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FASHION EXHIBITION....."Women Dressing Women" Exhibition at the Met Museum NYC: Photos

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FASHION EXHIBITION....."Women Dressing Women" Exhibition at the Met Museum NYC: Photos


Couture Women--Gowns on display (L to R) Madame Gres, Claire McCardell, and Jeanne Lanvin--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Anna Wintour Costume Center Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC

Continuing with my Met Museum blog posts, this time we were at the "Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, which explores the creativity and artistic legacy of female designers from the Met's permanent collection. The exhibition showcases the work of many female designers--from Jeanne Lanvin to Madame Gres, to Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior, Claire McCardell, and Japan's Rei Kawakubo, to name a few, tracing a lineage of their work from the turn of the 20th century to today. Over 70 designs are featured. It runs until March 3, 2024.

Here are some photos of the designs on display:

Entrance Making--the entrance to the "Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, featuring designs from Madame Gres and Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons--Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

Madeleine VIONNET F/W 1924-25--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

Sarah Burton for ALEXANDER MCQUEEN S/S 2012--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

(L to R) Maria Grazia Chiuru for CHRISTIAN DIOR Cruise 2020, Collina Strada F/W 2021/22, and Marine Serre S/S 2022--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

Simone Rocha S/S 2022 and Isabel Toledo S/S 1993 "Kangaroo" Dress--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

Georgina Godley A/W 1986-87 "Lump & Bump Collection" Dress--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

Vivienne Westwood F/W 1994-95 "On Liberty" Suit, Vivienne Tam 1995 "Mao" Printed Suit"--Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

Zandra Rhodes (center) Coat 1968-69--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

Claire McCardell 1945--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

Jessie Franklin Turner "Tea Gown" 1928--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

Elsa SCHIAPARELLI Dinner Dress 1940--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

Jeanne LANVIN "Cyclone" Gown 1939--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

Ana de Pombo for the House of PAQUIN Evening Dress trimmed in Colobus Monkey Fur 1938--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

The couture details of this silk charmeuse dress...check out the hand-done mini gathering--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

Louiseboulanger 1928 "Feathered" Dress and Boue Soeurs 1928 "Court Dress" to be presented at the Court of St. James--"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

"Women Dressing Women" Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

If you are in NYC and love fashion, head to the Met Museum and check out this exhibition--it will run until March 3, 2024.
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ART BLOG.....The MANET DEGAS Exhibition at the Met Museum NYC: Pics

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ART BLOG.....The MANET DEGAS Exhibition at the Met Museum NYC: Pics

Art Gorgeous--Manet/Degas Exhibition, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

A couple of weeks ago, along with David, we traveled to NYC for his Birthday...for some sightseeing, the MADONNA (!) Concert and Broadway (of course!). We also wanted to go to the Met Museum to see the Manet/Degas Exhibition as well as the "Women Dressing Women" Fashion Exhibition (that blog is next!). 

Met Boys--Nick Verreos and David Paul, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

Manet/Degas--Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

The exhibition is (as the Museum says) "an artistic dialogue examining the close relationship between Edouard Manet and Edgar Degas", and how they chronicled the Bourgeois life of France at the time. The exhibition closes soon (January 7, 2024) so it was a special occasion that we got to see it before closing.

Here are some photos from the wonderful exhibition:

Manet/Degas Exhibition--Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

Sketch of Edouard Manet, Seated, Holding his Hat--by Edgar Degas (1868)

A Study for "Dejeuner sur l'herbe" (1863-68)--by Edouard Manet

Lorenzo Pagas and Auguste De Gas (1871-72), by Edgar Degas--The man on the right is the artist's brother and he is seen here listening to the Spanish singer on the left.

Family Portrait of the Bellelli Family (1858-1867), by Edgar Degas--It is a portrait of his aunt, her husband, and their two daughters. Notice the tension within them...the alienation between the sexes, the stern aunt...perhaps not a happy family.

Olympia (1863-65), by Manet--This famous painting shows a nude woman lounging as her black maid brings her flowers. The nude woman is purportedly a high-end prostitute or courtesan (the name "Olympia" was associated at the time with prostitutes), and her maid is probably bringing flowers from one of her clients. The confrontational gaze of the woman was shocking to contemporary audiences in that it shows assurance and comfort as opposed to being ashamed.

