Literature and Fashion

J.H. Fragonard, "A Young Girl Reading," 1776

I've already expressed my fascination with ModCloth's copywriting in an earlier post. A couple of days ago I found out (via A Dress A Day) that ModCloth is planning to publish an anthology of prose, poetry and non-fiction, which explore the way style and life interact. In their own words, their goal is to publish "an innovative collection that gives voice to those who share our love of literature and fashion!"

Literature and fashion! I don't think I've ever come across any anthologies or publications that aim to bring these two together. In the public eye fashion and literature are all too often seen as opposing forces. One deep and philosophical, the other shallow and lacking intelligence. People interested in fashion or style are often seen as merely superficial, stupid and consumerist. In my own experience I know that I have often been sneered at by people for my interest in sewing (Are you depressed, sweetie?! You should go out more!). Sewing is considered a shallow and petty hobby. Sewing has almost as bad a reputation as pottery and quilting (almost - I'm sure potterers and quilters have to take a lot more slack). Somehow emancipated and self-respecting women are not meant to dabble in such brainless and insubstanital hobbies. I can still clearly remember a scene from Sex and the City, in which Carrie threatens to pretend not to be Charlotte's friend anymore if she ever finds her signed up to a pottery course.

Looking at all the sewing and fashion blogs I'm reading the women (and men) behind them are anything but brainless and shallow and they definitely know how to write. Susannah from cargo cult craft provides the most detailed and well-researched insights into austerity fashion. Gertie does not only know how to sew the most perfect bound buttonhole but also writes brilliantly about many interesting topics of fashion and sewing. And surely you have to have your wits together if you can figure out corsetting the way Julia from MarmaladeKiss has or decipher weird Japanese sewing instructions like Karin from Ancien Nouveau or Carolyn from Handmade by Carolyn. The list could go on.

Their inaugural issue will be published in February 2011 as an online publication. At the moment they are accepting submissions to their publication. Will anyone be up for this? Their submission guidelines and mission statement can be found here and the deadline is August 1, 2010.

Whether or not this publication will feature any of the bloggers I know or not it should be a fun and interesting read if it's anything like ModCloth's copywriting. Maybe we should create our own Sewing and Literature publication?!