Cadence

Cadence

a concluding and usually falling strain; specifically : a musical chord sequence moving to a harmonic close or point of rest and giving the sense of harmonic completion

She danced and twirled

An exultant face

Twinkling eyes and merry mouth

At the end

A bow with arms unfurled

“Did you like my ballet?”

A querying look

A questioning eye

A persistent grin

“I do,” I say.

“Would you like to see my scars?”

Criss-cross lines

Etch across her torso

What four transplant surgeries

Have caused so far.

This precious child

Has experienced much,

Adoption, surgeries, sickness.

But she sees beauty everywhere

I glimpsed it when she smiled.

Fighting battles everyday

Never letting go of love

Or hope

An inspiration to those who

Have lost their way.

Cadence finds harmony

In her pain

And her joy

She is resilient

This is her symphony

Finale

Spring 2012; Fashion Trend #1: Roaring Twenties

This coming spring 2012 season brings us new trends and styles. I will be highlighting three trends of the season (20s, Prints, and color-blocking) along with two shorter articles, one on the new color of the season (tangerine) and one on the jacket trend of the season (Anoraks).

This spring, 1920s fashion has been reinvented for 2012. But before I get into the current trends I would like to introduce the fashion of the 1920s.

In What People Wore, Douglas Gorsline writes, "In 1920, with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, women gained the privilege of equal suffrage. With this prerogative their social and economic horizons were vastly broadened... This sudden economic upheaval, one perhaps more revolutionary than is generally realized, was influential in causing a drastic change in clothing fashions. In the years 1925-1930 women did their best to deny their essential femininity." These women had been enjoying the freedom they had acquired during World War I. This period had opened the door for women to act as men and dress like men. They held jobs on the home-front while the men fought in the war. When the men came home, women did not want to give up this freedom.

The Kyoto Costume Institute describes the 20s in this way, "New rules were applied to a society that now included a burgeoning nouveau riche class alongside the old-money upper class, and an avant-garde sensibility alongside traditional ideals of elegance. Hemlines shot up from below the ankle to flirt with the knee. Since a youthful, slender style found more favor than a mature and voluminous one, women accordingly dressed up like boys. The new woman acquired a higher education, had a profession, and enjoyed romantic relationships without hesitation. She led society into new customs such as driving cabs, playing golf and tennis, exercising, and even smoking."

Two specific designers stood out during the 1920s: Gabrielle ("Coco") Chanel and Madeleine Vionnet.

"Gabrielle Chanel played a decisive role in this new aspect of women's fashion. She designed clothing for comfort, simplicity, and chic appearance with an innovative combination of jersey material and shapes borrowed form men's clothign. after her jersey dress caused a sensation, she designed cardigan ensembles, sailor-style "yachting pants," beach pajamas, and the renowned must-have item, a simple black dress."

Coco Chanel

1927

On left: Dress: Silk, Metallic Threads, and sequins

On right: Sweater and skirt ensemble: Silk, Wool, and Metal

"While Chanel's role was that of a media-savvy stylist, Vionnet was more an architect of fashion. Her technique of cutting garments from geometrically patterned fabric with a superb sense of construction brought about genuine innovations in dressmaking. Vionnet invented a wide variety of detailed designs like the bias cut, circular cut, cut with slash or triangular insertion, halter neckline, and cowl neckline."

Madeleine Vionnet

1938

Rayon

This year, the 1920s has been revitalized in the fashion industry. While in the 20s it was to convey a sense of masculinity, in 2012 this trend evokes an image of delicate femininity. As fashions have changed over the years, women's wear has become more and more inspired by men's wear. What was considered boyish in the roaring twenties is now very feminine compared to jeans and a t-shirt.

Many designers chose to include looks from the 20s in their spring 2012 collections but the four that stood out were: Marchesa, Marc Jacobs, Givenchy and Ralph Lauren.

Fabsugar.com describes the trend this way: "double-breasted suit and drop-waist dresses, lots of beading and feathers, and the slim, sexy silhouettes favoured by the Daisy Buchanans of the world... feather-light chiffon gowns, silk bias cut dresses and palazzo pants. Impossibly pretty, sophisticated and classic in that all American way."