The Spanish Singer (1860), by Manet--Spain and anything associated with the country was in vogue at the time so this was a reflection of that. Though the picture was admired for its realistic detail, Manet did not disguise the fact that it was composed in a studio using a model and props. The left-handed singer holds a guitar strung for a right-handed player, and his fingering suggests that he is unfamiliar with the instrument. His outfit was fashioned from costumes that Manet kept on hand at his art studio.

The Dead Toreador (1864), by Manet--Continuing with the Spain theme, this stunning painting portrays a toreador lying dead after a bullfight. The contrast of the blood dripping from his mouth, as he holds his chest with his hand, with the beauty and elegance of his satiny silk stockings and toreador ensemble makes this painting strangely beautiful.

Lola de Valence (1862), by Manet--More Spain Love....from Manet; here is Lola de Valence, a Spanish ballet dancer, shown here in a pose reminiscent of the Goya Duquesa de Alba painting.

Repose (1871), by Manet--This famous painting shows the bored, breathless entitlement of the bourgeoisie of the time. The subject here is artist Berthe Morisot, who was married to Manet's brother. It has been commented that the sitter, albeit beautiful, and serene in her rich silk embroidered gown, is looking bored with her too-lovely of a life. 

Boating (1874), by Manet--This painting supposedly shows Manet's brother-in-law, and an unknown woman, on a boat.

In a Cafe (1876), by Degas--This painting shows a woman and a man sitting next to each other at a cafe. She is drinking absinthe (the glass with green liquid in front of her) and both are looking rather sad and lonely. The cafe is the Cafe de la Nouvelle-Athenes in Paris.

Plum Brandy (1877), by Manet--This famous painting depicts a woman sitting at a cafe in a lethargic pose, as she holds a cigarette and has her plum brandy in front of her. It has been said that the painting depicts loneliness and a rather quiet melancholic scene of a working girl (it has been argued whether or not she was a prostitute) in Paris during the time.

The Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Creche (Nativity Scene) at the Met Museum NYC

**NEXT UP: The "Women Dressing Women" Fashion Exhibition!
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SASHES AND TIARAS.....MISS UNIVERSE 2023 FINALS: Winner and TOP 10 EVENING GOWNS!

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SASHES AND TIARAS.....MISS UNIVERSE 2023 FINALS: Winner and TOP 10 EVENING GOWNS!

Best in Gown--(L to R) Michelle Dee, Miss Universe Philippines, Diana Silva, Miss Venezuela, Karla Guilfu, Miss Universe Puerto Rico, Isabella Garcia-Manzo, Miss Universe El Salvador, Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe Nicaragua (and Miss Universe 2023)--72nd Miss Universe Finals

This past Saturday was the finals of the 72nd Miss Universe pageant, held in San Salvador, El Salvador. Out of the 84 contestants from all over the world, this year's pageant featured MANY firsts: There were two transgender contestants (Netherlands and Portugal), a curvy contestant (Nepal), two mothers (Colombia and Guatemala), the first contestant from Pakistan, the first black woman to represent Spain AND...the first time the country of Nicaragua has won the top title. 

Universal Beauty--Miss Universe Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, gets crowned by last year's winner, R'Bonney Gabriel from USA--72nd Miss Universe Pageant

On that last note, Miss Universe Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios, bested the 83 other contestants taking home the final crown. Palacios is 23 years old, stands 5' 11" tall, and has a B.A. in Mass Communication. She is not a novice to beauty pageants, having won Miss Teen Nicaragua 2016 and placed in the Top 20 of Miss Teen Universe. Palacios also won the Miss World Nicaragua 2020 title and went on to compete in the Miss World 2021 pageant. 

Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe Nicaragua wearing her National Costume, the Zanate, a long-tailed blackbird abundant in Nicaragua--72nd Miss Universe Pageant


Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe 2023

Now, let's discuss THE EVENING GOWNS!
Sequined Ladies--During the Finals, the TOP 10 contestants competed in the Evening Gown portion of the contest, wearing their choice of gowns. Let's discuss my LIST from 1-10 of the gowns worn by this year's TOP 10. 

Let's begin with my TOP FAVORITE gown, from Miss Universe Phillippines:
1. Michelle Dee, PHILIPPINES--Michelle wore my top pick of the TOP 10 gowns, in this black stunner. The design featured a sheer nude illusion upper section highlighted by black jet sequins which then was finished off with a black side draped skirt showcasing a high side "slit". 

