Savoir-Faire: A Guide to Living with Style and Grace

American Woman: Fashioning A National Identity

 

Above, 1933 Martin Munkacsi photograph of Lucile Brokaw for Harper's Bazaar.  Photo from Artnet.

I just received my invitation to the Members Preview of this year's Costume Institute exhibit at the Met - American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity.  If you are not a member at the Met, I encourage you to become one - it is a wonderful cause and joining offers you members-only previews and lectures, as well as access to the Trustees Dining Room.  Each Costume Institute exhibit is truly remarkable (you will remember the recent The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion and Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy exhibits), and this one promises to be nothing less.  

The American Woman exhibit opens to the public on May 5th, and will explore the archetypes of American women since the 1890's through dress: the Gibson Girls, Bohemians, Screen Sirens, and others, all the way through modern day.  The exhibit is very highly anticipated - Vogue even dedicated their entire May issue to it.  The exhibit is open through August 15th, but take my advice and see it before the summer tourist crowds descend on the city.  Enjoy!

xx Ally       

Philanthropy

 

Diana, Princess of Wales, one of the world's most famous philanthropists.  Photographed by Mario Testino for Vanity Fair. 

To be graceful is to give back, especially this time of year.  The great thing about philanthropy is that you really don't have to have a lot of time or money, because any little bit helps.  Here are some of my favorite ways to give back this holiday season...  

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