Art History - where can you go from here?

[miu_miu]

I live in Australia so the only Fashion and Textiles Museum is connected to fashion schools (I'm at a traditional, very theory based uni that's modelled on Oxbridge style unis - no fashion or design here unfortunately!)

I think I'm just worried because my resume and work experience so far has really been geared towards one area (fashion) and if I turn around and try to do something in art history they'll be asking questions about the sudden change - and it's really because I want to expose myself to other industries but will that sort of reasoning be considered acceptable?

I think it would be a bigger concern if you'd changed direction twenty times, because you'd probably change it again. They're not such radically different industries that a change of focus would be confusing...your reasoning is totally valid & interesting, so just make sure you can explain yourself fully and honestly

 

[BerlinRocks]

Just wondering, does anyone know of any Art History summer courses held in Paris or France?

(I'd like to do something overseas which I can claim credit for at my university, and I'm doing an Art History major )

L'Ecole du Louvre has some summer courses
http://www.ecoledulouvre.fr/index2.html
(courses taught > other courses)
I don't know if they do courses in english. But I don't think so ...

you can write there : [email protected]
if you need any help to write a small thing in french, PM me.

L'Ecole du Louvre is the school when it comes to art history in france. So it would be great

but to be honest i don't know that much about summer courses in France.
it's pretty rare unless one want to apply to a Grande Ecole and Prépas
...

what's your level ?
master or phd ?

 

[Cicciolina]

Thanks miu_miu It's always nice to get confirmation.

Berlinrocks - I'm actually only undergraduate, I will be doing honours in it next year (which is my country's version of a masters - my uni is one of the top research/liberal arts universities in the world).

I had a look at L'Ecole du Louvre - it looks great! I've emailed them asking if they have courses run in English but they have yet to reply to me

I was actually planning to go to Paris to do a summer course in the French Language that the Sorbonne runs for about a month, and thought it would be even better to do some art history instead or in addition so I can get credit.

 

[VogueParisLover]

Thanks Berlinrocks. I've never heard of L'Ecole du Louvre but it looks good and I see that you can chose a specialty course about fashion or applied arts, which is good for me. I just have one question: Is art history with fashion history and good thing to good to school for to be a fashion editor? Is it OK to ask here?

 

[BetteT]

It's OK to ask that here ...but since you did not get an answer ... thry this thread:
What education you need to do to get into magazines??

 

[BerlinRocks]

I just have one question: Is art history with fashion history and good thing to good to school for to be a fashion editor? Is it OK to ask here?

just for information : Anna dello Russo is an art historian and has done a master dissertation related to fashion history - though i cannot tell what was her subject ...


..... whatever ....

i'm very close to be a master graduated art historian - in a month or so .......
and now .... i'm more and more thinking about getting a job which mix my knowledge in both fashion and art history ....

i failed this summer to my curating school interview (only applied for one ! i wanted this one and no other ! kind of stupid and childish, i know !) and felt pretty depressed all summer long - geeeeee not everyday i tell my feelings !
so now i'm over curating ...

what did you guys did after your master in art history ?
i don't wanna go into the whole PhD thing ...

Art History brings you nowhere in France. People, here, still thinks university is for lazy people ... and that Art History is just passion that gets you NO job ...
French University System is hard but kind of crap after you graduated ! Like "What ? You didn't study business or law ? But what did you think about ?"

 

[Olive de Jubilee]

Fashion Historian

Is there anyone here who specializes in dating antique or vintage clothing? I would love to do this professionally, and my intended major is art history. Obviously I'm headed in the curatorial direction (which I have no problem with) but where can I go from here? I would also love to work in the archives of a designer house...how can I get entry level experience in this?

 

[gius]

For your third question, you might get some ideas in this other thread
How to work in the Archives of Fashion Houses ?

Welcome to tFS

 

[Feline]

You could contact museums in your area that either specialise in or have a costume department. Tell them of your interest and they may let you have a 'behind the scenes' look or let you do voluntary work there, that could lead to a future career. Museums often have talks and events that could be of interest to you. Earlier this year, my friend and I went to a Victorian costume talk & demo at the Castle Museum in York. We got to look at the originals, and they had replicas to try on. I can now sit perfectly in a crinoline and know how to use glove stretchers & buttonhooks. If there are similar events in your area, they would be worth going to for the experience and you would get to meet and talk to the curators there. Hope this is of some help

 

[Olive de Jubilee]

Thanks for the tips guys, have you ever heard of a vintage clothing dealer (as opposed to an art dealer)? This would be my second career choice .

