Week Two Assignment 1) La Belle Epoque was the name given to approximately the same period in France,because its

meaning beautiful era.Despite its short pre-eminence,the period is characterized by its own unique architectural style,fashion,and way of life.Art Nouveau held a particularly strong influene in that period.

King Edward VII,after whom the Edwardian period is named.1901-1910.[Online image].Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwardian_period(Accessed:11OCT2008) 2) Charles Frederick Worth and Paul Poiret were important designers in 19th century and twentieth-century respectively. Let s talk about Charles Frederick Worth (1825-1895) first, He widely considered the Father of Haute Couture, was an English-born fashion designer of the 19th century. He moved to Paris in 1845 and worked at the House of Gagelin.In 1857 he formed his own company The House of Worth at 7,rue de la Paix.Within 10 years Worth had become a highly influential and respected couturier. He broke away from the tradition of dressmakers and became the first dress artist , an incomparable dress composer . A businessman as much as a visionary,he pioneered several technical innovations such as sewing and embroidering machines,lace frames and chemical dyes to create superb colours.Worth made the principle of seasonal collections universal. (http://www.worthparis.com/charlesworth.html,2008)

Dutch Tulips Gown by Worth 1889

Pau Poiret(1979-1944) was a French fashion designer. His contributions to twentieth-century fashion have been likened to Picasso s contributions to twentieth-century art.He also was an important designer. He revolutionized fashion with his designs for the New Woman ending wasp waists and constricting corsets, reviving a simple, Empire-waisted silhouette, and introducing pantaloons. Around 1910 he introduced the appropriately named hobble skirt, with volume around the hips narrowing to ankle-hugging bottom.He created ensembles of walking coats and dresses, and short hoop lampshade tunics over long sheaths.Inspired by interests in art nouveau ,East Asia, and the Ballets Russes, he designed jewel-colored evening gowns and such exotic costumes as coulottes, harem pants and skirts, fringed capes, and turbans.He was the first designer to produce(1911) a line of fragrances and cosmetics, and also created items for the home.( http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-PoiretP.html). (2008)

Paul Poiret.Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain) 3) S-Bend was given to the fashionable female figure shape in the Edwardian Era.

4)The Gibson Girl was drawn by the American artist Charles Dana Gibson. For twenty years between 1890 and 1910 he satirized society with his image of The New Woman who was competitive, sporty and emancipated as well as beautiful. Her clothes were fashionable in both America and Britain and set a fashion for skirts worn with embroidered blouses.Issey Miyake was the designer recently revived the term.

( http://www.fashion-era.com/la_belle_epoque_1890-1914_fashion.htm#The%2 0Gibson%20Girl)2008 5) Corset is traditionally a garment worn to mold and shape the torso into a desired Shape for aesthetic or medical purposes. Corset in fashion term is to slim the body and make it conform to a fashionable silhouette.( http://en.wikivisual.com/index.php/Corset)2008 The Edwardian period occurred from 1901 to 1910.It succeeded the Victoria period and is sometimes extended to include the period up to the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 (http://www.staylace.com/resourcelist/diction.htm)2008