Mourning Virgin is one of two wood figurines flanking either side of a doorway at the MET Cloisters museum (I.D. 12.200.2). At about 4 feet, 3 inches high, this is a relatively small art work. This sculpture is from the 13th Century and comes from Tyrol, Austria, by an unknown artist. Originally, this piece…
The term “cultural appropriation” has started to be heard increasingly common lately, often denounced (as a practice) by the more socially conscious among the population. But what exactly is it? Maisha Johnson defines it thus: “Members of a dominant culture adopt elements from a culture of people who have been systematically oppressed by that dominate…
Every October 31st, millions of people leave their ordinary, day-to-day clothes hanging in their closets and instead, don costumes. Only on this day is it acceptable to wear outrageously fun and spooky clothes out and about. We call this celebration Halloween and many of us look forward to a night where we can forget ourselves…
The term “Disco” was coined in Playboy Magazine in 1964 as a shortened version of “discotheque”. The origins of the discotheque go back to Nazi-Occupied France, where people would meet to dance to jazz records instead of live music as protest against the Nazi regime. 1970s Disco was born in the African American and Gay…
The Latin American craze in fashion was popular in the 1930s and 1940s. This began when president FDR started the "Good Neighbor Policy" with his 1933 inaugural address. This policy would create new trade between South and North America. The United States also wanted to make sure that we had allies below us in case…
The first shoulder pads in women's fashion were seen in the 1930s. The 1930s is an interesting time in the worlds history. The Great Depression saw millionaires loose everything, talking pictures brought hoards of people into movie theaters, and fascism was taking over Europe. Sportswear began becoming acceptable day wear clothing. Evening wear was cut…
Fashion's Flashback 