Elegant Lines

The final day on my recent London trip was a Sunday, perfect for a bit of museum gawking.  Too many options as usual, but I eventually settled on The Strand’s dynamic duo: The Courtauld and Somerset House.  The Savoy being around the corner for tea may have swayed me a bit, but more on that later. As usual, the Courtauld was a delight.  But what I want to focus on here is the temporary exhibition at the Embankment Gallery in Somerset House – “Dior Illustrated: René Gruau and the Line of Beauty.”

Now I know almost nothing about womenswear or couture.  Women’s fashion is something that has always eluded me; I can appreciate its beauty, but I make no pretenses at being knowledgable.  Gruau’s work though was a revelation.  A close friend and artistic compatriot of Christian Dior, he seamlessly transferred Dior’s poetry in motion to the flat page.  The immense ethos conveyed in his illustrations was simply unbelievable.

If you’ll pardon the reductive archetype, the “modern woman” and all her trappings float as effortless swaths of color in magazine adverts, perfume packaging, and paintings.  She walks into a room, knowing all eyes will be on her, utterly unconcerned.  She knows what she wants, who she is, and although undeniably alluring, she is in complete control of herself at all time.  Intelligent and collected while reveling in her cheeky side.  If you’re in London before January 9, don’t miss out.