High Style, The Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection

On a beautiful afternoon in San Francisco 

I had the pleasure of going to the phenomenal  

Legion of Honor

( www.famsf.org )

in Lincoln Park

to see the wonderful exhibit

High Style

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection

March 14 - July 19

The 125 piece High Style collection represents
three centuries of European and American fashions from the late 1700s to 1990s.

This exhibit is a small sampling of the 24,000 women's and men's garments, accessories, hats and shoes from the Brooklyn collection that began in 1903.

1925 silk crepe evening dress by French designer J. Suzanne Talbot

The exhibit is not arranged in chronological order but,

in 7 thematic groupings;

Prewar Europe, Elsa Schiaparelli, postwar Europe,

American female designers, American male designers,

Charles James, and accessories.

1937 ivory crepe-back silk satin summer dress by Elsa Schiaparelli

There are numerous garments and accessories by one of my favorite 

early 20th century French designers, 

 Elsa Schiaparelli.

She was a surrealist with a wit and originality in all her designs.

1938 clear plastic with pressed metal bugs necklace by Elsa Schiaparelli

One of Elsa Schiaparelli's close friends was artist Salvador Dali.

I can picture them brainstorming their iconic images and ideas.

1958 silk surah cocktail dress by French designer Yves Saint Laurent

This trapeze shape dress with it's loose waist was a huge departure from the 

previous silhouette of a fitted bodice and tiny waist.

It was part of Yves Saint Laurent's first collection for the House of Dior after 

Christian Dior's sudden death in 1957.

This design was acclaimed for it's modernity and youthfulness.

1970 organdy and beaded silk jersey evening ensemble by American designer Norman Norell

This ensemble marks another significant fashion development;

pants for evening wear becoming acceptable.

1944 rayon crepe evening dress by American designer Madame Eta Hentz

My daughter decided this was her favorite dress in the exhibit.

The dress was created for a 1944 exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art titled

" The Greek Revival in the United States "

The silhouette is based on a Greek chiton but, the beading and body-hugging form

definitely modernizes this dress.

1939 prototype for an evening pump by French designer Steven Arpad

The accessories room at the High Style exhibit is fascinating.

It seems modern society is pretty dull and conforming in our fashion choices 

compared to the over-the-top inventiveness of prior generations. 

1936 fur felt and rayon jersey hat by American designer Sally Victor

1962 woven straw and wool felt appliques by American designer Sally Victor

I am a little disappointed that there are only about a dozen hats on display.

Most are by the American designer Sally Victor...

it was a sad day when women no longer completed an outfit with the perfect hat.

1953 muslin of "Four Leaf Clover" ball gown by American designer Charles James

The last two rooms are dedicated to Charles James, an American designer from 1920 to 1954 that also had great success in London.

Charles James had no formal dressmaking training, instead developing his own methodology based on mathematical, architectural, and sculptural concepts.

  

Video showing the construction of Charles James Four Leaf Clover ball gown

Fascinating videos continually play at four of James masterpieces that deconstructed the gown into pattern pieces and then assembled them on the body.

To anyone that sews these videos are priceless. It's one thing to look at a beautiful gown but, so much more to see the shape of the pattern pieces !

These videos are easily the best thing I have ever seen at a designer showcase.

1947 muslin for the Bustle dress by American designer Charles James

Another interesting and unusual part of the Charles James pieces are the 1/2 muslins.

These are how James worked out and developed his increasingly complex designs 

before he cut into the final fabric.

1955 silk taffeta "Tree" ball gown by American designer Charles James

The final Charles James gown is this " Tree " ball gown designed for the very wealthy

Marietta Peabody Fitzgerald Tree.

This is also the gown that adorns all the publicity for the High Style exhibit.

The detailing on the "Tree "ball gown

The " Tree " ball gown is an amazing example of Jame's

 lifelong fascination of reshaping the body through corsetry. 

The accompanying video that shows the many underlayers and structure is fantastic.

Charles James and his wealthy patrons became very active in donating his works to 

the Brooklyn Museum. 

 Dozens of gowns, sketches, and more than 75 patterns were donated over many years creating a very thorough archive of his work

I recognized the name Charles James but, after viewing his work I am awed by his talent.

I really like the way his mind works.

High Style

The Brooklyn Museum Costume  Collection

is certainly one of the best 

fashion exhibits I have seen this year;

these photos are just a small sampling.

Thank goodness someone in Brooklyn had the insight 

to begin this wonderful collection that 

showcases the ingenuity and great fashion design through 

the centuries.