Dear Shaded Viewers,
This morning I was reading Malcolm Harris' article in the Huffington Post on Byronesque and it made me think back to more than a year ago when Gil Linton, Byronesque's Editor in Chief/Founder, approached me to participate on her project. Gil asked me to choose a designer , or article of clothing, that had an impact on me. I have to admit decades ago I was inspired/motivated to become a fashion designer because of the work of Charles James. I don't know if Byronesque will also include books on their site at some date in the future, but if they do, I highly recommend : "The Genius of Charles James" by Elizabeth Ann Coleman, it was the catalogue that went along with the exhibition dedicated to him at The Brooklyn Museum. James died, nearly forgotten at the age of 72 in a run-down little studio in the Chelsea Hotel. Talents like him should never be forgotten and maybe one day this beautiful coat will show up on the newly launched Byronesque site. It's timeless as the best of vintage is. The book was published in 1982.
I had the opportunity to meet Charles James at the end of his life because one of my interns was a student at Pratt and they were making a documentary on him for cable tv. Wonder what ever happened to that little treasure… I also had the great pleasure of viewing and reviewing the wonderful exhibition on him at the Brooklyn Museum.
Later,
Diane
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/malcolm-harris/byronesque-vintage-shopping_b_2024006.html
