Perfect Combination: Late Summer...Dior...Mathis

Christian Dior "Schuman" ballgown, 1950


Charles Lord "Fortura" Ballgown, Pricipessa Collection 2007


I love this song, regardless of the who's performing it...Frank Sinatra, June Christy, whomever! Its just one of the best songs ever written and composed. But when I stumbled across this version by Johnny Mathis....well, I immediately got visions of Labor Day weekend regatta balls on the North Shore of Long Island or in Newport....diaphanous, ethereal layered Dior-esque chiffon gowns swanning about candelit halls, setting ablaze the crystalline jewels decorating gown and wearer...the orchestra's dulcet melodies wafting through the rooms and out into the faintly crisp night air. Elegance immortalized in song and cloth.....


Dior "Schuman", 1950


Christian Dior, Vertical Line 1950


Christian Dior, Trompe L'oiel Line 1949


Christian Dior "Junon" ballgown, Mid-Century Line 1949

A Four Leaf Clover...

One of my all-time favorite pieces: Charles James' "4-Leaf Clover" Ball Gown in white silk satin, black silk velvet, and white silk faille. Besides being absolutely gorgeous, its an architectural marvel. The book "The Genius of Charles James"- long out of print, but thankfully at the public library- details the 20+ layers of lining, interlining, interfacing and boning, necessary to achieve the pure form of the undulating waves that make this gown truly a remarkable example of garment design and construction.

To accompany this work of art, I am showing it to the melodic tune of on my favorite Quiet Storm classics, appropriately titled "Touch A Four Leaf Clover" by Atlantic Starr...

~Semper Chic!