I have been to a few fashion exhibitions in the last couple of months but unfortunately not managed to write anything about them until today. I was lucky enough to be in New York a month and a half ago and found myself, rather by chance, on the MET steps. Once there, I knew there was no way I was leaving without checking out the Charles James- Beyond fashion exhibit which had opened that very week at the MET.
I ashamed to say I knew nothing about the ‘first american couturier’ until then but I’m glad that I took the opportunity to find out more. What a lot of people don't know about Charles James was that he was born in London to a English father and an American mother from Chicago, he even did a stint at Harrow. His first shop was in Chicago after which he moved to London and then Paris for a while. His most successful collection was shown in Paris in 1947 but he returned to America soon after and settled in New York in the 1950’s.
I ashamed to say I knew nothing about the ‘first american couturier’ until then but I’m glad that I took the opportunity to find out more. What a lot of people don't know about Charles James was that he was born in London to a English father and an American mother from Chicago, he even did a stint at Harrow. His first shop was in Chicago after which he moved to London and then Paris for a while. His most successful collection was shown in Paris in 1947 but he returned to America soon after and settled in New York in the 1950’s.
The exhibition itself was an absolutely breathtaking array of one-off couture pieces and show stopping gowns. You could see how current designers had created gowns for celebrities to wear on the red carpet that were direct inspirations from his designs. For example, the oscar de la rent dress Sarah Jessica Parker wore at the MET gala and the Gucci dress that Blake lively wore at Cannes 2014 were both direct (almost) replicas of Charles’ own designs. What is fascinating about the era when he designed clothes is that more was always more which incidentally is my favourite fashion motto. I have never been very good at simple and minimalistic unless I’m dressing down for work or at home wanting to be comfortable. As much as I wish i could work the Phoebe Philo look, the truth is her clothes will never suit my curves. Luckily, Charles’ designs seemed tailor made for me-it was all about evening attire and formal wear.
Two other things that must be mentioned before I stop droning on about how good the exhibition was; one is the tailoring of his dresses which will flatter women of any shape and size (size 0 enthusiasts take note, this is how most women want to be dressed) and secondly the use of colour. We are becoming so reliant on black that we sometimes forget how exciting colour can be and the Beyond Fashion exhibition reminds us of exactly that. So if you happen upon the steps of the MET before the 10th of August 2014 do go and see the exhibition- you wont be disappointed.
