Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume of Princely India Diana Vreeland
A Commemoration OF ROYAL INDIA'S FASHIONS
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December x, 1985
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Section B , Folio
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The women looked elegant, even stately, as they climbed the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Fine art last night for a gala evening that included a preview of the newest exhibition in the galleries of the Costume Found. Wisely deciding not to compete with the shimmering metal and vibrantly colored apparel of the exhibit, called ''Costumes of Regal India,'' the majority of the guests wore blackness, just not your basic picayune blackness dress, to be certain.
They wore styles by the world's leading designers, including Valentino and Armani from Italian republic, Givenchy, Gres and Saint Laurent from Paris. Scaasi, Pecker Blass, Donna Karan, Adolfo, Carolina Herrera and Stavropoulos were some of the American designers represented. No thing where they originated, the dresses were stylish and smart.
The exhibition was the 15th organized past Diana Vreeland, special consultant to the museum. The previews have long been a highlight of the preholiday social scene in New York.
Many of the more than 900 guests arrived early to relish the fashion show in the antechamber and at the cocktail reception in the Englehard Court. Some ran over to the Costume Institute to audit the 140 court costumes lent by former ruling families of Indian princely states. They were staggered past the luxury of it all.
''I've never seen such beautiful fabrics,'' said Lily Auchincloss, who was wearing a subdued paisley-printed wearing apparel past Galanos. ''Fifty-fifty the white muslin was astonishing.'' The white cotton costumes, worn by men, contrasted with the glowing colors of the silk chiffons and brocades worn by women.
In improver to a room full of saris, there were every bit resplendant kurtas or tunics, long skirts and a form of culotte, with each leg broad enough to class a complete circle.
Theatrical personalities, including Cher with Bob Mackie, the designer, added to the glitter of the evening.
Among the dramatic black dresses were Ann Getty'south Valentino with a wide V-neckline and Betsy Bloomingdale'south Chanel, its bodice covered with feathers. Nancy Kissinger's Valentino had a black bodice, majestic chugalug and crisp yellow silk skirt. Raquel Welch attracted a lot of attention in her blackness outfit by Donna Karan, which bared a sliver of pare at the midriff.
Instead of black, Cecile Zilkha chose a white satin Givenchy dress with an elaborately beaded bolero.
''The beading must accept been done in India,'' said Evelyn Lauder, who was wearing a silvery metal dress by Pauline Trigere.
Bill Blass arrived with Consuelo Crespi, who was wearing a slender dark green dress by Galanos. In years past, he has been Mrs. Vreeland's escort. This time, she had a cold and could not attend, he said. ''She'll be in despair tomorrow when she hears how wonderful everybody looked and how well the show was received,'' Countess Crespi remarked.
Perry Ellis, on the receiving line as president of the Quango of American Fashion Designers, caused some concern when, afterward greeting Mr. Blass, he turned stake and seemed to faint. He recovered sufficiently to go into dinner.
The principal course was called craven sundari by Glorious Food, which developed it for the evening. It is a chicken breast wrapped around apricots, dates and basics and served with a light curry sauce at room temperature. The tablecloths, a jungle pattern on a navy blueish background, were designed by Diana Vreeland for Bloomcraft. The fabric will be in department stores in April. Moet & Chandon Champagne and Hennessy cognac were served with the dinner. Count Frederic Chandon, vice-chairman of Moet Hennessy, was amidst the guests. The pillars in the dining room were sheathed in gold, the walls were decorated with murals of moonlit harbors, and teak ceiling fans whirled overhead to set the mood for the diners.
Designers Nourish
Amidst the fashion designers attention were Oscar de la Renta, with Princess Firyal of Jordon - she was wearing a jeweled dress past Scherrer; Geoffrey Beene, on his beginning visit to a Metropolitan Museum gala; Willi Smith; Giorgio Sant'Angelo; Mary Ann Restivo, Arnold Scaasi and Willi Smith.
It was a fashion evening in which the clothes really starred. In that location were few shocking styles and elegance prevailed.
Later on, more than i,000 additional guests paid $125 to come across the exhibition and to dance to i of three orchestras after dinner.
The exhibition is part of the nationwide Festival of India, organized past India and the Indo-U.S. Subcommission on Education and Civilisation. Ratti, the Italian silk producer and the Christian Humann Foundation are among its supporters.
The exhibition opens to the public Dec. 20 and will run through Aug. 31.
Adjacent yr's show is already beingness planned. Information technology will consist of clothes from the museum'southward all-encompassing collection.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/10/style/a-celebration-of-royal-india-s-fashions.html
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