The Way of The World

Feb 3, 2009

Last Saturday, Lauren took me to the ECA performance costume exhibit where her marvelous work is on display! The entire exhibit is inspired by the play 'The Way of The World' by William Congreve - so the pieces were reminiscent of 17th century garb and silhouettes. I thought the use of mirrored PVC as the main material of all the clothing was just visually stunning and the innovative use of cut work, pleats and folds was just genius.

Here's Ms. Talented Laurenzo Mcleanster with her fabulous work. I couldn't believe that the entire thing was made out of ONE mirrored pvc sheet. In fact, the entire thing folds into a triangle. :o Amazing, right?

Details of her work. Apparently it was a bitch to get all the proportions of the triangular folds right...but so worth it! The entire piece was just gorgeous.


Another one of my favorites is Sarah's work...and not just because she's my friend. haha! The detail, the cutouts, and the shape of the entire thing is just so well made and beautiful. In fact, I'd love to be dressed in something similar had I been born in the 17th century.

I love love love this piece as well. The construction was just impeccable!!!!

My other picks:


In 1700, The Way of the World was performed at Lincon's In Fields, London. It was Congreve's last play and although it was not a runaway success at the time, it has survived in performance since then and come to be regarded as his greatest comedy of manners. Congreve had a relatively short career as a dramatist, as he was training in law at the same time: his first play was produced in 1693, but by 1700 he had decided to end his writing career. His legal training shows through in many aspects of the play, while there is also a considerable formal deisgn to it. His play also harks back to the comedies of Ben Jonson and far beyond that to the Roman writers Plautus and Terence. But Congreve tries to make his stock comic characters more believable, and his concern is the reconciling of the ideals of moral conduct with the reality of social relations and behavior.

The story concerns two lovers, Mirabell and Mrs. Millamant, and the obstacles put in their way by Lady Wishfort (Mrs. Millamnant's aunt) who wishes her niece to marry Sir Wildull Witwould. Also conspiring against their happy union are Mrs. Marqood and her lover Fainall. The characters operate with singular self-regard, conscious of fashion and their station in society and the figure they cut out in public.


Students were asked to design costumes for these characters, taking the clothes of 1700 as a starting point for an exploration of form and texture, using a single fabric- a mirrored PVC - for all characters. Students also took inspiration from contemporary fashion. In parallel, they explored the textural possibilities of the mirrored fabric, through many experiments in cut-work, pleating, folding, stitching and weaving.


(Source : ECA level 3 performance costume)

Oh, and this was what I wore:

Coat: Dorothy Perkins, Dress: H&M, Bag: Chanel, Shoes: Clark's, Tights: Topshop

36 comments:

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

I love what u are wearing. u always have the best clothes. that coat is to die for.

Rosanna said... Best Blogger Tips

ahhhh i love your coat!!!!!!!!!!

i devour fashion said... Best Blogger Tips

i love your coat and your style is impeccable!

electric feel said... Best Blogger Tips

THAT'S FASHION MEETS ART!!!

ren said... Best Blogger Tips

Your friend is genius! From the pieces you've shown, I'm sure it was an amazing exhibit.
;)

Larissa said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow, those foil outfits are beyond amazing. I'd admire people who are that creative sooo much!

x

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Love the coat.

♥ Marta ♥ said... Best Blogger Tips

Omg the works are incredible...

As for your outfit, I adore it. The jacket is phenomenal.

FashionSqueah! said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh I have that same coat, I always get compliments on it! I am so impressed by these pieces, if only I was talented enough to create something like that...Char x

Wendy said... Best Blogger Tips

Your military styled coat is amazing.

Ashton said... Best Blogger Tips

wow i adore that coat! it's fabulous. those designs are really cool too.

Ane said... Best Blogger Tips

those coats are mind blowing....your coat is really cute :)

Nina (Femme Rationale) said... Best Blogger Tips

wow, those pieces are amazing. and i love your military style coat.

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

lovin your coat!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

That is so interesting:)
xo

The July Girl said... Best Blogger Tips

wow!! your friend is very creative!
and the coat your wearing is so cute!

Mo said... Best Blogger Tips

that is amazing structure on those pieces, and yor coat makes evryting incredible

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

all your friends are so creative! and i love your coat! your style is impeccable! i wish though your pictures weren't so blurry! :)

love,
cici

What is Reality Anyway? said... Best Blogger Tips

LOVE it, love the coat too

Mare said... Best Blogger Tips

that coat is stunning!

Natalie said... Best Blogger Tips

I love your jacket!! It's so cute! And wow those garments are soo beautifully constructed and the details!

x NAtalie

hanna said... Best Blogger Tips

anonymous - aaw *blush* thanks!

sans- i love it too! cheap lang yan..got it from the sale.

i devour, la mod is rad, marta, wendy, ashton, tailorstitch,nina, emma, choo,mo, krystal, M Paris - thank you so much!!

electric feel- my sentiments exactly.

keren, july girl, N- im so proud of my friends..im probably the least creative of them all!! haha.

char- i get tons of compliment on it too!!! :D

Laroux- they were even more beautiful in person.

cici- i REALLY should get a new camera but everytime i save enough money i just blow it on clothes/bags/shoes. hahaah!! im still waiting for someone to gift me a good camera. sorry about the sucky pictures :D

Jaime Jun said... Best Blogger Tips

wowow these are amazing! and you look fabulous as always! love your blazer, oh so pretty! oh and this is kinda late, but to answer your question, my dress is from cache :)

yiqin; said... Best Blogger Tips

The fabric is so shiny & lovely!!!! :D

the healthy ghost said... Best Blogger Tips

Gorge¡
xx

HoneyBunny said... Best Blogger Tips

wow! those pieces look soooo amazing! and your looked gorgeous as always:*

Linnéa said... Best Blogger Tips

WOW! Amazing!!
Btw; Love your outfit <3
xoxo

Annabel Wendt (LoveMore) said... Best Blogger Tips

your coat looks fabulous on you! great styling.

and those peices of art are so interesting and great!

hope all is well!
xxx LM

LF said... Best Blogger Tips

Darling coats! Great blog :))

Chloe said... Best Blogger Tips

That's insane!

and i adore your coat

L.I.N said... Best Blogger Tips

wow the clothes are awesome. and so is your coat!

Theresa said... Best Blogger Tips

Gorgeous Coat. LOVE it
S-R

Danielle Bella said... Best Blogger Tips

really amazing!!!!

Nil said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow these are great and I love your coat!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

lovely coat. i love your style!

luv, sari

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

love your coat!