Judging
posted by Madeleine Vionnet at
7:28 AM
3 Comments
Friday, April 15, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Interview
Interviewer: Bonjour! Bonjour! It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Vionnet! Let’s start this little interview off from where Madeleine started. Back around the ----‘s, in your early years of life. What events in those early years of yours interested you in the arts?
Madeleine Vionnet: Well, as a young child I lived a life of poverty. Therefore, I was not heavily into the arts. However, at age twelve I began working as an apprentice seamstress. Something about the work was enchanting, in a sort of sense. I felt this feeling of awe and knew then that I would continue on with this career but I had no intent on living life as just a seamstress. I knew that I wanted to do bigger and better things. Matter of fact, I wanted to go beyond that. I wanted to be the best. It wasn’t until I worked as head master in The House of Callot Soeurs and then the head of Jacques Doucet Maison de Couture when I began to refine my talents, though.
Interviewer: Born into a life of poverty? And yet still becoming an incredibly talented despite that obstacle? How classic but equally inspiring!
Madeleine Vionnet:
Interviewer: What were the key oppurtunties you had that led to turning points in your life and art?
Madeleine Vionnet: Key oppurtunties that let to turning points in my life we’re being head master in The House of Callot Soeurs and also being the head of Jacques Doucet Maison de Couture. Both of those experiences equipped with the knowledge and management skills that I would need to later run “Vionnet.” Another key opportunity I had was being blessed to work with some of the people I got too like Boris Lacroix the architect who also created my perfume line and crystal sculptor Rene Laique.
Interviewer: What was the world like in your particular art field when you entered it?
Madeleine Vionnet: The world of fashion was extremely competitive … At precisely twenty-five years old, designers left and right were taking the world by storm. Gibson came out with “Confection.” Corset’s were continuing to be the foundation of garments and though small changes were being made, the bigger ones seemed to be slower to catch on. However in 1907 Paul Poiret came out with elegant dresses that incorporated high-waistlines and no corsets. This was the beginning of a revolution in which my designs would contribute to.
Interviewer: Ah, competition. The reason why humanity has lost their sanity! Oh, how I make myself laugh. But continuing on how did the major cultural, economic and political situations of the time impact your work?
Madeleine Vionnet: Economic situations highly impacted my work in unimaginable ways. In 1912 I founded my own fashion house which was called “Vionnet.” My house was so enormous that it grew to employ as many as 1,100 – 1,200 seamstresses and was the first fashion house in the world that created ready-wear from haute couture for sale in the united states. Not only that but the “Vionnet” was one of the most important fashion houses of the 1930’s. Anyways, as the years went on I also came to create the “biased cut” which is what I am most well known for. But due to the economic crisis that dealt with World War II I decided it’d be best to close “Vionnet” on August 29th of 1939 which I ended off with my “farewell” collection. Had World War II not happened I have high hopes Vionnet would have continued to dominate the world.
Interviewer: World War II killed so many. I’m sorry about the lose Miss Vionnet. But you did have some major accomplishments that did survive until this day. What were those and the methods used in your arts?
Madeleine Vionnet: My biggest accomplishment through-out my life was the infamous biased cut. Today I am known as the “Queen of Biased Cuts.” This was one of my biggest accomplishments because I took beauty, elegance and utter grace to create a seemingly flawless design. My main method is my work was a quote that was the rule to my industry. I believed that whenever a woman smiled, her dress was to smile as well. I also made my designs reflect my belief that every woman was beautiful, constantly trying to find ways to make dresses so that whomever wore them would feel like a queen despite reality.
Another one of my accomplishments was the house of “Vionnet.” The house of Vionnet had an outstand 1,200 seamstresses in 1932 and had upgraded to a five story building. Not only that but the house of Vionnet housed 21 workshops along with a clinic, which was equipped with both dentists and doctors, and a gymnasium. Although my house did close it was one of the most important in the time and was well known for incorporating Grecian-styled arts in all my designs.
Interviewer: Nice. What personal decisions did you make though, in order to become successful?
