I posted yesterday about the new Vogues. I was in a big hurry and wanted to post while the sale was still active.
Now that the rush is over, here are some musings.
For some time now, sewists in the blogsphere and participating on forums have been wondering what is up with the poses Vogue is using to feature their new patterns. The image at the top of the post was taken from their new patterns page. It has been pointed out, quite rightly, that it is reminiscent of the wall of a high rise building. Or maybe a Top Model version of Celebrity Bingo. A model "shadowbox", as it were.
For example, let's look at the model in the third square on the top row.
The same dress, in a different fabric:
This dress is actually the Lynn Mizono dress, Vogue 1312. My Tablecloth skirt was inspired by the RTW version of dress, which I still haven't seen in person. It will be interesting to compare the Vogue pattern to my version.
How about the second woman in the second row:
This is a Chado Ralph Rucci dress. I like this dress very much. The seaming is lost in the red fabric, but if you study the line drawings, you will see how interesting it is.
How about the styling of this Marcy Tilton bag?
I like the look of this bag very much, even if it won't hold my jumbo leaf.
hahaha - nice work Shams. I thought it was a bit odd too. What frustrates me is that I really want to be able to 'see' the design in the clothing. When significant design elements are lost in an inappropriate fabric choice, or my first impression of a potential outfit is reduced because of a lousy pose, well - I'm not inclined to buy. I think Vogue needs a new art direction. What ever happened to Glamour? Elegance? Good styling and fabric choices can make the difference between good sales and bad sales, I'm sure of it.
ReplyDeleteI thought about your skirt too and just posted on PR about it ...
ReplyDeleteWas Vogue inspired by all the iterations of the tablecloth skirt? I think that could have entered into it. I will definitely buy this pattern as I have wanted to make a dress like Missoni's. I don't quite get the post thing. I like to see my garments head on so I can pick out the details. Artistically speaking, the photos are great although occasionally humorous. But from a sewing standpoint, not so.
ReplyDeleteMeant to say "pose thing". My typo.
ReplyDeleteGotta disagree with you (gently). I love that leaf! Even though it is kind of funny, I think it's also rather inspired. By adding such a big hit of green, they've turned just-another-picture-of-a-bag into something much more interesting, but without concealing the bag itself. The weird crouching postures...those are hard to relate to. I don't pay much attention to Vogue, as their draft fits me the worst of any of the pattern companies.
ReplyDeleteThe poses certainly are strange, but the last release was pretty weird too. More than the poses, that model looks like she hasn't had a real meal since the last release either! I liked the K. Tilton top but thought that collar might be too much for me. The two S.Betzina offerings in jackets and coats I did like and are on my list for the next sale. For me it's such a crap shoot with Vogue and their sizing/drafting.
ReplyDeleteLol.
ReplyDeleteDoes the pattern come with a Vogue magazine or something?
Photographer: I got a $20 budget and a large square window...let's do this!!!!
Lol.... Maybe trying to look more high fashion? I'm loving that red dress.. So interesting
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this, it's made me laugh on a very hot uncomfortable day in the office. I did wonder what the model in the black dress was doing, now I know !
ReplyDeleteOne of their recent releases every model had her foot up in the air. I couldn't decide if they were taking very big steps like ministry of silly walks, or squashing bugs.
ReplyDeleteThe crouching is very odd. I don't understand fashion.
Ha, ha, ha!! that was funny - the lady in the black dress! Perhaps they are trying to be more Burda like.
ReplyDeleteHere's my theory -- that's an actual window she's standing in, and the glass is about 5 feet square. If she stands up straight, the background will be cut in 2 by the window frame. If that's the case, the model is doing a pretty good job posing.
ReplyDeleteClaudine (couturearts.wordpress.com)
Hey Shams, How nice to get to know you a little better. I can always use some humor during the day, so thanks for supplying.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the Chado dress and think I will have to add it to the fall winter line up..perhaps in a nautical navy
LOL. Thanks for starting my morning off with a laugh.
