Vogue|Vintage: Marc Jacobs Spring 2009

The ancient Japanese samurai culture developed amongst a strict code of honor, loyalty, frugality and obedience. The samurai led an existence couched between the violence required in their service to the emperor and the wisdom and serenity of Zen and Buddhist teachings. Shintoism, a great love and reverence for nature, also played a role in their daily lives.

The samurai’s way of life exemplified the concept of preservation, understanding that life did not have an end or a beginning, but rather was a cycle of rebirths and transformations….that one eventually finds themselves back to the place they began.

Fashion also follows this same pattern of renewal, as its movement reveals a cycle of trends and designs, which are reborn season to season or decade to decade. In this sense, fashion is both grounded and revolutionary. This unique quality is what continues to capture our attention as we not only wait to see the next new trend presented on the runways, but also to be inspired by the reinvention of the familiar.

And so it is in this spirit of the Japanese samurai, the Great Warrior, and in partnership with AvantFab, this new post category is introduced. Please join us each week for a review of current fashion designer trends and vintage designs that are available in the market. Our primary goal is to encourage responsible shopping and designing by giving you a view of vintage styles that are in vogue, as well as celebrate the sustainability of fashion…think of it as a reminder that trends come and go, but fashion is forever:).

Marc Jacob’s RTW Spring 09 line reached back and across with its influences a blend of turn of the century Gibson Girl (cute straw boater hats, prairie style bustle skirts) and ancient Japanese culture(technicolor, metallic, obi belts and sashes). The patchwork leather satchels w/ obi tie trims created a strange, but transformational marriage of these divergent times and cultures…but it is possible to imagine that although divided by oceans, during this time period, both Japanese geishas and Gibson girls prepared for work dressed in their respective obi belts and straw boaters. Our early prototypes of the female warrior.

All vintage pieces can be purchased at Vagabond NYC, online vintage store with an amazing web design as well as great vintage clothing and accessories.