The Mrs. Astor by Carolus-Duran, 1890. Mrs. Astor would stand in front of this painting when receiving guests at her brownstone at 350 Fifth Avenue.
One is never overdressed or underdressed in a Little Black Dress.
Karl Lagerfeld.
We are joyfully immersed back into city life, after a summer of lights and brights and diaphanous dressing, it is a sartorial thrill to be shopping for the most sensational and wearable wardrobe piece – the Little Black Dress, or the LBD. It falls under the genus of Cocktail Dress, proclaiming “let’s party” in the most expedient way.
Cece Cord, Richard Johnson Peter & Cara Georgiopoulos
A little black dress is something to rely on. To fill you with confidence and ease.
To have an attitude that is pure and effortless, yet sexy and classic. Stella McCartney
Jill Rosevelt & Lisa McCarthy Kristin and Charlie Krusen
Historically, dating back to the Romans, black was worn as a sign of respect for the dead, and that tradition continues today.
In the 16th Century black became the prized fabric of wealthy aristocrats to flaunt their fortunes, as the color was difficult to produce, thus costly.
Jack Geary & Deborah Norville Jeff & Ashley McDermott
You can wear black at any time. You can wear it at any age. You may wear it for almost any occasion; a ‘little black frock’ is essential to a woman’s wardrobe. Christian Dior
Elizabeth Meigher, Mary Snow, Mark Gilbertson, Kathy Prounis & Elisabeth Saint-Amand.
The modern propensity with the shade dates back to 1926 when Coco Chanel introduced her chicest designs. It was shocking at the time to suggest that this hue, long associated with the grave, could be anything but dreary. But Chanel’s prescience transformed the LBD into a statement of sophistication and elegance – de rigueur for every modern gals’ resplendent repertoire.
“I imposed black; it’s still going strong today, for black wipes out everything else around.” Coco Chanel
Emilia Fanjul, Jay Keith, and Amanda Essex.
To illustrate the broad appeal in today’s social swirlings, I shopped two wonderful collections. The first is for our friends asking us to source dresses with sleeves. From the Theia simple yet sultry satin, to evening shirt dresses, we supply a sample of lace & ruffles and plenty of pizzazz.
The Right Not to Bear Arms
The little black dress is the true friend…she travels with you…is patient and constant…you go to her when you don’t know where else to go and she is ALWAYS reliable and timeless. Diane von Furstenberg
Celerie Kemble and Stephen Roesler Patrick Murray and Brooke Kelly
This collection is more flirty and fun for the young and the young at heart with bows and ruffles, and elegant shapes.
Let’s Party!
Charlie Merison Teal & Brooke Block Kennan Susan Fales-Hill & Adelina Wong Ettelson
Perhaps the biggest lift to the ubiquitous style statement came in 1961 when Givenchy’s legendary frock graced the disarming silhouette of Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in the acclaimed film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s written by Truman Capote.
Five years later, in 1966, Captote would create the “party of the century” in the guise of a Black & White Ball, still the subject of countless written descriptions and iconic photographs.
The zenith of elegance in any woman’s wardrobe is the little black dress, the power of which suggests dash and refinement. Andre Leon Talley
Susan Gutfreund & Frederic Fekkai Andrea Karambelas and Eric Javits.
Princess Diana’s Revenge Dress, worn on June 29, 1994, on the same night that Charles publicly acknowledged that he had been unfaithful, created a global sensation as her shocked loyal public rallied to her in the tragedy of her failed marriage.
Hilary concurs. “I love a little black dress. You put one on and you immediately feel sexy and feminine at the same time. I especially like a LBD with a bit of embellishment, be it sequins, an unexpected bow in the back or a bit of lace. Heads will be sure to turn when you walk into a room wearing one of these beauties.”
I’ll stop wearing black when they make a darker color. Wednesday Addams
