Fashion plates then turned to fashion dolls!
Théâtre de la Mode was a 1945–1946 touring exhibit of fashion mannequins, approximately 1/3 the size of human scale, crafted by top Paris fashion designers. It was created to raise funds for war survivors and to help revive the French fashion industry in the aftermath of World War II.
The original Théâtre de la Mode exhibit toured Europe and then the United States, and is now part of the permanent collections of the Maryhill Museum of Art in Washington State in the United States.

 There were 70 registered couture houses in Paris, and many other smaller designers.The mannequins were 70cm tall, fabricated of wire. Some 60 Paris couturiers joined together and volunteered their scrap materials and labour to create miniature clothes in new styles for the exhibit. Milliners created miniature hats, hairstylists gave the mannequins individual coiffures, and jewellers such as Van Cleef and Arpels and Cartier contributed small necklaces and accessories. Some seamstresses even crafted miniature undergarments to go under the couture designs.

The intricacy and detail of each garment was absolutely breathtaking :)

 

Fashion plates to magazines

Magazines have been around for years and years, but oh how they have changed and evolved into the worldwide phenomenons they now are today.

Long before magazines were first published, people created illustrations of garments known as fashion and costume plates. First produced in 1778, costume plates illustrated the fashions of the past and fashion plates promoted and publicized fashion ideas at that time or in the near future.

Illustrations featured very elaborate detailed dresses. Jacques Esnauts and Michel Rapilly of Paris joined forces and began to issue their La Gallerie des Modes publication of coloured fashion plates and produced 342 figure plates and 72 hat plates. Above and below are illustrations featured at the gallery.

Fashion plates first featured in an English monthly magazine called ‘The Lady’s Magazine’ in 1770. Other magazines containing fashion plates included ‘Cabinet des Modes’, and ‘Journal de la Mode et du Gout’. Other fashion magazines also started to emerge including La Mode, La Bon Ton and Le Follet Courier des Salons. Le Follet was a magazine equivalent to our Vogue of today and flourished to the turn of the century.

The most famous of mid 19th century American magazines was Godey’s Ladies’ Handbook and it was published from July 1830 up until 1898 without a break. The magazine included fashion plates, stories, poems, how to make various crochet, tatting, lace making, knitting, embroidery and other craft articles, recipes and house keeping hints and tips. The Queen magazine was the longest running English magazine and ran until 1968 when Harpers Bazaar bought it out. It was called Harpers and Queen until the Queen was dropped in 2006. It was then renamed Harpers Bazaar.

 Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Vanity Fair also changed dramatically over the years and here's a look at how they too have evolved. We certainly don't see too many magazines these days with hand illustrated garments in them.

Might I add the price and content change over the years too, especially in Cosmopolitan magazine!

What is a Zine?

Besides assuming a zine was simply a magazine I had no real interest or understanding in them until I did a little research!

Let me share with you my new obsession with zines :)

Having originated in the 18th century, the word zine is a shortened version of the word magazine. Meaning it is basically a mini magazine comprised of self-published work including original or appropriated texts and images. Zines range from computer printed texts and images to hand drawn wonders, and have covered virtually every era, fad, trend and subject since first originating.

They are sold and traded at many different outlets so if you're looking for a new career to showcase your creativity you could be producing your own zines for a living! Amazing!

Here's a few popular zines that take my fancy!

Dazed & Confused

 

Perths very own x-press fashion magazine

The rocky horror picture zine

A few favourites

Top 10's

IN

Bejewelled outfits and everything that shines! The key inspirations from collections at Milan fashion week derived from traditional Mediterranean garments from Spain and Italy. The toreador inspired looks were based on black, white, gold and yellow. Whilst usually a masculine style, designers such as Balmain and Moschino produced ranges that were young, feminine, extravagant and unique. The style is taking to the streets in a big way with everything from jewelled jackets, vests, embroided sleeves and hardcore accessories.

A flare for peplums. A fad thats taken the market by storm and everyones doing it. It wont last long but while it's here it's a must get.

Patterned wedges, loafers and heels. Not only are wedges taking over the stiletto, they are becoming more colourful and patterned every season. Shops such as Topshop and Asos have shoes on the market that have incorporated vintage style loafers with wedges to create an all new shoe fetish.

Bright hair! If celebrities are doing it, everyones doing it. In whatever shade they desire.

Pastel nails and pastel clothing is the fresh new look on the runways from the previous bright block colours. Except now it's blocked together as an entire pastel outfit in every shade, and it clearly works.

Stripes forever making a big impact on the catwalk as fashion is getting back to basics. Runway collections are leading the way in jailhouse bold stripes, and it's taking to the streets due it being one of fashions more accessible trends. 

Dark lipstick has emerged on the catwalks to create an edgier look against bright collections.

Sweet whites come up every season and Valentino continuously repeats amazing lace dresses, coming up with a new look every season. Strong large lace prints have been found by multiple designers trying to embrace the look.

Collaged bold prints, and alot of it! Art has been paving the way for designers collections including Katrantzou's 10 piece collection for Topshop, which is having a major impact on street fashion becoming brighter, and a lot more interesting with colourful patterns and bold collaged prints. 

Neon accessories are perfect for those who aren't brave enough to wear an electric outfit. They can keep it simple with a bright accessory to liven up a dark outfit. 

NOT SO IN

Denim overload has been done and it's been done enough. The celebrities took it to the streets but the trend has long passed.

Slogan t-shirts and the 80's trend has gone out for the time being. While it keeps re-appearing on catwalks the current trends are alot more classic and fashion forward.

Hippies

Bumster low flared jeans are definately out. While the wide leg pant and and flare jean have come back to the catwalks they are all very high waisted and don't drag on the ground like these would !

The gladiator sandal in whatever height, colour or pattern is a trend that has definately passed.

Jeggings are not only the most unflattering item of clothing, they are the worst trend to have hit the streets in a long time. Unless worn with a long oversized top they look dreadful, but then again that's what normal leggings were for. They are not jeans, so they shouldn't be worn like jeans. Or worn at all!

While the colour selection was beautiful the shoes were definately not beautiful. Some loved crocs, others hated them, and now the trend has passed and they are sitting in shops untouched. 

Burnt orange, burgundy and khaki tones have all been excessive in stores from clothing and accessories to bags, shoes and furniture. The colour trend is over, and pastels and other brights have moved in.

Everyone became obsessed with macaroons. The colours and range of flavours is absolutely amazing and sure makes for a beautiful picture but the treats as a dessert aren't that great. There's plenty more delicious desserts that are around that look just as good !

The mullet hair style for women.