DVC

For my course we have to take an extra module called DVC (Design and Visual Culture) and this week we had presentations to give. We had to pick 2 topics, both based on modernism or postmodernism, and give a 5 minute presentation on each one from an A1 size board decorated with text and images.

My first topic was based on a quote from Yves Saint Laurent, "Fashion fades, style is eternal". From this I looked at key style icons from the last century as well as key pieces that have remained in fashion for many years. This is an image of the presentation:

My key people in fashion were:

• Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel - Famous for the Chanel suit and quilted bag. She changed fashion for women and freed them from the corset. She revolutionised womenswear and was a modern woman before modern women even existed.
• Lousie Brooks - One of the original flapper girls and the 'IT' girl of the 1920s.
• Grace Kelly - A perfect muse for the Dior's 'New Look'
• Audrey Hepburn - Givenchy's muse and the perfect woman for his Little Black Dress. A dress that has remained in fashion ever since.
• Twiggy - A completely different look to the models of the time, and with the help of Mary Quant and the introduction of the mini skirt, Twiggy has become a style icon ever since, whilst the mink skirt has become and icon of the 60s and is still in fashion today.
• Edie Sedgwick - She may only have had 15 minutes of fame but she made such an impact that she still remains a style icon today.
• Bianca Jagger - Yves Saint Laurent's muse for the women's trouser suit, an item that is as revolutionary as the LBD.
• Kate Moss - The face of the 90s and a women that can look so effotlessly cool all the time.
• Georgia May Jagger - Could she be the next style icon?

My second idea was based on the work of Alexander McQueen. I looked at him from the beginning, and his use of controversy and technology to create shockingly beautiful collections every season and the impact that he had on the fashion world and the way we view fashion.
Here is my presentation and some of my favourite images from his shows:

This final image is from the latest collection, Autumn/Winter 11, since Sarah Burton has taken over. It will be interesting to see how the brand does over the next few seasons now the McQueen is no longer around.

Next we have to pick an idea and transform it into an essay. Currently I am thinking of choosing Alexander McQueen as this is the topic I feel most passionatley about, but I guess we will have to wait and see.

Enjoy xx