Madeleine Vionnet: I made the personal decision of leaving my husband at eighteen that I had foolishly married. Had I tried to conceive another child and start a family I probably would not have had as much success seeing as I would be expected to take care of the house-hold. Though the decision brought slight pain and a little longing at first I used it as fuel to want to become that more successful. Today, I don’t regret that decision in the slightest.
Interviewer: That was one lucky man. The time he got with you, anyways. (laughs) What hardships or road-blocks did you have to overcome in order to become an artist?
Madeleine Vionnet: I always had the hardship of poverty growing up. I wasn’t as fortunate as some of the other fashion designers. I didn’t have award-winning and profoundly talented parents in the areas in which I was interested. I wasn’t given the money to just go off to school, I had to work hard for what I earned through-out my life. Another hardship I faced was the loss of my first child shortly after birth. It’s not something I talk much about and prefer to actually not mention the name of it.
Interviewer: I’m sorry about your loss.. I give you my full condolences.. It’s hard to continue on after that but could you tell me about the limitations that you ran into as both an artist and person?
Madeleine Vionnet: Being a woman was always a challenge. Until the World Wars we weren’t looked of as much. So I would definitely say that to an extent I expected that to be a limitation. With time however my designs shined threw and no longer did my gender limit me. Another limitation that I ran into was time. Time runs everything and whether or not we’re ready for it to continue, it does. Time was a huge limitation because it limited my time on this planet and limited the amount I could achieve. Given another chance, I know time would continue to limit me as I believe it always will even when it’s fully taken advantage of.
Interviewer: I’ve never heard an opinion quite like that on time. Your responses have a lot of depth to them. It disappoints me to say this is the last question I’ll ask since I’ve enjoyed my time with you so much. But, what personal anecdotes best illustrate how you became successful in the arts?
Madeleine Vionnet: There isn’t one single personal anecdote that illustrates how I became successful in the arts. I believe it’s all of my personal experiences that lead me to a land of prosperity and success. I’ve talked to you about my poverty, which fueled me, definitely. The loss of a child and the letting go of a husband sculpted my art, adding emotion and inspiration into me while sometimes leaving a hint of pain on some of works. My constant determination, internships and jobs also helped me become successful. They showed me reality and not just a dream but meshed the two together and taught me how to accomplish so much. I’ve enjoyed this interview with you but I feel I’ve said all that needs to be said. Bye, for now.
Madeleine Vionnet: Well, as a young child I lived a life of poverty. Therefore, I was not heavily into the arts. However, at age twelve I began working as an apprentice seamstress. Something about the work was enchanting, in a sort of sense. I felt this feeling of awe and knew then that I would continue on with this career but I had no intent on living life as just a seamstress. I knew that I wanted to do bigger and better things. Matter of fact, I wanted to go beyond that. I wanted to be the best. It wasn’t until I worked as head master in The House of Callot Soeurs and then the head of Jacques Doucet Maison de Couture when I began to refine my talents, though.
Interviewer: Born into a life of poverty? And yet still becoming an incredibly talented despite that obstacle? How classic but equally inspiring!
Madeleine Vionnet:
Interviewer: What were the key oppurtunties you had that led to turning points in your life and art?
Madeleine Vionnet: Key oppurtunties that let to turning points in my life we’re being head master in The House of Callot Soeurs and also being the head of Jacques Doucet Maison de Couture. Both of those experiences equipped with the knowledge and management skills that I would need to later run “Vionnet.” Another key opportunity I had was being blessed to work with some of the people I got too like Boris Lacroix the architect who also created my perfume line and crystal sculptor Rene Laique.
Interviewer: What was the world like in your particular art field when you entered it?
Madeleine Vionnet: The world of fashion was extremely competitive … At precisely twenty-five years old, designers left and right were taking the world by storm. Gibson came out with “Confection.” Corset’s were continuing to be the foundation of garments and though small changes were being made, the bigger ones seemed to be slower to catch on. However in 1907 Paul Poiret came out with elegant dresses that incorporated high-waistlines and no corsets. This was the beginning of a revolution in which my designs would contribute to.
Interviewer: Ah, competition. The reason why humanity has lost their sanity! Oh, how I make myself laugh. But continuing on how did the major cultural, economic and political situations of the time impact your work?
