I was really interested in the history of the 1930s, and how these amazing structures, which most people don't realise the significance of, are just around the corner in Dudley.
For one idea, I looked into other buildings in the local area which were built around the same time, and what has become of them - whether they are forgotten places, destroyed, still standing, restored.
The Old Hippodrome Theatre, Dudley - Built 1938.
Not 100% sure whether the building is used as a bingo hall, or whether it is empty & awaiting a decision whether or not to be demolished by Dudley council.
Baskerville House, Broad Street, Birmingham - Built 1938.
A former civic building. Grade II listed, it is now commercial office space.
Typhoo Tea Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham - Opened 1930s, inspired by Bauhaus.
Former Typhoo Tea Factory until closed in the late 1970s. Sold in 2010, but unknown what the plans are for this sight - there were plans for the factory to be converted into 350 flats, but since the economic downturn this has not gone ahead.
I was interested in this period of architectural history, however I was unsure how to turn this into an interesting video, and the research was difficult to make a real start.
Brainstorm
The idea that interested me the most was turning this video brief into a fashion/textile related project.
I was interested in the time when the zoo opened - 1937, and the fashion from that time.
1930s Fashion
Book: Vintage Fashion - collecting & wearing designer classics, foreword by Zandra Rhodes. Carlton Books Limited 2006.
A fantastic book giving an exciting look into the history of fashion, through out the twentieth century. This was a real starting point for me to research into the clothes of the 1930s.
"Epitomised by the elongated draped gowns worn by the movie stars, the 1930s will for ever be remembered as the era of Hollywood glamour...clothes were cut to follow the lines of the body...shoulders were bared in the first halterneck and backless gowns, and the bias-cut dress clung to every curve."
Style icons:
Bette Davis
Katharine Hepburn
Designers:
- Coco Chanel
The 1930s saw the launch of the iconic Chanel day suit - practical, fashionable versatile two-piece cocktail suits which allowed the wearer to go elegantly from early evening to late night soiree without having to change. Chanel pioneered the use of cotton & wool jersey in women's suiting.
- Elsa Schiaparelli
Although not as well know, at the time Schiaparelli and Chanel were huge rivals. Schiaparelli's innovations included the use of zips as fashionable elements, a backless evening gown with a compartment for stashing a flash & a fabric print composed of newspaper cuttings.
Key Features in Clothing from the 1930s:
- Bold lines & patterns of the prevailing art deco style -graphic designs & lettering
- Skirts hang below the knee, sometimes slightly longer at the back
- Wedge-cut pleated skirts
- Waistlines on the natural waist
- Necklines lowered with scalloped edge/ ruffled collars/ frills down the front
- Belts and sashes wide, bold buttons
- Scooped back swimwear
- Backless & halterneck dresses - The back became the new erogenous zone
- Bias-cut gown which clung naturally to the body
- Fur was worn extensively - day and night - capes, coats, stoles, gloves
- Narrow suits worn with a hat & gloves
- Zips
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| Photograph of evening wear in 1935 - 'Vintage Fashion' book |
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| Illustration of Daywear Fashions in the 1930s - 'Vintage Fashion' book |
Book: Fashion Sourcebooks - The 1930s, John Peacock. Thames and Hudson Ltd 1997
This was another useful book which gave me illustrations of clothing as it changed through the 1930s.
Bear Inspired Fashion
I thought that Bear inspired fashion would be an interesting take on the bear ravine.
This is quite a unique idea though, and not really many designers have ventured into this theme!
These are some of the collections that I thought fitted into this theme:
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| Topshop Unique Collection - Autumn/Winter 2011 |
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| Chanel -Autumn/Winter 2010 |
Again a collection of Fur, chunky boots, & lots of layers which I thought could fit the bear theme - maybe more polar bear! This collection was even displayed walking through & around 240 tonnes of imported iceberg.
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| Another unique idea to add animals to fashion |
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