ReplyDeleteObviously they have a new stylist. I like that Mizono dress a surprise because most of her patterns don't work for my figure. The red dress from Chado should be a stunner on your figure.
BTW there was a post on the Palmer Pletsch sewing school about using multi cup size patterns and she was told if you are larger than a DD cup use the B cup and do an fba. This is exactly what I ended up doing with that Silhouette top. So much for multi cup sizes!
You are cracking me up! I love the leaves at Costco styling!
ReplyDeletehahahahaha! You are completely right! These poses and the confining window square are very odd, and I confess I had some of the same thoughts about that dress! The leaf shopping is yours alone though!! Time to dash, Costco has a great deal on sticks!
ReplyDeleteSo funny! Thanks for the morning laugh!
ReplyDeleteROTFLOL! You are toooooo funny! Yeah the poses are getting to be a bit ridiculous...they've veered a little too far into BurdaStyle land.
ReplyDeleteYou are one funny woman! Maybe Vogue should hire you to write their copy...
ReplyDeleteAll of the above models look like they are squatting in a public restroom. It is ridiculous the model shots they choose.
ReplyDeleteThat leaf appears to be from a 'White Bird' plant, of which I have many on my property. They grow quite tall here, and the leaves are lovely in vases - but never, ever have I dressed up and carried one around. Nor do I have plans to accessorize my outfits in such a manner. WTH?
That is hysterical! You are so right. Just one of the many things that Vogue seems to be getting wrong these days.
ReplyDeleteYou've called it on the model's poses...I was laughing at that when it appeared in my email yesterday. I mean, seriously...these are PATTERNS, people! The model's poses weren't even interesting...just awkward (sorry to be harsh) and didn't show the actual dresses made from the patterns off to good advantage in most cases. SIGH. The oversize leaves were actually the most interesting pics, in my opinion. Can't handle that ridiculous crouching nonsense!
ReplyDeleteinteresting, they are a little strange
ReplyDeleteI ordered a couple of the patterns last night...and was thinking "I wonder what Shams will say about these this week". Thanks for the laugh.
ReplyDeleteThe model in the Issey Miyake coat, V1320, brings to mind the French Taunt from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Now I think of it, that could be what most of them are doing.
ReplyDeleteI want the leaf. It's the most beautiful thing in all those photos. So odd and compelling, I keep wanting to look at it. I'm loving that bracing lustrous green and feel I should be wearing that leaf. That was yesterday and granted it was 90 degrees and humid in NYC. Quite a shock for a vacationing San Franciscan. However, today I saw the Schiaparelli/ Prada Impossible Conversstions exhibit at the Met. Utter inspiration for using that leaf- embroidered, appliquéd, printed, painted, with jewels, broken glass or bugs. Then there's hats and shoes. If Vogue is going this route, they have to be more outrageous, not less.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I urge you to potpone buying a sewing machine. Rather, get to NY and see this show! You'll love the leaf too. ~ Wendy ~
What a treat to read your post this morning, a bit of lighthearted but serious query... I was actually glad to see the Mizono dress, as one idea that I have had is to attach your tablecloth skirt to a bodice, since I do not really wear skirts. This gives me (an admittedly silly looking pose) that shows how it could work. I rarely purchase patterns, but always always look at the line drawings, since the sketches, and especially photos, never really show the basic plan and interesting details of the designs
ReplyDeletetoo funny. I laughed out loud at the leaf exchange...
ReplyDeleteha ha! It is graphic, shams. Don't you understand this is supposed to be exciting imagery? Maybe you do! You are excited! The images did their job!
ReplyDeleteWhat bothers me is seeing draglines on a garment that I might want to sew. I love that Ralph Rucci dress (the cat burglar) so I feel sorry for it being displayed this way. Maybe this is a function of being an actual sewist - we don't like to see garments mocked. I don't get fashion, or maybe I should say, I don't get the styling. I just love nice clothes.
Sharon, you have me cracking up! I thought the same thing as looked at these photos. One the amazing things to me and this is on the McCalls and Butterick side, is that so many of the blouses/dresses look like choir robes! All the gathers at the shoulders.
