Charles Tames: Beyond Fashion

摘要

Charles James is 'revered as one of the most significant couturiers of the twentieth century by fashion students, designers, and historians'. James saw himself as an artist rather than a traditional dressmaker and was a notorious perfectionist. He personally draped and fabricated his garments and was known for spending months and even years perfecting his silhouettes and construction methods. James emphasized his unusual designs with contrasting fabrics and colours rather than utilizing patterned fabrics or surface ornamentation. While many of his creations referenced historic styles, their appearance was emphatically streamlined. During his career apex in the late 1940s and early 1950s, James was famous for his grand evening gowns and had a dedicated society clientele. Charles James: Beyond Fashion, the companion volume to a blockbuster exhibition at The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a reassessment of the life and career of this acclaimed designer.