wanderlust: miyake issey: the work of miyake issey exhibition @ tokyo, japan

The Work of Miyake Issey exhibition showcases the great designer's work from the 1970s to the present. Miyake Issey is a Japanese fashion designer who is well-known for his technology-driven clothes designs. It was a great opportunity to get to know more of his work. I must admit, when I was studying fashion, I was more into European designers. After visiting the exhibition, I was really impressed with the technology incorporated into fashion.

The exhibition is divided into three main sections; 

Section A

This section showcases Miyake Issey's early design solutions; drawing, visually, a long introductory line to themes. These will resurface, differently yet regularly in his work. Miyake Design Studio was founded in 1970 focusing on ideas of freedom - of thought and body. For example, he created and designed a jumpsuit with a tattoo motif which looked like a wearable second skin. Such a cool piece of work.

Section B

In the 1980s, the human body, how to enhance, streamline and redesign, was the central work of Miyake Issey. Different materials were used such as metal, rattan, bamboo in his work to explore the human body. 

Section C

In this section, several themes are exhibited - pleats, A-POC, Material and Ikko Tanaka - Issey Miyake. Pleats, in my opinion, is one of the signatures of his work. Here, there are many pleats pieces showcased including a pleating machine. Too bad, during my visit, it was not the demonstration slot. It would be interesting to see how the machine works. He developed a special process of 'garment pleating". This means that a piece of clothing is pleated after it is sewn. This produces very sharp and defined lines.

In 1998, Miyake Issey and Dai Fujiwara developed A-POC. It is a revolutionary process that allows to shape clothes integrally through the production of a tubular piece of knit fabric. It virtually erasing all waste while doing away cutting and sewing. 

In Material section, the designer believes any material can be turned into clothing. Here he explored different materials such as Japanese washi paper, horsehair and raffia, in his work. Furthermore, he also experimented special treatments giving surfaces an alive, animal look and also exploring futuristic fabric; polyester which is heat-cut and molded into shape with the aid of snap buttons and the needlepunching treatment which produces unique textures by layering layers of different materials. To me, this is the most interesting section of all. 

The exhibition will end on 13th June 2016. If you are in Tokyo, do check it out at The National Art Center, Tokyo.

Till my next post, stay chic and have a wonderful weekend!

wanderlust: paris haute couture: the only gown in the world @ tokyo, japan

Paris Haute Couture: The Only Gown in the World; doesn't the title of the exhibition sound intriguing? I had short getaway to Tokyo last weekend and to visit this exhibition was on my to-do-in-Tokyo list. The exhibition will end tomorrow, 22 May 2016.

The exhibition showcases the history of haute couture from its beginning in the 19th century to the present. Interestingly, it was Charles-Frederic Worth, an English-born, who created the basis of haute couture in Paris in the late 19th century.  Haute couture means "high sewing" or "high dressmaking". Great pieces from great couturiers such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent to name a few are displayed in this exhibition.

Here's a snippet of the exhibition as most of the sections photo taking is not allowed.

Jean Pages, illustration 1935

Jean Patou, 1939

  

Premet, 1928 (left), Jeanne Lanvin, 1928 (right)

 

Chanel, 1937

  

Chanel, 1930

 

Lucile Paray, 1933

 

Robert Piguet, 1939

 

Jean-Paul Gaultier, 2006

Throughout my visit, I was drooling over the pretty and unique dresses and oh-ing and ah-ing almost non-stop. Who can resist such beautiful dresses? Furthermore, the amazing beading, embroidery and other embellishments are indeed making each dress display here the only gown in the world. Oh how I wish I could own one of the dresses....

wanderlust: the fashion world of jean paul gaultier @ seoul, korea

Whilst I was reaching for things to do and exhibitions in Seoul for my holiday, I was so excited to found out that 'The fashion world of Jean Paul Gaultier' exhibition would take place in Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul. Although I am not a big fan of Gaultier, I would want to miss a chance to check out this exhibition. 

The exhibition was launched in 2011 and from then onward it has travelled to Dallas, San Franscisco, Madrid, Rotterdam, Stockholm, New York, London,  Melbourne, Paris, Munich and now making its final and first stop in Asia - Seoul, Korea. The exhibition will end in June 2016.

And now, fast forward to the day of my visit....  The exhibition is divided into seven themes:

Salon 

It showcases Gaultier's interpretation or reinvention of early 20th century corsets and 1940s girdles.

Odyssey

The founding myths such as virgins, sailors and mermaids which captivated Gaultier and how these were expressed in his work. 

Skin deep

In this section, Gaultier explored human externalities; skin, gender and sexuality.

Punk Cancan

Pieces showcase here depict how classic Paris fashion was transformed by Gaultier's synthesis of the rebellious Parisian spirit with the freedom of London's 1970s punk movement. 

Urban Jungle

The idea of jungle here refers to the variety of culture influences but also the use of unusual and rare materials such as leathers and feathers characteristic of haute couture. In Gaultier's ideal society, the world's diversity can be expressed in a single piece. 

Metropolis

This section depicts Gaultier's many collaborations with movie directors, pop stars and dance choreographers all illustrated with costumes, videos and sketches. 

Les Mariees
Unconventional wedding dresses by Gaultier.

For more photos, please click here.

