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Dior, Balmain, Saint Laurent: Elegance and Ease

27 April 2013 - 7 September 2014

Mint Museum Randolph

 

     

Christian Dior (founder and principal designer, 1946-1957)

House of Dior, Paris, France, 1947-present

Cocktail Dress (Blouse, Skirt, Belt), circa 1948

Acetate tulle with metallic braid on rayon lace over silk chiffon

Gift of the Mint Museum Auxiliary, donated by Mrs. Celia May Brumm.

House of Balmain, Paris, France, 1945-present

Cocktail Dress, circa 1960

Silk velvet, silk faille and silk brocade

Museum Purchase: Auxiliary Costume Fund. 

Yves Saint Laurent (founder and principal designer 1962-2002)

House of Saint Laurent, Paris, France, 1946-present

Evening Gown,  fall 1998

Silk floral brocade

Gift of Mrs. William McCormick Blair, Jr.  

 

Elegance and Ease presents 30 designs by three French masters in The Mint Museum Fashion Collection. The exhibition, featuring the work of these top designers active from the mid-20th century and into the 21st century, showcases their work and explores the history behind modern and contemporary fashion trends.

 

In 1947, Christian Dior (French, 1905-1957) established Paris as the center of the world of modern haute couture. Dior’s “New Look” fashions presented small, nipped-in waistlines above full skirts which emphasized the bust and hips in these silhouettes. He selected extravagant fabrics for his dresses and gowns, and his designs soon captured the attention of prominent clients from around the world.

              

Known for the elegance and movement of his formal designs, Pierre Balmain (French, 1914-1982) created elegant, slim silhouettes for his tailored suits. He once stated that “dressmaking is the architect of movement.” Even today, Balmain’s couture vintage designs are chic and highly desirable.

 

Yves Saint Laurent (French, 1936-2008) is recognized as one of the greatest names in fashion history. He was among the first to present ready-to-wear designs, including his famous tuxedo suits, which became a symbol of fashionable ease throughout the world. In 1985, fashion historian Caroline Rennolds Milbank wrote that Yves Saint Laurent was "the most consistently celebrated and influential designer of the past twenty-five years.” His formal and evening fashions as well as tailored suits created impressive directions in the world of haute couture and luxury fashions. 

 

 

Online Resources

 

HOUSE OF DIOR 

 

 

 

 

Marc Bohan

 

Christian Dior

 

Gianfranco Ferré

 

John Charles Galliano

 

 

HOUSE OF BALMAIN

 

 

 

Pierre Balmain

 

Oscar de la Renta 

 

Cristophe Decarnin

 

 

HOUSE OF SAINT LAURENT

 

 

 

Tom Ford

 

Stefano Pilati

 

Yves Saint Laurent 

 

 

ADDITIONAL DESIGNERS FEATURED IN THE EXHIBITION

Max Azria

 

Anne Klein and Company

 

Manolo Blahnik

 

Rene Caovilla

 

Cole Hann

 

Salvatore Ferragamo

 

Karl Lagerfeld

 

Edina Ronay

 

Elsa Schiaparelli

 

Kate Spade

 

Sir Paul Smith

 

Emanuel Ungaro

 

Valentino Garavani

 

 

Selected Print Resources Available in The Mint Museum Library 

 

 

 

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Created by Nicole Jacobson, volunteer for The Mint Museum Library

 

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