A couple of weeks ago I got invited to a press preview of High Style, the wonderful style exhibition from the Brooklyn museum. It was my very first visit to the Legion, and in such festive circumstances, too! Being slightly late, I rushed up the historic stairs and found all of San Francisco's finest press representatives gathered at the reception.
 The original Schiaparelli butterfly dress |  Enchanting Lanvin |
After a short speech program, we begun a guided tour, led by the curator Jan Glier Reeder herself, moving through the exhibits. A good looking guy was following us around holding a portable speaker, which I thought was a charming addition. But of course, beautiful creations by Givenchy, Lanvin, Dior and many other designers, from 1910-1980, took the cake on "charming" and "magical".
 The 'Tigress' dress by Gilbert Adrian  Tiki references and the ever-present caftan |  Ethnic charm by Mainbocher and Bonnie Cashin  The 'businesswoman' wardrobe, circa 1960 |
Not limiting itself to providing a great lesson in fashion history alone, the exhibition was cleverly livened up by two key factors - wallpaper illustrating the real women of the era in said dresses and the awesome headpieces emulating the different hairstyles. A sucker for the little details, I fell for those wigs right away and had to investigate. Here's what I found out - they were custom-made by Elizabeth DeSole, a talented multidisciplinary artist with a very humble online presence (here, if nothing else, is her Pinterest). I want all of them. Above, I display some of my favorite exhibits - the over-the-top animal printed dress, the butterfly print, the sexy flapper garments and the cropped top - big skirt ensemble. Let's just say I could do just fine in the 20s, 40s or 60s.
If you're in town, or living right here in San Francisco and need an excuse to visit the Legion, don't miss this exhibition - it manages to capture the magic in couture in a very accessible, almost touching way, while being educational. Who knew cut-outs were a popular 40s fixture? Now I know.
