FIDM Celebrates Betsy Bloomingdale and the Haute Couture
Gianfranco Ferré for Dior, 1989-90, red silk crepe evening gown, photo: Brian Sanderson/FIDM photography
The Fashion Institute of Design Merchandising is celebrating the style of Betsy Bloomingdale and the fine art of French Fashion. A black tie soiree feted the socialite and exhibition titled, “High Style: Betsy Bloomingdale and The Haute Couture,” on Oct. 17 at the FIDM Museum Galleries. Bloomingdale attended the event along with legendary designer James Galanos.
The exhibition examines the 151 year-old art of the Haute Couture by presenting Bloomingdale’s personal style via her favorite designers. It includes 60 ensembles that she donated to the FIDM Museum Collection over the past four decades. Mrs. Bloomingdale was a founding donor of the FIDM Museum Collection in 1977 and her archive of Haute Couture now includes over 125 garments. The work of eleven designers are featured in the exhibition including Galanos, Hubert de Givenchy, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Gianfranco Ferré for Dior, André Courreges, Valentino Garavani, Oscar de La Renta, Norman Norell, Marc Bohan for Dior and Adolfo Sardina.
According to co-curator Kevin Jones this exhibition is unique in that it is literally a case study of one individual, yet it represents four decades worth of historical fashion. “It has been amazing for us in that Mrs. Bloomingdale is a Los Angeleno - she is native, that she is here. She saved all the information. She saved all the croquis. She has a fully documented life. It is a curator’s dream come true,” explained Jones. Bloomingdale was very involved in the process and Jones and fellow curator Christina Johnson were privy to first hand accounts of her international lifestyle and couture experiences rather than having to rely on secondary documentation. “We could call her up and ask, ’How do you feel about this dress?’ ’Why did you choose this dress?’ ’How did you feel wearing it?’” said Johnson.
It took nearly three years to complete the exhibition, which includes not only the garments, but a full catalogue, hand drawn croquis and magazine layouts of many of the designs Bloomingdale commissioned. Several of the garments include photos documenting the international events she attended with husband Alfred Bloomingdale such as the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana and the inauguration of Ronald Reagan. In addition, the exhibition includes a video documentary featuring interviews with Bloomingdale, Jones, Galanos, de la Renta, Adolfo and Bohan among others.
The exhibition is free to the public and will take place from Oct. 21 to Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. For more information go to fidm.edu.
James Galanos and Betsy Bloomingdale at the FIDM opening night feté.
James Galanos evening pant ensemble worn by Bloomingdale at the "Bal Oriental," in Paris on Dec. 5, 1969.
Christian Dior croquis, Autumn/Winter 1989-90 by Gianfranco Ferré for Dior.
Karl Lagerfeld and Betsy Bloomingdale Dec. 2, 1992, photo: Berliner Studio/BEImages
A fashion shot featuring an evening gown by Marc Bohan for Dior.
Oscar de la Renta red silk taffeta gown worn by Bloomingdale at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, 2003.
Marc Bohan for Dior hat and dress (pictured below) worn by Bloomingdale at the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.
Marc Bohan for Christian Dior, Spring/Summer 1981 worn at the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.