• Trends: 1920s, asymmetrical hemlines, drop-waist dresses, strapless styles.
• Key Look: Wide leg palazzo pants worn with loose knits, long bias cut silk slip dresses, flapper dresses.
• Accessories: Turbans, cloche hats, feathered stoles, long layered beads.
• Description: Boyish and athletic while being classically elegant and feminine.

Here are some looks from the runways:

On Left: Marchesa

On Right: Marc Jacobs

On Left: Ralph Lauren; On Right: Givenchy

Now that you know the background of 1920s fashion, have learned the trends, and have seen the 2012 runway looks, I would like to give you affordable options to include this trend in your wardrobe.

Here is a dress from Forever 21 that is only $19.80:

This look is from ASOS and is $71.62:

This dress can be found at Cactus Flower for only $36:

In addition to these, there are quite a few dress inspired by the 1920s on Modcloth.com with prices ranging around $40-$100.

I will try to have an article up soon on Spring 2012 Fashion Trend #2: Prints.

Separation

The picture in the heading of my blog is a collage I created for my computer graphics class. It is supposed to be a self-portrait combined with personal objects and inspiration from a famous artist. I chose Witold Pruzkowski. He is a polish painter who was inspired by legends, fables, and folk-tales. His Symbolist work was inspired by the legend and poetry of Juliusz Slowacki.

I was inspired by his work and by the poem Separation by Juliusz Slowacki.

Separation

Apart -- but one remembers the other
Between us flies the white dove of sorrow
Continually carrying news. -- I know when you're in the garden,
I know when you weep, shut in your quiet room.

I know at what hour the wave of hurt returns,
I know what kind of conversations of people draw a tear.
You are as visible to me as a star glistening afar
Pouring out rose-colored tears, and flashing with a livid spark.

Although my eyes cannot now see you,
Knowing your house -- and the trees of the garden, and the flowers,
My mind's eye knows where to paint your eyes and figure,
Between which trees to look for your white cloak.

But in vain shall you create landscapes
Silvering them with the moon -- beaming them with daylight.
You do not know that you must knock down the sky and put it
Under the windows, and call the seas the heavens.

Then you must divide the sea and the sky in half,
In the daytime with a veil of bright mountains, at night with cliffs of sapphire;
You know not how with hear of rain you must crown the head of the cliffs,
How to see them in the moon marked off with a pall.

You know not above which mountain will rise the pearl
Which I have chosen for you as a guardian star.
You know not that somewhere far away--even as far as the feet of the mountains,
Beyond the sea -- I spied two lights from the window.

I've grown accustomed to them -- I love those sea stars,
Dark expanses with fog, bloodier than the stars of heaven.
Today I see them, I saw them shining yesterday,
They always shine for me -- sadly and palely -- but always...

And you -- eternally shone on the poor wanderer;
But though we never, nowhere shall be united,
Let's hush a while, and then call each other again
Like two nightingales who are allured by weeping.

Bachantka by Witold Pruszkowski

Falling Star by Witold Pruzkowski

Hellooo!

I'm back. I'm not sure what or when I will be posting next... but it will be awesome and soon. haha.

Also this is more of my fashion and literary blog... I guess.

And sometimes my writing style is really structured and sometimes my writing style is like my thought process which is slightly less structured. Just to warn you.

Peace and Love. <3

p.s. this would be a post that falls into the slightly less structured category.

A story about a unicorn.

A Story: Also known as Trenton the Unicorn’s story although it is more about Darren the prince.

