#cultureandcreativity

[blueskycenter]

Our last highlight from the #CuyamaResourceDirectory is the detailed section on available housing and social resources. Each entry has been vetted to ensure that the resource is in fact available for Cuyama residents, with notations on specific county residency requirements and other notations on citizenship status requirements. From fair housing and food access resources to programs that provide direct services for home repair and adult in-home support services, this directory gets you a direct line to resource holders. Click the #linkinbio to contact housing and social service providers and explore the online Cuyama Valley Resource and Business Directory or email hello@blueskycenter to arrange a pick-up of a printed copy! 📘 Thank you to the US Dept. of HUD (@hudgov) - via Enterprise Community Partners - for supporting this project through a HUD Section 8 Culture and Creativity grant. • • • #resourcedirectory #cuyamaresourcedirectory #partnerships #housingresources #fairhousingforall #socialservices #foodaccessforall #cultureandcreativity #enterprisecommunitypartners https://www.instagram.com/p/CCodyfrFxMJ/?igshid=mrpccqgnecau

[cultureandcreativityleanna]

‘From my trip to the Hereford Learning and Resource Centre yesterday, where I deepened and specified my research since the last trip to the centre. I found that I was very drawn towards the military uniforms and textiles. I was very captivated and fascinated by the bold colours (such as: red, navy, white, gold, black), the shapes and forms used within the designs of the military attire, the plaited embellishments, golden, metal buttons, layered fabrics and symbols which all had a significance and meaning, and the functionality/purpose of the textiles.

Therefore I decided to do some research into the history of the military uniform to deepen my understanding of the purpose and functionality of the attire and to inform my ideas/concepts within this project.

Below are extracts from the website which I have found particularly interesting or may inform my ideas (website link above) :

‘The main thrust of the Napoleonic Wars of 1803 to 1815 may have been to advance the First French Empire, but the under-card was all about military style. The monarchs of France, Russia, England, and Prussia were obsessed with how their soldiers dressed.’ - I find it interesting how the Napoleonic war was so involved with attire and the importance of it when representing the county’s troops.

‘Thanks to Europe being plagued by war for the better part of two decades, many continental and English tailors perfected their art outfitting soldiers. Subsequently, the techniques and styles they used found their way into civilian dress. Also, as soldiers returned to civilian life, many wanted to retain aspects of their military uniforms (and memories of fading glory) in their clothing.’ - It is intriguing that styles within the military uniform ended up becoming a part of the public’s clothing, even if subtly. I would very much like to experiment with the amalgamation of military styles and modern fashion, this would reflect the similar process which happened during the time of the war. 

‘And though England was the epicenter of men's tailoring during this period, it was the uniforms of the French and Russian armies that were the main sartorial influence. The reason for this was simple: Everybody loves a winner. La Grand Armée dominated the continent up until 1812.’ - I love the idea of the uniforms symbolizing winning and power. I would like to experiment with this idea and possibly create garments connoting similar characteristics such as strength and confidence; as I believe I would like my garment to invoke these feelings to the audience or wearer of the garment as an empowering piece.

‘Because of their harsh winters, the Russians' greatcoats went down to just over the ankle, while the French variety fell just below the knee.’ - I was interested in the functionality of the uniforms so it was interesting to find out that the garments were adjusted to suit weather and terrain dependent on the location.

‘Two other features of Napoleonic uniforms still in existence, albeit in different capacities, are belts and epaulets. The modern belt is derived from the thick leather belts originally worn by Russian and Prussian cavalry officers on the outside of their uniforms as both decoration and as a way to support their sabers.’ - Another interesting function of the uniforms. It is intriguing that the attire wasn’t always for function and sometimes was simply for aesthetic. This is useful to know when designing my garment as a lot of fashion today is purely aesthetic and although I will incorporate meaning and functionality within my designs, I will also mostly be focusing on aesthetic to engage my audience.

‘As for epaulets, while they're purely decorative for civilian purposes, during the Napoleonic Wars they functioned to distinguish soldiers by their regiment. Along with linings, turnbacks, and braidings, these elements—known as "facings"— each had a specific color that corresponded to the regiment.’ - I am very interested in the aesthetics of epaulets and shoulder pads so it is pleasing to know that all these added embellishments carried meaning and information about the individual soldier.

‘Though most of what filtered down from Napoleonic-era uniforms found its way into modern business and formal attire, military dress has had a huge influence on casual-wear as well, albeit from the more recent military era in which function is favored over form.’ - This is what I will be focusing on; merging old and new to bring culture into fashion and meaning to the designs I make. At this point in the project I am thinking of keeping my designs as casual-wear and to be worn out in public but this may change.

‘Then there's the MA-1 flight jacket, also known as the bomber jacket, a modern staple of #menswear that was first issued to U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots during the early 1950s.’ - I really like the look of bomber jackets due to their form and shape, so it is interesting to find out that this garment, now casual-wear, was a military uniform.

Overall from this article I have been inspired to combine the styles, meanings and visual elements used within the military uniforms with casual-wear and the functionality of modern-day clothing. I would also like to research the Napoleonic War and the uniforms of the soldiers within it and also those of ‘La Grande Armée’. It will be interesting to look into the french culture as this is where I was born and grew up for nearly half of my life so it relates to my personal heritage.

[justfalana]

Carnival is only 2 months away #Bacchanal #Soapshare #cultureandcreativity #carnival #shesmagic (at Broward County, Florida)

[franceslynn-blog-blog]

Thank you Nawlins for such an epic weekend. I needed to be reignited. #lightuptheworld #cultureandcreativity #bewhoyouare #ownit

[cultureandcreativityleanna]

Welcome!

This is a blog to support my work in the second year, Culture and Creativity project. Most of my work for this project will be in my sketchbook and notebooks but I will also post research and links to websites here.