You can't be elegant without being graceful, and you can't be graceful when you are not at ease." JDR
Sometimes in our daily hassles, in the crowded subway in the morning, rushing to work, I forget how special it is to be living in New York. However, on a Sunday afternoon like today, I felt grateful that in 15 minutes I could find myself in one of the most creatively inspiring places in the world, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and get the November "blues" out of my head.
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| "The Art of Style" - Jacqueline De Ribes |
The reason I visited the museum today was the new exhibition: "Jacqueline De Ribes - The Art of Style." At first, it may sound boring to see 65 outfits of some French socialite and self-made fashion designer. However, for those with creative imagination and appreciation of uniquely crafted personal style, it could be an enchanting experience for so many reasons. For me, a fashion consultant by heart, an opportunity to see such a carefully curated closet was comparable to Alice's visit to a magic Wonderland. The gowns from Balmain, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Armani, Dior and many others tell their own story and invite the audience to re-imagine the occasions Jacqueline could wear them and the climate of those events and times.
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| Design - Jacqueline De Ribes |
Jacqueline de Ribes, born and married into an aristocratic French family, as a young woman was famous for her classic profile and a body, which was a dream for most of the fashion designers. What is interesting about her personal style from a contemporary perspective, is that almost like a modern-day fashion blogger, she also liked to mix and match high fashion pieces with cheap fashion treats (Express blouse, Banana Republic sweater worn with Chanel's clothes). Her own designs surprise with incredible attention to details, e.g., a white lace dress with black velvet elements or stunning maxi black gowns. At the same time, some of them are not perfect and show her educational path leading to designs that are both stylish and functional.
Jacqueline, despite her wealth and social status, was not just one of Swan society ladies who lunched. Besides launching her own fashion business, she was involved in the television production; she was supporting several museums and foundations in France, as well as many charity organizations.
As Fairchild, a former publisher of Women Wear Daily said: " Everybody was prepared to ridicule the society lady making fashion. But Jacqueline made beautiful clothes. She is an elegant lady with a naughty twist." If you want to experience what eternal style stands for, visit the museum soon. (The exhibition continues until February 21, 2016).
I wish you a creative and inspiring week!
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