Final Project

Color Story

Mood Board

Illustrations

Resubmission of Final Project Components

Final Project Color Story Revised

Final Project Mood Board Revised

Final Collection & Such

Color Story: Final Project

Mood Board: Final Project



Ralph Lauren-"The Drop-Out"

Ralph Lauren was born Ralph Lifshitz on October 14, 1939, in the Bronx, New York. He grew up in a middle class Jewish family. He was never formally trained in fashion design. Instead, he studied business at City College in Manhattan, and dropped out short of receiving his business degree. He was a tie salesman, as well as a glove salesman. He began his entrepreneurial career by designing wide ties displayed in Bloomingdale’s stores. His stubbornness and style prevailed, and the culmination of these traits resulted in his clothing worn today.  According to Infomat Inc, Ralph Lauren was “not only the first fashion designer to have his own store, but he was the first to sell the whole lifestyle image that consumers flock to worldwide. Lauren sells much more than clothes and home furnishings; he sells a lifestyle image of sophistication, class and taste.” (2008).

Vintage Ralph Lauren Knitwear

 1978-1981 (e-bay.com)
"Navajo Blanket/Western Wear Inspiration"

  1978-1981 (e-bay.com)
"Navajo Blanket/Western Wear Inspiration"

  1978-1981 (e-bay.com)
"Navajo Blanket/Western Wear Inspiration"

  1978-1981 (e-bay.com)
"Navajo Blanket/Western Wear Inspiration"

  1978-1981 (e-bay.com)
"Navajo Blanket/Western Wear Inspiration"

Ralph Lauren is best known for his "preppy English-tweed" style. The Polo Brand is a classy illustration of the style he regularly utilized, and made infamous through his innovative mind set and incredible awareness of presentation. However, he is also well versed in his classy depiction of upper end western wear.In the late 70's early 80's, Lauren re-invented the west with his artful depiction of western inspired clothing. He was acknowledged by many as the “the maverick who recaptured America for America”. All of the images above illustrate Lauren's western wear. In 1981, Lauren's "Santa Fe Collection" debuted and he connected Polo Ralph Lauren and the romance of the American West. By making this connection he launched a major fashion look with worldwide influence and appeal.The majority of his knitwear consisted of wool textiles, which mimicked the designs found in Navajo Indian blankets. The silhouette that accompanied this collection was loose and baggy in nature. The knitwear hung off of the wearer in a stylish effortlessness. The long skirts and leather belts, combined with buckskin  fringed boots completed the western inspired look. The casual sophistication that accompanied these garments helps to revolutionize the fashion industry.

I really appreciate Ralph Lauren's story and vision. I love that he developed this monumental brand from the meager beginnings as a tie and glove salesman. The Sante Fe collection, which was inspired by Navajo Indian blankets is truly intriguing. I love that he managed to take two seemingly separate concepts such as: preppy resort wear and western wear, and combine them to create a stylish, classy and expensive look that is both timeless and priceless.

Sources:
e-bay-http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A6%257C72%253A5212&rt=nc&_nkw=ralph%20lauren%20navajo&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14.l1513&_pgn=1

Cheap Replica Polo Ralph Lauren 

http://www.ralphlauren99.com/category/polo-ralph-lauren-t-shirts/

Ralph Lauren Company Profile / Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation

http://www.apparelsearch.com/names/r/ralph_lauren/ralph_lauren_profile.htm

Infomat Inc.

http://www.infomat.com/whoswho/ralphlauren.html

Inspiration-In All Its Forms

 
"Color Inspiration"

Ribbed Sweater Knit Coral• Contents:  100% Acrylic
• Fabric Weight:  heavy weight
• Washing:  Machine Wash/Tumble Dry Low
Fabric.com

Ruffle Knit Tye Dye Blue/White

• Contents:  100% polyester • Fabric Weight:  lightweight • Washing:  Machine Wash Gentle/Tumble Dry

Fabric.com

Allure Stretch Knit Tan 

Contents:  98% Nylon/2% Lycra
  Fabric Weight:  lightweight
Washing:  Machine Wash Cold / Tumble Dry Low

Fabric.com

Allure Stretch Knit Maroon

• Contents:  98% Nylon/2% Lycra
• Fabric Weight:  lightweight
• Washing:  Machine Wash Cold / Tumble Dry Low

 Fabric.com

Yellow Green Jersey Knit

Solid Yellow Green
Jersey Knit Fabric
Suitable for Blouses
100% Cotton
60" Wide
Machine Washable 

fashionfabricsonline.com

 

Allure Knit Black

 • Contents:  100% Nylon
• Fabric Weight:  lightweight
• Washing:  Machine Wash Cold / Tumble Dry Low

 Fabric.com

COCO CHANEL

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel was born in 1883 in Saumur, France. She was a unique woman who wore the designs that she created. Her innovative personal style resulted in the infamous designs, which are still recognized today. This style consisted of loose “slouchy sweaters, which she wore with jewels, as if she were going to a ball” (Donofrio-Ferrezza and Hefferen 2008, 22). According to Donofrio-Ferrezza and Hefferen (2008), “Chanel was the first designer to repurpose the use of jersey fabric, which was previously used for men’s undergarments”. This innovation revolutionized knitwear, as well as fashion for years to come. When Valerie Steele chooses to describe Chanel she states that “Chanel ennobled ‘poor’ materials” (22), which was a testament to Chanel’s ability to appeal to the world of fashion in a unique and clever way. Coco Chanel died in 1971 in Paris, France, but her legacy lives on. 

 Chanel's current collection consisted of a wide array of silhouettes classically inspired, but modernly transformed.  This collection started with structured twill suits, which were very reminiscent of the twenties, and ended with sci-fi equivalent evening wear that "echoed the work of Paul Poiret, the early twentieth-century Parisian designer whom Chanel helped render irrelevant with her innovations"(Style.com, 2011). The irony found within this collection added to its intrigue. Some analysts suggest that the inspiration for this fall collection centered on the 1927's apocalyptic sci-fi classic Metropolis. The sci-fi effect cannot be ignored by Chanel fans, with the set glistening, like rain had just fallen. It was A perfect film noir atmosphere, and the correlation between Metropolis and Lagerfield's fall line is substantial. The color palette suggested darker times, and left the audience with a comfortable uneasiness. Lagerfield seemed to be keying in on Coco Chanel's personality in this collection. He chose to emphasize her multifaceted dynamic attitude through this uncompromising somber fall line. The bold twills lead into the lighter fabric, but equally bold and sharp, evening wear. 

I felt that the collection was visually interesting, and it played off of the classic colors and look of Chanel, while still offering a modern edge. The collection had a lot of variety and visual stimulus. There were garments within the line that seemed out of place, or poorly integrated. An example of poor integration is best shown in the fuchsia suit, and the white evening gown. 

I was inspired by the classic bold twill weaves found in the earlier suit collections. I really enjoyed the "out of the box" attitude that this line embodied and portrayed so well. The intermixing of heavy and light weight fabrics was intriguing. This line illustrated luxury in a sci-fi way. I appreciate the intermixing of styles within one context.

Some repetitive design details included the arm bands/sleeves, the bold prints and trims, intermixing of heavy and lightweight fabrics, etc. The color story consisted of dark colors within the range of black, grey, midnight-navy blue, white and variances therein. There was also an inclusion of fuchsia, which appeared semi out of place. 

Each model wore a head adornment and signature Chanel boots. The model's hair and make up, hats, shoes, and arm sleeves provided a cohesive collection, which allowed individual garments to vary at ease.