Velvet, more like sandpaper?
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Velvet does not only refer to a noble fabric that is used for both clothing and jewelry. In this context, I would like to refer to the Spanish drama series Velvet from 2014. A homage to the fashion of the 1950s and 1960s, where the aspiring designer Ana Rivera rises to become a star. Alongside a heart wrenching love story with many highs and lows, viewers are presented a picture of the once advancing urbanization, with particular attention paid to the prêt à porter fashion that was common at the time.
The ambiguity of the word is not only refined, but also illustrates the experimental ways of working with the fabric and shows how the use of velvet carries a timeless value for the world of costume design.
Haute couture, exclusivity and class. That was the motto of the Galerias Velvet, in collaboration with Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent.
Looking at the clothing culture of our contemporaries: evening gowns without leg slits paired with opera gloves made of the finest satin and wrist pockets, or as I like to say simply a clutch. Unforgettable when carrying essentials such as portable red lipstick or remaining powder compacts. At this point, I find embellished gloves absolutely brilliant, because they can still be combined with many dresses today. In everyday life as well as at night, the short curly haircut followed by the pillbox hat was indispensable. In addition, never before had the topic of brooches been as in vogue as it was back then. Neck scarves, bowler hats, and bouclé jackets were adorned with them.
The series can be seen as a model for future trends, since many modern trends tie in with their pioneers. The Velvet style is modern and shows how women can be attractive and playful without exaggerating. In recent years, trends have simply lacked the feminine note that is revealed through figure hugging yet elegant pieces.
A quote from the series that I particularly liked:
"The fat dream of being slim, the short want to be tall, the poor dream of being rich, and the rich dream of becoming even richer. That is fashion, dreaming."
(Raúl de la Riva)
When I first heard it back then, I could not quite follow it, but by now it's different. It is true, fashion is not just fashion, it is an expression of a need.
In this piece, I wanted to draw attention to our current approach to fashion, because fashion has become quite superficial and is not always something for everyone. If we were to find our way back more toward the Velvet style, we could not only revive the charm of the 1960s, but also create a foundation for designs and cuts that would be timeless.