Is it me or was I the only one who was just a tad disappointed by the turnout at the New York Costume Institute Gala? Did nobody take note of the exhibition this event was in honour of? Paul "King of Fashion" Poiret? The sumptuous decadence, the exaggerated proportions, the fashion fantasies? It seemed everyone took wee baby steps towards giving a slight nod to Poiret and opted to look tried and tested instead bar a rare few… (Ok, don’t shoot me but I’m in the minority that admired the intentions of Kirsten Dunst’s outfit).
So that was the ‘party of the year’ done and dusted. What now? Well, to open the V&A’s upcoming ‘The Golden Age of Couture’ exhibition, there too will be a gala in London in September. The exhibition explores couture in Paris and London from 1947 (beginning with Dior’s New Look naturally…) to 1957. Over 100 pieces from the ‘hautes’ will be shown – Balenciaga, Hardy Amies, Givenchy, Balmain and Hartnell.
Exhibition aside, I will be ashamedly fascinated to see how the gala pans out with a committee chaired by Alexandra Shulman (British Vogue editor), John Galliano and Daphne Guinness. It’s also supposed to be styled like the era of couture so I expect it will be a wedding cake, unabashedly frilly and elegant affair.
I’m not exactly an avid follower of celebrities stalking red carpets but when these occasions for true decadence arise, I can’t help but pay attention and hopefully September’s gala on this side of the Atlantic won’t disappoint.