Nowadays Women’s High Fashion

A common must have for high class society women were formal evening gowns, therefore designers were working hard to create masterpieces. A dress that had me in awe was designed in the early 1950s by leader in French couturier and costume designer, Madame Grès. At this time women’s high fashion was emphasizing fabric hugging clothing over the waist to exhibit curves; corsets were used to make the waist appear more narrow. The creation of the dress was magnificent, colored in a pale red, along with white polka dots.

This chiffon dress had a boned bodice with a dropped waistline, and a v-shaped design is executed with fabric gathered together over the chest area to distribute fullness.

It molds over the hips and bust, creating an empire waist, then transitions and shifts, flaring out into a corolla two-tiered, a-lined skirt, the first is shown to be light and see-through in the image. Underneath is a red and white taffeta. On the back of the dress, a rectangular opening is shown.

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The dress is also accompanied with Schneider Jewelry and an Hermes glove. Her hair is pinned back, twisted on the sides as she faces forward. The photograph by Henry Clarke taken in Paris of model Enid Boulting, was published in Vogue Paris in the spring of 1955. The photo is taken in a living room with many moldings on the wall, exhibiting the French Baroque architecture surrounding her. A statue makes an appearance in the image, displaying a sense of classicalism.

During the 1940s, style for women shifted from straight up and down gowns, to the creation of showing off womanly curves and shapes of the body. Western dress was influential in the image I chose, as the waistline was placed low. Most dresses were worn with a corset for an extra emphasis on defined shape of the body, however in this dress the fabric is too fitted to fit it under. There was constant emphasis on the back of the dress and train, so immediately after the waistline, more fabric was added under the bust to create more of a fun, shapely design. Dresses were commonly made with multiple types of fabrics along with embroideries. Alike this, the dress by Madame Grès has few light layers on the a-lined skirt. Woman’s hair was usually pulled back, with the slides twisted or slicked, and the rest of the hair followed in a low bun or not showed by pinning it under the hair, exactly portrayed in the image.

I chose this image because of the emotion it portrays of playfulness, youthfulness, and chicness. As this image was taken for Vogue, this image from so many years ago in such a fashion forward magazine, it puts me into perspective that although it is a different time now, society has remained the same standing by Vogue for fashion advice and trends. Boulting looks extremely elegant and calm with her graceful movement, as her dress is in motion in her laid back pose. I imagine this photoshoot with her frolicking, dancing and swaying around the room, as the top layer of the dress is being thrown up and played with as the photographer captures the image.

She also wears one glove on her right hand and on the left she shows off a bracelet made out of pearls portraying luxury. As she looks straight ahead glimpsing through a window, the light shines directly in her face making the front of her body absorb the outside light and the backside of her dark with shadows. With her one glove and her fabulous jewelry, the imagery admits the feeling of a woman of high class, along with exquisite art taste and architectural appreciation. This image conveys a time of when social status and class were highly respected and looked at, as she looks like she belongs in the fabulous house photographed around her, along with the intricate art work, delicate statue, and even the designs from the wooden tiled floors.

This image connects with my personal style by being lively and high spirited but also classic and natural. Trending now are tightly fitted dresses and bodysuits, therefore the torso and waist area, being so tight exhibits similarities of fashion today. Although long waistline dresses with frilled skirts are not considered in as of now, it is similar to frilled high waisted skirts which are timely. Along with the gown, the accessories are necessities when creating a final look, and present the viewer with a story. She also is wearing very little makeup, presenting a natural based look, which is something that I have always abided by, as my style is more natural and simple. Todays style is very simple, by this I mean the natural look is trending, therefore minimized makeup and wearing little and light fabric is commonly seen. The polka dot pattern also portrays youth to me and is a pattern I have worn numerous times, bringing light and girlish qualities.