Posts Tagged ‘Horst P. Horst’

There are manifold reasons a girl might want an embarrassingly large closet.  First, if you have the space you have to fill it.  Second, it’s just so fun to get dressed up in a world where you’re surrounded by colorful, sequined, silky fabrics all laid out in a row.  Most girls will have a third very good reason after a visit to the Peter Fetterman Gallery at Bergamot Station.

On now through March 2010 is an exhibit of black and white photographs called “Faces of Fashion.”  They are all divine and choosing only one would be simply too difficult.  The solution? A bigger closet in which to hang each and every one.  Starting with two images of Coco Chanel, one by Horst P. Horst taken in her youth and another by Douglas Kirkland later in her life, you’ll continue through the exhibit by peering into the seductive eyes of a number of women hidden behind black, mesh veils in photos by William Klein, Irving Penn, Lillian Bassman, and Horst P. Horst.  From there, you find yourself face to face with Twiggy and then you’re desperate for a new chapeau.  Each photo brings to life some part of the fabulous, graceful world of fashion that has shifted in recent years.

In the same way that we reminisce about the golden years of Hollywood when audiences had screen sirens as opposed to reality stars, these photos remind you of a time when one “got dressed” for dinner, when long white gloves were a common fashion accessory (not part of a Halloween costume), and when women in fashion had a certain intrigue.  That sounds like just what I’d want my closet to remind me of… I’ll take ‘em all!

P.S. Stop and take a closer look at the only color print in the show: a photograph by Ormond Gigli called “Models in the Window.” Tell us what you think!

“Faces of Fashion” and “Lillian Bassman: Women” are on view at Peter Fetterman Gallery at Bergamot Station now through March 7, 2010.  For more information, please call (310) 453-6463 or click here.