Concurrent and perhaps a little influenced by the beautiful and well-researched show - Superfine - Tailoring Black style on view at the Met Museum through October 26, my client and I created an ensemble for her to wear this Fall and also on a garden-viewing trip to the south of France.
cotton print Duster coat lined with Bugatchi cotton shirting over matching cotton shirt and Houndstooth linen pants. The duster sleeve has a slit with a snap to provide options and ease for wearing .
The 4 piece outfit started with 2 unrelated purchases- a cotton block - printed voile she got in India and a check elastic trim purchased years before at East Coast Trimmng in NYC. The Duster and pants fabric come from B&J Fabrics in NYC. The Shirt fabric is from Eliott Berman Textiles .
India cotton block print dress with elastic trim
The single flowering plant is known as Buti and symbolizes a beautiful field of flowers when grouped as a pattern..
Superfine, the show at the Met, offers a fascinating history of the evolution of the Black Dandy. What began as a way for wealthy slave owners in europe and England in the 18th C to show off their slaves by dressing them in elaborate finery became a symbol of protest and independance for the black individual.
Transitioning into Fall with wax prints and vivid colors
wax-print top with back zip and pockets and skirt with side slits.
wax print top over 4 panel raw silk skirt
silk chiffon Anna Sui print tie blouse with snap closure over raw silk skirt
silk & wool jacket over chiffon tie blouse and raw silk skirt
wax print dress for client