Jacquelin de Ribes Her Style, Her Life at the MET. Gorgeous. photo by Avedon
Exhibit: Jacqueline de Ribes The Art of Style now at the MET in New York. Don't miss it.
Event to Attend! One of the best Things to do in New York in this pre-Christmas Time is the Exhibit Jacqueline de Ribes The Art of Style
At the Costume Center of the MET.
November 19th, 2015 - February 21, 2016
Long before the Exhibit opened on November 19, 2015 this event was anticipated by Fashionistas and Lovers of Glamour.
“La belle Fleur Bleue,” as Jacqueline de Ribes was once called by her husband, French Aristocrat Vicomte Edouard de Ribes, is just one description, one facet of this shining star. Yet it is a loving tribute, a title bestowed on her, as if she needs another title.
Far from La Fleur Bleue, a young romantic girl, she became a shining star, she had a distinctively French Allure at a time when Glamour still had its Magic. The time of grand parties, social events, gowns, when jewels and tiaras dazzled without Hollywood glitz.
White satin bow detail, white chiffon gown.
Jacqueline is still the Grand Dame, her life a long list of moments of grandeur and excitement amid mundane chaos. Her creative gifts, her aesthetic vision are so evident in the gowns on display at the MET. She was an inspiration to the designers, who often created a Look just for her.
Her life reads like an implausible adventure with a well defined trajectory. A journey from young aristocrat, born on Bastille Day, wife, just married, after the dark days of WWII, to Muse for young fashion designers. Style Avantgarde Persona, Social Influencer, then, in the 1980s she built a creative career in the fashion business, designing her own collections. Her creative talents were showcased in her work as theatrical impressario for a ballet group, they culminated in the Direction of Charity events in later years. Her vision and creative cooperation with the MET makes it possible for us to peek into her fantastic life now.
The Exhibit features 60 gowns, momentos, photos, selected by Madame de Ribes and Curator Harold Koda, before he left his position as Curator at the MET.
Evening Looks dazzle
At first we catch sight of classic silhouettes influenced by Balenciaga from the 60s.
Bright rainbow colors for the 70s decade.
Then chiffon and silk in bright colors, flowing Kaftan styles of the 70s dazzle our eyes. Her tall statuesque figure was a perfect foil for the dramatic creations of Balenciaga or a young Ocar de la Renta.
A few years later Valentino became her fashion sketching artist, during the time he worked with Jean Dessès, he created white collections for her when he had his own atelier.
In the 80s YSL’s Tuxedo style jackets, his streamlined lines, the jewel colors in satin was his signature style for JdeR.
Day dress with pleats, feels as if a flower is slowly opening with every movement.
Carolina Herrera created gowns and day Looks in the early 80s that add a modern dimension.
What a party. Russian design for the Bal Orientale.
Designs for the Bal Orientale with fur trim.
Jacqueline’s love for theatrical design is evident in the creations for the famous costume parties made for her. The Russian theme design for the Bal Masqué, also unforgettable, the exotic Look with velvet, tassels and a turban, for the Bal Oriental in 1969, considered to be one of the balls of the decade. The black wrap gown for her photos by Avedon is as if it was just created now.
The famous pink gown may be Valentino?
As we move through the exhibit we are wowed by another black gown with long feathers created for a birthday party, the opulent Oriental inspired gowns, or the hot pink number with ruffles wrapped around her lithe body.
Mint chiffon gown Greek inspired jewelry.
Those are the iconic photos we remember. Her sculptural body with curves like an iconic Dior model, the oversize ruffles, the drapées, the luxurious dark hair, the magnificent jewels.
What a life story, a fitting Homage to a Grand Dame, with a hint of Fleur Bleue that gleams from her eyes. We discover you can be a Countess and a Bohemian at heart, at any time.
more information: MET Costume Institute New York, photos courtesy of the MET
other photos: Richard Avedon, others Vanity Fair, www.vanityfair.com
