REJOICE IN THE ‘LITTLE BLACK DRESS’
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine Nolan
Women never get enough of the ‘Little Black Dress’. We gravitate towards this one staple piece in our wardrobe for the way it makes us feel, the way it makes us look, simply put, slimmer and sexier and just all over beautiful. We can never have enough little black dresses in our closets.
The ‘Little Black Dress’ is so astonishing that it even has its own exhibit now at the Savannah College of Art & Design. So you may ask why this location was chosen to debut such an exhibit? The college is probably one of the most fashionable schools of today. In addition to having a significant international and diverse student attendance, a hands-on approach to teaching and a gorgeous setting, many world-renowned designers have paid the students a visit introducing them to the reality and the excitement of the fashion world.
This is due in part to a highly respected fashion expert who received an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Savannah College of Art & Design, Andre’ Leon Talley. He has been instrumental in bringing the college and the fashion industry together and has awarded the Andre’ Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award right on campus to Oscar de la Renta, Tom Ford, Vera Wang and Diane von Furstenberg just to name a few.
Now as curator and trustee of the gallery in the SCAD Museum of Art, this fashion icon presents to the world the ‘Little Black Dress’ at its finest. We get to enjoy the evolution of this crucial wardrobe favorite in all of its glory and glamour. To be seen and admired are approximately 81 varied garments from the simple Chanel shift donated by Anna Wintour and the inspiration behind the exhibit to one of the masterpieces of Ralph Rucci himself to the Ralph Lauren floor-length evening gown of silk chiffon and decorated in spangles. The exhibition includes contributions from veteran designers and those of the International Best-Dressed List such as Marc Jacobs, Miuccia Prada and Renee’ Zellweger. We see designs of the present day from Stella McCartney, Zac Posen and Norma Kamali. We are convinced that the ‘Little Black Dress’ is most candidly appreciated for its beauty through simplicity and vibrant versatility. Each dress creates its own story and fabric used is just as important as the color of the dress.
For vintage clothing lovers, gaze in awe at the 1957 lace cage Balenciaga, a 1907 Mariano Fortuny pleated silk Delphos dress and a silk and paper taffeta Pierre Cardin tiered dress from the 1960’s.
Walls of fiery red surround the exhibit and celebrity dresses worn by Sarah Jessica Parker, Mariah Carey, Gwyneth Paltrow and Zoe Saldana at award shows and lavish parties can be seen all throughout the gallery. Also on display are pieces from couture collections of Beatrice de Rothschild, Maureen Dowd and Patricia Altschul.
What could be more galvanizing than the ‘Little Black Dress’ as presented by some of the recent SCAD graduates?
This newest exhibition is all about individuality and spirit and culture. It is about each of the designers that birthed their creations and the magical women that wore each of these ‘Little Black Dresses’. The exhibit is on display at Savannah College of Art & Design from September 28, 2012 through January 27, 2013.
Rejoice in the ‘Little Black Dress’!
PHOTO CREDIT: Adam Kuehl, SCAD
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