THE INSPIRATION BEHIND "MODERN"

The basis of Modern’s range inspiration is how women’s wear adapted into men’s wear portraying a sense of strength and empowerment for women. Designers began blurring men’s wear silhouettes into women’s apparel throughout the 1900’s supporting feminism and women’s rights. The key influence that has been the pinnacle concept of Modern is Yves Saint Laurent “le smoking”; he designed the first tuxedo for women creating a political and social statement and was enormously influential in helping women throughout the feminist movement (Healy, 2015). (Shardlow, 2011) claimed that Saint Laurent was influenced by the avant-garde style of artist Niki De Saint-Phalle, she often wore men's suits with heels, which influenced his design. (Menkes, 2008) Explained Laurent’s designs embodied style, grace, and power, and portrayed women beautifully. He was able to appeal to women at all levels in society and create new perspective during a time of cultural change and expression. Colliding the modern world with the traditional, Yves Saint Laurent introduced masculine norms to women’s fashion; he believed beauty and luxury was for both men and women (Menkes, 2008). (Speakfashion.us, 2015) also supported that Laurent found a sweet balance between femininity and masculinity with his silhouette's being sexy and powerful.

Modern is an A/W women's ready to wear range that includes four outfits. The silhouettes of my collection are based on the inspiration of Yves Saint Laurent's "Le smoking" that deliver fitted, structured silhouettes with design lines complimenting the female figure. The range main fabrication must consist of pinstripe suiting, soft sheer fabrics such as organza, wool and cotton, as it is the fabrication elements that are inspired by Yves Saint Laurent

Below i have curated visuals that have inspired me throughout the process of my range inspiration.

Healy, c. (2015). How Yves Saint Laurent changed fashion. [Online] Dazed. Available at: http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/25429/1/how-yves-saint-laurent-changed-fashion [Accessed 16 March. 2018].

Shardlow, E. (2011). How Yves Saint Laurent revolutionized Women's Fashion By popularizing The "Le Smoking" Suit. [Online] Business Insider Australia. Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com.au/ysls-greatest-fashion-hits-2011-8 [Accessed 10 May 2018].

Menkes, S. (2018). Yves Saint Laurent, the designer who redefined women's wear [Online] Nytimes.com. Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/02/style/02iht- menkes.1.13385897.html [Accessed 12 March, 2018].

speakfashion.us.(2018). Fashion History Classics: Who invented the Women’s Tuxedo? [Online] Available at: http://www.speak-fashion.de/fashion_history/classics/fashion-history-classics-women%E2%80%99s-tuxedo [Accessed 13th of May 2018]