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Not theme - well, how about C for Chicago (History Museum)>>>

Posted by Kay in Chgo <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Kay+in+Chgo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 19, 2023, 3:10 pm

Last Friday I took some me-time and saw Treasured Ten. This exhibit featured 5 designers working in the 70s and 80s whose outfits had never been shown at the museum.
There are two outfits per designer, shown in alphabetical order -

Barbara Bates, both suits 1988:

Stephen Burrows,
1973:

1970:

CHM picture:

Patrick Kelly,
1988:

1989:

CHM picture of dress underneath:

Scotty Piper,
1970:

1973:

Willi Smith,
1985:

1987:

Barbara Bates is a self-taught Chicago designer.

Stephen Burrows is a designer based in New York City. He was one of the five American fashion designers chosen to showcase their work at the historical fashion show billed as divertissement à Vèrsailles, held on November 28, 1973, more well-known as The Battle of Versailles Fashion Show. The other Americans were: Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, Anne Klein and Halston.

Patrick Kelly was the first American to be admitted to the Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-à-Porter, which governs the French ready-to-wear industry. Kelly’s signature use of playful buttons referenced the mismatched buttons his grandmother (his muse) used to mend his family’s clothing. The question-mark dress was made a number of times including a red one for Bette Davis for her last appearance on the Tonight Show

Scotty Piper was known as a Charleston and soft-shoe dancer before becoming a messenger for the original "Dancing Tailor" here in Chicago. He took over the title for himself making suits for celebrities such as Nat "King" Cole and Count Basie as well as being the go-to guy for young men's graduation suits.

Willi Smith was one of the first American designers to create clothing inspired by and for everyday people and what they wore on city streets – making his sportswear a bridge to commercial streetwear. His WilliWear company was one of the first to create menswear and womenswear under the same label. A little fun fact - Smith designed the suits for Edwin Schlossberg and his groomsmen when he married Caroline Kennedy, in 1986.

Thanks for all the photos and the information!

Posted by Queli <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Queli' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 25, 2023, 7:48 pm, in reply to "Not theme - well, how about C for Chicago (History Museum)>>>"

You're welcome, Queli!

Posted by Kay in Chgo <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Kay+in+Chgo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 25, 2023, 8:14 pm, in reply to "Thanks for all the photos and the information!"

Thank you Kay!

Posted by Ivy in MA <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Ivy+in+MA' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 23, 2023, 6:43 am, in reply to "Not theme - well, how about C for Chicago (History Museum)>>>"

You are welcome, Ivy!

Thanks for posting, Kay! Loved these fashions!

Posted by Jennifer-in-PA <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Jennifer-in-PA' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 20, 2023, 11:09 am, in reply to "Not theme - well, how about C for Chicago (History Museum)>>>"

Glad to share, Jennifer.

Posted by Kay in Chgo <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Kay+in+Chgo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 20, 2023, 7:48 pm, in reply to "Thanks for posting, Kay! Loved these fashions!"

Couldn’t you just picture Madra in that zebra suit!

Posted by Kelly Red <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Kelly+Red' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 20, 2023, 10:20 am, in reply to "Not theme - well, how about C for Chicago (History Museum)>>>"

School two hours late. No morning Kindergarten.

I could!!

Posted by Kay in Chgo <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Kay+in+Chgo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 20, 2023, 7:47 pm, in reply to "Couldn’t you just picture Madra in that zebra suit! "

Fabulous reporting Kay. The question mark dress is quintessential

Posted by Lee <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Lee' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 20, 2023, 6:59 am, in reply to "Not theme - well, how about C for Chicago (History Museum)>>>"

80s.

Definitely, Lee!

Posted by Kay in Chgo <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Kay+in+Chgo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 20, 2023, 7:46 pm, in reply to "Fabulous reporting Kay. The question mark dress is quintessential"

that David Burrows looks amazing from the front but not from the side profile...

Posted by Karen in NZ <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Karen+in+NZ' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 20, 2023, 6:36 am, in reply to "Not theme - well, how about C for Chicago (History Museum)>>>"

I have to agree, Karen, but I found some other views so I thought I'd include it.

Posted by Kay in Chgo <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Kay+in+Chgo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 20, 2023, 7:45 pm, in reply to "that David Burrows looks amazing from the front but not from the side profile..."

