Making Vintage Modern: a New Future

While fashion has existed as long as recorded history, the extreme popularity of widely available fashion, the super model, the runway, magazines and departments stores all become prominent in the mid-century. The super model was a woman, she was strong, classic, feminine and poised. Editorials were filled with the glamour of Paris, silk stockings, hats and gloves, Dior's New Look, and scenes set with careful composition printed in crisp black and white. By the 1980s and 90s, an even more powerful women strutted and stomped the runway in a style that really demanded a high level of practiced athleticism cloaked in fluid grace. Editorials were vibrant, photographers were pushing horizons and designers created dreams full of shoulder pads, pumps and lipstick, draped gowns, sequins and the avant garde.

Today they say that fashion is at a point of less interest. Makeup on the runways a few seasons ago was even non-existent. Editorials are filled with yoga pants and gym clothes. The models are childlike teenagers, as uninspired as another black cotton jersey t-shirt dress. The runway drones on with a boredom walked in sneakers.

However, this most recent season, especially with the cruise shows, there has been an increase in the creativity of the makeup and the locations, inspiring exclusive getaways and a look into fantastical worlds of luxury and travel. Models have seen an increase in the range of age and dress size over the past few years. There is new interest in film photography and reinvention of the creative process popular among new photographers. I believe that the internet, bloggers and instagram will also contribute to ushering in a new era adding more diversity to the fashion world. Once again, we are at the beginning of something new.

For this post I was inspired by the powerful image of the woman in the 90s with a feeling of futuristic that also felt vintage. It came out as a sort silver samurai woman fit for the Fifth Element.

Photography: Laura Okita

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