MET Costume Exhibit: Charles James ♡ Twenty Fourteen

[Taken from Vogue]

As an avid fan of the MET's Costume Institute, I'm so excited to address this year's fashion focus, Charles James. Unlike last years more general theme, "Punk: Chaos to Couture," the Costume Institute decided to select a single designer, reminiscent of previous years, such as Alexander McQueen (2011). Though his name is unfamiliar to popular culture bred in the latter half of the 20th and 21st C, James produced some of the most recognizable designs of what we call "haute couture." Unlike the European couturiers of his time, such as the Italian Elsa Schiaparelli and Lucien Lelong of France, the English James fathered a kind of "American couture." He married the European art of dressmaking and the progressive American spirit. 

[Taken from the MET]

James treated each garment as a work of art, and held his creations under the same guardianship as a Renaissance sculptor would over a sculpture. According to Vogue, Cristobal Balenciaga called James "the world's best and only dressmaker," and "Christian Dior described James's designs simply as 'poetry.'" Perhaps the most astounding feature to James's work is the mathematical and precise approach he had in creating his works. James is renown for his ability to tailor and construct gowns and garments with such ease and effortlessness. 

Some of James's most famous works, "Four Leaf Clover," "Butterfly," and "Tree" will be featured in this year's Costume Exhibit. 

"Four Leaf Clover" [Taken by the MET]

I simply love this concept of creating a clover from bird's eye view. I adore the layers of dimension in this piece, from the three-dimensional shape of the garment, to the two-dimensional contrast between the stark black and the glossy satin.

"Butterfly" [Taken by the MET]

I love love love this gown! Not only do I adore the symbolism behind the dress's "cocoon" and "wings," I love that it's a true example of traditional haute-couture, yet still has fashion forward innovation. 

"Tree" [Taken by the MET]

I think perhaps my favorite part of "Tree" would have to be that gorgeous progression at the bottom. I can totally see the current "mermaid" bottom as a derivation from this original James design, but I love the deeper "tube" part at the front. This dress seems like it would flatter any body shape that would have the privilege to wear it!

[Taken from Pins and Needles]

All in all, I'm super pumped to see how the MET recreates James's romantic haute couture world. Check out what the MET has published about the exhibit so far here, and check out Charles James's history via Vogue here.

Here's to American Couture!

"Such as we are made of, such we be"

[Twelfth Night 2.2]

Cheers, x