The eye will travel

¶ … Eye Has to Travel

What is the name of the exhibit / film you chose to analyze?

Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel

What feature of fashion or textiles does it highlight?

The film discusses many aspects of the fashion industry, particularly the influence of the woman Diana Vreeland who was said to have set the standard for fashion for decades. Mostly highlighted is the idea of Vreeland's that above all else fashion should be exciting and interesting and most importantly never, ever boring.

Describe at least four different examples and use fiber information as well as descriptive terms learned in class. Write a minimum of six sentences to describe each example.

Velvet: Vreeland once used her column to advice people to wear "violet velvet mittens with everything." Velvet is a kind of fabric which is woven and the threads are cut evenly to make a distinctive feeling which is very soft. This pile is dense and short and extremely soft to the touch. It is actually made on special looms which weave two different thicknesses at the same time. It can be made from different other fibers; most traditionally it is made from silk. The fabric is luxurious and Vreeland used it as an example of how a person needed to have something exquisite in their lives no matter how poor or ordinary the rest of it might be.

b. Chintz: In the film, the apartment of Diana Vreeland is shown where she decorated heavily with red chintz. Chintz is a form of glazed calico print with flowers and assorted other patterns in different colors, shapes, and sizes. The chintz in Vreeland's apartment is a special form called Tree of Life fabric because of the designs which are based on the traditional Indian form of the chintz. It is a textile which is plain-woven, made from unbleached cotton. Also, it is a very cheap fabric in and of itself which takes on cost only after the addition of dyes and designs. The actual feel of chintz is rough and this is synonymous with its being inexpensive.

c. Tweed: Tweed is a very rough fabric which is made from sheep's wool. The way that the tweed is woven creates a definitive pattern. These are made by weaving different colors of wool yarn into the larger tweed material. Herringbone and checks are two of the most common patterns although tweed can be made in plain colors. It is both heavy and coarse and many people find it uncomfortable. The textile is most commonly used for external purposes, such as in coats because of its feel, ability to retain warmth, and its durability.