ReplyDeleteEverywhere I turn today I'm finding things that absotively crack me up!!! Thanks for continuing the trend so entertainingly :D :D :D
ReplyDeleteNow, this is so funny! poor vogue models,they probably had to pass a stretching test this season!
ReplyDeleteI had so many of the same thoughts, very funny post, thanks! I do love that Chado Ralph Rucci dress - it is definitely the only item I thought called my name. And did anyone notice? I detected a lot of bathrobe-ish looks among these patterns, perhaps comfort is king at Vogue patterns this season.
ReplyDeleteYou are so funny! Thanks for the laugh. Secret agent or cat burglar? Hmmm?
ReplyDeleteOh, this was funny! I was excited to see the email about the new patterns but quickly got really frustrated trying to see the lines on the garments amongst those really awkward poses. I was even mentally composing an eye-rolling post...except I didn't want to bother linking it all up! You've expressed it beautifully! Thanks for the chuckle!
ReplyDeleteObviously all these models are trying out for the new show, "What's My Mime?"...no words needed, just pose and the contestants will decide what on earth you are supposed to be doing never mind showing off the best features of the clothes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post, you brought a smile to my face today! Certainly the poses are strange, I think they try to be original, but distract from the standard model, I would kill for that red dress!
ReplyDeletelol. Thanks for the laugh.
ReplyDeleteActually, I rather like those poses; what fun!
I would never consider buying a pattern before seeing the line drawing anyhow. Those classic pattern-front poses and expressions have always seemed a little strange to me. These just fit in somehow. (Literally: they fit in that square window frame...) ;)
Shams,
ReplyDeleteYou are too funny! You even got a comment from Marcy Tilton in her blog. I'll be interested to see the next Vogue Patterns Magazine to see if they are carrying this new kind of dramatics to those pages.
It did get my attention but that's just fashion. I always look at the line drawings when the new patterns come out so the strange poses won't stop my pattern collection.
Remember the strange mannequins on Marcy's pants patterns? Who knew studied the line drawings and until tried the actual patterns how great they were.
Keep sewing and keep us laughing.
Leslie or lessalt
Quite hilariously funny .... maybe that was the purpose?
ReplyDeleteGreat giggles happening here; love your post. Crouching tiger, hidden seams? Some of these will be wonderful when amazing seamstresses like you tackle them in real life. Until then I'll pass on most of them.
ReplyDeletehahaha!
DeleteThanks for the laughs. Too bad Vogue couldn't come up with a better idea than posing their models on a window sill. A short window, at least, shorter than the models. That's why they're in such awkward positions - there's no room to stand up straight!
ReplyDeleteI'm behind on my reading so I just enjoyed catching up on your blog. The Koos bag is really great. I love the changes you made to it. Painting the zipper was a smart move.
Glad your sewing mojo has come around again!
I actually liked the photos done in front of the window of NYC, from an artistic/creativity point of view. Nice frame, greyish patterned background of buildings to highlight the bright colored dresses. Then I quickly moved on to the line drawings, which really determine whether I buy the pattern or not. I did think of you when I saw the Mizono dress. And I enjoyed your photo captions.
ReplyDeleteHello fellow Bay Area blogger - very funny post and I completely agree! Bizarre model poses aside, I do like a lot of the patterns and ended up buying a lot of them before the sale ran out. Why is it with every Chado Ralph Rucci pattern, Vogue uses a fabric where the topstitching is lost. I think his patterns are divine.
ReplyDeleteI believe there was an episode of Sex & the City called "Splat", where the actress from 3rd Rock (I forget her name, but she is HILARIOUS) takes a drunken fall out of a window? Totally reminds me of that!
ReplyDelete"bad dose of the Burdas" LOL!
ReplyDelete1312 is actually a really nice dress and goes together easily- just finished it and wore it the first time. It's flattering and just funky enough to have some pop while not being over the top. I did the bodice in charcoal suedecloth and the skirt in a small blue/black plaid wool blend suiting fabric, and got lots of compliments.
ReplyDelete