Our local de Young Museum had a Patrick Kelly exhibit- I loved it

Posted by VeraS <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=VeraS' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 19, 2023, 11:10 pm, in reply to "Not theme - well, how about C for Chicago (History Museum)>>>"

His exuberant and joyful style was wonderful and I loved his early work when he created dresses with discarded stretch fabric that would be in fashion today, I favored his earlier works vs the later 80s styles but I loved seeing it all.
Thanks for sharing.

You're welcome. That was yet another exhibit that I longed to see!

Posted by Kay in Chgo <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Kay+in+Chgo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 20, 2023, 7:44 pm, in reply to "Our local de Young Museum had a Patrick Kelly exhibit- I loved it"

Re: Not theme - well, how about C for Chicago (History Museum)>>>

Posted by Eve In Ga <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Eve+In+Ga' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 19, 2023, 8:32 pm, in reply to "Not theme - well, how about C for Chicago (History Museum)>>>"

Thank you Kay for sharing and explaining this fantastic display!! Stephen Burrows is a top favorite of mine. How wonderful you have events such as this, in your own back yard!

You are quite welcome, Eve. I do feel quite lucky in my location!

Posted by Kay in Chgo <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Kay+in+Chgo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 19, 2023, 9:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Not theme - well, how about C for Chicago (History Museum)>>>"

Loved this little treasure, both pictures and narrative. Well done, Kay!

Posted by Jackie_NJ <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Jackie_NJ' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 19, 2023, 5:32 pm, in reply to "Not theme - well, how about C for Chicago (History Museum)>>>"

It was Patrick Kelly's work that inspired the cocoon robes I make, and I wore Willy Wear, way back in the day!

I had a winter white wool pleated skirt and a crepe de chine blouse with sunglasses printed in pink and blue on the same winter white. That outfit was so cool, and one of my all time favorites!

Stephen Burrows was the first to do lettuce edging. He used knits, fed them through the sewing machine doing a zigzag stitch, while stretching the fabric, eh Viola! The lettuce edge.

All these designers were fabulous!

My Ebay store for Fashion Doll clothes:
https://www.ebay.com/str/katzmeowdesignsforfashiondolls

My Etsy Store for Fashion dolls and 60-70 cm BJDS
http://www.etsy.com/shop/KatzMeowDesigns

Glad you liked it, Jackie. I think I knew that about your cocoon robes.>>>

Posted by Kay in Chgo <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Kay+in+Chgo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 19, 2023, 9:02 pm, in reply to "Loved this little treasure, both pictures and narrative. Well done, Kay!"

I knew SB was the first to do that edging. Depending on who you believe, it either started out as a sewing error (The Museum at FIT) or he was inspired by Diana Vreeland requesting a garment in "lettuce green" (FIDM Museum).

Ooh those 70's dresses. Dare I say the word Qiana? I still have a wonderful Willi Smith pattern >>

Posted by Becky in Upstate <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Becky+in+Upstate' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 19, 2023, 5:17 pm, in reply to "Not theme - well, how about C for Chicago (History Museum)>>>"

that I made up for several clients in crisp cotton and even a nice merino wool. Thanks Kay. How fun.

Still taking clients, Becky?? LOL

Posted by Kay in Chgo <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Kay+in+Chgo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 19, 2023, 8:57 pm, in reply to "Ooh those 70's dresses. Dare I say the word Qiana? I still have a wonderful Willi Smith pattern >>"

LoL. I have so retired But I've still a huge stash of decades old fabric

Posted by Becky in Upstate <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Becky+in+Upstate' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 19, 2023, 9:02 pm, in reply to "Still taking clients, Becky?? LOL"

Thank you so much, Kay!

Posted by Dennis in IN <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Dennis+in+IN' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 19, 2023, 4:29 pm, in reply to "Not theme - well, how about C for Chicago (History Museum)>>>"

I was not sure I wanted to go to see this exhibit since I prefer more vintage styles prior to 1970...and now I don't have to make the trip! I love this museum...I try to get there at least once a year if a new exhibit interests me...

Dennis in IN

Dennis in Indiana

You're welcome, Dennis. This exhibit had been on a while and when>>>

Posted by Kay in Chgo <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Kay+in+Chgo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 19, 2023, 8:56 pm, in reply to "Thank you so much, Kay!"

I read it was ending, I thought I'd get there.

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