Sunday, August 17, 2014

Kinshasa & Couture





South African photographer Guy Tillim composed a set of documentary images in the Congo city of Kinshasa during a 2006 election. An earlier appearance by this photographer  panoramic studies of colonial architecture in decay – occurred some years ago here.

In 1883 Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt II imported the "Electric Light" ball gown from Paris. It was conceived and executed by the foremost dressmaker of the day, Jean-Philippe Worth (1856-1926).  Today this densely embroidered artifact of Victorian futurism is displayed at the Museum of the City of New York.  



Mrs. Vanderbilt wearing the Electric Light ballgown (with Mr. Vanderbilt)