Edward Steichen

I took this photo on my way to the National Gallery of Victoria this morning to see a current exhibition called Edward Steichen and Art Deco Fashion. While there were a huge number of fashion photographs dating from the early 1920s on display, it was the garments that were really fascinating. The beadwork was stunning on the evening gowns and one wonders just how many hours were spent by seamstresses in gloomy Parisian work rooms creating such glorious items. Some gowns had sequins as well as beads, but the sheer weight of beading on some garments must have been enormous. While some dresses would look very out of place today, some wouldn't have looked at all strange in the red carpet events of today. Here is what the Gallery web-site has to say about the exhibition.

".Edward Steichen & Art Deco Fashion comprises over 200 photographs and more than 30 garments. This stunning exhibition captures the sophistication of the modern woman and the elegance of high-end fashion from this golden age of fashion and photography.

From 1923 until 1938, Steichen was chief photographer for fashion’s most influential and glamorous magazines, Vanity Fair and Vogue. During this time Steichen created images that were imaginative documents of glamour, talent, and style. His work revolutionised fashion photography, and influenced generations of subsequent photographers.

The exhibition will also showcase Art Deco fashion including garments and accessories from the 1920s and 1930s which express characteristic Art Deco motifs and introduce the modern forms of twentieth and twenty first century dressing. The development and changes in the slip dress and coat through the 1920s and 1930s will be shown with examples by leading designers of the day including Chanel, Madeleine Vionnet, Madame Paquin and Callot Soeurs."