Say What?!

As I have been delving deeper into my research, I have stumbled upon some surprising facts. 

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, fashion was a significant matter that people cared for (as it is today, of course). During that time, many new fashion houses, such as Elsa Schiaparelli and Balenciaga, opened up in Paris. However, during World War II, numerous fashion houses closed due to the invasion in Paris. The Vichy Regime, the French government that combined with the Axis powers, marketed the model of the mother and wife, the strong, muscular young woman. This type of physique was more appropriate with the new political standard. Simultaneously, Germany was taking over a large part of France's high fashion, and was thinking about moving French haute couture to Vienna and Berlin, which were not even fashion cities! Unsurprisingly, Jews were prohibited from the clothing industry. Throughout the occupation, the primary way a woman put herself on display was by wearing a hat. This couldn't scream Coco Chanel any more since she started her fashion line with hats!

Many would assume that Chanel learned how to sew in a formal Parisian school. However, that is not the case. Following her mother's death, Chanel's father who worked as a peddler, put her in an orphanage. She was brought up by nuns that taught her how to sew...I couldn't be more grateful to these nuns for giving Chanel the skills that shaped her influential accomplishments in fashion. This goes to show that anyone can be a star if they work hard and believe. 

Chanel

Skipping over a few decades, Coco Chanel emerged as a fashion designer. Not only was she involved in clothing, but she also reveled her artistic abilities through jewelry, perfumes, and handbags. She was the only fashion designer to turn up on Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century. That fact alone speaks a million volumes. She played a big role in freeing women from the limitations of the "corseted silhouette." Following World War I, Chanel gracefully seized the challenge of publicizing the toleration of the sporty-chic style.

Project+Paper...Let's Get Cracking!

I will be making a project in addition to my paper for the Frisch Leads assignment. Now the obvious question is: what project could possibly encompass the history of fashion's capital and the life of Chanel? A scrapbook of course! I plan to fill it with pictures of fashion's most prominent time periods intertwining with Chanel's major contributions to the clothing and accessorizes industries. Throughout the scrapbook, I will put together descriptive captions and chic patterns. As a conclusion, I will add images of today's fashion world and be able to compare it to the various eras throughout the history of female style. Who knew history could be so fun?!

Interblog 1

While reading Oshrat Nachum's blog,  I've found myself eager to read her future posts. Oshrat shared her journey of constructing the perfect theme with her readers, which made her blog all the more realistic. By conveying her thoughts in a methodical manner, she successfully captivated readers to find out how her blog would develop. After deliberating on what her topic should be, Oshrat came to the conclusion that she would focus on the history of Israeli food and movies since the state's formation in 1948. She cleverly named her topic: "Dinner and a Movie: Israeli Style." 

Because I love watching foreign films and eating foods from various cultures, I'm confident that I will truly enjoy reading the rest of Oshrat's posts. Furthermore, I love visiting Israel, so learning new things about its culture will enhance my future trips there. I advise everyone to check out Ms. Nachum's blog in order to appreciate and acquire a knowledge of Israel's societal history.  

The Birth of Fashion's Capital

It all began in the 16th century when Anne Boleyn was recognized for adorning an alluring French-style hood that revealed her hair. Who knew that the French were known for their liberal outlook toward seductiveness so early on in history?

Fast forward to the 18th century, when Haute Couture - a division of fashion where premier custom-fitted clothing is made from expensive fabric and is meticulously sewn - emerged. Originally, the wealthy and important people told designers what type of clothing they wished to wear. A century later, Charles Worth (aka the founder of modern Haute Couture), an Englishman employed in Paris, presented his name on his garment labels. Worth changed the entire system of Haute Couture because not only did he start labeling his clothing, but he also fabricated his own ideas and exhibited them on live models. His new approach to fashion gave clients the ability to approve or condemn his creations. Worth's imagination resulted in a groundbreaking contribution to the fashion world; designers started to determine what was stylish.

One of Charles Worth's Haute Couture designs. This was certainly this mannequin's heyday! 

5 Fun Facts About Coco Chanel

From the book, Chanel Her Life by Justine Picardie
1. Chanel fabricated a network of secrets and lies about her past to hide the truth.
2. Her surname on her birth certificate was misspelled as Chasnel.
3. A mirrored staircase serves as the backbone of her house (which was located above her store) in Paris. The mirrors give off an inexplicable sensation because they reflect from all angles, so you are forced to look at yourself as you go up the infamous stairs. The staircase leads to the spot where Chanel watched her fashion shows, concealed from her audience.
4. (Hold on to your seats for this one) The double C of the Chanel logo does not stand for Coco Chanel (gasp!). However, it is an abbreviation of Chanel and Capel. Arthur Capel was one of Chanel's lovers, and he helped her set up the House of Chanel.
5. Chanel recounted that her legendary 'little black dress' originated in 1920 when she went to the Opera and observed many women wearing all different colored dresses that she was not a fan of. As the Jazz Age commenced, her ideology was that dressing in black symbolized power and liberty.

There's a lot more where that came from ;)

An Endless Ration of Fashion

I have always had a fervency towards fashion and how it has evolved throughout history. Its ever-changing attribute strengthens my mental appetite to zero in on the industry.

Paris, France is the metropolis of fashion. All of the trends and styles that are present in America originate from the "City of Love." Everyone in Paris dresses to impress, and would never be caught in a pair of tattered Uggs (unlike the Frisch female student body ;) Paris is the one place where one can dress as daringly as one wants and get away with it.

How exactly did Paris reach such a culmination in the fashion world and how has that high status been maintained for years? That is something for me to know and for you readers to find out soon! Having emerged as Paris' most renown hat-maker and fashion designer in the 1920's, Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel (aka Coco Chanel) is my fashion idol and I adore every creation she has ever designed. I am currently reading her biography, which will serve as the basis for my future posts because she was and still is a vital component to the realm of couture.

Because I covet fashion's striking transformations, I plan to study the notable styles of different decades of the past. I will be able to pinpoint the history of fashion and Paris as the fashion capital through Chanel's biography and additional sources. I am so thrilled to begin my research on an icon and the city that made her big.

The Buzz of Blogging

I am thrilled to write a blog this year in AP Literature class. There has been a recent hysteria towards blogging, and many individuals have been recognized for their distinctive, creative work. I love having the opportunity to be unique and express my views towards whatever topic I desire. It is a great approach to writing and will make each student more independent because of the conclusions that will be required to be made for each post. Although the assignment seems daunting because we are not solely working on it this year, it is enticing since I have had no other class at Frisch assign such an innovative project. Senior year is the perfect time to do this assignment because the final results will have the potential to guide us in what we would be interested in majoring in at college. Cheers to a great year and exciting project!