High fashion and Hollywood glamour have hit the walls of the Nelson-Atkins.
Edward Steichen – In High Fashion displays more than 150 black and white photos from the 1920s and 1930s and features celebrities, socialites, politicians, artists and models in stylish clothes and dramatic settings.
Steichen was mid-career when he became chief photographer for Condé Nast’s fashion and society magazines Vogue and Vanity Fair in 1923.
His mastery of lighting and staging techniques kept pace with the modernization of art and fashion to create a new style that revolutionized the field.
The galleries for In High Fashion are as sleek and stylish as the photos themselves. Even the wall colors evoke haute couture: Silver Mist, Vintage Wine and Black Beauty.
There is a swanky lounge area furnished with luxurious chairs in the style of Le Corbusier and other early 20th century modern designers. (This fabulous furniture was loaned to us by Museo, a local furniture store.) After you view the exhibition, you may relax and flip through the exhibition catalogue as well as books about Chanel, Poiret and Vionnet, designers whose creations were featured in many of the photographs.
There’s also an 11-minute silent film playing on a loop. Edward Steichen – America’s Foremost Photographer by Irving Browning is from the George Eastman House Motion Picture Collection.
The film is fascinating. It shows Steichen and his assistants working with a model in the studio. A typical day begins as Steichen pulls up in a beautiful convertible and gives a jaunty tip of his hat to the camera. Once inside the studio, the action is nonstop.
From discussing the shoot with the model to adjusting the lights to examining the proofs, Steichen’s keen eye is involved in every step.
One of my favorite scenes shows an assistant loading and reloading the film plates at high speed. The narration explains that “He [Steichen] and his assistant work with the precision of a machine gunner.”
The end product is much more elegant than the process. Steichen’s attention to detail is evident in every image.
Image: Edward Steichen (American, b. Luxembourg, 1879-1973). Model Marion Morehouse in a dress by Louiseboulanger with jewelry by Mauboussin, 1929. Gelatin silver print. Courtesy Condé Nast Archive, New York. © 1929 Condé Nast Publications.
Comments (8)
Hi,
I'm a Fashion Designer student at JCCC and I was at the Fashion show last Sat May 22, and admired the local collection. I would like to receive a list of names of the Local Designers.
Thank you
Ali Mazlum
Posted by Ali Malum | May 24, 2010 8:27 PM
Posted on May 24, 2010 20:27
Hi Ali-
Thank you for your interest! The Nelson-Atkins Membership department organized the fashion show event. I have forwarded along your question, and encourage you to consider signing up for newsletter updates on future programs and events, here: http://www.nelson-atkins.org/home/ENews.cfm
Posted by Melissa | May 25, 2010 2:46 PM
Posted on May 25, 2010 14:46
I've studied Edward Steichen's work, it's elegant and, as you've said, the attention to detail is exquisite. Look forward to seeing more.
Posted by Jesse of 1920s Fashion and Music | August 7, 2010 2:19 PM
Posted on August 7, 2010 14:19
Edward Steichen's work is very beautiful. His attention to detail really shines through in the photos. The photo really says alot about his work.
Posted by Petite Fashion | August 30, 2010 9:53 PM
Posted on August 30, 2010 21:53
I really like your post here all about fashion and glamour.
Posted by Aikyo | November 10, 2010 2:13 AM
Posted on November 10, 2010 02:13
I had to emulate Edward Steichen in a photograpy class I took. Not easy. He was a great photographer.
Posted by Carl Hahn | November 14, 2010 8:17 PM
Posted on November 14, 2010 20:17
I think Edward Steichen's work is awesome. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by Kerstin | February 19, 2011 1:43 AM
Posted on February 19, 2011 01:43
Love the hair, the makeup and the dresses! Fabulous!
Posted by Betty Lee | March 25, 2011 12:28 AM
Posted on March 25, 2011 00:28