 

[BerlinRocks]

for fashion historians :

ONE AMAZING Olivier Saillard talk on France Culture, Le rendez-vous - yesterday evening.
It's about YSL, Margiela, Rei K, etc. It's about his latest book.

You have to understand french, of course.
(he's not alone to talk, there's Christian Rizzo !!!!).

http://sites.radiofrance.fr/chaines...ions/rendez_vous/fiche.php?diffusion_id=78473

It's f***ing amazing.

 

[missnyc]

How can I get involved in Fashion studying Art History? I mean, Anna Dello Russo is specialized in Fashion History but I've searched in google an there is no master or degree about that. What should I study?

 

[BetteT]

There are lot's of suggestions in this thread ... take time to read it.

The History of Fashion is just a part of Art History. I would think that any art history course will include that. Other than that ... as far as I know, there is no such degree in "Fashion" art history (as you are discovering)/ You just study it all and become more well rounded.

Art History is useful if you are going to become a stylist or a fashion editor .... the knowledge of what has come before (both in fashion and in all art) can inspire you for your editorial layouts. Useful if you are going to be a fashion jounalist ... because you can see the references to the past in current collections. Useful if you wish to work in fashion house archives ... they would hire a historian that also knows about fashion. Even usefull if you want to become a designer ... desginers need inspriation too. Even makeup artists and fashion photographers need to be able to reference the past.

You will probably find some fashion history being taught at fashion shcools but it would probably only be part of another course like fashion design.

So ... it really depends on what you want to do with it ... as to what you should study. I've directed you here ... but you should also do a search to check out some threads about any professions that interest you and maybe you will get some ideas specfic to that profession.

 

[missnyc]

Thank you so so much! I'd like to become a Fashion Editor. I'm searching for masters here in Spain but I think I don't live in the best country to study this...Haha Anyway, you've been so helpful!

 

[BetteT]

You are welcome!

See post #65, above ... there's a link.

 

[cygnenoir]

I'm studying Art History with an emphasis on historical costume. This isn't an official path at my university but one I was able to create.

I spoke to a professor about my interest and she told me of some other professors to speak with. For example, one of my academic advisors is the head of the Drama department. I now have special permission to take the costume history classes they offer in that department.

Anyhow, my point is that you can often create your own course of study. I found that the professors I spoke with with were really helpful and encouraging. I think they are excited to meet students who are interested in doing something other than the usual stuff. And having that relationship with the professors is also really helpful in applying to graduate schools.

 

[Metronomic]

Art History major= No actual in-born artistic talent, but a strong desire to be a fine art major. At most private art colleges these are frowned upon and considered the "daddy said I could be an artist" students. Just being honest.

 

[BetteT]

You could be right that art history might be frowned upon by other people who fancy themselves as "artists". But they are probably wrong.

Being an art historian is a valid career and what else would you study, if that is what you wanted to do? I volunteered for years at the Getty and it employs lots and lots of art history majors and art historians. The place is crawling with them!

No one should assume that all art history majors are even remotely interested in being an artist ... everyone has different motivations and goals. Not all trained artists will ever make a living at being an actual artist, anyway, so a fine arts school that might not be the best life choice for them either. Just saying ....

I think that any education is valuable ... and can be used for something useful. We shouldn't pre-judge someone who is working towards their own education.

 

[darkglass2009]

Metronomic I'm actually a double major in Fine Art (painting) and Art History - so what message does that send?

From my experience, there is an acknowledged and even encouraged link between the two fields of study. Fine art students are usually required to take some art history subjects, and while this is not the case the other way around, it does show how each area influences and shapes the other.

At my school, the Art History students were usually seen in terms of academics rather than as wannabe artists, and were definitely not frowned upon! Just because somebody studies the history of a certain field doesn't mean they automatically want to be active creators in the field.

 

[gius]

I'm curious why you feel that way, metronomic =) Could you tell me more ?

It was something I saw in the schools I've been to too. Some of the teachers, they look like they've taken quite a 'beating' in their department.. One woman would randomly shout out "I don't actually know how to make these things" although nobody asked her, she was a bit overly defensive at times.
Personally I think it's worthwhile for anyone studying history to actually know the techniques involved, it's just another source for learning. There are a lot of insights to find. I've often got into arguments with these people, as graduates/students or ppl already working, for something as little as "proper vocabulary." Does it really matter what I call it? It is the same idea??? But they don't understand because they haven't had the experience to work with it with their hands, they don't realize the similarities... They are just shut out of the light, eating up whatever's thrown at them, "this is this and that is that" but not really getting the -essence- of the whole subject ......and for me this is what I don't like about some of them. To be talked down by someone who thinks they know, but really doesn't!



btw I started in studio.. finished that and now transitioning to History =)