Grecian Influence! (Help!)

[Little Star]

Hi!
I'm studying Greek history at school and for an uncoming essay I have to write about how greek culture has directly influenced today's society. Anyway I noticed a lot of grecian inspired dresses on the runway recently, and am hoping to focus one of my choices on that.

To be able to do so though I need to locate some info on it. I was wondering if anyone was knowledgable about this topic here? Or if you have links to a specific designer who was influenced by this, and has interviews about her inspiration? I don't think I'll have much luck...but I'm really hoping!!!

Thankyou for your help/time!

[Hipkitten]

We have several threads dealing with Greek influence/style. Here are some search results.

[it-girl]

greek culture's influence in today's society is some dresses?I don't think so! That's sooooo skindeep for an essay.

[Lena]

hmmm, truth is you may find more important ways than fashion in which greek culture has influenced todays society (think science, the olympics or democracy)

still grecian styles are very much in fashion since few years now

[vintage_princess]

Well, when I was at fashion college, I had to do a project about about a designer (but he did a lot of other things too such as photography, sculpting etc.) called Mariano Fortuny.

He basically created the Delphos gown from the Grecian style. Theres lots of those style dresses thats seen on the catwalks now.

Theres too much to say about him, but maybe try researching him

[Lena]

i love Fortuny too much

[Little Star]

Thankyou for all your help!

hmmm, truth is you may find more important ways than fashion in which greek culture has influenced todays society

Yes I thought that at first, but I discussed my idea with the teacher and she actually thinks its fine. I also have to discuss 2 other influences anyway, so I could still cover democracy olympics etc.

Mariano Fortuny. He basically created the Delphos gown from the Grecian style.

Wow, thankyou! I will definately look into that. Sounds perfect if I can find the appropriate info.

Everyone is just so helpful, I really appreciate it!

[Little Star]

I have found some great info on Fortuny - he is perfect for my purposes. Can I ask if anyone knows where I can find any articles where he has been interviewed? If he has been interviewed before...

On a side note I found this page very interesting, if anyone else is also interested -
http://www.chick.net/proust/fortuny.html

[Luna]

Agreed with Lena on focusing more on the science, art, and olympics

[cammie]

I'm going to come out of lurk-mode in support of the fashion influence choice. The influence on science, "high" art, politics, and athletics is widely known and very well-documented. Most of the other students will probably focus on these areas in their essays. Having an essay that focuses, at least in part, on something unexpected (like the ancient influence in current fashions) is imho refreshing and shows that the person is looking for unusual connections that others may not have thought to bring in.

...but then again, I wrote an essay for a class comparing Hamlet to an episode of The Jerry Springer Show, so I'm probably biased. I'm sure you'll find plenty of info here to help you, Little Star.

[Lena]

Originally Posted by Little Star

I have found some great info on Fortuny - he is perfect for my purposes. Can I ask if anyone knows where I can find any articles where he has been interviewed? If he has been interviewed before...

On a side note I found this page very interesting, if anyone else is also interested -
http://www.chick.net/proust/fortuny.html

not sure if there are any articles with 'interviews' on Fortuny.. he was around at the turn of the century so i doubt if there is a chance to find an 'interview' of him
you may also like to check out mme Gres and Madeleine Vionnet who both were very influenced by the Greek Classical style

btw, you are very welcome and thanks for the Fortuny link
good luck with your essey Little Star

[Little Star]

Having an essay that focuses, at least in part, on something unexpected (like the ancient influence in current fashions) is imho refreshing and shows that the person is looking for unusual connections that others may not have thought to bring in.

Yes that is what I thought. No-one else in my class would be writing about the same topic whereas everyone will be looking at science art and olympics. Its only 1 out of 3 essays so I still have a chance to cover those areas anyway. Thanks for the encouragement cammie.

you may also like to check out mme Gres and Madeleine Vionnet who both were very influenced by the Greek Classical style

Thanks again! I will have a look there too.

[Absoloodle]

Good luck for you Essay!

[Little Star]

Thanks for all your suggestions everyone!
I ended up looking at the aesthetic similarities between Fortuny's 'Delphos Robe (http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/god1/ho_1995.28.6a.htm) a sculpture of a charioteer. I got an A+ (full marks!!!)

[Lena]

thanks for the update Little Star and congrats for the A+

i bet you are joining the Fortuny Appreciation Club by now
i've been lucky enough to see both Fortuny's original work in an exhibition in Venice and the Greek 'chariot' sculpture more than once in the beautiful Delphi* archeological site, there is an absolute -and much respected- similarity in the two.
i wish fabric designers & manufacturers of today got as influenced and inspired by ancient techniques as Fortuny was at the begining of last century..

could i have a look at your essey? i'd love that

*amazing location, much worth visiting at least once in a lifetime, one of my fave destinations in Greece.