Aesthetics + Economics

3D Histogram

During a recent "you have reached the end of the web"-style browsing session, I stumbled upon what looks to be a powerful tool for color research: 3D Histogram, an open source web application from Minneapolis-based Third Ave Design.

3D Histogram "provides a visualization of the overall color composition of an image by placing cubes in a 3D space whose X, Y, and Z values correspond to the R, G, and B values of the color being graphed." Each cube is "painted with the color it represents, and then sized according to its relative frequency in the image." 

The fashion-related applications are endless--you could use it to research color trends, to get a firm grasp of color theory, or to understand the effects of lighting and texture on color. Above are yields from a "swatch" image of the Fall '08 Thakoon dress pictured at left. Now if only the data were downloadable in spreadsheet form...

An Alternative to Cashmere in Baby Alpaca

A boutique owner shared an interesting tidbit with me recently: baby alpaca is being touted as an attractive alternative to cashmere. According to one source, alpaca boasts "the softness of cashmere, the lustre and strength of silk, the lightness of goose feathers and the long-term durability of wool."  Designers like it for its "superior drape and handle," and eco-conscious consumers find comfort in the fiber's green reputation.

Additionally, alpaca fleece - which often comes from countries  with favorable exchange rates and duty-free imports to the US - is said to cost about 40 percent less than cashmere.

Retailers like the one I spoke with could likely do well marketing alpaca as the "new cashmere" now that consumers are realizing the limitations of the cheap versions of the latter that flooded the market over the past few years.

The best part? It's non-pilling! Further reading here and here. Illustration by Raewyn Haughton. 

Trends for Fall 2008: Part I

A few of the trends we're seeing in the Fall 2008 collections, in no particular order. (Click on any image to view larger.)

Floral prints at Vera Wang, Thakoon, Behnaz Sarafpour, and Paul Smith.

Sharp, sculptural lines at Calvin Klein, YSL, Jil Sander, and Bottega Veneta.

Lace at Givenchy, Prada, Givenchy and Balmain.

Exaggerated shoulders at Balenciaga, Marni, Nina Ricci, and Bottega Veneta.

Beyond Diminishing Returns

$1 million shoes by Stuart Weitzman, created for PR purposes. See here and here for the full back story.

Americana for Spring 2008

What to make of the Americana trend present in the spring 2008 collections?

When circle skirts and leather jackets returned in force in the 2008 resort collections (see Gucci for a prime example), it seemed merely a pendulum swing back to American sportswear and classic fifties fashion after years of ethnic, bohemian, and new minimalist styles.

The use of Fourth of July symbolism by houses like Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent for spring 2008, however, suggests that this trend goes a little deeper.

Does it reflect nostalgia for the days when the United States' status as the world's lone superpower remained unchallenged? Is it simply a cheeky response to the waning of American preeminence by Parisian brands? Is the product meant to appeal to the growing numbers of customers in emerging economies, for whom the stars and stripes may feel exotic?

In any case, there are major shifts happening in the global distribution of wealth and influence (both cultural and geopolitical). The Youtube video Did You Know 2.0 provides a succinct and compelling overview of these changes.

Photos: Details of the Chanel (left) and YSL (right) Spring 2008 collections from Style.com.

De Retour

Aesthetics + Economics is back. Why the hiatus? In short, a lack of time.

In the months following May 2007, I completed an internship at an innovative design strategy consultancy in Nice, France; wrote a senior thesis in economics (an economic and law analysis of the Design Piracy Prohibition Act--I couldn't resist a fashion-related topic); and finished my undergraduate studies a semester early, in December 2007. (I'm kind of a nut like that.) Whew!

As I conduct my job search, I will resume posting. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me at aestheticsplusecon@yahoo.com if there are any topics you would be interested in seeing discussed on A+E!

Fashion Hack: Walk in Heels

There have been no shortage of runway falls in the past few seasons. At left, we have poor Elise Crombez taking a dive at Proenza Schouler SS 07, and just the other day a model at the Dior 2008 Resort show (yes, resort is already here, can you believe it?!), had some high heel-related difficulties herself. And, as I'm sure you've noticed, sky high heels and platforms--often exceeding 5 inches--are everywhere at the moment.

Even if you're comfortable walking in your 110mm Louboutins, you may want to check out Legwork, a workout video dedicated to the art of walking in heels. The preview offers tips for correcting "wobbly ankles," "stiff knees," and (my personal favorite) "gripping of the thighs." Featured in Vogue Paris, among other esteemed pubs, the 30-minute DVD features exercises from professional dancers for grace and stamina as well as relief techniques from podiatrists. It's available in English and French, and on sale for $19.95 at www.legworkdvd.com. My thinking: judging from the  If you're going to drop half a grand (or more) on a pair of 110mm heels, you may as well invest a fraction of that in a fun DVD that allows you to work them with confidence.

Girls and Their Handbags

This Denise Dorrance cartoon was recently featured in Domino's Daily Dose. What do you think: true or false?

(I have been remiss in updating the blog of late, but with finals and a work-related project wrapping up in early May, regular posting will resume!)

Weekend Reads

40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Brands: Shiseido [Blogdorf Goodman]

Anoraks for Spring '07 [Second City Style]

The Devil Wears...Walmart? Low-Brow Adverts in a High-Brow Bible [Style Bites]

The Luxury of Valextra [Bag Snob]

Chantecaille's Reefs of Hope Compact, Yours For $420 [Beauty Addict]

Organizers For Jewels, Bags, and Shoes [She Finds]

So Long Mr. Slimane [Papierblog]

Did Chanel Copy Jessica Kagan Cushman? [Counterfeit Chic]

Fashion Houses Target Second Life [Trashionista]

Proenza Schouler for Target + "Insider Trading"

Jing, a financial analyst and devoted fashion consumer, writes one of my favorite fashion blogs. She recently posted about the not-so-innocent actions of certain fashion insiders who attended the private shopping event at Opening Ceremony before the boutique's Proenza Schouler for Target pop-up opened to the public.

"I arrived at the store at 11am on Friday, the opening time announced on the store's website. However, by the time I entered the store, almost all small sizes were gone. What happened?

[There] was a special party the night before for "VIP"s to make purchase ahead of the crowd. In addition, the Parsons' students were allowed to arrive at 9am on Friday to make purchase. Then I knew where those size XS and size 1 clothes went...eBay...Items are up and being marketed, at twice of the price."

She goes on to note that if she or her colleagues did the same with securities, they'd go to jail. How's that for perspective! This story struck me as a tad hilarious, but it makes you wonder: how much of the press is really wearing GO! International pieces?

Read more at Jing's Fashion Review.