From mini to maxi

So here is the story I promised to tell about the beautiful dresses. 

There is a remarkable exhibition taking place in Riga until 2 October. For those who love fashion or simply beautiful things, for those who want to remember their youth and for those who like vintage and the sense of classy things it is a must see.

Alexandre Vassiliev - an internationally acclaimed Russian costume and set designer, fashion historian, collector, author of many books and articles, host of fashion TV show, lecturer - has once again brought one of his marvellous  fashion pieces collection over to Latvia  - this time 75 sets from the 60s of 20th century - a decade that broke many fashion traditions, mirroring social movements during the period, featuring a number of diverse trends.

So here's a little sneak-peek.

On the left woolen evening dress in raspberry colour by Pierre Cardin fashion house. Paris, 1963. From the former collection of the Brooklyn Museum, New York, USA. On the right hat from silk muslin fabric with floral decoration. Fashion house Christian Dior, Paris. Red colour leather handbag, USA. And the other red handbag from leather replacement, USA. Linen shoes with metallic buckles. Mileme. Elche. Spain. Pendant from metal and enamel in the style of Pierre Cardin.


On the left silk fabric evening gown embroidered with fake gem myriads, lace, glass beads. Guy Laroche fashion house. Paris, 1960. On the right moire fabric evening gown. Christian Dior fashion house. London, 1961.

Evening dress embroidered with glass beads and pearls, with floral ornament. Ostrich feather trimming. Michelle Novaresse fashion house. USA (?), 1963. From the former collection of the Brooklyn Museum, New York, USA. Top left corner - hat with silk petals, workshop Vassallo. Turin, Italy. Other hat with velvet flowers and feathers, Union Made, USA. Evening purse embroidered with glass pearls and beads. Handmade. Japan. From the former collection of the Brooklyn Museum, New York, USA. Shoes from silver metallized fabric. Quah Craft, USA. Silk leather shoes with fake gem rosette. Firm Saks Fifth Avenue, New York, USA.

Knitwear evening coat embroidered with glass beads and fake gems. Nina Ricci fashion house, Paris, the 1960s. Dress in top right corner comes from actress Lauren Bacall's (Humphrey Bogart's wife) wardrobe.

Central black organza cocktail dress. Rety fashion house. Paris, 1960. Left lower corner velvet hat with satin ribbon. Fashion house Christian Dior, Paris. Next to it silk ecening shoes by Italy shoes, Italy. Evening purse embroidered with fake gems, Austria. Right upper corner black woolen mini dress with futuristic openwork pattern. Pierre Cardin fashion house. Paris, 1965.

Wooden fabric coat by Fouks, Paris, 1965, and woolen casual day coat from Christian Dior fashion house (1965 fall-winter collection No 128372), Paris, 1965.

Printed silk jersey fabric mini dresses (with tassels - this years trend as well). Emilio Pucci. Florence, Italy, 1966 and 1968. From the former collection of the Brooklyn Museum, New York, USA.

Evening mini dress enbroidered with golden and bronze glitters. Yves Saint Laurent fashion house. No 013727, Paris, 1965. From the wardrobe of the Hollywood movie star Leslie Caron. Very similar dress is a part of 2011 fall-winter Zara collection :)

And famous Andy Warhall's mini dress in pop art style Campbell's soup, USA, 1966.

And even more accessories, accessories, accessories...

So I hope you got hooked and it is on your TO SEE list until October :)

Be inspired!