The fashion elements in American drama (home furnishing)

As a big fun of American drama, I thinks that there are amount of fashion cases/elements in these drama. Today, I want to  illustrate the fashion elements of home furnishing that used in American novel series.

Gossip Girl

This series is about a group of young people in Manhattan. As a fashion group of young, the crew invited famous home designer Cristina Tonkin in order to construct luxury and elegant furnishing element.  He is also the scene design of Sex and the City. And the furnishing design are pretty popular in young audience.

The drawing room is a bit simplicity but all of the furniture are investigate. Furthermore, the details of home environment is diligent (e.g. the position of each furniture and light source, and the color and texture of wall)





The light bedroom it is. both lighting and furniture style are comfortable for people. In addition, we can sense of the vigor of this room, such as the yellow lampshade and mural, and red desk. All of them represent a youthful spirit.

  



The bed room looks like a bit wild. However, if you look each item carefully, you can see how delicate the landlord is. Similar as last picture, the bed room was adopted warm color that show a warm and sweet atmosphere.

Friends

It is my most favorite series and I watched it over 5 times! Similar as the double-J dialogue (The first one is Janice's "OH MY GOD!" and the second one is Joey's "How you doing"), the sofa in Central Park is the most memorable furniture for six friends. In front of this sofa, Ross met Rachel. Each friend was talking, arguing, laughing, making a fool of oneself. Therefore, I think this sofa is most popular sofa in American series.
 

Once I looked this sofa, both laughter and tears rise in my mind, exactly a fun of Friends can recognize this scene immediately. By the way, this sofa could be sale for $6000 in auction approximately. 

Let us review this familiar friends again!

The Big Bang Theory

To be honest, I did not recognize it is a American series at first, since both the characters and scenes give a sense of combined culture to me, especially to Sheldon, the chief actor in this series, also is a paranoia.However, it is just verify that America is a pluralistic country that tolerating types of cultures in different areas. Come to this series, there is a VIP seat for Sheldon who do not allow anyone to seat. The seats reflect a custom of American furniture, such as larger size, dignified, but the most important standard is comfortable. Absolutely, amenity is the primary demand of furniture. In terms of material, solid wood, dermis and fabric are classical material quality of American sofa that represents a vintage style.

Man inside fashion - Undershirts

The Purpose of Undershirts

In general case, undergarments is made for prevent the outer clothes from touching the body. This was because bathing was not a regular activity back in the day. More over, undershirt can protect the skin from the dirty thing  (e.g. Germ) that may be scratchy and cause allergic.

However, people tend to wear undergarments more for protection from the elements as a layer of insulation. Undershirts in particular serve to be a ‘sweat rag’ for men – which is to say, they absorb the sweat and prevent the outer shirt from getting gross.

Except these factors, man choosing undershirt also consider other reasons (e.g. Fashion) because fashion undershirt can make people more comfortable and adding flavor of life. As a result choosing suitable one from types of undershirts is vital for gentlemen.

Undershirts Style

There are a few styles of undershirts that have evolved over the years – the classic sleeveless, the v-neck and the crew-neck. More recently, there have been plenty of ‘performance underwear’, which are undergarments used for sporting activity. These, however, are not suitable for wearing on a daily basis with your dress shirts, as they tend to be highly visible.

Classic Sleeveless Undershirt

This is really not the most suitable sweat rag, since it does not cover your armpits and on top of that. It also tends to leave a very visible outline under your shirt. However, this style has become very popular for gym or beach wear, on its own.

V-neck vs Crew Neck Undershirts

Since these two are suitable for absorbing sweat from under the armpits, the question boils down to the style of the neck line. If wearing a dress shirt, I generally prefer the v-neck as it tends to be less visible under the shirt. Nevertheless, in sometimes, having the top of the undershirt show may be the style you are trying to achieve – in which case, go for it.

Fit and Color of Undershirts

When it comes to fit, snug is the only word to use. Your undershirt needs to be like a second layer of skin so that it does not get uncomfortable over the day, especially around the sleeves, which you do not want bunching around under your dress shirt. When it comes to color, most people would opt for white, but if you wish to keep the undershirt as invisible as possible, go for a color that matches your skin tone.

So the right or wrong question for undershirts we started with is actually moot, because if you are from a tropical country or just generally tend to sweat a lot, you may want to consider an undershirt. If you just like wearing one and it fits into your personal style, then do not let anyone stop you either.

Japanese Fashion Elements

Japanese fashion is a special and amazing fashion style in the world. Different with mainstream fashion style in Europe and America, it is full of domestic sense, but is also combined with other fashion elements in the world.

Traditional Japanese Fashion Style










   
    Modern Japanese Fashion Style

Category

Lolita fashion

The original means of Lolita is a famous fiction by Vladimir Nabokov. However, it was given the bran-new meaning in Japan which is based on Victorian-ear clothing, but is more apply to young, cute girls. In generic, there are four main types of Lolita style in Japan.

* Gothic Lolita - is Lolita with a heavy influence from the Eastern and Victorian Goth style. Often characterized by dark colors, crosses, bats and spiders, as well as other popular gothic symbol. 

* Sweet Lolita - is the most popular Lolita style in Japan and most of girl make them as childlike style (e.g. baby animals, fairy animals and innocent).

* Traditional Lolita - is very traditional. It is very mature, and business-like and focuses on light colors such as, blue, green, and red.

* Kodona - is a more masculine version of Lolita, influenced by Victorian boys's clothing. 'Prince pants', which are short capri-style pants that are cut off the knee, usually with some sort of detail.

