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Monday, April 22, 2013

Monday Morning Inspiration

Welcome to a new week!  
Last week, we took a look at some of the suits from the book, The Golden Age of Couture. This week, we'll see a few of the incredible gowns. If you have a chance, I would recommend taking a trip to your local library to see if they have this book. It is very well written, extremely informative and the pictures are such a delight to ooo and ahh over! You can also find the book here on Amazon for $28.    
 Below, Audrey Hepburn in a dress designed by Givenchy for the 1954 movie, Sabrina.
 This is a designer that I had not heard of until I saw this exhibit, Jean Desses. He was a French designer who opened his atelier in Paris in 1937. His dresses are so beautiful.
 Above, silk chiffon, 1953
I was so happy that I was able to show the picture below as you can see the incredible amount of work that went into these dresses.
 Red silk chiffon, ca. 1953.
Cocktail dresses. On the left, brown silk lace handkerchief dress, 1954-5. On the right, silk pleated dress, 1951.
Cocktail dress from Norman Harnell. Silk with diamante straps, early 1950's. From the collection of Princess Margaret. This was an incredible dress to see in person. The skirt is a series of pleats that form a scallop at the hem.
 Sadly, the above picture does not do justice to this dress as I felt that this was the most beautiful dress in the collection. The "bow" treatment is so lovely. There are panels of velvet on either side and are a part of the skirt. The bow has been inserted into slits. Christian Dior. The dress was given a name, "Black Swan." Autumn/Winter 1949-50.  
 I love the pleated detail on the bodice. Cocktail dress by Christian Dior, 1956.
Isn't this dress absolutely spectacular?!! Pierre Balmain. Silk organza with embroidery by Lesage, early 1950's.
 Cocktail dress by Robert Piguet, modeled by Dorian Leigh in Helena Rubenstein's apartment, Paris, 1949.
 Evening gown by Victor Stibel. illustration from Harper's Bazarre, 1952.
Balenciaga. Femina magazine, 1949.
Silk evening gown by John Cavanagh, modeled by Barbara Goalen, Autumn, 1954.

Next week we'll move on to another another book of beautiful dresses.
Wishing you all a lovely week.
Rhonda



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6 comments:

  1. What a delightful collection of absolute couture from the 1950's. Yes, even though I was a mere pre-teen at the time, I loved the photos. Believe me, I never was anywhere near any of these garments. Now: for some thought...everyone look how these models stand and sit. Sure beats these pigeon-toed skinny legged "models" of today. Am I missing something??? ...Lydia

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  2. Beautiful gowns. I was fortunate to be able to visit the V&A exhibition and still bring the book out to 'bliss out' over the pictures. A wonderful day out.

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  3. I saw this exhibit in Nashville several years ago and loved it. It is so nice to have you feature these gowns to take a good look. Thank you so much

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  4. Thanks for this visual treat, Rhonda. So utterly feminine and so skillfully constructed. Breathtaking!

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