During the School year my friends have been dragging me along to the Japanese society events and been trying to get me into anime shows. Due to this I've become increasingly interested in Japan and Japanese culture and decided to watch the Memoirs of Geisha. The cinematography is spectacular, everything is so well thought out. The story was mature, but still beautiful and I was interested in learning more about the geisha.
Many people compare geishas to prostitutes or escorts, but from what I've read their a little bit different. Their these women (sometimes men) who are well educated and have a diverse range of kills. They preform traditional japanese tea ceremonies, can dance, are taught to play war games, and are well versed in politics. In a way a geisha is more like the perfect woman that a man has an opportunity to be aquatinted with for a night, or sometimes the rest of his life.
The very word geisha means artist, and I find this aspect of Japanese culture inciting and beautiful.
One of the fashion briefs was to look at other cultures or one culture over time and design a garment. So I would like to focus on not only the kimono (which was heavily emphasised in the movie) but also the make up as that is also the dress for a geisha.
Many people compare geishas to prostitutes or escorts, but from what I've read their a little bit different. Their these women (sometimes men) who are well educated and have a diverse range of kills. They preform traditional japanese tea ceremonies, can dance, are taught to play war games, and are well versed in politics. In a way a geisha is more like the perfect woman that a man has an opportunity to be aquatinted with for a night, or sometimes the rest of his life.
The very word geisha means artist, and I find this aspect of Japanese culture inciting and beautiful.
One of the fashion briefs was to look at other cultures or one culture over time and design a garment. So I would like to focus on not only the kimono (which was heavily emphasised in the movie) but also the make up as that is also the dress for a geisha.
Because the movie had such an effect on me, I've decided to create more theatrical piece. The top half of the kimono will be kept to traditional standards, while the bottom half will flair out to make way for a two dimensional stage that will represent aspects of the movie. Traditional Japanese kimono's are cut straight, so it will hopefully make for an interesting feature.
Making the Kimono
14 February So today I began making my Kimono. I waited this long to do it because the pattern took a long time to ship and I couldn't find the fabrics that I needed for the project. Finally though I can begin. I was rather nervous in doing this because I've only followed a pattern once before so I don't know if I can do it properly. The preparation for this project was long and arduous. I didn't have chalk so I pined the pattern onto the fabric and cut it out. Then when I had all of the pieces I began by assembling it- or at least I tried to. I realised I have no idea how to attach sleeves!!! Thank god that I'm only making this for a mannequin because if a real person tried on my Kimono, they might find the arms to be a little awkward. So far I've only attached everything with pins because despite what I hoped, sewing in dorms is really hard, so I'll wait for Wellington Terrace to open tomorrow, and finish off the First part of my Kimono. |