McQueen, Versace, Chanel, Adrian...and SO MUCH MORE!!!
Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages
Alexander McQueen "Peacock Dress" Fall/Winter 2008-09, Fabulous! Exhibit FIDM Museum & Galleries (above, at the Museum and bottom photo from the Alexander McQueen Fall 2008 Runway)Last Saturday I was invited to the Opening Night Party of the "Fabulous!" Exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's Museum & Galleries. And in one word, it was FABULOUS!!! The exhibition, which opened last Tuesday September 13th, spans 200 years of fashion history 1800-2010 in addition to ten years of FIDM Museum Acquisitions, from 2000-2010. The 200-piece exhibition, co-curated by the fantastic team of Kevin Jones and Christina Johnson of the FIDM Museum, includes historical court costumes, Haute Couture garments, accessories, jewelry, textiles, as well as historical documents that give provenance to the items.
The exhibit features two main and very prominent podiums which "divide" the items into ones that have been acquired through purchases by the FIDM Museum & Galleries and ones that have been donated.
There is also a GORGEOUS "Fabulous!" Catalogue which accompanies the exhibition (and is prefaced by none other than Hubert de Givenchy) and can be purchased at the FIDM Museum Store, which is adjacent to the Museum. It's A MUST HAVE!Some HIGHLIGHTS of the Fashion at the "Fabulous!" exhibit:
Embroidered Court Suit, belonging to composer Johann Hummel, worn in the court during the rule of Francis I, Emperor of Austria 1810-1814; It's one of the only ones in the World, and especially in such outstanding condition! (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)
A very rare Empire-style Silk Court Gown with gold laurel leaves brocade and an ELEVEN FOOT train worn by Ann Bloomfield Gamble Post (above) at Buckingham Palace when she was presented to King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1903 during Edward's coronation. She was the wife of famous American Author Melville Davisson Post and died only 16 years later of pneumonia.
Gianni Versace: Men's and women's ensembles from the SAME Gianni Versace 1994 collection Lady Gaga has been recently going GAGA for!!! These were donated items. Can you only imagine the FABULOUS guy who wore those gold studded leather pants and silk printed shirt! (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)
Gilbert Adrian: A draped gunmetal-colored iridescent silk taffeta halter-style gown from Hollywood designer Gilbert Adrian.
Mae West's Platform Shoes, as well as her actual foot imprint. Mae West was actually ONLY 5 FEET Tall, so you get to see what made her look SIX FEET Tall--Yep, those 10" platforms!Also, as part of the "Fabulous!" Exhibition, there is the Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection Gallery section. On view in this section is a selection of dresses, all originally belonging to European royalty! And you know how I'm a (fashion) fan of European Royalty...
Queen Victoria of Great Britain's Evening Gown, black silk faille and crepe, from 1897. (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages).
As you know, the black mourning color became popular during Queen Victoria's reign, particularly after the death of her husband, Prince Albert. She never wore anything else, just black. Isn't it AMAZING that you can see a gown worn by a Queen...from 1897 no less?The Opening Night "Fabulous!" Exhibit Party:
The "Opening Night Party", which was held right outside the street-level FIDM Museum & Galleries, was just as great as the Exhibition itself. FIDM, as always, outdid itself with lots of food, cocktails and a tented seating and socializing area. Lots of FIDM's donors, TV and entertainment personalities and of course, fashionistas were on hand. I made sure to say "Hi" to a lot of them:
Fashion Designers Sue Wong and Nick Verreos, Opening Night Party "Fabulous!" Exhibit, FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)
California Apparel News Fashion Editor and VeryVeryChic fashion blogger N. Jayne Seward and Nick Verreos, in front of a Chanel yellow paillette "Scuba" ensemble from 1991, Opening Night Party "Fabulous!" Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries
Doris Raymond, Curator and Owner of "The Way We Wore" Boutique, Opening Night Party "Fabulous!" Exhibition, FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)
Nick Verreos, Julian Bermudez and KPCC "Off-Ramp" Host John Rabe, Opening Night Party "Fabulous!" Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)
Barbie Boys: Nick Verreos flanked by James Holmes and Peter Helenek of Mattel, Opening Night Party "Fabulous!" Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo Courtesy of Peter Wintersteller/abimages)
The Opening Night Party was so much fun and yes, the "Fabulous!" Exhibition made me shake with "Fashion Glee". It rivals ANY top fashion and costume exhibition I've been to at The Met in NYC, Les Arts Décoratifs in Paris, or the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. DO NOT MISS IT!!!
Here Are The Details:
What: "Fabulous!", An Exhibition of 200 years of Fashion History 1800-2010
Where: FIDM Museum & Galleries 919 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles CA 90015
When: September 13-December 17 2011 Open Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 4pm (closed Sunday, Monday)
Cost: FREE!!!!!!