My visit to the Théâtre de la Mode

Taking a closer look at an ivory silk damask evening dress by Worth in a set designed by Jean Cocteau

Created in Paris starting in 1944, the Théâtre de la Mode is a work of haute couture, theater and art, with stage sets and dolls designed and created by artists, and fashions by over 55 design houses. They came together for the survival of haute couture.

Some of the clothing designers who dressed these artful dolls in miniature versions of their best and most current fashions include Balmain, Balenciaga, Fath, Hermès, Lanvin, Paquin, Schiaparelli and Ricci.


Sound interesting? I have just completed a seven-post series about the Théâtre for my blog, including:



My visit to the Théâtre de la Mode, part I

Théâtre de la Mode, part II: The Dolls

Théâtre de la Mode, part III: The Sets

Théâtre de la Mode, part IV: The Fashion Designers

Théâtre de la Mode, part V: Down to the Tiniest Details

Théâtre de la Mode, part VI: Loss & Rebirth—Again

Théâtre de la Mode, part VII: Seeing the Exhibit at Maryhill

Stepping Out in Style: Outerwear of the Last 150 Years

Thanks to Jody at Couture Allure Vintage for bringing this interesting exhibit to our attention. Stop by and let us know if you've visited it!

Stepping Out in Style: Outerwear of the Last 150 Years

September 4, 2007 - March 2008 Curator of Costumes Elizabeth Laba has selected an elegant assortment of capes, coats, jackets and furs from the Morris Museum’s extraordinary collection of clothing. The exhibition will treat the visitor to a visual survey of street garments for evening and day wear worn by the fashionable—both adults and children—of Europe and America. Of particular importance to the history of fashion are a magnificent evening coat and cape by Charles Frederick Worth of Paris, perhaps the most famous of France’s late nineteenth century haute couturiers. At the more modern end of the spectrum is a coat of electric blue wool designed in the 1980s by Arnold Scaasi. Mr. Scaasi has generously agreed to make the Morris Museum the repository for his yearly lines of design. Nothing says glamour like a long evening coat richly appointed in velvet and satin – and nothing says style like the one to the right designed by Charles Frederick Worth! Examining the breathtaking detail of this piece – from the raised apricot-colored velvet to the delicate ruching around the collar and cuffs –it is no wonder that House of Worth is renowned the world over for design and craftsmanship. The fitted bodice and sweeping train certainly created a sense of presence for the well-dressed woman of the late 1890’s, and that presence was one that was sure to be remembered for years to come! The Morris Museum is pleased to showcase this gorgeous evening silk velvet evening coat, along with an array of outerwear for ladies, gentlemen and children, as it presents Stepping Out in Style: Outerwear of the Last 150 Years.