Nan Kempner American Chic: How I Saw It

Nan Kempner: American Chic
Originally uploaded by coutorture.

On Saturday I finally had a chance to see Nan Kempner American Chic at the Met. As mentioned in previous posts, Mrs Thomas L Kempner, a member of the Best-Dressed List's Hall of Fame, was a New York socialite, who (and I never get tired of saying this) had so many clothes she had to convert two of her bedrooms into closets.

When I arrived, I walked down the stairs to the museum's ground floor into a top floor salon of sensational style. It was very clear from the start of my self-guided tour that Mrs Kempner was in love with the designs of Yves St Laurent. Most of the pieces on display are from this French couturier. There are many pieces by French designers in the exhibit, and Mrs Kempner was known as a Francophile when it came to her clothing collection. She did not ignore American designers, however. Michael Kors, Bill Blass, Levi Strauss and other successful Americans designers were well-represented in her closets.

What really impressed me about her clothing choices was the fact that almost everything she wore was tailored or fitted, a look that I love. I have always said, that before I die, I want to own a Chanel Suit. Mrs Kempner owned many, as well as suits by other designers.

I wanted to take take pictures while I was there but was told it was not allowed. Thankfully, Julie Fredrickson of Coutorture was kind enough to share her photos of the exhibit, which she acquired during the press preivew last week. To see them, simply click on the one above.

Nan Kempner American Chic will be running through March 4, 2007. If you have plans to be in New York City during this time, please include a trip to the Met to see this important piece of fashion history.

Buzzing off for now...