Exhibition details:

Venue: Dongdaemun Design Plaza, 281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul Korea

Transportation: Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station (Lines 2, 4 and 5, Exit 1)

Period of exhibition: March 26 to June 30, 2016

Admission hours:

Open Tuesday - Sunday

Art hall 10:00 am to 9:00 pm

Museum 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (Wed, Fri 10:00 am to 9:00 pm)

Admission ticket:

Adult: 15,00 KRW

Youth: 12,000 KRW

Children: 8,000 KRW

The exhibition is definitely worth a visit and if you are in Seoul before the end of June, do try to check it out. My timing was just right and I was lucky to be able to immerse myself into the world of Gaultier.    

500 years of French passion for shoes exhibition

It's May! And what I love about this month is the Le French May; a month of various interesting and exciting events or activities related to French culture.This year, one of my favourite exhibitions is the 500 years of French passion for shoes; which is currently taking place at Pacific Place until 24th May.This exhibition showcases the French shoe history 1500 until today.

Section 1:History step by step

woman's shoe in suede leather, laced and embroidered with Louis heel covered in leather, 1675-1700

woman's shoe in suede leather, with heel covered in smooth rust coloured leather with rhinestone buckle, 1675-1700

woman's kidskin shoes, straps with metal pearls with Louis heel, 1860 - Francois Pinet

Section 2: Fashion and Bootmakers

left: woman's poulaine type shoe in velvet, with crystals and pearls and a "guignol" heel (a name invented by Roger Vivier) 1987 - Roger Vivier

right: sonate model, silver metal fishnet and leather pump with comma heel, 1963 - Roger Vivier

left: pigalle - ring strass model, pump inlaid with crystal ring strass, 2012 - Christian Louboutin 

right: pigalace model, black pump in satin crepe satin lace, 2014 - Christian Louboutin

left: for Junko Shimada, cork platform shoes covered in braided raffia and coral suede, 2006 - Raymond Massaro

right: veriz model, Charles IX in straw and chocolate coloured lambskin, 2013 - Robert Clergerie

Section 3: Antique sandals

left: red felt cothume with embroidery covered with gold thread, leather sole, reproduction of a Roman emperor cothume made for the theatre, 1800-1825 

right: Eriko model, high cut, taupe nubuck zipped sandal, 2015

 left: woman's sandal in braided kidskin, 1997 - Stephane Kelian

right:braided raffia sandal with a wooden sole, 1940-1945 - Unic 

left: joueuse model, strapped platform vinyl sandal with 14 cm heel, 2014 - Ernest Chausseur 

right: steel model, black sandal with feathered strap, 2012 - Parallele 

Section 4: Fetish pumps

left: white satin embroidered pump, 1960 - Raymond Massaro by Rebe

right: French black satin pump with metal buckle, circa 1920

left: shoemaker in Cannes, pump in silver transparent horsehair and leather, embroidered with pearls and strass, 1965 - 1970 - Christian Pauvert for Pierre Bertrand 

right: black satin pump with strass buckle,, 1969 - Roger Vivier for Christian Dior 

left: anna model, pump in red velvet leather with a black toe, 2012 - Eugene Riconneaus

right: women's pump type shoe in red kidskin with stiletto heel covered in black kidskin, 1960 - Ernest

Section 5:Stage or dress ballet pumps

left: brocaded ballet slipper, lined with green satin, 1850 

right: ballet slipper in woven straw, lined with satin, 1830 - 1840

left: cendrillon model, red patent leather ballerina, 2012 - Repetto

right: zizi model, oxford white leather sole for men, 2012 - Repetto

left: dente model with bow, black and white Jackson, 2015 - Avril Gau

right: dentel model with bow, black patent lambskin, 2015 - Avril Gau

Section 6: Signature heels

left: pump in black patent leather with red platform and "leg" heel, 1991 - Raymond Massaro for Azzedine Alaia

right: haute-couture, created open gold lame ankle-boot with a hand carved arcyl heel, 1990 - 2000 - Raymond Massaro for Christopher Rouxel

"Piscasso" inspired sandal (1955) in red and beige kidskin and metal, manufactured around 1980 - Andre Perugia

woman's mule in black calfskin with a large curved metal band in the form of a half circle for the heel, 1997 - Robert Clergerie

Section 7: Boots on parade

left: boot with chevron upper, 2014 - Sartore

right: crack model, black and white with red metal piping, 2010 

woman's goatskin boot with Louis heel, 1930 - Julienne

ankle boots in black and gold guipure lace on a skin coloured satin background, 2008 - Raymond Massaro

Section 8: Shoes for men

left: reproduction of Pope Pie VI (1717-1799) mule in distressed red goatskin with gold lame ribbon laces and embroidered with gold thread, 1965 - Charles Jourdan

right: new platers model, derby in black patent with ribbon laces, 2013 - Christian Louboutin 

left: 180 model, in collaboration with Olympia Le Tan, blue liberty mocassin, 2014 - J.M. Weston

right: country club model, oxford in black patent leather and navy blue velvet, special order 2015 - J.M. Weston

modane model, chukka boot with punched gold calfskin toe, 2012 - Joseph Malinge Createur

Section 9: Industrial manufacturing

from right to left:

wooden men's shoe last in craving process

men's shoe pattern

men's shoe leather outside for Black stitching

men's shoe upper 

heel mockup, leather samples and plastic heel samples

from left to right: women's shoe last, women's red innersole

In this section, one can have a better understanding of shoes manufacturing, the processes involved and items used in making shoes. 

Indeed, this exhibition is for shoes lovers and fashionistas who want to explore and understand the (brief) history of French shoes. 

Hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend, stay chic!