"What is distinguished is often a form of eroticism."
This mantra of sorts from the extremely eloquent designer Charles James highlights his fiercely rational approach to fashion.
Now, you may be thinking..."who is Charles James?", I definitely thought that when I was first told about the exhibit. Charles James was a British-born designer who is often considered "America's first couturier". He was incredibly gifted and I am glad the world gets to see his creations.
Walking through the Charles James: Beyond Fashion exhibition is a surreal blur of architectural detail, strict fabric craftsmanship, and phalluses all together under the dim lights of the Anna Wintour Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Charles James, who started his career as a hat maker, had a very technical and all encompassing approach to design, creating pieces that display elements of mathematics, art, music, science, engineering, and most of all, seduction.
What I love about his work is that he makes women sensual. His life's work is a testament to his desire to enhance the female form. After all, the James woman is refined, beautiful, and sexy -- James helped them find curves and shapes they didn't know they had.
The immense detail that went into the dresses can be seen in the countless muslin cloth creations and sketches made by the artist that line the exhibition. The folks at the Met also included a digital component to the show. Small screens below each creation show the steps in which the dress or coat was created. I personally loved that touch. It worked so well with James' scientific approach to design and also made the show very interactive with the visitor.
What shocks many is a dress purposefully designed to resemble feale genitalia providing the perfect example of Jamesian "erotic grace". James joins the ranks of many other designers who have pushed boundaries and displayed sexuality and sensuality in their pieces.
What's more? His "Great Coat" (image top left) made in 1961 of red and black wool plaid is a perfect balance between utilitarian structure and flirtatious edginess, it's style, like many of his creations, would fly of the racks today. I sure as hell want all of them!
So head over to the Met and check out the Charles James exhibition before it closes Aug 10!
Have any of you gone to see the Charles James exhibition at the Met? What were your thoughts?
This mantra of sorts from the extremely eloquent designer Charles James highlights his fiercely rational approach to fashion.
Now, you may be thinking..."who is Charles James?", I definitely thought that when I was first told about the exhibit. Charles James was a British-born designer who is often considered "America's first couturier". He was incredibly gifted and I am glad the world gets to see his creations.
Walking through the Charles James: Beyond Fashion exhibition is a surreal blur of architectural detail, strict fabric craftsmanship, and phalluses all together under the dim lights of the Anna Wintour Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Charles James, who started his career as a hat maker, had a very technical and all encompassing approach to design, creating pieces that display elements of mathematics, art, music, science, engineering, and most of all, seduction.
What I love about his work is that he makes women sensual. His life's work is a testament to his desire to enhance the female form. After all, the James woman is refined, beautiful, and sexy -- James helped them find curves and shapes they didn't know they had.
The immense detail that went into the dresses can be seen in the countless muslin cloth creations and sketches made by the artist that line the exhibition. The folks at the Met also included a digital component to the show. Small screens below each creation show the steps in which the dress or coat was created. I personally loved that touch. It worked so well with James' scientific approach to design and also made the show very interactive with the visitor.
What shocks many is a dress purposefully designed to resemble feale genitalia providing the perfect example of Jamesian "erotic grace". James joins the ranks of many other designers who have pushed boundaries and displayed sexuality and sensuality in their pieces.
What's more? His "Great Coat" (image top left) made in 1961 of red and black wool plaid is a perfect balance between utilitarian structure and flirtatious edginess, it's style, like many of his creations, would fly of the racks today. I sure as hell want all of them!
So head over to the Met and check out the Charles James exhibition before it closes Aug 10!
Have any of you gone to see the Charles James exhibition at the Met? What were your thoughts?