Behind the Glass

We can all thank Andre Leon Talley for taking seventy-three of every girls favorite wardrobe essential, the little black dress, and putting them all in one breath taking exhibit.  The exhibit was full of little black dresses (LBD) from Chanel and Balenciaga back in the 1950-60′s all the way to 2012-13 with Zac Posen, Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, and more.  Not to mention there was a beautiful silk LBD from Mariano Fortuny dating all the way back to 1907!  There was so much talent and history all in one lively room.  Being able to see these dresses up close and in person is every girls dream.

Although black dresses have been around for quite some time in history, they always had this taboo tied with them… Black was for morning.  It wasn’t until 1926 when Coco Chanel changed this black dress into the  ”Little Black Dress” we all know and have grown to love.  Girls today wouldn’t be caught dead without at least one LBD in there closet, but let’s be honest, you can never really have too many LBDs.  The LBD is such an elegant, classic, versatile look,  which can be a life saver for just about any event.  It should be a dress you feel good, comfortable, and confident in;  Just slip on that LBD and you’re ready to go!

This was the first LBD sketch Chanel had done, which was featured in Vogue on October 1st, 1926.

Some of my favorites, just to name a few, from the exhibite were:

This was Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel.  Made out of silk, lace, and cotton organza, this LDB went down the  runway for Chanel’s  S/S haute couture in 1986.

Prada: Spring 2012

Being in love with the peplum style, this dress stopped me in my tracks.  The elegance and simplicity of the whole look was just unbelievable. I also love the gloves, and how they stop right at the line of the peplum, making the overal silhouette even more intriguing.

Linda Evangelista wore this look to the Costume Institute gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This Tom Ford dress with the cape was just stunning.  From the asymmetry created by the cape and the one exposed shoulder to the long, lean silhouette overall fit, this dress was just flawless.  This dress was just recently shown in Tom Ford’s fall/winter 2012 show.

Gwyneth Paltrow was actually seen in his design at the 84th Academy Awards, 2012.

Some other dresses shown were:

Ralph Lauren Fall 2011

Stella McCartney Winter 2011 – Worn by Rihanna to Costume Institute gala

Mariano Fortuny  ”Delphos Dress” 1907

Michael Kors – Pre-fall 2011

The exhibit was an amazing experience.  Seeing all these different LBDs throughout fashion history was really an eye opener.  There were so many different designers and aesthetics; it was interesting to see the evolution of styles and taste all originating from Chanel’s original vision of the LBD.  If you havent seen the exhibit yet, it’s absolutely something worth seeing!

History is never truly “history.”  It’s always coming back and inspiring artists, designers, and innovators.  We’re always seeing ideas and concepts from the past popping up and reappearing in modern, creative ways. Just off the top of my head, one popular trend seen today is neons.  But when did the neon trend start?  We start seeing this combining of multiple neons back in the 80′s.  Let’s face it, the 80′s was the epitome of bright colors:  Hot pinks, neon greens, bright blues, etc.   Today, we see these colors spring up again in bold neon statement jewelry, belts, pants, purses, and more.  The concept from the past is the same, however the designs are different.

1987 Harpars Bazaar to todays fashions

Another influencial style icon was Jackie Kennedy.  Her original Oleg Casini designs helped her create a style all her own, one that would show through in the influence of other designers to come.  Take a look at Calvin Klein’s Fall 2012 collection.  From the dresses to the jackets, they all have that modernized  ”Jackie O” look.

Fine arts and fashion design depend on one another like a pair of Christian Louboutin’s depend on that red sole.  Without one to influence the other, the arts might not have taken the paths that lead us to the present.  Fashion is wearable art to coincide with popular art movements at the time, but who’s to say fashion can’t pull up a thing of the past and redirect the art playing field?  Because that’s exactly what Gucci did in Spring 2012, and  what Alexander McQueen did the following year with his Spring 2013 resort wear collection.  Reinterpreting  the Art Deco movement, started in Paris back in he 20′s, both Gucci and McQueen’s designs resemble and glorify the bold and electrifying art and design work of the time in a fashion forward collection today.

Gucci Spring 2012

Alexander McQueen Resort 2013

A classic design, the peplum dress/top, is another mid 20th century coming back in full swing, seen all over runways today.  This, being one of my favorite styles, is a classic, timeless look.  Throw this top over a pencil skirt and you’re ready to go!

One of my favorite designers sporting this looking is Dior, who’s peplum dress/tops ruled fashion back in the mid 20th century.

The same look was also seen at the time with designers such as Lachasse

Today we see the same effortless cut with Giambattista Valli and Elie Saab

This painting by Van Gogh has always been an inspiration to me. When I look at it, all I can focus on is the simplicity, yet the elegance that runs though the streets of France.  I feel like a majority of the styles I find compelling could and should be worn in this type of atmosphere; somewhere classy and sophisticated, yet cozy and relaxing.  If I could, a cute little cafe in France is where I would spend all my nights! It would be the perfect place to think, ponder, get inspired, and get away to unwind after a long hard day.

Movement is something found in anything from nature to appliances we use in our everyday life.  So why shouldn’t fashion also have movement?  We live our lives in the fashions we wear, so I’m always interested and inspired by different silhouettes, shapes, and movements for designs we wear.

Dior:  

Dior’s style inspires me through their effortless and timeless looks.  The way the silhouettes work and Dior’s ability to always combines the perfect amounts of classic feminine touches laced with a sexy twist.

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