I know, I know, "Boho" style has been around now a couple of years - the throw back to the late 60s - early 70s resurrected by many celebs such as, Nicole Richie, Sienna Miller, Fashion Stylist/Designer, Rachel Zoe, among many many other famous or not. I myself fell into this look and style probably 20 years ago or so.
To me, before the terms "Boho" or "Bohemian Chic" were coined, I thought of it as a "Earth Maiden / Hippie fabulous". I guess they are synonymous terms, but, there's something about the words "Boho Chic" that just work.
It seems that with the ever increasing popularity of musical festivals such as Coachella (here in my home town of Palm Desert - well it's in neighboring Indio), the thousands and thousands of woodstock wannabees are working this look..... some work it good..... others, not so good. But just the same - this look is so much fun to watch and even more fun to wear. Even if some fall into the "not so good", the sentiment remains and you can't help but smile amidst the maxi dresses, crochet everything, and Goddess head jewelry.
Have you been wanting to give Boho a try? It's so easy but, it does take a certain knack to create your own look - it shouldn't look to studied - you know, like you're trying to hard..... it just has to happen. When it does, you'll know its good. Stay tuned for a little rundown on how to make this look your own - wear it and live in it........
Bohemian Chic living........ this is a story for another day.... let me just say..... Ikat, leather, Moroccan, Suzani - are all key words/styles/materials for this look. Just thinking about it makes me smile and makes me want to head out to the beach in my crocheted coverup and mocassins......... so simple, yet so good. More to come...... (photo credits - fashionreporterwannabe.wordpress.com, wearwhatwear.blogspot.com, coachella.com )
Born into wealth, Dorothy Draper was the first woman to establish an interior design firm in 1923, when a woman going to business by herself was considered risky as well as socially uncommon.
Drapers confidence, and unique style gave her an ability to step out of the common historical designs of her time, and run ahead of designers of her time because she didn't feel pressured to conform. Her confidence allowed her to make the right decisions every time- “if it looks right, it is right”.
Draper designed for the very wealthy society figures. But that was not all, she had commercial business knocking on her door as well. She often custom designed for hotels, restaurants, theaters, department stores, commercial establishments, corporate offices. She designed furniture for Ficks Reed, Heritage, as well as a many fabric lines for Schumacher.
(credit to Hollywood Regency Furniture...)
History's First True Interior Designer
The actual profession of interior designer is credited to Ms. Draper, who was commissioned to decorate all thirty-seven floors of the Hampshire House hotel in 1937 Manhattan. Even though renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright called her an "inferior desecrator," Ms. Draper had decorated scores of offices, restaurants, hospitals, and even a car for Packard (in 1952) and an airplane interior for Convair (the 880) before she died in 1969.
Ms. Draper also left a legacy through a number of books, as well, including a string of books on entertaining etiquette, some of which have recently been reprinted to help modern socialites entertain guests and be the life of their parties. In a way, Dorothy Draper was the Martha Stewart of her day, offering tips on a wide variety of issues to her eager readers.
Although Dorothy Draper is no longer a household name, she had an enormous effect on American interior design ideas in her day, and though she had her detractors (like Frank Lloyd Wright and others), there's no denying that she was the one who made the profession of interior designer possible for all those who came after her.
Much of Ms. Draper's work hasn't survived to the current day, but you can still see some of Ms. Draper’s work in various places around the country. For instance, there are still Dorothy Draper chandeliers hanging in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. For a less prosaic look into Ms. Draper’s influence, just look for the blue-and-orange facades of the many Howard Johnson restaurants that still dot the countryside from coast to coast. Their color scheme was first suggested by Dorothy Draper.
Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher
Permission granted to publish this article as long as the bio remains intact with a live link to http://www.designpsych.com
Check out these images from Dorothy Draper design:
Thank you Dorothy Draper -
....................................................................more to come............................