In the middle of July a guy couldn’t remember what he was going to say when suddenly he thought of the most brilliant thing! “Ah ha!” He cried, with his index finger nearly poking the sky, “Unicorns do exist!!!” “But unfortunately they’re all gay!” “And so… They cannot reproduce and will eventually die out…” “Oh well, too bad.” He said with mock displeasure. Then a unicorn charged and speared him in the gut. Ouchies! A realization exploded upon the dying man’s mind, “They aren’t actually gay, just a little feminine.” As this thought flitted through the young man’s mind, the unicorn decided that he was pure of heart after all and with the healing powers of his horn, he saved the boy’s life. Newly rejuvenated, the boy leapt to his feet! Understanding flashed in his brown eyes. You see, as he was dying he realized what the one thing was that he had missed out on in life. He knew what he needed to do. Do you? He realized…. He needed to save a Damsel in Distress from a Dragon. Do note dear reader that the previous sentence has several words beginning with D! In fact, the boy’s name began with a D! Darren. So Darren set off through the forest of Scarib (pronounced Ska - reeb), the unicorn, whose name was Trenton, opted to join him. Trenton still felt a little bad about the whole stabbing ordeal. Darren, along with Trenton, fought his way through the forest to a cave where he found the Dragon, Ascarib (pronounced Ask-ka-reeb). The forest Scarib was named after the Dragon, Ascarib. Darren send Trenton into the cave first just in case. Trenton did sorta owe him one. Fortunately, Ascarib was not an evil Dragon; in fact, he liked baking and served them some delicious brownies after their introductions had been made. Unfortunately however, Ascarib didn’t have any Damsels for Darren to rescue. So Darren struck up a deal with Ascarib. If the Dragon would procure a Damsel in Distress, Darren, who was a prince, (You didn’t realize did you?) would set him up as the royal baker. He made very good brownies, you see. So Ascarib set off across the land to find the girl. He soared high above, his large wings cutting through clouds as he scouted his territory. Eventually he came to a small cottage floating in the middle of a lake. Technically it was a houseboat but Ascarib didn’t realize this, you can’t really blame him. He hadn’t ever seen one before… And sitting on the patio… Technically a deck but… Once again, Ascarib was a little dimwitted… of the cottage… houseboat… was a girl named Darlene. She was slender with wavy, red hair and green eyes. Ascarib swooped down and snatched her up in his enormous claws, but only after asking politely and promising not to tear her green dress. He then proceeded to back to the cave where he attempted an unsuccessful and fake fight against Darren who proceeded to marry Darlene and did fulfil his agreement with Ascarib. Ascarib was made the head baker for the royal household. And to cap it all off, Trenton eloped with a unicorn named Talicia; proving once and for all that he was not gay!

The official end!

Contrasting Fashions: The 1920s and the 1950s.

This was my compare and contrast paper for Defective Writing. Haha. Actually, I really enjoy that Effective Writing and, other than drawing, it is probably my favorite class.

Contrasting Fashions from the 1920s and the 1950s

Fashions in the 1920s and the 1950s were similar in one way only. They both came directly after a world war. Oddly enough, World War I and World War II affected fashion in nearly opposite ways. The First World War liberated women from the corset and brought them in to the world of men’s wear, while the Second World War ushered in the very feminine hourglass silhouette along with volumes of fabric.

During World War I women were asked to perform men’s work for the first time. As they adapted to these newfound tasks and opportunities, fashion adapted with them. Women needed practical clothing with simple designs. So Coco Chanel stepped up to the plate and started making tailored suits, known appropriately as the “Chanel Suit.” For functionality and freedom to move, the corset was eradicated, skirts were shortened about to knee length, and waistlines were dropped. After World War I ended the men returned and reclaimed their jobs, but women held onto their liberation in many ways, particularly the way they dressed. The women’s suffrage movement increased their freedom, and 1920s women’s fashion was known for its boyish and athletic qualities. Hair was cut short in “boyish bobs” and close-fitted Cloche hats were regularly worn. Designer Madeleine Vionnet became an architect of fashion during the ‘20s. Her technique of cutting garments from geometrically patterned fabric with a superb sense of construction brought about genuine innovations in dressmaking. She and Coco Chanel shaped the style of the time. Loose garments, drop-waists, and the iconic flapper dresses were the predominant clothing choices for women during this decade.

