Strike a Pose

Google images is hosting a fabulous LIFE pictorial series. You can sift through millions of photos from the days of yore through current day - political photos, nature pics, sports history, etc. But who needs all that jazz? I went straight for "Paris" + "Fashion" followed by "Paris" + "Hats" of course! (Some of the photos have never been seen by anyone other than the photographer and a [probably] grumpy editor.) Aside from being an amazing glimpse into Parisian history chock full of candids of Bettina Ballard (right, standing) of Paris VOGUE fame, searching is great because none of the riff raff comes up in searches that one usually finds in the google images fishing net - it's all pulled from the LIFE images source.

My beloved Grandmother had an evening gown by American designer Jean Desses similar to the one shown below, though all black, and she always 'posed' for pictures as if she was about to hit the stands. Maybe it had more to do with the dress - if I had something this fabulous, I'd be working it, too. And can you just imagine? An American designer in Paris!?! Oh, the scandal!

This candid was taken at a Christian Dior show - wonder what they're saying? I imagine whatever is French for "Gee, you look swell!"

And, finally, though fit for court at Versailles, these lovely ladies are modeling the latest in Parisian Ball Gowns in February, 1951 for the upcoming Spring Season. *Sigh*

Would have been great to experience that time period in Paris - thank goodness for movies!