anotheranon | On Vionnet

As I mentioned before, I got a lot of reading done during the power outage. One of the books I picked up was Betty Kirke's Vionnet biography. I picked it up in NY last year and like most of my other costume books, I flipped through rapidly, drooled at the pictures, and promised myself I'd read it more thoroughly sometime in the not so distant future, which of course, I didn't. Until this weekend.

I wish I'd picked it up sooner! I'd read repeatedly in Miyake's books that Vionnet was one of his main inspirations, but I never realized just how close they were in design philosophy. Both work less with traditional garment shapes, and more with simple geometric shapes wrapped around the body. Often a single rectangle forms the back and the sleeves, or a half circle with a few gussets makes a cape.

This book includes 30+ patterns of some of her more unusual designs, and I want to try them ALL! They have to be scaled up; maybe I can make them Barbie-sized or something for practice!

One in particular has an immediate use for me - a cape made out of two quadrants (quarter of circle - think a big pie piece) with a triangular hood with a long tassel at the point (I looked for a picture online - none to be found. Just take my word for it, it is amazing!)

I think I've found my wizarding robe for CC next year, all the more ideal because it's something I'd be likely to wear again because it won't look costumey.

I wonder what a wizarding fashion designer would wear? Hmm...