Oscar de la Renta.
The name immediately brings to mind visions of red carpet, stunning detailing, and high fashion.
I love high fashion. Not the kind of “high” fashion that involves wearing garbage bags or creating jeans out of Ziploc bags. That is someone who didn’t get enough attention as a kid who’s now trying to make a mark.
But true high fashion which oozes sophistication and beauty.
I received a lovely invitation from a friend to join a small group of women for cocktails and a private showing of the Oscar de la Renta exhibit which is currently at the Museum of Fine Arts of Houston. I love MFAH. And I’d seen the exhibit advertised and had tried to go several times. Alas, life intervened and my visits kept getting pushed.
Well, I finally got to see his gowns up close and personal.
It brought home a few fashion themes near to my heart:
Vibrant color is good.
You know I’m a color girl. I have my fair share of neutral pants for work and basic turtlenecks. But there’s nothing like a shimmering silver cocktail dress or a bright red sheath to catch my eye. Well, Oscar sure loved color. From head to toe solid colored evening gowns, to bright patterns, to marrying of less obvious colors to create a stand out profile. He knew how to go bold!
Details make the outfit.
The most touted gown in the collection was Amal Clooney’s wedding gown. It was stunning. What made the simple silhouette extraordinary were the details. Incredible individual lace flowers. Tulle peeking out the bottom. A mantilla with a lace border mirroring the gown’s lace flowers. But it wasn’t just the wedding gowns. Details ranged from layers of “petals” on a gown to bows and bodice seaming to unexpected collars or sleeves. Finding detailing which fits your personality and style really glams up an outfit.
Fit is imperative.
There were photos and videos of the women wearing the items displayed. ODLR knew how to fit a dress. I know we don’t have high fashion access, but I remain a proponent of having a tailor. I don’t use tailors nearly as much as a I should. Not to mention, our size might shift from time to time (ahem). But the reality is that most of us don’t have an off the rack fit. Longer pants, shorter sleeves, nipped in waist. Spending a few extra dollars on tailoring, and it usually is very reasonable, will pay dividends every time you wear your clothes.
For you Houstonians, the exhibit will be there for a few extra weeks (they extended it – yea!), and it’s worth the viewing.
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