Tuesday, October 10,
7:00 p.m.
Former Fashion Institute Librarian Alex Kosztowny returns to Crowell
Library on Tuesday, October 10, with another talk about fashion history, this
time from a technical perspective. Most people
do not think about the craft and construction aspects that go into garment
creation, but these elements play a vital role.
Up until the latter part of
the 20th century, methods of producing clothing had remained
relatively unchanged. With the advent of mechanical processes such as the
cotton gin, the sewing machine, and different weaving looms, fashion has been
able to be transformed into a booming business that focuses on mass production,
globalization, and outsourcing. These inventions have made fashion quicker,
cheaper, and more readily available, yet certain elements still remain
unchanged. It is just in the last decade that advancements such as 3D printing have
seen an advancement in fashion that is truly new and unique, and catapulting us
into the future.
This expansion does not come
without costs, however. Kosztowny will delve into labor issues and regulations,
environmental impacts, and how fashion is affecting the health and well-being
of the planet and its residents.
Alex Kosztowny is a Los
Angeles based freelance designer and librarian who focuses on art, fashion,
textiles, and the preservation of materials. He was an instruction and
reference services librarian at the Fashion Institute of Design and
Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles and now works for the County of Los Angeles. He holds
his master’s degree in library and information science from the University of
California at Los Angeles as well as degrees in fashion knitwear design,
theatre costume design, and business management.
Come to Crowell Library for
this fascinating look at fashion history at Crowell Library October 10th
at 7:00 p.m.
