September 21, 2011
Daphne Guinness Fashion Exhibition at FIT Features Extraordinary Couture Collection
Robert Doyle READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Daphne Guinness, one of today's most original fashion icons, is the subject of The Museum at FIT's new exhibition, Daphne Guinness which opens September 16th in NYC and is on view until January 7th 2012.
The opening reception celebrated the exhibition with some Guinness's favorite fellow fashion icons: Oscar de La Renta, Valentino, Zac Posen, Christian Siriano and a host of other notables including Stefano Tonchi, Linda Fargo, John Dempsey, Patrick McDonald and Susan Bartsch.
Guests sipped on Kim Crawford Wines, including a sauvignon blanc, while ogling approximately 100 garments and accessories from Guinness's personal collection which included the likes of Chanel, Nina Ricci, Christian Lacroix, Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Valentino, Gareth Pugh, Tom Ford and Rick Owens.
Daphne looked dazzling with her platinum-and-black striped hair, towering ten-inch heels, and chrome colored sequined dress by Hogan McLaughlin, a 22-year-old newcomer to the fashion world. From her to-die-for couture collection to her amazing jewelry, Daphne Guinness completely embodied the rarified personal style of a fashion icon.
"She is one of the-if not the-most stylish women living," said designer and film director Tom Ford. Her fans in the blogosphere describe her as "the ultimate fashion fantasy."
The Daphne Guinness exhibition reveals how Guinness, who is not only a serious collector of couture but also a creative force in her own right, uses fashion to transform herself. As her friend, art historian, John Richardson, puts it: "She's the object of her own creativity. Her persona is her own masterpiece."
Although Guinness has inspired some of the world's greatest couturiers-from Karl Lagerfeld to Valentino -she says that she is "not a muse," but more like "a bee" flitting from one designer to another. This is proven by the array of designers whose work is on display.
Another exhibition highlight is the wide range of extraordinary accessories, many of which were created in collaboration with Guinness. These include Philip Treacy's hats and Shaun Leane's "armor" jewelry, not to mention towering platform shoes made especially for her by Christian Louboutin and Noritaka Tatehana.
DETAILS:
FIT Fashion Institute of Technology
Seventh Avenue at 27th Street
New York, NY 100001
www.fitnyc.com
Museum Hours
Tuesday-Friday - noon-8 pm
Saturday -10 am-5 pm
Closed Sunday, Monday, and legal holidays
Admission is free and open to the public.
LINK: Daphne Guinness at FIT
Long-term New Yorkers, Mark and Robert have also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center, Mark is a PhD in American history and literature, as well as the author of the novels Wolfchild and My Hawaiian Penthouse. Robert is the producer of the documentary We Are All Children of God. Their work has appeared in numerous publications, as well as at : www.mrny.com.
