The fantastic National Gallery of Victoria is currently showing an exhibition entitled Drape: Classical Mode to Contemporary Dress which has me itching for a Melbourne mini break. I used to make it to Melbourne every couple of months - usually for work - but the past twelve months hasn't seen me visit at all, and I'm rather keen to reacquaint myself with Melbourne's lovely lane ways.
Draping fabric has long been used to create attractive silhouettes, working with the body's natural contours and ensuring best use of fabric. This exhibition opens at an opportune time as draping is well and truly back in vogue, popping up all over the place on the S/S 2010 runways. Christopher Bailey with his bubblegum mini dresses for Burberry Prorsum and Alber Erbaz at Lanvin particularly spring to mind.
The Cecil Beaton photograph above contains a feast of Charles James dresses circa 1948, and the 1954 Jean Desses masterpiece and 1973 Paco Rabanne sparkly sheath below are just a couple of the items on display. Apparently they've also managed to acquire a Vionnet gown.
The exhibition runs until the end of June so here is hoping I find myself in Melbourne before winter well and truly kicks in.
3 comments:
Check out Cecil Beaton's fabric designs for interiors use on www.cecilbeatonfabrics.com - available through the Selvedge group in Australia - includes 'Beaton Beauties' based on Beaton's sketches from 1950s Dior & Balenciaga catwalk shows. Perfect fashion/interiors crossover!
ohhh this sounds like an amazing exhibition! I hope you are able to make it there...sounds like a great excuse for a trip!
Thank you for your well wishes! It is so true what you said regarding your future brother-in-law, and everyone not worrying when he leaves the house anymore! My husband was thinking of buying another one after is recovery, but I won't hear of it! :)
I'm breathless. Seriously breathless at those two works of art! Thanks for sharing. :)
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