Photographing the exhibit at The Met was strictly forbidden and aggressively enforced, but I like to "color outside the lines" now and again, especially if it's for a good cause.
Plus, it wasn't technically me who was doing it - I had engaged my innocent looking ten year old daughter, who was more than excited to oblige. My little "fashionista" in training, she wandered around with her iPhone (flash off) and chose to capture what took her fancy.
And so it was that we channeled the very spirit of the truly revolutionary and rule breaking British designer, Charles James, to show you these images.
A man who in his heyday in the 1940's and '50's constructed the most technically brilliant and innovative couture clothing for the top tier of society ladies.
Who inspired a multitude of designers - including, most famously Dior's "New Look" - and has been endlessly copied and deconstructed since.
And as the exhibition makes clear, didn't just design bespoke evening gowns either, but also invented "the quilted" jacket, and a multitude of other cuts and designs of outer wear.
Though widely celebrated and achieving fame and fortune in his lifetime, he nonetheless died penniless at The Chelsea Hotel, NY.
Don't you think my "secret" photographer did a great job?
And also following in my footsteps - check out her blog - www.tallgirlinuggs.blogspot.com
