Last Saturday, a group of 23 readers and I met-up to go to the
High Style exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. What a lovely day we had - and how much fun to meet in person! We met outside the museum and then went in for a guided tour. Here are a few of the highlights (taken inside with no flash, so unfortunately the color isn't perfect. But many thanks to Jeff for capturing all of these!):
This is a House of Worth gown in a lovely lavender with a fantastic scalloped hem. (Bonus: my teacher Sharon came along and gave us all sorts of tips on sewing scalloped hems at lunch!)
This couture puppy ensemble was a hit.
There was a good amount of Schiaparelli on display, including this lovely day dress. The pattern is flower seed packets!
There was a special section on American women designers, where we saw this spectacular sundress.
How fabulous is the silhouette of this gown?
But for me, the real highlight of the exhibit was seeing the pieces by Charles James, an American couturier who had his heyday in the 1950s. His gowns are no less than feats of engineering.
Do go check out this exhibit if you can. The Charles James pieces alone are worth it!
As for the first-ever reader meet-up, I'm declaring it a smashing success. Besides going on the guided tour, we also had a lovely lunch, complete with a sewing Q&A with Sharon. Also, my mom came all the way from Arizona to attend! (I think I promised her a prize for having traveled the furthest to get there. Hmm, will have to figure out what that will be . . . )
Didn't make this one? Don't worry, there will be more! I'm currently cooking up a visit to FIT's Eco-Fashion exhibit later this summer. (See the
Threads post on the exhibit
here.) Details to come!
Gargh! Am jealous. Can I justify a flight to New York in order to attend the next meet-up?!
ReplyDeleteSO JEALOUS. What a wonderful day out!
ReplyDeletethat's amazing!!! What an awesome day! How fantastic was that Schia seed packet dress???
ReplyDeleteWhat a blast. I LOVE the 5th dress. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteYou're torturing me, Gertie! haha! Oh wow--thank you ever so much for a sneak peek at the exhibit; I am drooling over so many of these gowns and the details! Wow!
ReplyDelete♥ Casey
blog | elegantmusings.com
So much fun! Just one more reason why I wish I was still based on the East Coast. Thanks for sharing these photos! I'm now curious what sort of tips I need to know about scallops...would you please share sometime?
ReplyDeleteGertie this outing was so much fun! Thank you for planning it. You did an excellent job, and I would happily attend future outings if you would consider doing this again.
ReplyDeleteThe outing was so much fun!
ReplyDeleteOne of my personal favorites was the butterfly dress/parasol....
I know I marveled to a couple people about the incredible pattern matching that was going on a diagonal seam through the entire lower portion of the dress....
it's why they call it couture, indeed!
I'm jealous too! I'd love to see the show. Ann Marie Horner posted about going to a museum show in Nashville last week and I'm so jonesen for some kind of show. Alas. Here's the show she was at: http://www.fristcenter.org/site/exhibitions/exhibitiondetail.aspx?cid=795
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful day! I agree with MommytoAva about the sharing of scallop-secrets. Perhaps Sharon would be willing to write a guest blog on the subject for us or you could share a few gems on the subject with us.
ReplyDeleteI had a great time getting to chat with everyone and see the show!
ReplyDeleteFor those that can't attend there is a nice video with the curator and video footage of the exhibit over on PBS.
http://watch.thirteen.org/video/1510111505/
It looks like so much fun! So jealous and so wish I had been there! What a fabulous collection!
ReplyDeleteLook at you all! Cat got the cream 'cos you all got to attend! (Yes, I'm jealous... very!). Tho NY is a tad far from Australia. ;) Monique xx
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great outing, wish I could have joined you but Vancouver's too far :) though, I WILL make my way to New York one day!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing...the gowns are amazing, truly works of art!
I had a really fantastic time!! I wish I could have stayed for lunch. Next time, I am blocking off the entire day!
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to have been there with all of you. But I am too far away. The pictures are amazing. I'm so glad you had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteIf you would like to get to know me better, come by and read today's post where I share all the nitty gritty.
Trudy
http://sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com/2010/06/do-not-read-this-post-trust-me-you-wont.html
I was booked last Saturday, so I'm glad you're planning another outing! And FIT = walking distance to the garment district, wink wink.
ReplyDeleteLooks like such a fantastic day! I had my first blogger meet up at the weekend, fabric shopping in Edinburgh with Debi from My Happy Sewing Place. It was so strange - and so nice - to meet in person. Internet friends really exist!
ReplyDeleteWish I could have been there. :(
ReplyDeleteWow! That last Charles James dress blew my mind!
ReplyDeleteLooks so fun! Wish I could have joined you all. Makes me want to take a trip to NYC.
ReplyDeleteOMG I didn't know Schiaperelli did a seed packet dress! I sewed myself a skirt with seed packet applique a couple of years ago but hardly ever wear it now. I will have to dig it out and reference it when people ask!
ReplyDeletehttp://roobeedoo.blogspot.com/2008/06/lady-gardeners-skirt.html
It was a great exhibit. My biggest surprise was Scarlet O'Hara's bonnet from Gone With the Wind.
ReplyDeleteI am jealous of your mother. I will continue to gather details from her about the trip to the Big Apple. Please continue to inform, inspire and amuse us with your blog.
ReplyDeleteIt was ALOT of fun! I had a great time. Thanks again for setting it up, Gertie!
ReplyDeleteOOOOOOH!!!! I've never seen that copy of Charles James' butterfly dress. The one at Chic Chicago was cream colored. He truly was a fashion engineer. I could look at his designs for hours.
ReplyDelete