Symposium at FIT

Cue Club, Notting Hill, 1966, Photo by: Charlie Phillips (from the V&A exhibition Black British Style).

FIT is currently hosting its annual fashion symposium. Organized by Valerie Steele cuncurrently with the Gothic: Dark Glamour exhibition, this year's symposium is dedicated to the topic of subcultural styles.

Among the speakers are Carol Tulloch, who completed extensive research on black British style and curated an exhibition on the topic at the V&A in 2004, and the anthropologist Ted Polhemus, known for his pioneering theories on subcultural styles. A special space seems to be occupied by Japanese style, with three speakers--Yuniya Kawamura, Hiroshi Narumi and Tiffany Godoy--discussing various aspects of Japanese subcultures and street styles.

Please visit the FIT site for a complete schedule.

Fashion Conferences

David Fenton, Chicano Moratorium, Los Angeles, February 28, 1970 (currently on view at Steven Kasher Gallery)

Here is some information on fashion conferences, one of which is currently accepting papers for consideration. Focusing on fashion in the American West up to modern times, "Costume in the American West" encompasses topics as diverse as counterculture fashion, costume and fashion in film and televison, as well as more historical topics on the developing of dress practices which came to be associated with the "Wilde West." Below is the call for paper:

"Costume in the American West: Historic to Modern Times;" September 25-26,2009; Sacramento, California

"The Western Region Symposium offers an opportunity for members of the Costume Society of America to present research on a variety of topics related to the theme “Costume in the American West: Historic to Modern Times.” Some possible topics for papers are: modern and historical fashion designers; dressmakers and milliners; art-to-wear; entertainment from Buffalo Bill and Wild West Shows to opera, dance, theater, film and television; counter cultures; costume in Western American literature; Native American and First Nations cultures; the design process; sports and leisure; manufacturing/manufacturers, gay culture, show girls and beyond!"

Taking place more immenetly, on Saturday November 29th at the ModeMuseum in Antwerp, is MoMu's annual symposium, which this year is on the topic of Male Elegance. Among the speakers is Cristopher Breward, research director of the V&A which will discuss "Dirk Bogarde: From Doctor to Decadent," and fashion and film historian Stella Bruzzi, who will be speaking on "the Dangerous Charms of Alain Delon."

Here is a full programme

Panel on Gothic: Dark Glamour

Riccardo Tisci for Givenchi, 2006

Don't miss the lecture series at FIT running concomitantly to the Gothic: Dark Glamour exhibition currently on view at the Museum at FIT. Of particular interest is the panel on October 30th, for which a number of participants from various disciplines will discuss the splintering of gothic subcultures into various niche styles.

The list of panelists includes Fred Berger, photographer and creator of Propaganda magazine; Julia Bloodgood Borden, cultural anthropologist; Angel Butts, lecturer and PhD candidate; Myke Hideous, artist and musician; and Evan Michelson, owner of Obscura Antiques and Oddities. It will be moderatered by the exhibition curator Valerie Steele.

For more information on pre-registration visit FIT site.

D-Crit's Fantasy League

On Tuesday, July 22 from 7 to 9pm (note: updated time), the School of Visual Arts MFA in Design Criticism presents an evening of sports-fueled design criticism at the KGB bar in the East Village (85 east 4th Street).

"Michael Bierut, co-founder of Design Observer, questions stadium architecture's tendency to nostalgia. Metropolis contributing editor Jennifer Kabat scrutinizes Nike's new uniforms for the Chinese Olympics team. ESPN sports uniform critic Paul Lukas explores the cultural history of the humble baseball cap. Finally, The New York Times car critic Phil Patton considers the curious conflation of celebrity athlete shoes and cars."

The event is free and open to the public.

Tokion Creativity Now Conference 2008

"Fashion Fades Style Remains" Silk-Screened Poster by Katherine Bernhardt from Picture Box

Coming up this weekend at Cooper Union is the Tokion Creativity Now conference, which always proves quite engaging . Perhaps most topical to my interests is the second day of the Conference (Sunday May 18th), as it will include a fashion panel moderated by T magazine contributor Alex Hawgood and a panel on Gary Panter moderated by Brooklyn publisher Picture Box, which just published a book on the famed illustrator.

The excellent publisher has an actual brick and mortar storefront in Carroll Gardens--which makes it, in this day and age, all the more exceptional.