The design was a tribute to Apo Whang-Od, who is considered the last and oldest mambabatok (tattoo artist) of the Kalinga ethnic group. She is an icon known for preserving the rich cultural heritage of indigenous tattoo art. The gown was designed by Mark Bumgarner.

2. Diana Silva, VENEZUELA--Diana wore this gown for the Preliminary Competition, and while lots of contestants changed their evening gowns for the Finals, Diana decided to keep it the same (at the Preliminaries, she wore it with a feathered "Opera Coat" which she didn't include here). The shimmery design featured cascading layers of crystal fringe layered over a nude sequined base and was inspired by Venezuela's Angel Falls. It was a stunning gown designed by Venezuelan designer Richard Ramirez Castro.

3. Karla Guilfu, PUERTO RICO--Karla wore this strapless violet-hued gown featuring a nude illusion base covered in jeweled crystals. The look was finished off with a matching sequined shoulder-and-neck piece with falling crystal fringe. It was designed by Angel Guzman.

4. Isabella Garcia-Manzo, EL SALVADOR--At # 4, I have Miss Universe El Salvador and this white Grecian Goddess-style gown. I loved this for the fact that it didn't look like everyone else's (nude-and-sequins gown!) and it was chic, fashionable, and suitable for any "Red Carpet". The gown featured a gorgeous draped detail, exposed midriff, and stunning sequined trim.

5. Sheynnis Palacios, NICARAGUA--Designed by Venezuelan designer Nidal Nouaihed, this gown--worn by the eventual winner of the top prize!--was a beautiful VERY Miss Venezuela-type gown. It ticked off all the boxes of that perfect "Pageant Gown": The white colored sequined fit-to-flare shape and style, the horsehair at the bottom, the intricate jeweled off-the-shoulder neckline and bust details...oh, and of course, the DIVA back satin cape. It was Pageant Queen Drama! All she needed was the crown. 

Of note, this was a gown change from the preliminaries--for that, she wore this one above which was UBER SEXY!

6. Camila Escribens, PERU--Camila also changed her gown from what she wore in the preliminaries (she wore a sequined nude-and-yellow dress). For the finals she wore this turquoise-and-amethyst sequins-and-nude gown. Designed by Peruvian designer Jose Zafra of Zafra Couture, the dress was sexy and followed the trend of these nude-and-sequins dresses the pageant girls LOVE. I liked the gorgeous crystal work and undulating straps over the shoulder.

7. Anntonia Porsild, THAILAND--Anntonia probably takes the award for "Most Nude of the Nude Pageant Dresses", in this design, created by Thai gown brand Myriad Grand Monde and Designer Thinthananpachr Chantajaroenpon. The look consisted of, yes, a nude tulle base covered in crystals. More specifically, lots of the silver crystals were in the form of stars. The inspiration for the gown was the Stars in the Universe (Awwww!). It was quite a dress and most certainly, you had to have quite the body to pull it off...and Annotnia did.

8. Moraya Wilson, AUSTRALIA--Moraya also wore a nude-and-silver crystal gown but this time, it wasn't as nude as what the other women wore (at least there was that!). This gown, designed by Australian bridal designer Alin Le' Kal, was inspired by his "Eleonora" style featuring a perfectly fitting mermaid shape in tulle, with under corset and hand-beaded crystals throughout. It was probably the most "traditional" gown of the Top 10, but still quite pretty.

9. Camila Avela, COLOMBIA--Stop me if you have heard this before: It is a nude sequined gown! In my No. 9 (out of 10), is Miss Universe Colombia in this fit-and-flare strapless nude-white gown completely covered in hand-placed crystals. The design featured sequins framing the strapless neckline and boned inside to create the perfect upper body cinched fit. The dress, which she also wore for the Preliminaries, was designed by Colombian designer John Lecksell.

Lastly...
10. Athenea Perez, SPAIN--In my last place, is the beautiful Miss Universe Spain, Athenea Perez in this neon green sequined dress. The gown, designed by Puerto Rican designer Jose Karlo, continued on with the nude-and-sequined trend just like most of the Top 10 Semi-Finalists. The gown featured greenish-yellow crystals that climbed her body and looked like beautiful ocean coral. I liked the color and yes, I've seen this nude/sequins style before, but my real problem was the obvious visibility of her panties; it was just distracting, to be honest. For the Preliminaries, Athenea wore this...

Which I LOVED--and she probably should have worn it again for the Finals.

That's a wrap! On my Miss Universe 2023 Finals and Evening Gowns Recap! 
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