SHAPES FROM THE PAST TO SHAPE THE FUTURE

BALENCIAGA

The curved pointy shape is here to stay.  So where can we place it??

BALENCIAGA

Organic and pointy with a surprise in the back....

CHARLES JAMES

From the American High Style exhibition in Brooklyn... the duchess satin folds like fat rolls...yet there is something very intriguing...

Another garment from the American High Style exhibit...It looks so solid, a modern farthingale during the 50s.  What will be the modern farthingale today??

MADAME GRES

A more structured Mme Gres shot by Avedon.  Asymertical shells of sorts.... What else will the sea bring up?

BACKSTAGE AT MARCHESA Spring 2012

Marchesa had in the past done their show as a static presentation.

This was the first runway show for Marchesa.  And what better location than the Plaza?

The ladies line up in their tulle ruffles, fringe and chiffon feather embroidered gowns.  You could not get more luxury than this.  All in subdued lavenders, blues, whites...and later come the black and graphic beaded pieces..

Karel Elson in the stunning pleated silk and tulle ballgown before hair and makeup.  That lady knows what shes doing, she asked to try on the gown before the show to make sure its not too long.  

After the show the gown is back on the dress form, too huge for a hanger, this lady means business.  

Look 30 is ready to go back to the studio!

BACKSTAGE AT OSCAR DE LA RENTA Spring 2012

Mr. de la Renta and the model, Liu Wen, backstage before the show

The simplest, so elegant, chiffon goddess gown. 

 

The looks in order...I wonder how much did they move around? What was cut? What was last minute?

 

The Atelier Director, Mr. Raffaele Ilardo, and the stunning fit and runway model, Marilia Dutra

The sleeve on this gown is so effortless and luxurious!

Karlie Kloss, staying composed and elegant amongst the chaos.  She is not only a beauty, but super nice. 

This woodland creature is ready for summer, alas for us its fall and the summer has officially come to an end...

Mr. de la Renta passes his gowned beauties as the show comes midway

Mr. de la Renta with his reporters and the music artist, Nicki Minaj

The models run to make it through to the gown finally.  Everyone claps!

And its over.  Could anyone remember the excitement that occupied this room just a minute ago?   Eliza Bolen de la Renta in the corner under the exit sign.  And on to the next show.

Poise Matters

There is something grand about these three images....

Countess of Castiglione

Valentina

Image by Irving Penn

WHAT IF GALLIANO AND PHILO HAD A FASHION BABY?

FALL 2003 DIOR COUTURE+FALL 2011 CELINE RTW
did a little photoshop experiment....

MUSE: DORIAN LEIGH

The model that truly personified the look of the 50s would have to be Dorian Leigh:

Dorian in Jacques Heim

The dynamic poses, the cinched Dior silhouette, the snobby facial expression and the piercing blue eyes.

Dorian by Irving Penn in Dior

Dorian by Cecil Beaton

Dorian by Irving Penn

A muse, and sometimes more, Dorian and the eponymous Vogue photographer, Irving Penn, were quite the couple.

Revlon's Fire and Ice Campaign by Avedon

To quote the Campaign: 'Theres a new American beauty...shes tease and temptress, siren and gamin. dynamic and demure.  Men find her slightly, delightfully baffling. Sometimes a little maddening.  Yes they admit she's easily the most exciting woman in all the world!  Shes the 1952 American beauty, with a foolproof formula for melting a male! Shes the "Fire and Ice Girl"'

She was truly the face and the personality of of the time.

 

Dorian by Avedon

Suzy Parker by Penn

 

....And it all runs in the family: the supermodel Suzy Parker, is Dorian's sister.

Today, the model that really brings back the fire and ice of Dorian Leigh would have to be Coco Rocha:

Coco Rocha

 Coco in a stunning Zac Posen Resort 2012 truly captures the 50s look

SOME INSPIRATION FROM VALENTINA

An American designer from the 1930-50s, Valentina could cut a dress with the complexity of a Vionnet and the simplicity of American sportswear

And sculpt a structural piece as modern as Francisco Costa's Calvin Klein.

The craftsmanship of her work gives voice to truly innovative American design

Images from the exhibition: Valentina: American Couture and the Cult of Celebrity at the MCNY in 2009.