#houseofdior

As angelic as it looks, “L'elephant Blanc” evening dress did not descend from the heavens on it’s own. This ensemble was part of Yves Saint Laurent debut collection for House of Dior, entitled “Trapeze Line”. The dress (and it’s five layers of tulle and rigid understructure) were machine sewn, and the hand embroidered crystals, paillettes & sequins were done by Dior’s brodeur, Maison Rébé. Spring/summer 1958. Haute Couture. #leléphantblanc #houseofdior #springsummer1958 #hautecouture #yvessaintlaurent #debutcollection #tapezeline #design #craftsmanship #embroidery #brodeur #maisonrébé #manusxmachina #metropolitanmuseumofart #metmuseum (at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

As much awesome new technology has been developed in the fashion world, the industry really hasn’t changed much in the past couple centuries. True design always takes a human hand to accomplish, whether it be handmade lace of past centuries, hand beading, which is continually used, or the new 3D printing technologies of today, in which the pieces still need to assembled into a garment by hand. “Manus X Machina” is a great exhibit because it shows the importance of the métiers, or trades, of dressmaking. We need to remember the hands behind the design process, and place value on keeping craft alive and value the art of making truly quality designs. | Left: House of Dior. Autumn/winter 2005-06. Right: Charles James muslin. Ca. 1950. #manusxmachina #metropolitanmuseumofart #metmuseum #design #métiers #trades #dressmaking #humanhand #value #craft #technology #houseofdior #charlesjames #muslin (at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)