Anime Fashion

As national industry in Japan, Anime has a special position. Therefore, Anime Fashion is so popular that is pursuit by young people. For instance, cos-play is a ramification of anime fashion that people simulate their favorite characters of anime in terms of clothing and actions, such as One Piece and Naruto.

Some best dressed males of Japanese anime in my views:

* Subaru - CLAMP rules supreme! Even though I'd be scared to meet a guy like him in real life, in anime, he's got loads of style. The black gloves, black bodysuit, cool hat, the cross...

* The members of Gasp - To-Y himself, the drummer, guitarist, and bassist... each of them has his own style. Personally, I think the bassist and To-Y look the best.

* Hasegawa - The big boss. He dresses well and has an attitude, but it's the lighter that puts him on this list.

* Ryouga - I don't know why, but I've always liked his style. Maybe it's the headband, maybe it's the umbrella, or maybe it's the angst. He's got the look of a guy who's always traveling, who carries all his world's possessions on his back.

* Utsumi-san aka Richard Wong - Nice suit, but the glasses win it once again. He's always smiling, too. 

  

Fantastic collaboration - Costume, Fashion and Film

Fantastic collaboration - Costume, Fashion and Film

One Question

I often think of a question that what is fashion is? Is it a totally independent thing/feature or it need to depend on some particular fields, such as costume or film? As Bruzzi mentioned, the distinction between costume and couture design is the thinking/inspiration that allow clothes independent without body, character and narrative. So it can be said that there are something supporting the inspiration to continually design more and more costume. In my opinion, this "believe" is means that pursuing fashion truth. In other words, fashion is a real concept which is not only self-existence, but is changeable frequently.

The characters of fashion film

     Typical fashion models

It is true that film directors can highlight the fashion features with the help of   cinematography and consummate acting skill of actors. However, fashion costumes give a fantastic makings to characters that corresponding roles' identities and also bring a new style to films. 

 

This picture shows a fantastic style these models presenting. Nevertheless, if we only retain these clothes, what will be happened? 

Fashion costumes without models

Look at these costumes! How beautiful and fantastic they are. Therefore, we can say that there is a soul inside fashion costumes even no models wear them.In addition, these costumes represent a fashion spirit that attracting the mass. It is the real value of fashion costume.

A mix-up way between fashion and film

Although fashion is independent,  there is often a complex relationship between fashion and film. To recognize and understand this phenomenon, there are five points we need to know.

Firstly, costume designer influencing fashion because costume designer has a talent and more sensitive in fashion sense that helping them to grasp the attracting fashion elements and lead to fashion trend. They are the agent of fashion.

Secondly, fashion also influencing costume design. How fashion influences costume design? It is just the process that costume designers feel and seek any elements (e.g. color, clothing style) in the world. It need to be mention that fashion feature is an essence of aesthetic, and anyone cannot ensure that he/she can immediately catch up the fashion element and use it into their designs.

Thirdly, fashion need to be materialized into some thing (e.g. clothes). As soon as it happened, fashion is consider as an approach to support the film because they are interact with each other. For instance, the fashion industry plays a role in the narrative.

Fourthly, there is an interest chain between fashion and film (television) industry. On one hand, the cinema and television as marketing tool for the fashion industry. On the other hand, fashion plays one of the most important role in a movie/TV program. In other words, it is a double-win case from fashion and media industry.

Finally, the use of cinematic references in fashion films and editorial because there are many similar patterns or approaches between them.

Masculinity and Fashion in different era

Preface

It can be said that we live in a unique era that different with any other time. The unbelievable development of technology, the ubiquitously universal value in the world (e.g. liberal democracy), and also accompanied by diverse values/elements shock people, all of them are seen through an historical lens. Whilst, when it comes to modern culture, especially in fashion term, we are amazing at their fantastic change, such as the means of masculinity in different stages.

A male model in fashionable T stage

Beckham, the typical label of masculinity in the world 

Mans Fashion Photography With Oil Painting

A traditional general in China

Changeable masculinity images in screen

Whatever these images present, it is interesting that the definition of masculinity is dynamically changed in space-time. And then, I will lists two film male characters who represent masculinity temperament in different time. 


Sylvester Stallone  

Sylvester Stallone, as the representative personage of unyielding man, Stallone emerged robust, integrity, violence and tough in his early roles, such as Rocky and Rambo. His master work includes Rocky Series, First Blood, etc. Strong muscle,waistcoat and charming smile are the label of Stallone. In addition, he is also a well adapter and director who directed and acted Rocky. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Although he and Stallone looks like twins that play similar role of masculinity, they are  

totally different in my views. Stallone looks like the flame who shows who is he to his audiences without reservation. On the other hand, Arnold Schwarzenegger seems like seawater who are too cool to be grime. However, it is a heat heart under the poker face. For instance, people cannot forget his role in The Terminator who are the loyal robot and no fear to sacrifice in order to protect the young scientist. Sunglasses and black jacket is his standard layout. 

Jean Renoir

One of the most famous actor in French. Renoir's action style is 

influenced by Marlon Brando who got Oscar Winner twice. In my

view, Renoir is the leader of masculinity in Europe. In the movie of 

Leon, he used a deep and restraining acting skill to perform the 

killer Leon and accepted by most of audience. Once I see his

movie, I attracted by his eyes carelessly. In addition, as his 

successful action in Leon, he got the opportunity to develop in 

Hollywood. After that , Renoir acted some well motion pictures, 

such as Mission Impossible and The Da Vinci Code. Cool color 

dressing is his dressing feature.