BY VELMA DANIELS
Guest columnist
“Gems and Jewelry.” Ove Dragsted. Macmillan Color Series. $22.95. and “New York Fashion.” Caroline Milbank. Abrams. $22.95.
Party-goers on the Washington scene have prompted us to take a look at two beautiful coffeetable books that are causing a real popularity clue to their subjects – stylish, which has been described as a “new kind” of fashion in both clothes and jewelry. You can hardly pick up a magazine or newspaper that there is not a mention of Michelle Obama’s daffodil inaugural outfit with the “collar of jewels” (rhinestones and yellow-lime cabochons) and Aretha Franklin’s stunning grey wide-bowed hat. Ladies are keeping the Internet hot with requests for a copy of the Franklin hat that sells for $150, but they have sold out, according to one of the fashion magazines.
Interest in both party gowns, daytime outfits and jewelry has escalated during these few weeks since the Obama events have shown a new style. And it even is showing up on the local scene.
Four of the Winter Haven Art Cottage artists are displaying a new trend in jewelry. These artists include Brenda New, Elizabeth Tanner, Crystal Kinson and Carolyn McEwen. The styles in jewelry are all very different and affordable and will be ready for opening this week at The Art Cottage at 185 Ave. D, N.W.
Interest will run high when local people see the new trends in the “new style.”
Ove Dragsted, the author of the colorful book, “Gems and Jewelry,” speaks with authority, for he was the founder and past president of the Danish Gemological Society. He reminds the readers that long before the ancient cultures of Babylon and Assyria, stones such as amethyst (not popular) and amber were coveted and revered for their beauty and “magical” properties. There are 820 full-color photos of jewelry, stones and first-time published photos in the book.
In the handsome book on New York and the world of fashion, it also traces the evolution of American style. Much has been written complimentarily about the first lady’s selection of an American designer for her inaugural outfit. But she was not the first first lady to select American designers.
Milbank’s book says Eleanor Roosevelt never would have her clothes designed by anyone but an American designer during her time as first lady. And Roosevelt also would have her daughter, Anna, dressed by American designers.
Mrs. Obama was not the first lady to choose yellow for her outstanding outfit. The author of the book said the color yellow is a wise choice.
“In 1885 New York dressmaker, M.C. Blanck designed the most stunning gown of yellow silk and beaded net for a Washington reception … And the jewelry of the elite included chains of tortoise or jet black and beads of coral, amber and garnet with braided strands of beads. Which only proves there is nothing “new under the sun,” the book said.
New York for so long has dressed America. New York was the place to be, for this is where style and fashion were most closely synchronized.
But there also is several very interesting things to notice in Milbank’s book on fashion trends.
During war times, the fashions changed with the tone of the nation. Inexpensive, simpler styles were shown and black and white emerged as the color most preferred.
After the wars, the chic shops on Sixth Avenue, Broadway and Third Avenue came forward again with the more exquisite gowns of both American and French fabrics.
“Elaborate silks, satins, velvets and coats with fur trim – accentuated by jewelry of every unique design bloomed everywhere after the wars were over… Time has not stood still at the present time for the Washington parties and the social events in Palm Beach have continued in high fashion,” the book said.
This book makes the trend even more interesting and the conscience of the people that predicted the fashion trends. Ladies always have loved pretty clothes and Milbanks said during the war years, money did not allow such luxury, the women would buy off-the-rack dresses and rip out the labels so no one would know.
Vanity, vanity, you have always been around!
Velma Daniels is a Winter Haven author and book reviewer. Her “Book Worm” column appears Sundays in the Accent section of the News Chief.
Source: www.newschief.com
