FASHION TREND REPORT EXCLUSIVELY FOR RANDOLPH STREET MARKET BY NENA IVON, nenasnotes

I know you are as excited as I am that the Randolph Street Market is back after it’s hiatus….and guess what so are the monthly nenasnotes blog posts on the RSM website. You will find my posts twice a month for the foreseeable future. As usual, I’ll do one on fashion and one on collectibles. What hot pink piece will you find at the next RSM on Saturday and Sunday, September 24th and 25th….a pair of gloves, a scarf, a top, a tie, a handbag or an entire outfit….why not! This month posts are connected… next up FASHION… read on…

If you haven’t noticed bold bright “shocking” pink is everywhere, and I mean, everywhere!!!!!! And I mean head to toe pink!!! Did it start with Elsa Schiaparelli, let’s investigate and see…

Pink is said to have been worn in ancient India and imperial China, as well as the upper classes of 18th century European society, where it was a symbol of social status. The color pink has also been worn by men throughout the centuries.

Indian miniature from 1627-1628 an 8” portrait of Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor. Part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection of miniatures

A Chinese painting on a screen….is this an early version of shocking pink?????

1700 America

Marie Antoinette late 1700’s

Madame de Pompadour 1756

Men in pink….British mid-1700’s

And today….Billy Porter in Valentino at the Grammy Awards 2022

1910 hobble skirt

Jeanne Lanvin 1910 Kyoto Costume Institute Collection

Supposedly the bold pink color was “invented” by the fabled couturier, Elsa Schiaparelli in 1937 when she introduced her perfume Shocking. I always like to mention books for your fashion library…there are several on this uber talented designer starting with her autobiography, A Shocking Life. And there is a current exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, which is running through January 22, 2023, the ‘Surrealist World of Elsa Schiaparelli’ it centers around the famed luxury designer, covering everything from her personal background to her haute couture work.

Entrance to the exhibition.

Shocking fragrance and below some examples of Schiaparelli from her label to packaging to a signature gown. Here the renowned gorgeous cape with Lesage beaded sunburst.

Zsa Zsa Gabor wearing Schiaparelli in the 1952 film Moulin Rouge.

One of the best known pink gowns was worn by Marilyn Monroe, in the William Travilla gown in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blonds, the iconic Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend number. It sold at auction for $310,000!

Think Pink….a fabulous number by Kay Thompson in the sensational 1957 film Funny Face….influenced by the renowned editor, Diana Vreeland. Watch the clip here.

And Audrey Hepburn looking her exquisite self in the Hubert de Givenchy gown in Funny Face…

The 2018 exhibition at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology

And it’s accompanying text…

A fabulous black velvet gown with a huge pink satin sash….Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture circa 1983

Lady Gaga displayed her sense of over the top style on the 2019 Met Gala red carpet in a billowing shocking pink Brandon Maxwell dress.

And Anne Hathaway attending the Fall 2022 Valentino Haute Couture show on the Spanish Steps in Rome. Of course, wearing Valentino head to toe!!

Are you thinking pink???? Here is the link to the Fall 2022 Valentino ready to wear fashion show…enjoy!

All photos unless otherwise noted found on Pinterest photo credits not available.

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by Nena Ivon
www.nenasnotes.com