MUSEUM FAB.....The NYC Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute "China: Through the Looking Glass" Exhibition: Blog Photo Recap!

Met Gorgeous: "China: Through the Looking Glass" Exhibition, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Last week, my partner David and I went to NYC on a business trip--we had important meetings in our NY Showroom for my NV by Nick Verreos line. Naturally, since we were in New York City, we scheduled an afternoon to visit the fabulous "China: Through the Looking Glass" Exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is the Met's Costume Institute Spring 2015 exhibition exploring the Chinese aesthetics on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. Of course, unless you are a fashionista living under an Hermes cashmere blanket, you probably saw all the hoopla surrounding the Met Ball to honor this exhibition which occurred back in May of this year.

Ready to see the Exhibition: Nick Verreos and David Paul--The Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

The exhibition was EVERYTHING...and more! In other words: we LOVED it. I was so inspired by the sculptures, shawls, couture, ANNA MAY WONG! It is a MUST-SEE when in NY! If in NY, do not miss it. It is open until September 7th (it was extended from August 16th). Here are some photos form the exhibit.

PS: Someone in the Met's PR/Marketing office finally realized that it would benefit them to have visitors take photos (non-flash of course!) to then give the Museum--and Exhibition--some free social media publicity! The last time I visited--for the Charles James Exhibition--photos--flash and non-flash were FORBIDDEN. Anyhow, welcome to the 21st Century Social Media World,  Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Fashion Within the Glass: Images from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Golden Queen: Gold embroidered silk gown from Guo Pei Haute Couture--Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Sculpture and Fashion: Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Chanel and Christian Dior Haute Couture: Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Robe Gorgeous: Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Chanel Haute Couture: Close-up of Lesage beading on this Chanel Haute Couture coat-gown. Notice that the base is COMPLETELY covered in paillettes--from far away, it just looks like red fabric...INCREDIBLE!--Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Giambattista Valli Autumn/Winter 2013 Haute Couture: Close-up details of this Ming Dynasty Vase-inspired coat-dress-- Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Christian Dior Haute Couture by John Galliano Spring/Summer 1997: Close-up of the bias seam detail (you can barely see the ONE INCH seam allowance on the bias seam)--Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Valentino Dynasty: Ming Dynasty Vase-inspired gowns from Valentino --On the left is from Valentino Haute Couture circa 1960s, and one from the Valentino RTW Fall/Winter 2013 collection on the right--Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Ming Dynasty Fab: Gowns on display--inspired by Ming Dynasty Vases--at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: through the Looking Glass" exhibition (on the right is a Guo Pei Haute Couture strapless "fan" gown)

McQueen Pouf: Hi-lo gown from Alexander McQueen hi-lo ball gown--Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2003 by John Galliano Tableaux: Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Anna May Wong Diva: Anna May Wong was the first Chinese American movie star, born in Los Angeles, and became the first Asian American actress to gain international recognition. She was also a Style Icon, and remains so. The exhibition has an entire room devoted to her----Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Jeanne Lanvin Haute Couture 1924 Robe de Style--Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Golden Couture: Close-up of Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture 1984 golden gilt embroidered silk gazar jacket and skirt, a gift of Diana Vreeland to the Met Museum--Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Yves Saint Laurent "Opium" Fragrance launch sketches, 1977--Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Bye Met Museum...Until Next Time--Nick Verreos and David Paul at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Costume Institute exhibition

Runway Fashion Show Videos which include fashion featured in the "China: through the Looking Glass" Exhibition:



Christian Dior Haute Couture by John Galliano Spring/Summer 2003 Runway Show:

Guo Pei Haute Couture The 1002th Arabian Nights Fashion Show 2010:

Valentino Ready to Wear Fall/Winter 2013/2014 Runway Show Video:

COUTURE DIVA MINUTE.....Happy 86th Birthday to Countess Jacqueline de Ribes, Couture Muse, Fashion Icon...A Blog Photo Gallery Tribute!

 The Last Queen of Paris: Comtesse Jacqueline de Ribes

Today marks the 86th birthday of who Fashion Designer Valentino Garavani once called "The Last Queen of Paris": Countess Jacqueline de Ribes. Comtesse de Ribes is a French aristocrat, muse, Couture Diva and client and member of the International best Dressed List since 1962.

