Comme des Gracons

 Comme des Gracons is a Japanese fashion label based in Tokyo founded by Rei Kawakubo. The label, which translates to "like boys" was started in 1969 and established as a company in 1973. According to many fashion experts, Kawakubos influence on fashion history is as significant as Cristobal Balenciaga, and Coco Chanel. Comme des Gracons aesthetic is extremely unique and breaks all of the conventional rules of fashion design. She is always on the cutting edge of avant garde fashion. Some of her garments include three arm holes, others have elongated turtlenecks that shield the face. One of her collections was even called "lumps and bumps" and included bulky balls of fabric hanging from the garments. Her works are the visible expressions of her inner life, ideas, feelings, and intuitions. One of her previous employed says the designer said “make clothes that nobody has ever seen. She wanted extreme beauty.” Throughout the 80's the label was associated with the "punk" and "distressed" oriented style. She currently has over 200 franchises around the globe. Throughout all of her endeavors, Rei Kawakubo has built a fashion empire worth $180 million dollars. 

manufactured fiber

 Today while reading through a comprehensive chapter about fibers, I learned a lot about the process, manufacturing, and properties of many manufactured fibers. One of the first and most intriguing things I learned about was how the fibers are made. I learned that the source material (wood or bamboo) is chemically treated and converted into a liquid. It is then extruded out of a spinneret to form the fibers. I also now know that there are plenty of fiber modifications. Elastoester is more desirable than spandex many times because it dyes better and is less susceptible to chlorine. I also learned that chemicals used and handling of the fiber during production can affect its properties. I now know the difference between staple fibers and filaments. I learned about different synthetic fibers like rayon, lyocell, acetate, triacetate, olefin, and more. I also learned about what each of these fabrics are commonly used for and why.
Source: (www.startupfashion.com)

What are goals? Do you have any goals? Do you have short-term or long-term goals? Do you thing goals are important - why or why not?

  My goal as of right now is to attend a community college to transfer into a university. This will get me closer to my main goal which is to work in the art world. Creative fields are extremely competitive and require skill that cannot be tough but that comes from within the artist. This is why another goal of mine is to harness my talents and discipline myself within my craft. More specifically I would like to work in the fashion industry. This is my goal because fashion truly inspires me and I want to work in environment that incites passion and joy in myself. I think working in a job that inspires you will enrich your life in every aspect. I understand that getting to where I want to be wont be easy and that is why I want to get as much experience as I can so it will be easier to navigate throughout the industry. This is why another one of my goals is to network with as many people as I can. This is significant to anybody who has a common goal because you can get different perspectives on how other people are doing what you want to do.

Source: (www.andreatorrencerealestate.com)

Natural Fibers

What is critical thinking? Why is critical thinking in the fashion world extremely important? Give at least one example of how one would use critical thinking in this industry.

 Critical thinking is a mod and way of thinking. Its a way of thinking about different subjects and content in which the thinker enriches their way of thinking. They then skillfully take charge of the structures inherit in thinking and put intellectual standards on them. Everybody thinks, but it is important to critically think because most of our thinking is biased, uniformed, distorted, or just prejudice. Its also important to critically think because the quality of the lifes we make for yourself boils down to how we think. It's crucial in the fashion industry to think critically because it raises vital questions and problems. This is important because in a fast paced work space, its good to formulate and asses your problems clearly so you can solve them with ease. Critically thinking also gathers and assess relevant information using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions. One example of how critically thinking is important in fashion is that fashion houses have to think of how to become successful. Successful businesses do not become successful from one sided thinking.

Eileen Fisher

 In a world that is being destroyed at a rate that isn't sustainable, I admire Eileen Fisher's decision to talk about her opinions about the industry. The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry on the planet. This comes from production, raw material, textile manufacture, clothing construction, shipping, retail, and disposal of the garment. It also comes from the pesticides to grow the cotton, the toxic dyes, and waste created during clothing production. The problem has only gotten worse due to a new trend in the industry which promotes attaining an extreme demand ans selling quick and cheap clothes. I think Eileen Fisher was smart for sharing her thoughts even though it might hurt her sales. This is because I believe she wants to be a role model to others in the industry. I think she thinks she can cause change within the work space she works in. It is important for more and more designers and manufacturers to adapt their current business model and start thinking progressively. This would relive so much stress that the industry puts on the Earth.

Source: (www.feelgoodstyle.com)

How is your group's collection like a story? How do the pieces complement each other? Why would your customer's want to put themselves in the middle of your story?

 My groups collection builds a story because it cohesively creates a mood. The pieces in our collection emit a tone that comes to life when worn. It is our responsibility as designers and artist, to give context to our art to create meaning. Once we apply context to our collection, the garments become pieces of art that have an appeal. People would want to put themselves in our story because it allows them to be part of the fantasy that is our collection. Our collection is dark and seductive and appeals to people who like danger. Each garment in our collection compliment each other through shape, texture, and color. These elements of design in each garment build an overall narrative through out the whole collection. The garments in our collection share a color story as well. The pieces in our collection have blacks, reds, and small pops of colour.

Source: (www.wwd.com)