Huntington Beach Art Center
  • HOME
  • About
    • The Muse: HBAC Blog
    • HBAC Free Zoom Backgrounds
    • Virtual Gallery Tour
  • Exhibitions
    • Upcoming Exhibition: Childhood Classics: 100 Years of Children's Book Illustration
    • Upcoming Exhibition: Emerge: Share your Shot
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Events
  • Education
    • Adult & Teen Classes
    • Youth Classes
    • Preschooler Classes
    • Art at HBAC Summer Camp
    • Prospective Instructors
  • Memberships
    • Artist Council >
      • Project Room BookShop Submission
      • Past Artist Council Events
      • Artist Council Directory
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
  • Store

COCOON CLOAK, SHELTERING FROM THE STORM

3/16/2021

3 Comments

 
guest authored  by Loren Blackwood
Picture
Greek Chiton
Answering the base needs of self-expression and protection from the elements on the human form, the Judith Hendler Cocoon Cloak design competition is inspired by traditional multi-functional garments like the Caftan, Tunic, and Poncho. 
​
A BRIEF HISTORY
The early Greek chitons, simple in construction, used two rectangle pieces of fabric; the top edge was folded away from the body, forming a flap and secured with brooches. 
Picture
For thousands of years, swayed by culture and climate, societies adopted silk, wool, and cotton versions of the caftan. The sultans of the Ottoman Empire wore silk and cotton caftans embellished with gold and silver thread. The cloth often extended to the wrists, cascading full length to the ankles.
​
CONTEMPORARY DESIGNS
Picture
Vogue 1967 Emilio Pucci
Picture
Mexican Huipiles
Depicted in ancient Persian art, the kaftan, a popular go-to look becomes an all-encompassing term in fashion for spacious garments. Like the traditional garments of Mexico, huipils or poncho, flowing fabric covers the body, with openings for the head and arms. The kaftan saw a resurgence in the late 1960s – ‘70s with Bohemian chic arrived in London by designer, Thea Porter.  Raised in Damascus and surrounded by lavish textiles from North Africa and the Middle East, Ms. Porter created era-defining styles for the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jane Fonda, and Elizabeth Taylor.  Her unique aesthetic promoted by Vogue Editor-in-chief, Diana Vreeland through the pages of Vogue magazine. 
Picture
Rudi Gernreich (l & r)
Picture
​Mid-century “Fearless Fashion” designer Rudi Gernreich created body-liberating, unisex clothing. Gernreich's designs could be worn interchangeably by men or women.  As an early civil rights activist, the designer defied the gender status quo.  
​
IN THE WORLD TODAY
Traditional Senegalese kaftans, also known as Boubou, are made from natural fibers such as cotton, linen, and silk. They are worn throughout arid Western Africa and similar warm climates. 
Picture
Senegalese Kaftan

An over-the-head, draped garment with wide sleeves, bright Boubou textiles are imbued with prints and embroidery having symbolic meaning.  Senegalese kaftan fabric is about sixty inches wide and varies in length.  The textile is folded in half and marked for an opening for the head.  The side seams are stitched about halfway making roomy sleeves.
​
COCOON CLOAK CALL FOR DESIGNERS
Judith Hendler invites community college Fashion Design students and HBAC members to create the unisex COCOON CLOAK. Use sustainable design techniques and materials to define self-expression and protection as it means to you. The age-old garment design is a blank canvas for your inspiration.

My name is Loren Blackwood, I am passionate about art, fashion design and nature.  I have channeled this focus into a bachelor’s degree in Art History from University of California Irvine and the study of Fashion Design and Sustainability in the Apparel Industry from Orange Coast College.  Now in my last semester at O.C.C., I have joined the team at the Huntington Beach Arts Center as a student intern.  I am thrilled to be a part of this community arts and cultural center serving Huntington Beach and the Southern California region since 1995.

 “Try imagining a place where it’s always safe and warm, come in, she said, I’ll give ya shelter from the storm.”  - Bob Dylan “Shelter from the Storm” 
3 Comments
Bill W. link
3/17/2021 03:58:41 pm

Thank you for this informative and well-written article. May it spur more interest in the competition as well. It just may be that some style is ageless after all.

Reply
Jonathan Allen link
3/17/2021 04:25:08 pm

Informative!

Reply
Martha Sanchez link
3/17/2021 04:27:39 pm

So much incredible information in this article. I love how this was written and enjoyed reading about the history of art in fashion. The way it has evolved over the years while still maintaining the same elegance and origin is impressive. I look forward to reading more from the author! Well done.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    THE MuSe:
    HBAC Blog

    538 Main St.
    Huntington Beach, Ca 92648
    ​(714) 374-1650

    Archives

    March 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

(714) 374-1650 | artcenterstaff@surfcity-hb.org
538 Main Street | Huntington Beach, CA 92648
The Huntington Beach Art Center is open
Tuesday - Wednesday | 12-6pm
Thursday | 12-8pm
Friday - Saturday | 12-5pm
Please call (714) 374-1650 for more information.

    STAY CONNECTED: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST!

Subscribe
  • HOME
  • About
    • The Muse: HBAC Blog
    • HBAC Free Zoom Backgrounds
    • Virtual Gallery Tour
  • Exhibitions
    • Upcoming Exhibition: Childhood Classics: 100 Years of Children's Book Illustration
    • Upcoming Exhibition: Emerge: Share your Shot
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Events
  • Education
    • Adult & Teen Classes
    • Youth Classes
    • Preschooler Classes
    • Art at HBAC Summer Camp
    • Prospective Instructors
  • Memberships
    • Artist Council >
      • Project Room BookShop Submission
      • Past Artist Council Events
      • Artist Council Directory
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
  • Store