San Diego Style at the San Diego History Center

 

I have been a naughty fashionista. It took me until today to finally see the San Diego Style exhibit at the (newly named) San Diego History Center. Having opened in early October of 2009, I can only claim insanity for having waited to view these gorgeous gowns.

Brought to you in honor of the 20th anniversary of its Costume Council, every garment in this room has been worn by a San Diegan and sometimes designed by San Diegans. With the oldest item in the exhibit being a maroon wedding gown made in 1876 and the newest a red Catherine Regehr gown worn to Barack Obama's inauguration ball in 2009, I was so pleased with the long time line of the collection.

To give you a sneak peak I will let you in on my favorites of the room, starting with SD resident Ann Jones. Ann is my vote for the lender with the best taste. Living in La Jolla since 1967, Ann has lent to this exhibit a stunning 1970 Pauline Trigere dress, a 1982 Geoffrey Beene day look and a 1986 Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel suit. I find it interesting that each item shares the same color story and yet have vastly different construction and shape.

 

My next favorite is from 1988. Shocking since I am no fan of that decade, but I suppose I can make an exception for Valentino. Worn by Jeanne Lawrence, the Vice Chairman of the Hotel Del Coronado from the 1970's-1990's, this Valentino dress is made of silk velvet, satin, glass beads and sequins.

Other favorites of mine is the 1957 party dress by Traina Norell worn by Carolyn Kaess and the Helen Barbieri gown worn by Lynn Spicer who wore the dress for a San Diego Magazine Shoot in the 60's. But I must end with my 1920's favorite that was found in a San Diego thrift store in the 1950's and worn by Patricia Wyatt who lived in Point Loma her entire life and was inducted into the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2007.

Comments

[Jessica Schmidt]

Thanks for the shout-out - I'm glad you enjoyed it!