~ like ~ Théâtre de la Mode 1945

random stuffs.

the weekend was actually quite warm here,

and i hope it would stay longer.

going to do some sewing later

so i thought i should write something instead in the morning.

it's gonna be quite a long one today (・ω<)”

i'm going to introduce and talk about this particular event happened back in 1945. 

 

poster for Théâtre de la Mode exhibition in New York, 1946

Théâtre de la Mode 1945 ,

have you heard of it ?

there was a story behind this project with a strong message. 

but i'm just going to briefly talk about it, cause i just wanna show you how magnificent it was !

Théâtre de la Mode was a defined event of postwar couture. 

this project opened its door on 27^th March 1945.

it was intended to mark the freedom and celebrate the survival of French Couture after second world war.

furthermore, the couturiers were attempted to entice back the international market after the war when condition was deprived and under threat. 

la théâtre by christian berrard

it was a display of 237 miniature dolls dressed by fifty three well-known couturiers. 

but why dolls?

presenting fashion in real-life size was considered impractical when fabric were in short supply during war.

however, what would happen if the garments were presented on a division of adult size instead? in limited supply, dolls became practicable to prototype French couture, showing what could be visualized full-size when situation returned to normal.

evening dress by balenciaga

even though they were all in miniature version; the sewing and construction details were all done in perfection and finished meticulously.even their accessories were all made exactly like a real one !




  

one of the dress from la théâtre by christian berrard

 

 

Jean Saint-Martin constructing the structure of the dolls

the structure of the dolls

no harm to point out is the status of the dolls (*´ω｀*)

the figures did not resemble 'dolls' or even figures at all. if you noticed, they were actually constructed in wires.

day dress by molyneux, ensemble by georgette renal

 

day ensemble by lucile manguin,sport suit by dupouy magnin

it is understandable that raw materials were difficult to obtain that time thus metal which once lay all around the city by the Nazis were then used. 

 

  

evening dresses by jean patou

navy wool day dress by marcelle chaumont

How amusing (ノ∀｀)

the metal which once proposed to destroy Paris now became the skeleton and foundation of the dolls.

evening dress by madame gres

nevertheless;

despite well dressed and graceful; the dolls actually invited us an interpretation of the dissipated life after war with the presence of the wire structure as the body.

evening dress by balenciaga

i guess that this event is still remarkable today as the matter of fact that it was born under difficult circumstances and during a period of crisis after post-war.

dinner dress by lucile manguin

indeed, those dolls stand as a hope for future and also an honour for the creativity skills of the couturiers and artists of France; for been able to work together and bringing a symbol of new life and return of hope.

 

i think it is worth mentioning too about another project The Gratitude Train that took place a few years later.

this project marked the friendship of the americans and french.

the americans were generous enough to help and rebuild the french people's shattered lives after war by sending over boxcars of necessities in a train back in December 14, 1947.

touched by their kindness, the french decided to return their gratitude to the americans by sending back gifts in a total of fourty nine boxcars called The Gratitude Train two years later in 1949.

designed by maggy rouff

the Syndicate de la Couture de Paris which had designed
the théâtre de la mode dolls was involved in this too. 

designed by callot soeurs

this time, the couturiers dressed forty nine dolls which were constructed from the same wire design as the Théâtre de la Mode in period costumes that portrayed the changes in french fashions from 1715 to 1906.

designed by charles frederick worth

designed by elsa schiaparell

these delicate dolls were donated to the brooklyn museum in new york as a part of their costume collection today. (visit the link i provided if you are interested to look at the other incredible dolls)

and here is a video i found regarding the théâtre de la mode exhibition held in phoenix art museum last year  

take a glimpse !

wished i could have a close up look at these dolls one day (ू˃̣̣̣̣̣̣︿˂̣̣̣̣̣̣ ू)

maybe they would take a tour to australia someday? 

hope you found it interesting too ♡♡


and now it's time to continue my sewing.



(images courtesy from brooklyn museum, théâtre de la mode: fashion dolls: the Survival of haute couture)