in skirts. But as time passed, it was women who became
known for wearing skirts with few exceptions like Scotsmen, who still wear
their kilts on traditional occasions. Women wore
their skirts long as a mark of their modesty as well as their prestige, because
before the Industrial Revolution, fabric was expensive. Until the 19th century
the skirts of dresses emphasized the waist while enlarging the hip.
But things
began to change in the 19th century, with skirts becoming more streamlined to
the body. In the 20th century, the hardships of war required women to wear
shorter, more work-friendly clothing. This marked the beginning of the upward
journey of the skirt hem, which went up from ankle-length, to calf-length and
then the knee length by the 1960s.
But the
defining moment for the modern skirt arrived in the 1960s, when inspired by the
1965 short skirts by André Courrèges, Mary Quant, took the hem up by a few
notches to give women the new length that was here to stay: the mini.
CBS News
Sunday Article also explains in their article chasing The History of The Skirt.
Today, a
skirt's design is all about personal style. But not long ago, long was the only
way to go.
Another sign
of status and beauty: the narrowness of a woman's waist --so important that
women would try to accentuate their waistlines by expanding the girth of their
hips with hoops and petticoats, perhaps even a padded derriere.
You can
still see this style from the 18th and 19th centuries in today's wedding gowns,
as Steel explains, "Because that's a very romantic moment. And a lot of
people associate that with an old-fashioned style of dress."
Long or
short, if you're looking to make a splash you might want to give the Prada
collection a whirl.
"It's
always an artistic element which has inspired Muccia (Prada) and inspired her
to give more than just a simple skirt," says Vogue's editor-at-large Andre
Leon.
At Prada's
flagship store in New York, more than 100 of the design house's most whimsical,
stunning, and more often than not, completely unaffordable skirts can be seen
in a display of Prada's best designs of the past 30 years.
"I
think what they want us to experience is the great possibility to be an
individual. The great possibility to see design and fabric and to see things
that are made in factories as mundane as a skirt and to see how extraordinary a
skirt can be," Leon says.
"It can
take on the elements of a baroque painting or a minimalist painting or a
wonderful scene out of nature and that's what makes great design," Leon
adds.
- · Both articles can be accessed via the links!: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/fashion/skirt-history.asp
- · http://www.cbsnews.com/news/chasing-the-history-of-the-skirt/
SO WHAT HAVE
WE LEARNED! Well both links you can find above. However we can see that the
skirt has come a long way, from ancient Egyptian time’s right down to 2015 with
skirts running from $30,000! Now for me personally that’s way too much, however
to someone who has the means I say KUDOS to you! History has shown us that this
simple ensemble not only has become a fingerprint in fashion and clothing
history, but has represented the quintessence, luxury and taste of modern
times. Our generation of women now have taken this element called skirt and put
their expression and interpretation via prints, textures and lengths. The range
goes on and on, and I think it’s safe to say the longer the better (Although if
one doesn’t want to go too long, at least keep it at a tasteful length, always
showing that you’re a Lady). This is not just for modesty purposes, no no my
dears, but as history has shown when it’s done right, the longer length shows
class, elegance, royalty and a touch of mystery. As a man who wouldn’t want to
work the extra mile to deem himself worthy (marriage of course) to un-wrap such
a tasteful little box!
While on my
search for the next issue, I stumbled into my sister’s wardrobe and uncovered
two skirts of African prints which tickled me PINK and made me wonder did the
material used have a meaning to it? As I have always heard that they had. Well my
beauties I can definitely confirm the latter and share with you what I uncovered
about the timeless history. ENJOY!
COLOURS IN
AFRICAN CLOTHING
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| Skirt by Maisie Todd: www.maisietodd.com |
Colours in the fabrics of African people possess important meaning. Meanings vary from people to people and fabric to fabric. For example, the Akan people in West Africa use dark colours such as red, black, and brown for funerals, while the Akon use white for joyous occasions, such as naming ceremonies. In kente cloth made by the Ashanti people of Ghana, gold represents status and serenity. Yellow represents fertility (like the ripeness of an egg yolk or a fruit) and vitality. Green signifies the renewal and growth seen in plants and represents the cycle of birth and decay. Blue represents the presence of God and the omnipotence of the blue sky. Blue also refers to a pure spirit, one which rests in harmony. Red connotes passion, the passion of political determination, struggle, and defence. Ashanti also believe that red holds protective powers. Finally, black denotes seriousness and a union with ancestors. It implies spiritual awareness.
The rest can
be read via the link: http://blog.africaimports.com/wordpress/2008/10/african-fabrics-the-history-and-background-part-1/
HOW AMAZING
WAS THAT! You guys better be learning something o_O … :D . As I bring this to a
close I urge my female readers to invest in a statement skirt, it doesn’t have
to have a print per say, it could be a bold colour that you haven’t tried
before, a different textile just like the tulle or a simple print. The homework
is for you to do, get to know your body and what works for you, but I promise
you, you won’t go wrong with a S.S (Statement. Skirt) in your closet. Go on and
SET THE TREND by setting YOUR trend, it’s always fun that way. With that being
said below is my rendition of the two skirts I found in my sisters wardrobe.
Enjoy and Happy Shopping!
 |
| ~ I love to push the boundaries, so to pay homage to my dapper men, i added an Ascot around the neck ~ |
" Elegance is a statement, an attitude. Elegant women are women of character with confidence" ~ Elie Saab
Until next time my lovelies
Fashion.Silhouette.
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