Gentle Friends, after our breakfast and walk-a-bout,we headed for the museum.......the Legion of Honor is a lovely classically inspired building just full of beautiful things to see.....
....the temporary exhibit we had come to see.......
...... the gowns in the exhibit were spectacular and so worth the visit!!! Here we go...........
Gilbert Adrian, better known as just Adrian when designing for films, "The Tigress"
Evening ensemble, 1949 - black,gold and orange silk taffeta chine and gold lame....
______________________________
... I lost the info about these two pieces, but seem to remember the one of the left was from 1960 or so and the right one from the late 1980's (I do not care for the one on the right)
___________________________
This spectacular gown......
Charles James, "Four-leaf Clover" evening gown, 1953 - Duchesse satin, lace and silk Shantung
...close up of the lace overlay......
....and the back of the gown.......
___________________________
another lovely gown by......
Charles James - "Ball Gown" 1951 - Ivory Silk Satin - was a gown with four poufs reinterpreting the Victorian bustle... the bodice looked very tight and not that comfortable to wear....
______________________
This gown was one of the show stopper pieces of the exhibit.....
another Charles James creation called "Tree" Ball Gown 1953 - Dark Pink Silk Taffeta with red, pink and white nylon tulle......
.... here's the back of the gown...
______________________
This ensemble was worn by Ava Gardner in the film "The Barefoot Contessa" 1954.....
Designed by Sorelle Fontana - 1954 - Pink Duchesse Silk Satin, black velvet applique with pearlescent and iridescent sequins and beads.
_________________________
Two earlier gowns......
................the one on the left is by J. Suzanne Talbot ca. 1925 - Rust silk crepe with gold, silver and white embroidery. The one on the right is by Jean Patou ca. 1927 Ivory silk twill with a self-fabric belt. The Cloche hat is ca. 1923 and is beige glazed linen with self-fabric band.
______________________
Here's a much earlier gown from the House of Worth......
Jean Philippe Worth - Evening Dress 1907-10 - Cream silk Satin, silk tulle, and lavender silk chiffon embroidered with rhinestones, pearls and crystal beads.
__________________
Arthur Silver - from Liberty & Co - 1900-1915 - silk brocade woven in peacock pattern
__________________________
Callot Soeurs (The Callot Sisters) - Two Evening Ensembles ca. 1913 -
_______________________
Elsa Schiaparelli - "Evening Dress" - Summer 1937 - Ivory crepe-backed silk patterned in multicoloured butterflies - with matching umbrella
______________________________
Madeleine Vionnet "Evening Ensemble" ca 1935 - magenta silk crepe
______________________________
Left - Yves Saint Laurent - "Refrain" cocktail dress - Spring/Summer 1958- White silk surah printed with grey and black pebble pattern
Right - Cristobal Balenciaga - Dress - Autumn/Winter 1957 - Black silk crepe
Right - Cristobal Balenciaga - Dress - Autumn/Winter 1957 - Black silk crepe
____________________________
There were quite a few other pieces in the Exhibit, but this post is getting, or gotten really long so I'll wrap it up. Do stop by tomorrow for the final Part 3 of our visit to the LoH.
Take care,
edgar
I loved this post! The gowns are beautiful! Looking forward to the next part.
ReplyDeletePaula
That's when ball gowns were works of art! Reminds me of Young Frankenstein line, Madeline Kahn say " Taffeta darling, Taffeta! ).
ReplyDeleteGreat dresses! We had the chance to see some similar exhibition while in MET.AriadnefromGreece!
ReplyDeleteGreat snaps. I have to hightail it down there before the exhibit closes.
ReplyDeleteBe still my heart....wonderful exhibit. I wonder
ReplyDeleteif the wrap on the J Suzanne Talbot creation is
attached....If you were not sewing couture in the
20's or learning by the 50's from someone who had,
the ebbing thread of expertise and diligence made
it likely we will not see such detailed skill again..
Thank you for sharing.
Dearest Edgar: What a beautiful post, love how the dresses are displayed.
ReplyDeleteThank-you for sharing this fun day with us.
Blessings
Catherine
What a gorgeous exhibit! I was not familiar with the Legion of Honor--so nice to hear about it!
ReplyDeleteEach dress is to die for! So lovely--thanks for sharing!
What a feast for the eyes! Weren't the fabrics and styles divine? Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDelete