SCAD Museum of Art presents the exhibition LITTLE BLACK DRESS, orchestrated by André Leon Talley at the Mona Bismarck American Center for art and culture from July 3 to September 22, 2013
During Paris Fashion Week, we had the pleasure of previewing a magnificent exhibition on the famous little black dress, orchestrated by André Leon Talley. A must-see exhibition for every fashion lover. We’re often amazed at the extent to which certain dresses transcend time and inspire future generations of designers.
Little Black Dress traces the historical and contemporary significance of this sartorial phenomenon. Featuring over 50 pieces by the greatest modern couturiers, this exhibition will include contributions from seasoned designers and celebrities named in the “International Best-Dressed List” such as Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Miuccia Prada, Tom Ford, Prabal Gurung, Proenza Schouler, Oscar de la Renta and Lady Gaga. It was
inaugurated in Savannah in September 2012 at the SCAD Museum of Art before moving to Paris this summer.
” Little Black Dress was designed to showcase the diverse interpretations of the little black dress over the past two centuries,” explains Talley. “The exhibition highlights the power of individualism, tracing the evolution of the little black dress from its origins as the embodiment of understated elegance to the contemporary exploration of materials, black variances and silhouettes.”
Little Black Dress explores the evolution of a now democratic stylistic reference that, for over a century, has represented the social evolution of the modern world. With its ubiquity and versatility, the little black dress has established itself in this visual era with timeless creations.
The ‘little black dress’, constantly appropriated and reinterpreted, has thus become a witness to the values of its time: from submission to independence, from restraint to temptation, from glamour to grace.
“This exhibition will celebrate ‘the little black dress’ in all its forms, ranging from the pleated Fortuny dress by C.Z. Guest, fashion icon
and dear friend; to the must-have elegance of Madame Grès’ 1977 crêpée de chine silk dress,” says Talley.
” ‘Little Black Dress’ also includes a creation by recent SCAD University graduate Alexis Asplundh, who works in neoprene
(the new crepe de chine for renowned designers such as Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz, aptly represented at the show by a
neoprene dress).” John Demsey, President of the Estée Lauder Group explains, “At M.A.C. Cosmetics, we believe passionately in university partnerships and patronage, as the ‘Little Black Dress’ exhibition perfectly illustrates. We know that the general public will be captivated by this retrospective of the best-known and best-loved piece of clothing in every woman’s wardrobe. We are honored to support SCAD and André in this exciting adventure.
Pieces featured in Little Black Dress include a selection from Prabal Gurung’s Fall/Winter 2011 collection, previously worn by Sarah Jessica-Parker; and a Stella McCartney dress worn by Rihanna. Many other iconic pieces will be part of this exhibition, from the collections of L’Wren Scott, Givenchy, Cushnie & Ochs, Yves Saint-Laurent, and many others…
Paula Wallace, president and co-founder of SCAD “SCAD is proud to bring the wonderful ‘Little Black Dress’ exhibition to the Parisian public at the Mona Bismarck cultural center. Tailor-made for the Parisian summer, it will be one of the season’s ‘must-haves’.”
Portrait of André Leon Talley
Contributing editor to Vogue US and Numéro Russie,
André Leon Talley has been mentoring SCAD students for over 10 years. He began his career as an assistant to Diana Vreeland at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute in New York, and went on to become an editor at Interview magazine and Women’s
Wear Daily, before joining Vogue in 1983.
Little Black Dress is the second exhibition curated by Talley to take place at the SCAD Museum of Art. ‘High Style’, his first
exhibition, was presented for the reopening of the expanded SCAD Museum of Art in October 2011 and brought together the work of the winners of the ”
André Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award”, honored with this award for their achievements. In October 2011, Talley organized Joaquin Sorolla
and the Glory of Spanish Dress, a landmark exhibition at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute in New York, analyzing the rich history of the clothing styles of each Spanish region through important paintings by Valencian artist Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida (1863-1923).
MONA BISMARCK AMERICAN CENTER FOR ART & CULTURE
Exhibition organization Eddie McDonnell, Executive Director of the NGC
Danielle Berger Fortier, Director of Exhibitions and Programs
34, avenue de New York
75116 Paris
T. 33 (0)1 47 23 38 88
E-mail. [email protected]
Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/MonaBismarckAmericanCenter
Métro : Alma Marceau, Iéna, Trocadéro
Bus : 42, 63, 72, 80, 92
Opening hours
Wednesday to Sunday, 11am – 6pm
Tarifs
Adults: €7 Reduced: €5
Gratuit: Enfants -12ans
Cette publication est également disponible en : Français (French)