 Jacqueline de Ribes by Richard Avedon, 1955

Jacqueline Bonnin de La Bonninière de Beaumont was born in Paris in 1929. In 1948, she married Vicomte de Ribes--a successful banker--who subsequently became compte (count) de Ribes. She quickly became the muse to many photographers--including Richard Avedon and Irving Penn--as well as fashion designers from Yves Saint Laurent, Guy Laroche to Valentino during the 50's and 60's. She was also a Grande Dame of Paris Society attending many a Masked Ball.

One Shoulder Diva: Jacqueline de Ribes

In 1983, she even launched her own Pret-a-Porter line and all her multimillionaire society friends--from Nancy Reagan, Nan Kempner to Marie-Helene de Rothschild...they were all clients.

Jacqueline de Ribes with friends (and clients) Nancy Reagan and Marie-Helene de Rothschild

Her line of expensive and super chic day, cocktail and evening gowns, were carried in all the top boutiques and department stores around the world including Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus to name a few. Due to health problems, she closed the doors on her eponymous line in 1994.

Pouf Queen: Jacqueline de Ribes making an entrance, as always.

Since I can remember, as a young boy dreaming of becoming a fashion designer, I remember looking at photos of Madame de Ribes in my mom's "Hola" magazines when I grew up in Venezuela and thinking "That is A DIVA!" and so, naturally from then on, she was one of my "Dream" Muses; when I drew sketches of fabulous women in my designs, Jacqueline de Ribes was naturally, one of the Fab women wearing them...in my fantasies!

Le Met Diva: "Jacqueline de Ribes: the Art of Style" Upcoming Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC

And this upcoming November, the Couture Diva herself, will be the subject of a Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Exhibition devoted entirely to her at the Anna Wintour Costume Institute Galleries entitled "Jacqueline de Ribes: The Art of Style". It will run from November 19, 2015-February 21, 2016 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York City. The exhibition will show 60 examples from de Ribes personal wardrobe of Haute Coutute and Ready-to-Wear. I hope to make it by my birthday next year in February (crossed fingers!). Here are more photo examples of one of the most Elegant Style Icons of the last century...

Cocktail Hour: Jacqueline de Ribes circa 1953 (left) and 1957 (right)

Chiffon Countess: Jacqueline de Ribes in Jean Dessès Haute Couture, 1956

Muse and Couture Client of Yves Saint Laurent-------------------------------------------------------------

Yves Saint Laurent with muse and client Jacqueline de Ribes

Jacqueline de Ribes in Christian Dior Haute Couture by Yves Saint Laurent

Jacqueline de Ribes in Christian Dior by Yves Saint Laurent  Dior peach silk satin "Ibis" gown from Longue Ligne Collection, 1959

Jacqueline de Ribes in Christian Dior Haute Couture by Yves Saint Laurent dress, 1957

JDR also loved a great Costume Ball...especially if it involved a FABULOUS headdress-----------

 Mongol Couture Diva: Dressed in mink, satin and jewels for a Costume Ball, Jacqueline de Ribes

Jacqueline de Ribes (top left) with Aristotle Onassis and Elizabeth Taylor

 Jacqueline de Ribes in Courreges vinyl and plastic Haute Couture, Black and White Ball 1966

JDR loved a Fab Caftan-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caftan Queen: Jacqueline de Ribes loved this great multi colored silk caftan ...and wore it throughout the decades. PS: I would too!!!

Haute Friends--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Le Smoking: Jacqueline de Ribes with Carla Bruni, 1991

 Party Girls: Jacqueline de Ribes with (L to R) model/Chanel muse Ines de la Fressange, Paloma Picasso and Karl Lagerfeld, 1986

Digestif Time: Jacqueline de Ribes with socialite and fellow fashion icon, Mexico-born Gloria Guinness, Chateau de Versailles, 1973

 Couture Gossip Queens: (L to R) Style icons and socialites Nan Kempner, Fran Stark--wife of Ray Stark "Funny Girl" producer--and Jacqueline de Ribes

Madame de Ribes Now--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Jacqueline de Ribes in 2012

 Jacqueline de Ribes with Valentino and Pierre Berge, 2012

 Jacqueline de Ribes, 2012

Jacqueline de Ribes, in 2010 receiving the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor at the Elysee Palace Paris from then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy

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               Jacqueline de Ribes in Dior Haute Couture designed by Yves Saint Laurent, 1959--                                HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a SUPERB COUTURE FASHION ICON DIVA!