A Little Downton Influence on Runway Fashion?

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013 Runway

At first glance I thought I was seeing an orange and gold sort of Sari fabric dress. While that is an interesting idea, what I now think this is, is a beautiful and delicate lace with either white or gold fabric beneath (I can’t tell which with the lighting). After watching the video of his Spring 2013 runway show here,

 

Dazzle – Art Deco Fashion From The Roaring Twenties – Gosport Gallery

In honor of Downton Abbey’s advance into the 1920s in Season 3 (though not quite in their wheelhouse) and the upcoming May 10, 2013 release of Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby (totally in their wheelhouse), I’m shamelessly reblogging Come Step Back in Time’s great post on the Gosport Gallery’s Roaring Twenties exhibit. There are some fabulous images of stunning twenties dresses any flapper or modern girl would love to have. I love the attention to detail like the hand painting on the lower part of the heel one the white slipper.

 

Return to Downton Abbey (Season 3!)

Warning – spoilers below the jump.

I would be remiss if i didn’t mention last Sunday’s first season 3 episode of Downton Abbey. The whole cast is back for more drama, a wedding,

 

The ‘Downton Effect’ in fashion?

According to the British retailer, John Lewis, “when times are hard, fashion often sees a return to nostalgia and a softer more feminine silhouette so it is hardly surprising that we long to recreate the Downton world.” Not being a Brit, but being interested in Steampunk, I have seen a return to hand-made items of different eras. I’m not sure it’s the soft femininity that people are after, but the interesting item, the slower time of hand-made, the love and rich detail that goes into each piece.  The rest of the article notes a marked surge in the purchases of opera length leather gloves, fur capes, tweeds and long strings of pearls, which are not things usually bought when the times get tough. Do times get tough on the High Street?

Photo @ Express.co.uk

What we do have in the time of Downton Abbey, is an almost modern look. Yes, they are wearing the requisite gloves and hats, high button boots and perfectly coiffed hair, but look at the silhouette of the dresses and blouses.