Showing posts with label oscar de la renta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oscar de la renta. Show all posts

Oscar's Island Oasis Part Deux

I figured why not continue on with warm weather and turquoise blue water.  It's the only thing getting me through these cold and snowy days.  I posted photos of Oscar de la Renta's Punta Cana home in the Dominican Republic over a year ago here.  Since then, he's done a little redecorating and I've found some new images.  I'm going to close my eyes and pretend I'm sitting on that porch sipping an iced Presidente beer.  Sigh.
















Bohemian Chic

I forgot to mention in my last post that Oscar de la Renta has a Tumblr account.  Well, it actually belongs to the Oscar PR Girl and she will be posting behind the scenes photos of the atelier and more.  One of the photos on there now is of Loulou de la Falaise who collaborates on the jewelry for Oscar de la Renta.  At first this seemed like an odd pairing but I think Loulou's bohemian chic style complements Oscar's uptown girl aesthetic.  The jewelry is always fantastic and it's clear from Loulou's own home in Paris seen here that she is a collector of not only necklaces and bracelets but interesting furniture and accessories.  Loulou mentions in Dressing the Home that her decor is less studied than her fashion designs and definitely has a certain joie de vivre that could never be achieved with a decorator.  C'est magnafique!















Photos from Dressing the Home and Elle Decoration

Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall 2011

There are many people who suggest that fashion runway shows are a waste of time.  They take a lot of hours and money to plan but result in a twelve minute show. Every time I attend an Oscar de la Renta fashion show, I am reminded of the magic that happens when you see the fashions come down the runway in person.  They are an important event for the editors and buyers because you can't see in photos the movement of the dresses or the way the light hits the beading and embroidery.  These photos of just some of my favorites from the Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall 2011 show don't really do the gorgeous outfits justice but they give you an idea of just some of the magic I saw yesterday.  Pre-fall collections as well as resort usually stay a little under the radar and always offer options that you don't see over played in every magazine.  It's too bad we'll have to wait for them though, I saw some fabulous options for the holidays!














Photos from Style.com

Balenciaga: Spanish Master

Everyone is always asking for suggestions on what to do in New York.  If you will be visiting over the holidays, I highly recommend making time for the Balenciaga: Spanish Master exhibition at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute that runs through February 19, 2011.  I didn't know much about Balenciaga before this show and it was an amazing introduction to this legendary designer.  Vogue editor Hamish Bowles has curated the exhibition and many of the pieces on display come from his own archive. 

Cristóbal Balenciaga was born in Spain 1895 and learned to sew from his seamstress mother.  He apprenticed at a tailor at the age of 12 and was later sent to Madrid to continue his training.  He opened his own boutiques in Spain but the Spanish Civil War forced him to flee to Paris.  He opened his own couture house in 1937 but never lost sight of his Spanish influences. 

Diana Vreeland said, Balenciaga's "inspiration came from the bullrings, the flamenco dancers, the loose blouses the fishermen wear, the cool of the cloisters." The exhibition is full of influences such as Spanish artists, Zurbarán, Goya, Picasso, Sorolla, and Miró; and of "Spain's religious dress and ceremony, its royal history, its rich regional costume, its dance traditions, and the power and splendor of the bullfight."

Balenciaga's "Infanta" dress from 1939 was inspired by the Diego Velázquez painting Las Meninas below.

 DiegoVelazquez, Las Meninas, 1656-57




This black evening ensemble with "chou" wrap from 1967 was inspired by the Francisco de Goya painting La Duquesa de Alba below. "Goya, whether Balenciaga is aware of it or not, is always looking over his shoulder," said Vogue editor Bettina Ballard.  "He believes in lace and ribbon bows - never used in a fussy way but rather with true Spanish dignity."

Francisco de Goya, La Duquesa de Alba, 1797

This black polka dot evening dress from 1964 was inspired by the costumes of Flamenco dancers.

The same polka dot dress as seen in the exhibition.

The carnation is the national flower of Spain and is also the flower thrown at the feet of the bull fighters.  It is a recognizable symbol of the bull ring and is a reoccurring motif in the work of Balenciaga. 

The inspiration of carnations as well as Balenciaga continue in this dress from the spring collection of Oscar de la Renta.   "The exhibition was conceived by Oscar de la Renta, Chairman of the Institute's Board of Directors, who has worked closely with the exhibition team to develop and realize the show. Mr. de la Renta himself began his career in fashion working in Madrid at Eisa, one of the Spanish branches of Balenciaga's fashion empire."

Balenciaga evening dress and stole from 1952

Another flamenco inspired Balenciaga dress from 1951.

Some of Balenciaga's more abstract dresses were inspired by the work of Juon Miró.  Balenciaga closed his fashion house in 1968 at the age of 74 to travel and explore Spain.  He died in 1974.  After his death, Diana Vreeland said, "Balenciaga did the most delicious evening clothes. Clothes aren't delicious any more."

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