THREAD for THOUGHT

How fashion intersects politics, economics, gender, race & pop culture.

Posts tagged "Politics"
Silk Stockings & Russian Communism

Silk Stockings & Russian Communism

Over the summer I watched about half an hour of Silk Stockings (1957), a cheesy musical remake of the Greta Garbo classic Ninotchka (1939) where the cool, efficient, and distinctly anti-fashion Soviet agent Cyd Charisse falls in love with (capitalist) Fred Astaire’s flamboyant American producer character while on a government mission in couture capital Paris....
Kennedy Fashion

Kennedy Fashion

With the recent passing of Edward “Teddy” Kennedy, I wanted to write something about Kennedy fashion but for better or worse, I read “The Look of Rich Tradition” article by Robin Givhan that pretty much sums up anything I would’ve said: “their attire so perfectly captures a not-so-distant era in the culture. Those images of...
The Tea Gown in Fashion and Art

The Tea Gown in Fashion and Art

Due to a coveted invitation to my friend’s tea party this weekend, I have that genteel social event on my mind. And since I always have costume on my mind as well, it’s only natural that I should want to dissect a portrait of a young woman enjoying the same activity that I shortly will....
A Daringly Stylish Politician!

A Daringly Stylish Politician!

I am embarrassed to say I failed the Huffington Post test on guessing who Yulia Tymoshenko when presented with a collection of photos of her. For all you fellow dunces, she is the Prime Minister of the Ukraine– and the first female Prime Minister the Ukraine has had.  (My ignorance was especially embarrassing to me...
Obama's Bullet-Proof Suit

Obama’s Bullet-Proof Suit

Over drinks last week, my friend George mentioned he (in addition to many other Americans, I’m sure) was terrified Obama was going to get shot walking down Pennsylvania Ave on Inauguration Day.  This opened a discussion about bulletproof  clothes– I’d seen a TV documentary or something on a Colombian company that specialized in bulletproof leather...
From Fetish Object to Object of Discontentment

From Fetish Object to Object of Discontentment

News about Muntader al-Zaidi, the Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at Bush during a press conference this week, has traveled quickly to alternating responses of horror and glee. The NYTimes reported that “Calling someone the “son of a shoe” is one of the worst insults in Iraq,” adding a new spin to what was...
Palin's Beehive and Other Political Fashion Statements

Palin’s Beehive and Other Political Fashion Statements

“There are three things woman politicians get more ink in the press over than males. One is hairdo, two is hemline and the third is their husband, as society tends to be very concerned about these things with women politicians, and we’ve seen it with Sarah Palin,” said Nichola D. Gutgold, associate professor of communication...
Art Deco Fashion & Social Commentary

Art Deco Fashion & Social Commentary

Yesterday I attended a lecture at the New York Public Library accompanying their current exhibit “Art Deco Design: Rhythm and Verve.”  There was another lecture on art deco architecture that I attended a few weeks ago, but this one– “Fashions of the Art Deco Era”– was tailored for me.  Paula Baxter, curator of the exhibit...