14 February 2008

As Promised

This is another step in the right direction.

I guess one advantage I have in the perpetual struggle to realize visions is this: While my technical skills can improve, the level of detail in my head is not really changing. It's NOT a moving target. Yes, the ideas might become more sophisticated, more resolved, more detailed. But they don't actually become less technically feasible. That remains fairly constant. I assume I'll have finally achieved sufficient ability to execute my visions, when I'm having a heart attack or something at the drawing board. Death does love a good joke.

In related news, I spent some time at the library yesterday perusing the art books. I came across a design book that showed samples of industrial and commercial design, mass production objects, and fashion trends from the 1890s-1990s. I learned a few things from this.
  1. Recreating a period Look is probably not as easy as it seems, given that most of the fashion pictures in the book struck me as being specifically recreations. It's possible that's what those Looks would've looked like if photographed with modern equipment, but somehow I doubt it.
  2. The sailor suit for children came from a portrait of a British prince.
  3. Cubism might've made bad fine art, but it made kick-ass mass production decor.
  4. It's kind of a shame dressing like a grown up is somewhat out of style.
  5. Also, hats.
  6. The late 40s/early 50s American is my favorite lady fashion.
  7. The stove, refrigerator, and sink should not be a single kitchen appliance/fixture.
(What? I don't recall claiming I learned anything DEEP from it.)

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

What about the 40s/50s lady fashion appeals to you most?

Agreed stove, refrigerator and sink should not be a single appliance... that would be interesting... Hrm... after googling, I change my stance. Kinda useful compact sort of thing... for limited applications. Would save a lot of room in the kitchen if one didn't want to bake anything...

Holly said...

I guess I like the clothing styles because they tend to be reserved/restrained, yet nonetheless attractive. Fabric was at a premium during the war, so it was necessary to be frugal with how much yardage went into an outfit... but that doesn't mean it couldn't be stylish, as well.

Also, women's daytime clothes got pockets then, I approve of that. Mass market make-up was relatively new, so there was a sort of obviousness combined with enthusiasm and simplicity that I dig. Like... if you couldn't only get ONE color of red lipstick, you'd be pretty keen to make it look good, wouldn't you?

http://upload.moldova.org/movie/actors/e/elizabeth_taylor/thumbnails/tn2_elizabeth_taylor_3.jpg
(Oh, Elizabeth, what happened to you?)
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.return2style.de/swingstyle/makeup/1940p2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.return2style.de/swingstyle/makeup/40amimup.html&h=194&w=155&sz=17&hl=en&start=6&sig2=fCfS3RG1Zv5iv78CNpixpA&um=1&tbnid=wuohukLc6eNJbM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=82&ei=UlK0R-CRG4iC-AKxutjLCg&prev=/images%3Fq%3D1940s%2Bmake%2Bup%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DG

http://www.fashion-era.com/images/1948_dress_patterns/fashion309n3010.jpg
http://www.fashion-era.com/images/1948_dress_patterns/fashion3013n3014.jpg

And then, there's the shoes.

http://www.shoewawa.com/40sshoesvintage.jpg
http://www.shoewawa.com/vintage-dress-shoes.jpg

... and sure, it seems USEFUL, but also kind of a terrible fire hazard. I mean, technically, you might be able to put the fire out with the sink. Unless it's a grease fire, in which case you're screwed. Unless you have the multi appliance where you can store your baking supplies over the stove, in the little rack, so then you can just grab the baking soda and douse it.