Costume Institute's Ode to American Women

What a breathtaking display....one can certainly see the influences of these stunning looks on fashion as we know it today. The era of the flapper is one of my personal favorites. The gilded decadence of the beautifully sequined and embellished dresses were amazing! Many of those styles would serve well in today's fashion arena without looking dated. There are a few that I would love to get my hands on, maybe not so much to wear, but to display them as lovely works of art. Enjoy the view!


The first two dresses appear as though they were taken from this season's designer offerings. The first could easily be Marchesa or Carolina Herrera and the second, Vionnet, Halston, or Donna Karan, just to name a few.

This is an impeccable twosome! While both are gorgeous, the first is my favorite....such delicate and painstaking details. Another which would translate well with today's styles.

This magnificent work of art is my absolute favorite.....it screams Alexander McQueen! When I see dresses such as this, I'm reminded of why I love to watch the old black and white movies of the 20's and 30's.

The second dress is beautiful and also appears as one that we might see from today's designers.

The dress on the right is another delicate and feminine lovely with a Vionnet or Halston Heritage look.

Ah......both are equally lovely. In the two of these, I see Valentino; especially the dress on the right.

The dress on the right is interesting looking, almost as though there is a story attached. In this one I see Anna Sui.

Nice and simple, yet beautiful. I would love to see the outfits without the vests.

These appear as versions of the booties that we wear today....perhaps Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu.

NEW YORK — From a visual of Washington Square Arch framing the entrance to Lenny Kravitz’s “American Song” serving as the soundtrack to the finale photo and video installation of America’s female icons then and now, the Costume Institute’s “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity” exhibit feels like a journey through this country’s past through the fashion lens.

In a series of atmospheric oval and circular rooms, the Metropolitan Museum of Art brings to life the different stages of the American female identity, from “The Heiress” in a room inspired by Mrs. Astor’s Newport mansion and garments by Charles Frederick Worth, to “The Gibson Girl” exploring sports in all seasons, and “The Bohemian,” who seems right at home in environs inspired by the Tiffany Studios.

The exhibit strikes a political note in a gallery devoted to “Suffragists” and “Patriots” with actual footage of the movement marches and banners from the era, which is followed by “The Flapper,” which represents the sexual and economic emancipation of women in a skyscraper backdrop loosely inspired by Tamara de Lempicka’s Art Deco paintings, according to curator Andrew Bolton.

Perhaps the most quintessential symbol of America to the world could well be the “Screen Siren.” It features mannequins in glamorous gowns set against screens showing scenes from famous Thirties movies, and including Hollywood icons such as Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow, Joan Crawford and Rita Hayworth.

(WWD)