Located above the Museu de Arts Decoratives in the Palau Reial de Padralbes is the Barcelona Textile Museum.
Not where you would probably expect me to be spending time, but honestly, we had some time to kill! What a pleasant surprise I had in store.
The amazing collection traces the evolution of fashion: providing interesting 'how tos' such as how the 'new look' bust was created, seen above, and contrasting elements of different styles.
The patterns of these victorian skirts below were contrasted to a much later 20th century version.
And just how are those hoop skirts held high? Well, here's how! Seeing the clothing in person and relatively close up was much better than reading about them in a book or magazine.The workmanship and details on some of the pieces were amazing, especially loved this flapper look. Notice the white suit in the background, so Gatsby'esque!
Examples such as these mid 19th century Empire styled dresses were in such immaculate condition with such vivid colors you would have thought they were just sewn yesterday.Seeing this fairly recent dress compared with an Edwardian train was another example of a great pairing.And just how are those bustles kept up (throughout different periods)?The layout of this exhibit really is impeccable. I always say the right presentation can make the most mundane exhibit interesting (I recently saw a fascinating exhibit on parking garages at the NBM. Come on, I mean...they made parking structures interesting!).These bodices were in such beautiful colors.More amazing beading work.This is a whole lot of look, but in the right situation, pretty fabulous!Spain's own Balenciaga is of course represented. I loved all of his clothing they showed. Some more bizarre pairings showing yet again how things never change; they just come in and out of fashion, nothing is ever 'new'. These body conscious dresses below come from all different styles and time periods.Not everything is so beautiful, will these ever be back in style? That red men's polyester number really made my skin itch!Make sure to stop by this amazing museum, right on the metro line. You can't beat 3 museums in 1: Textile, Ceramics and decorative arts.
Lady Gaga is Elle Magazine's January cover girl. She dishes on how her body responds to her stressful new life:
“I get all the symptoms of a pregnant woman. I get headaches, I get tired, I get blurred vision sometimes during a really intense session with {her creative team} the Haus.”
On her former career {not the stripping, but waitressing}:
“I was really good at it. I always got big tips. I always wore heels to work! I told everybody stories, and for customers on dates, I kept it romantic. It’s kind of like performing.”
On her future family:
“In eight to 10 years, I want to have babies for my Dad to hold, grandkids. And I want to have a husband who loves and supports me, just the way anyone else does. I would never leave my career for a man right now, and I would never follow a man around.”
Edgy heavy metal style is still in abundance on the European streets...and ya gotta love the first pair of shoes shown that look like they belong on the feet of Lady Gaga herself. Yum. Shown below, more of the best and worst on some of the most stylish street walkers right now.
} } FASHION DON'TS... { {
See if you can guess the big FASHION DON'TS shown here. There are at least FOUR faux pas that we count.
Designed by Dianne Grgat, the A/W 2009 collection for Australian label Gripp Jeans is a renaissance of ‘gothic chic’.
"It's sophisticated glamour with a rock vamp edge, leaving the collection with a feel of lust and utter abandonment."
Key pieces such as the corsets in power net and lace emphasise feminine virtues such as the décolletage. Fitted body dresses in lace and draped jersey play a game of peek-a-boo on the derriere. Feminine assertiveness is expressed with strong structural lines in shoulder detailing and the use of leather and heavy metal hardware and trims.
Sweet meets tough, edgy style and trends abound with Studs / Hardware, Peep Toes, Booties, Cut Outs and more! Here, some of the best and worst on some of the most stylish street walkers right now.
} } FASHION DON'TS... { {
We're not sold on tucking your pants into your strappy heels just yet...but the real FASHION DON'T here is wearing shoes that don't actually fit your feet and leave your little piggies trying to flee over the side of the shoe.
Wearing socks with heels / open shoes is a real trend right now, {see "Would You Wear This Trend"} but it's easy to do it wrong. Don't be a trend whore and try to mix several trends at once if they just don't work and look like a cluttered mess: Cuffed pants, floral socks and these light-coloured peep toed booties with white laces are a definite FASHION DON'T!
Located above the Museu de Arts Decoratives in the Palau Reial de Padralbes is the Barcelona Textile Museum.
Not where you would probably expect me to be spending time, but honestly, we had some time to kill! What a pleasant surprise I had in store.
The amazing collection traces the evolution of fashion: providing interesting 'how tos' such as how the 'new look' bust was created, seen above, and contrasting elements of different styles.
The patterns of these victorian skirts below were contrasted to a much later 20th century version.
And just how are those hoop skirts held high? Well, here's how!
Seeing the clothing in person and relatively close up was much better than reading about them in a book or magazine.
The workmanship and details on some of the pieces were amazing, especially loved this flapper look. Notice the white suit in the background, so Gatsby'esque!
Examples such as these mid 19th century Empire styled dresses were in such immaculate condition with such vivid colors you would have thought they were just sewn yesterday.
Seeing this fairly recent dress compared with an Edwardian train was another example of a great pairing.
And just how are those bustles kept up (throughout different periods)?
The layout of this exhibit really is impeccable. I always say the right presentation can make the most mundane exhibit interesting (I recently saw a fascinating exhibit on parking garages at the NBM. Come on, I mean...they made parking structures interesting!).
These bodices were in such beautiful colors.
More amazing beading work.
This is a whole lot of look, but in the right situation, pretty fabulous!
Spain's own Balenciaga is of course represented. I loved all of his clothing they showed. 
Some more bizarre pairings showing yet again how things never change; they just come in and out of fashion, nothing is ever 'new'. 
These body conscious dresses below come from all different styles and time periods.
Not everything is so beautiful, will these ever be back in style? That red men's polyester number really made my skin itch!
Make sure to stop by this amazing museum, right on the metro line. You can't beat 3 museums in 1: Textile, Ceramics and decorative arts.