Madeleine Vionnet: Economic situations highly impacted my work in unimaginable ways. In 1912 I founded my own fashion house which was called “Vionnet.” My house was so enormous that it grew to employ as many as 1,100 – 1,200 seamstresses and was the first fashion house in the world that created ready-wear from haute couture for sale in the united states. Not only that but the “Vionnet” was one of the most important fashion houses of the 1930’s. Anyways, as the years went on I also came to create the “biased cut” which is what I am most well known for. But due to the economic crisis that dealt with World War II I decided it’d be best to close “Vionnet” on August 29th of 1939 which I ended off with my “farewell” collection. Had World War II not happened I have high hopes Vionnet would have continued to dominate the world.
Interviewer: World War II killed so many. I’m sorry about the lose Miss Vionnet. But you did have some major accomplishments that did survive until this day. What were those and the methods used in your arts?
Madeleine Vionnet: My biggest accomplishment through-out my life was the infamous biased cut. Today I am known as the “Queen of Biased Cuts.” This was one of my biggest accomplishments because I took beauty, elegance and utter grace to create a seemingly flawless design. My main method is my work was a quote that was the rule to my industry. I believed that whenever a woman smiled, her dress was to smile as well. I also made my designs reflect my belief that every woman was beautiful, constantly trying to find ways to make dresses so that whomever wore them would feel like a queen despite reality.
Another one of my accomplishments was the house of “Vionnet.” The house of Vionnet had an outstand 1,200 seamstresses in 1932 and had upgraded to a five story building. Not only that but the house of Vionnet housed 21 workshops along with a clinic, which was equipped with both dentists and doctors, and a gymnasium. Although my house did close it was one of the most important in the time and was well known for incorporating Grecian-styled arts in all my designs.
Interviewer: Nice. What personal decisions did you make though, in order to become successful?
Madeleine Vionnet: I made the personal decision of leaving my husband at eighteen that I had foolishly married. Had I tried to conceive another child and start a family I probably would not have had as much success seeing as I would be expected to take care of the house-hold. Though the decision brought slight pain and a little longing at first I used it as fuel to want to become that more successful. Today, I don’t regret that decision in the slightest.
Interviewer: That was one lucky man. The time he got with you, anyways. (laughs) What hardships or road-blocks did you have to overcome in order to become an artist?
Madeleine Vionnet: I always had the hardship of poverty growing up. I wasn’t as fortunate as some of the other fashion designers. I didn’t have award-winning and profoundly talented parents in the areas in which I was interested. I wasn’t given the money to just go off to school, I had to work hard for what I earned through-out my life. Another hardship I faced was the loss of my first child shortly after birth. It’s not something I talk much about and prefer to actually not mention the name of it.
Interviewer: I’m sorry about your loss.. I give you my full condolences.. It’s hard to continue on after that but could you tell me about the limitations that you ran into as both an artist and person?
Madeleine Vionnet: Being a woman was always a challenge. Until the World Wars we weren’t looked of as much. So I would definitely say that to an extent I expected that to be a limitation. With time however my designs shined threw and no longer did my gender limit me. Another limitation that I ran into was time. Time runs everything and whether or not we’re ready for it to continue, it does. Time was a huge limitation because it limited my time on this planet and limited the amount I could achieve. Given another chance, I know time would continue to limit me as I believe it always will even when it’s fully taken advantage of.
Interviewer: I’ve never heard an opinion quite like that on time. Your responses have a lot of depth to them. It disappoints me to say this is the last question I’ll ask since I’ve enjoyed my time with you so much. But, what personal anecdotes best illustrate how you became successful in the arts?
Madeleine Vionnet: There isn’t one single personal anecdote that illustrates how I became successful in the arts. I believe it’s all of my personal experiences that lead me to a land of prosperity and success. I’ve talked to you about my poverty, which fueled me, definitely. The loss of a child and the letting go of a husband sculpted my art, adding emotion and inspiration into me while sometimes leaving a hint of pain on some of works. My constant determination, internships and jobs also helped me become successful. They showed me reality and not just a dream but meshed the two together and taught me how to accomplish so much. I’ve enjoyed this interview with you but I feel I’ve said all that needs to be said. Bye, for now.
posted by Madeleine Vionnet at
9:23 AM
2 Comments
Friday, March 25, 2011
Artifacts (10)
"i.e. 2011 Autmn Look 05." Vionnet. Vionnet, n.d. Web. 19 Mar 2011.
