FASHION ICON | Christóbal Balenciaga

© NHM | Balenciaga | Resort 2014

With his Resort 2014 collection ALEXANDER WANG shows his deep respect for the Balenciaga’s House’s codes. The collection has the signature of Balenciaga big volumes, shapes and refers to self-taught designer Cristóbal BALENCIAGA. 

Today Wang shows his interpretation, of the ultra modern, elegant and feminine silhouette with this sculptured petaline, volumed and ovoid shaped bolero-cum-bra top. The colors black, white and grey where continued from Wang’s debut collection for the House.

I love to recognize the typical signature of the Spanish Basque designer and founder of the house Balenciaga. The talented designer created ultra-modern but yet so feminine shapes. The tunic dress, the high-waisted baby doll dress, the balloon skirt, the sack dress and the cocoon coat were like sculptures. 

His use of heavy fabrics, the so called bracelet sleeves and the collars that stood away from the neck. 

Christobal Balenciaga

With his manipulation of the waist he created a whole new silhouette for women in the 50’s and 60’s, this was considered Balenciaga’s most important contribution to fashion.

Thank you Mr. Wang for keeping the legacy of the great master of couture alive.

Enjoy,

Nancy | NHM FASHION ILLUSTRATIONS

THEATRE DE LA MODE: DIOR & HARRODS

[photo Harrods.com] Miniature mannequins in High Fashion of Dior displayed on the run way of Harrods London. The excellence and creative skills of the French Fashion House were shown in a miniature theatre experience. A nod to the 1953’s Harrods Fashion Theatre introducing a Dior fashion show and the ‘Théâtre de la Mode’ a travelling exhibition showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of artisans of French Couture. In 1945 and 1946, Robert Ricci, son of Couturier Nina Ricci, initiated the "Théâtre de la Mode". An exhibition shown first in Paris, and after a huge success toured across Europe and the United States, to show the creativity of the finest French Couture Designers on miniature mannequins size: approx 700 mm (27.5 inches). More than 40 Paris Couturiers joined together. With scrap materials they created new Couture. Seamstresses crafted exquisite fahion with real pockets and linings, finishing every detail of the garments, miniature undergarments, milliners created miniature hats, jewellers (Cartier and Van Cleef and Arpels) contributed small necklaces and others Houses like Schiaparelli, Hermes, Balenciaga, worked on accessories, like shoes, umbrellas and tiny belts. The creations were shown on dolls, designed by Eliane Bonabel, the body formed by wire and plaster heads crafted by sculptor Joan Rebull. Settings were designed by Jean Cocteau, Christian Bérard and many other important artists. “The meticulous attention to details is so striking … The buttons were really buttons. The zippers really zips. The handbags had little wallets, inside them.” [quote Historian Lorraine McConaghy] “The Theatre de la Mode holds great significance from a historical perspective because thanks to the tenacity and ingenuity of its creators and collaborators, Paris was able to assert its rightful place as the fashion capital of the world. Without this, then the world of fashion as we know it to this day, would have taken a very different turn.” [anonymous quote] In 1988, Paris’s Musée la Mode et du Textile undertook an extensive restoration of the mannequins and painstakingly recreating the sets. The Théâtre de la Mode now exhibits at the Maryhill Museum of Art. Parts of the Théâtre tours around the United States and Europe. No doubt, the exhibition, shown in Harrods, was overwhelming too. Proving, again, Fashion is Art! Dior at Harrods Enjoy, Nancy