Films that influence fashion

Films that influence fashion

“What hollywood did today, fashion would do tomorrow”
Quoted by elsa schiaparelli

Cinema advertisements on television and in magazines encourage the public to watch films.
Throughout the 20th century films have become more influential in portraying new and upcoming trends that encourage the audience to follow the styles of the actors on the screen.
Films have become a new avenue for advertising in the fashion world. For example, Sex and the City displays many big fashion houses such as monolo blahnik. In one scene, Carrie walks down the street and the shop is in the background quite obviously. This is a form of visual advertising as the audience remembers the brand and this heightens its popularity.

Since the beginning of film, it has influenced the audience to dress like the actors on screen and off.

Rebel Without a Cause (1955) featured James Dean setting a new standard in cool, “Even I had his red biker jacket,” Monolo Blahnik said.

Audrey Hepburn cut her hair off for the film Sabrina to give her look a more grown up woman appearance. It became the rage at the time, young girls and women were asking their hair stylists for an “Audrey Hepburn” hair cut. This demonstrates that it is not only what the actors wear that is powerful, but how they hold themselves and accessorise too. Their hair, makeup and accessories are very much apart of the fashion scene.


To find out more on fashion influences through film, visit www.travellady.com

Designer to watch: Sadotna

~Sadotna is the Melbourne fashion label of designer Bronwyn Nicholson. She has a retail store at 65 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy 3065, Melbourne.

These images are from their 2010 collection. More at www.sadotna.com ~

Precious pieces
by Paper Skye


With simple, elegant designs in pastel colours and the ever flattering black, Kirsten Shadbolt of Paper Skye has some beautiful creations that deserve a mention! First established in June 2008, Kirsten has since been included in Designer for tomorrow at the Perth Fashion Festival 2009, Style AID 2009, a charity event at the Cottesloe Beach Surf life saving club and donated items to the Ronald Mc Donald Charity Ball and CanTeen.
I had the joy of interviewing her and here’s some interesting information I found out…


>>What are your current inspirations?
Taking photos of nature is a huge inspiration. My previous collection, Dreams at the Lakeside was influenced by water and the colours and shades of it were evident in my hand dyed silk dresses. I love open spaces- being brought up in the country has helped me to appreciate camping and going down south is something I always look forward to. Simple things like grass, plants, water and the textures they create are huge influences. Music is always in the background when I am working so I guess that is also an inspiration, along with thinking about travelling and getting excited about new designs.
>>Describe who you envision to wear your clothes..
Feminine women who are comfortable in themselves and are not super stylish but more subtle in their beauty. The wearer does not have a huge amount of money but enough to spend wisely on timeless pieces that can be loved and treasured.
>>Describe your latest collection…
The latest collection comes out in September and includes classic shapes and pieces with attention to detail. The colour palette is made up of soft, pale colours such as skin pinks, beige and other earthy pastels. The designs are made precious through the use of fine frill details and free flowing layers.
>>Can you please explain your favourite piece from this collection…
A two layered georgette long silk maxi with a simple top and buttons. The top has tiny frill detail with many mini layers and comes in the earthy pastel palette.
>>Where did you acquire your skills?
Studied at Central TAFE for Advanced Diploma in Fashion and Textiles and enjoyed sewing and art through high school.
>>Best advice someone has given you/your favourite quote?
“Don’t expect to be recognised before five years when running a business”
>>Any tips for those wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Don’t expect too much too soon. Start small like at a market stall and grow your business from the profits you make as you go. Increase your production slowly to support your business so you’re not out of pocket.
>>Would you say your personal style is reflected in your designs?
No. I create for a different character; she is part of my design process. Personally I choose to wear jeans and a nice top.
>>What is the inspiration behind the label name?
During my time at Central TAFE I created a dress named “Paper Doll” which was constructed from two tops with four armholes in total, I still have it at home actually. After many, many brainstorms the name “Paper Skye” reappeared constantly as Skye was what I wanted to name my daughter. People now say that my label is my first daughter in a way. (And with Kirsten’s love and fine detail in her clothing, calling the label her first child seems quite valid!)
>>Do you prefer Summer or Winter?
Summer! It is more fun to design for.
>>Explain your daily routine…
Every Monday I lecture at Central TAFE, every other day I wake up at 6am, go for a run and leave the house by 7.30 and arrive at my studio by 8am normally after picking up my coffee. If I choose to check and reply to my emails I aim to be at my studio by 9am and normally stay there until about 5.30/6 pm with a 1hour lunch break. My day is always different; I may be designing, cleaning, sewing, cutting, ordering, and driving. I try to stick to these work hours and the routine I am in, I only see my friends out of these hours and enjoy it. When I first started the business I used to work Saturday and Sunday too, but I have finally found the right balance where I get a break. I do love what I do though.
>>What can we expect from you in the future?
My designs will be stocked over east and internationally. I am hoping for big things and plan to grow the business. I have always wanted this so I will keep at it.