Contrary to the boyish styles of the twenties, the fifties were characterized by the very feminine hourglass silhouette. During World War II fabric was rationed so Parisian Haute Couture (high fashion) became nearly nonexistent. But when the war ended and rationing ceased, designers immediately picked up where they had left off. Christian Dior became the designer of the decade when he showed his 1947 collection, which became widely known as the “New Look.” His line ushered in the hourglass silhouette which other designers like Hubert de Givenchy, Cristobal Balenciaga, and Pierre Balmain quickly picked up. Instead of using as little fabric as possible, which had been necessary during the war, designers now used dozens of meters of fabric creating long, full skirts and luxurious, strapless “Prom Gowns.” Sweater sets and pencil skirts also became popular as women tried to create curvy figures. Cinched waists, emphasized busts, and rounded shoulders were all design details put into use for this purpose. Scarf-tied ponytails were one way women wore their hair, or they could mix it up with Pillbox hats. As opposed to the men’s wear inspired twenties, the fifties were a time for women to celebrate their femininity.

These two decades both followed devastating world wars, but even after these atrocities people were able to bounce back and start anew. In the twenties, women gained new freedoms in work and fashion, while in the fifties the feminine style was revitalized and renewed in a whole new way.

Fall Fashion Look 3 - Neo Geo

Sorry it has taken me so long to get this up here. The first two weeks of college kinda monopolized my time. This post probably will not be as long or as well laid out due to the fact that I have no time and there was just not as much material that I could find for this article. But here goes...

Neo Geo Clothing

At this point many of you are probably thinking, "What in the world is that?" So I have come up with my own little definition of Neo Geo: Neon colors and geometric shapes and patterns (Aztec patterns, futuristic patterns and shapes, color-blocking, bold, bright and going for the wow factor.)

This is kinda the antithesis of the Minimalist look which I introduced in Fall Fashion Look 1.

Trendhunter.com describes the look this way:

"These graphic prints set in bright neon colors are reminiscent of the 'Fresh Prince' era and are sure to illicit awed and envious glances.... This versatile look can also go from beach to red carpet by merely layering a subdued cover-up jacket on top." and,

"This season, designers are taking on the look in a number of ways, with many taking the term 'geometry' quite literally and working wonders with basic elementary school shapes."

Teen Vogues suggests wearing the look this way:

"Take a basic sweatshirt light-years ahead with futuristic graphics and electric sneaks... a boxy shirt cuts a chic shape with a waist-cinching belt."

Two designers who have brought this look back in from the '80s and '90s are Balenciaga and Missoni, I am including a sampling of looks from their collections below:

Balenciaga Fall 2010 Above and below

Missoni Fall Resort 2010 Collection Below:

Accessories for the season follow in line with the neon geometric prints and shapes and the futuristic looks:

These shoes are from the Balenciaga Fall 2010 collection.

Below are shoes from various other designer collections.

Top left: Shoe from Missoni Fall Resort 2010

Top right: Shoe from FairyIrobin Fall 2010

Bottom left: Shoe from MARC by Marc Jacobs Fall 2010

And other Neo Geo Designer Accessories:

The futuristic watch on the left is by DUMB Brand and is $60, the purse above is by Bottega Veneta's Fall 2010 line.

To conclude this article I will display some looks that range in price from relatively expensive, to moderate, to affordable.

Expensive:

Two dresses by Tina Turk. Prices are $278 and $248 respectively.

Tank by T-BAGS, price $136; skirt by People's Market, price $140

Moderate:

Tank by Mint, price $72; top by Ella Moss, price $53; both pieces found on revolveclothing.com

Affordable:

Complete look found at H&M

Necklace: $9.95

Hoodie: $19.95

Belt: $7.95

Dress: $24.95

Sandals $24.95

Tights: $9.95

Both items above can be found at Forever 21. Both are $15.80. The smock dress should be paired with bright tights or a bright colored cardigan to fully pull of the look.

Both tops can be found at Charlotte Russe. Left: $18, Right: $16. Personally, I would layer the two tops.

And last but not least, Trendhunter.com reports, "For recessionistas, 1980's vintage store finds are a great way to cop the look on the cheap."

Honestly, though this look may not be for most people, I really like it because I love bold colors and shapes. Hope you enjoyed. :)