Mr. Blackwell Exhibit part 3

This grouping of red dresses took my breath away.

On the far left is another double knit day dress.  The V neckline is encrusted with bugle beads, seed beads and rhinestones.  This detail is repeated on the cuffs of the long sleeves. There are double welt pockets at the hip and a hand stitched zipper at the center back.


Next is the red strapless dres of silk charmeuse. The bodice is lined with the same fabric as are the peplum below the waist and the flounce at the hem.

Further to the right is a very simple yet sophisticated long polyester knit dress with a draped one shoulder design. The elegant detail is the gathered piece stitched under the left arm, across the chest, over the shoulder and falling down to the floor on the back. The dress hangs so simply into a full flowing hemline. The brochure says there are bugle beads accenting the long streamer and the neckline.

Last is another of my favorite garments in the exhibit. This is a 1980 red crepe de Chine long dress featuring printed flowers scattered  across the garment. The halter style top has an added ruffle/flower at the neckline. There is a peplum at the waist and ruffle at the hem.  The matching stole is also accented by a wide ruffle. This is such a beautiful soft and drapey feminine ensemble.

Mr. Blackwell designed garments for real women. He worked with Lane Bryant in 1965 to create beautiful garments for the plus size woman. Over the years he designed for many wealthy and famous women, had a television show and weekly column.

Many thanks for this wonderful exhibit at the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins CO.  It is open to the public at no charge.  Donations are gratefully accepted. Thank you to the curator Linda Carlson and guest curator Ali Rahimi for making part of the museum collection available to us.

Everyone that likes to sew should see this exhibit of exceptional design and workmanship.

Mr. Blackwell Exhibit part 2

This exhibit, open now, will be on display until April 1, 2011. So you have time to visit when you are in the area. Blackwell (1922-2008) was a designer in California, many movie stars and notables wore his clothing. Most of us remember his "worst dressed list" for both men and women.

Because I love beading I took several detail shots of the white dress dated 1969, second from the left.

No need to wear a necklace. Check out this "day dress" with flat braid, rhinestone studs, pearls and amber faceted glass.

Look at this welt pocket. Did you ever make one like this? It's gorgeous.

When viewing the exhibit, everything is behind glass, but you can get really close to the garments.  There is so much hand work.  Being a quilter, I think too many of us speed up the process by taking shortcuts on the machine. What a treat to see this show.

The turquoise brocade dress to the right of the beaded day dress is described in the show brochure as: "a two piece evening ensemble, long-sleeved dress with matching full-length, sleeveless coat of brocaded fabric in turquoise, white, and gold paisley motifs.  Sleeveless coat is additionally embellished with gold and clear sequins and gold dangles."

Never in my life have I worn a sleeveless coat, I'd prefer to think of it as a long vest.