Kirsten was going to go into the hospitality industry but I’m glad she has pursued her fashion interest! Her designs can be seen and purchased through www.fashionwa.com

now here's a sunny suggestion...

make your own hat!

You will be needing...

• Fabric for the brim and top of hat


• Interfacing for the brim of hat like Shape well or a stiff interfacing if available


• Perhaps a ribbon to tie your hat to your head or to attach to the top


• Any other decorations you wish to include such as flowers, bows, bells...

First measure your head where your hat will sit (the circumference) and add 1cm to the measurement for wearing ease.

Now it's time for some maths...


Divide the circumference by 6.28. This new measurement will be the radius. Place a compass on your paper and draw a circle with the radius just discovered, the inside area will be cut out.

Then decide how wide you want your hat to be (the brim), the wider it is the floppier it will be which also means more protection! Add 2cm to the width of your brim (this will be your 1cm seam allowance for both sides)

Draw another circle outside the first with the desired depth of your brim (including seam allowance)


There will now be a doughnut shape on your paper, cut two of these "dough" pieces from your fabric and one from your interfacing.


Attach interfacing to the back of one fabric layer (depending on your interfacing you will have to either iron it on or sew it on) Sew the other piece of fabric to the interfacing so you have a "sandwich" of interfacing between your pretty fabric, do this by placing right sides of fabric together and sew 1cm in from the brim. Turn right side out and admire the beautiful brim.


If you choose you can sew on the brim in random patterns or in simple lines, or if you're feeling very outrageous you can add beads and sequins or even put some wadding between the layers and attempt some quilting!


Time for the top... the circumference of your head must be divided by 3.14 to obtain the radius and then add 3cm wearing ease/ seam allowance. Using a compass, draw a circle on a piece of paper with the magic number just created as the radius. Cut out two of this shape in your fabric and if you want a more stable top then also cut out and attach an interfacing.

Sew the two layers together with a 1cm seam allowance, then gather the outside of the top piece so they fit to the inner brim.

Match the inside of the brim with the outside of the top, rights sides together and sew the top layer of the inner brim to the top piece with 1cm seam allowance.



To finish the inside, sew the inner bottom brim layer to the top piece by placing both with their right sides together and sewing with 1cm seam allowance (the last stitches may need to be hand sewn) If you want to attach a ribbon to tie to your head, sew it in now!

Another alternative is to attach the top pieces to the brim with the seam allowance facing out so it frays. As you should notice, this hat is reversible so you can choose to hide the seam completely by gluing or sewing a ribbon over the seam!


Finally... Try it on and if you love it then make more! Send me any pictures of you in your hat and I'll put them up!

Sustainability and styleability.. all together now!

So... you want to do your part to help the environment, to leave a lighter footprint on the planet? Yet still you want to do something for yourself while still looking good and remaining in high style... the solution lies in making the right choice for you and the environment by choosing pieces by the designers below (or others who use sustainable fibres, fabrics and eco friendly things)...

- Goodone, a label established in 2006 they use off cuts of jersey, knits and other recycled fabrics to create one off or mass produced designs of simple beauty. Visit their website to see how they recreate a t-shirt, it is very interesting! http://www.goodone.co.uk/

-Linda Loudermilk, this "green goddess" uses eco friendly fabrics such as bamboo, recycled polyester, hemp satin, seacell organic cotton and organic wool to create fantastic dresses! http://www.lindaloudermilk.com/

-Loomstate, for organic cotton and dyes in really great clothes www.loomstate.org

-Avita, named after "vita" meaning life, this label utilises recycled, organic and earth- friendly materials to create off-beat contemporary designs http://www.avitastyle.com/

-United bamboo, run by Miho Aoki and Thuy Pham their brand now encompasses many areas of the arts including fashion

- Katharine Hamnett, with campaigns like "clean up or die" and 'Free Burma" this designer is set on helping others and the environment http://www.katherinehamnett.com/

- Doie Designs, now incorporate bamboo and organic cotton and dyes into their simple ready to wear designs http://www.doiedesigns.com/

-Edun, created by Ali hewson and Bono this label aims to "build Africa as a viable source of production for fashion" visit www.edunonline.com