A few years back when I was writing The Madcap History of the Skirt, my editor was adamant that I include a section about the fashions of America's First Ladies. I remember her saying: "People will love it, and it will SELL," words every writer wants to hear, but I was still cool on the idea. I wanted the book to be fun and cheeky and the first ladies seemed so…dry. But once I began my research I was quick to warm up to first lady fashion. I was looking at their dresses with an eye homed in on the evolution of their skirts, began reading about the inauguration dresses and was sidetracked for days. So I was delighted to find this new video posted from the Smithsonian about the First Ladies exhibit at the National Museum of American History in D.C. (Best inexplicable, somewhat random cutaway line: "We're going to have to lower Barbara's purse.") Can I just say that Lisa Kathleen Graddy and Sanae Park Evans have my dream jobs? Nearly 20 years ago I spent a summer interning in the basement of the Asian textiles department of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, cataloging and preserving antique textiles and fabrics and wishing I was riding my bike in the sunshine. Had I known that there were jobs like these—cataloging and preserving dresses like Michelle Obama's little number from Jason Wu—I might have stuck with it! I've seen this exhibition several times since I was a child, and I'm looking forward to seeing Obama's dress when I'm visiting in May. I wish they allowed video and photographs inside the museums; I'd love to make a visting-the-first-ladies-of-fashion-exhibition film.
Isn't Jackie's inaugural gown (above) exquisite? I believe she designed it herself. I'm a bride-to-be, and Jackie's dress is pretty much a dream wedding gown. Do you think the Smithsonian would let me borrow it for my upcoming nups?
Other fun, first-lady fashion bits of trivia not mentioned in the video (but available in my book!): Mamie Eisenhower was a dedicated fashion plate who had the good fortune to land in the White House just before Christian Dior launched his "New Look." Mamie adored the style and bought mountains of his work, although this fabulous blush-colored gown covered in rhinestones (above) was created by one Nettie Rosenstein. But my favorite gal was Edith Roosevelt, a thrifty first lady who used the skirt from one dress and the bodice from another to create a budget-friendly inaugural gown, à la Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink. Oh, and as for my editor's prediction: She was right. I did dozens of radio interviews after the book was released, and nearly every host asked about the first-lady section of the book. One station even made that small section the entire focus of the interview. So I guess the moral to this story is: Listen to your editor! Photo credits: Jackie Kennedy: Alfred Eisenstaedt//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images; Mamie Eisenhower: AP Photo
Hi Ali, I am trying to track down the Gary Graham beaded tulle necklace dress (No. 05, Spring 2008) for my wedding. I've been in touch with the New York stores and it's no longer being made. Do you know of anywhere that might have the dress, or where I should begin searching? Thank you so much Ali. Mary H.
Hi Mary, That dress is a knock-out! I'm sorry I didn't see your comment right away, but no, I don't know where you could find this dress, unless you get lucky on eBay, CraigsList, etc. Create a Google Alert for those keywords in case someone is selling one. Best of luck—it's such a gorgeous, gorgeous dress! Ali
Ali Basye is an editor, writer and the publisher of On This Day In Fashion, a daily website delivering the Stories Behind the Styles. She authored The Long (and Short) of It: The Madcap History of the Skirt, co-authored The Newlywed Kitchen and contributed to two other books. Ali was the editor of Seattle Bride Magazine from 2006 to 2010 and the associate editor of Seattle Magazine from 1999 to 2004. She has appeared on The History Channel and TV shows such as Evening Magazine and Northwest Afternoon, discussed fashion and skirts on a number of radio stations, including NPR, and frequently talks about fashion, travel and journalism at conferences, trade shows, colleges and businesses. Ali writes biannual U.S. style forecasts for Textile View magazine and contributes to dozens of others, including Los Angeles, Sunset, Lexus, Virtuoso Life, Seattle and Alaska Airlines magazines. A native of Delaware and a graduate of Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, Ali lives in Seattle.
4 comments:
Hi Ali, I am trying to track down the Gary Graham beaded tulle necklace dress (No. 05, Spring 2008) for my wedding. I've been in touch with the New York stores and it's no longer being made. Do you know of anywhere that might have the dress, or where I should begin searching? Thank you so much Ali. Mary H.
Hi Mary,
That dress is a knock-out! I'm sorry I didn't see your comment right away, but no, I don't know where you could find this dress, unless you get lucky on eBay, CraigsList, etc. Create a Google Alert for those keywords in case someone is selling one. Best of luck—it's such a gorgeous, gorgeous dress!
Ali
I simply love this blog and your book! I just posted on my blog about your wonderful book and the fun section on Flapper Slang.
http://fashionperiod.wordpress.com
Fashion: I love your blog! It's got just the kind of fashion info I like to read. I'll be sure to bookmark it. Thank you for your sweet comments.
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