Frist Center for the Visual Arts Presents the Golden Age of Couture 1947 - 1957 in Nashville

Nashville's Frist Center for the Visual Arts has scored a rare coup by being the only U.S. venue selected to host The Golden Age of Couture exhibition organized by the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London. The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957 is an international exhibition devoted to the most prestigious fashion houses of Paris and London in the years following WWII. The highly successful Nashville exhibition ran from June 18 through September 12, 2010 and attracted international visitors, local art lovers, fashion enthusiasts, tourists and doll collectors.

Frist Center for Visual Arts Formerly Nashville's Main Post Office

Anytime I visit the Frist Center is nostalgic for me, because according to his diary, my grandfather was transferred to the new post office on Broadway when it was first opened on November 19, 1934, and my father worked there part-time when he attended Vanderbilt College. The historic old post office now houses the Frist Center for Visual Arts and is a fitting location for The Golden Age of Couture exhibition.

The Golden Age of Couture Drawing Visitors from around the World to Nashville

The Couture exhibit has drawn visitors from around the world to see the collection brought to the U.S. by the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London, which possesses one of the finest collections of designer clothing in the world. The Golden Age of Couture exhibition has broken records in London and gone on to draw crowds in Australia, Hong Kong and Canada before coming to Nashville.

The Golden Age of Couture Showcases Fashions from 1947 - 1957

The Golden Age of Couture refers to the decade-long postwar fashion era which was launched by Christian Dior's famous New Look in 1947 and which ended with Dior's death in 1957. Other French designers featured include Cristóbal Balenciaga, Hubert de Givenchy, and Pierre Balmain as well as London designers including Hardy Amies, Charles Creed, and Norman Hartnell.

Flowers of the Fields of France Worn by Queen Elizabeth II at The Golden Age of Couture

More than 100 dresses were on display including daywear, cocktail and evening dresses. Gowns made for royalty were also on display including the stunning beaded ivory silk gown by Norman Hartnell, "Flowers of the Fields of France," worn by Queen Elizabeth II on a state visit to Paris in 1957. (See photos above.)

Miss Lachasse Doll at The Golden Age of Couture

Some of my favorite exhibits were the smaller, almost doll-sized mannequins used to show customers examples of fashions they could order. The Miss Lachasse doll was a particular favorite with its fabulous collection of miniature clothes and accessories. (See photos above.)

Golden Age of Couture a Look at Fashion from a More Glamorous Era

The Golden Age of Couture was a beautiful and glamorous look back at the fashions of another era, fittingly displayed in Nashville's historic former post office which is now the Frist Center for Visual Arts.

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