Project Runway Episode 3: Metropolitan Museum of Art

This week the designers on Project Runway went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to be inspired by classic gowns in the Costume Institute.


Instead of blogging about the contestants' designs this week. I wanted to find out more about some of the works of art featured in the Costume Institute's 80,000 piece collection.

YVES SAINT LAURENT:
This French evening dress titled L'Eléphant Blanc was designed in 1958 and is made from silk, metallic thread, glass, and plastic.

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MADELEINE VIONNET:

The oldest gown featured here was made in 1938 in France and made out of a new textile for the time, rayon.

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MADAME GRES:

These unnamed silk evening gowns were made in 1969 by the French designer. The eggplant dress was featured on PR.

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CRISTOBAL BALENCIAGA:

This French wrap is intended for evening and made in 1951 from silk. Pictured above is the back of the drapped wrap.

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CHRISTIAN DIOR:

This French evening gown was created in 1951 and made from cotton and silk. It's titled Diorama.