Above is a picture of a 2011 Autumn look from the Vionnet store in Paris. This is symbolic to Madeleine Vionnet because it represents her legacy and how even after death her designs live on.
"Flag of France." The World Factbook 2002. Web. 19 Mar 2011.
The flag above represents Madeleine Vionnet and her life. She was raised in France and opened her first store in Paris. Not only that but the flag represents the national fashion capital of the world.
The grave above represents a number of things in Vionnet's life. The death of her store, the death of her and the death of her life as a poverty-stricken life. But more than anything it represents the loss of her first and only child.
The image above represents Vionnet's inspirations. Her work always incorporated a "greecian" style into it, staying true to herself.
<"Bias Cut Cowl Neck Top." Exotic Excess. Web. 22 Mar 2011.
The bias cut, as seen above, represents what Madeleine was most known for. People then, and still today, call her the "Queen of The Bias Cut." It was her "signature" as an artist.
"Fashion 101: Madeleine Vionnet." Patterned History. Web. 23 Mar 2011. <"Bias Cut Cowl Neck Top." Exotic Excess. Web. 22 Mar 2011. . >.
The image above is a picture of Miss Vionnet, herself. The picture obviously relates to her because it is her. It represents the 99 years of life she lived and the work she completed even in her elderly years.
"One Piece Skirt Dress Pattern." Vintage Connection. Web. 25 Mar 2011.
The photograph above is actually not one of Vionnet's drawn out designs. (I couldn't locate one. Sorry!)However it does represent two things. One being her vintage style and the other representing the hard work that she put into her dresses. Not only did she sew them and create them she also drew out all her own patterns. Talented woman? I do believe so.
"Divorce Documents." Privatewww. Web. 25 Mar 2011. < http://privatewww.essex.ac.uk/~alan/family/X-divorce-1.html>.
The photo above represents the two divorces that Madeleine Vionnet had during her time on Earth. They represent more than just papers, though. They represent loss and maybe some hidden regret.
"Heartbreak by ~MuddyBoots." deviantart. Web. 25 Mar 2011. < http://browse.deviantart.com/photography/?q=heartbreak&order=9&offset=24#/d12rs9r>.
The photo above represents Vionnet's twisty, turny relationships during her lifetime. She suffered the loss of a child, two divorces and several heart-breaks in her life as a bisexual.
"War Three by Altedprinted." Undergrowth. Web. 25 Mar 2011.
This photograph symbolizes the cause of the reason of "Vionnet" being shut down. Due to both world wars, Madeleine felt that closing down the store would be the best thing. But as we know, today Vionnet has made a return once more.
posted by Madeleine Vionnet at
6:25 PM
9 Comments
About Me
- Name: Madeleine Vionnet
- Location: Vincent, Paris, France
Bonjour, bonjour! I am the “Queen of the Bias Cut” or the “Architect among Dressmakers” but I presume you already know that. I was born in Chilleurs-aux-Bois which is located in Loiret, France almost directly north of Foret Domaniale d’orleans and east of Neuville aux-bois. My goal as a designer was to create the perfect balance of elegance and experimentation in my garments all while making every woman who wore the clothes feel beautiful. I liked all my garments to flow as flawlessly as possible in a fluid and dynamic motion, all-while incorporating my love of “Grecian-styled” art into my “one-of-a-kind” creations. While alive I had no intention or want to create what appealed to people; to even create new fashion. What I did have the intention of was to create some of the most beautiful dresses the world had ever seen; to take the definition of elegance to a whole ‘nother level; to become the world’s greatest dress maker of all time. Which I am currently known as. Adeui! And always remember, when a woman smiles the dress must smile with her. Oh, did I forgot to mention my name. Well, it’s Madeleine Vionnet.
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