Robin givhans enthusiastic history the battle of versailles is an effort to do for fashion what george tabers the judgment of paris did for. More importantly it is a record of us as a country at the time. The battle was a fashion show in france in 1973, where five french designers showed, then five. Because of the surrounding social and political events you get a well rounded account of why the fashion show at versailles had such impact. The battle of versailles by robin givhan the boston globe. Imagine the met gala mixed with the oscars and the grammys and youll get some way to understanding exactly what the event dubbed the battle. The battle of versailles, held in the gilded palace of louis xiv in 1973, is one of fashions most storied affairs. The battle of versailles fashion show on we heart it. Deemed one of louis xivs best contributions to the palace, historically it was also where the treaty of versailles was signed in 1919 to end wwi. Be the first to ask a question about the battle of versailles. Versailles 0 hours and 52 minutes tv series 2015 in 1667, 28yearold allpowerful king of france, louis xiv, decides to build the greatest palace in the world. For the second time in history, the americans stormed france in an epic battle. On november 28th, 1973, social elites gathered for a showdown between french and american designers in the palace of versailles.
The former gardes francaises subsequently provided the professional core of the new garde nationale. Story of the 1973 palace of versailles fashion show, where american fashion would be born, racial barriers broken and the industry forever transformed. It covers almost the entire first floor of the south wing of the palace and depicts nearly 15 centuries of french military successes, from clovis to napoleon, through 30 or so paintings. The competition that shook the fashion industry m2m. The battle of versailles is an excellent social history. The night american fashion stumbled into the spotlight and made history on april 7 from 6. Imagine the met gala mixed with the oscars and the grammys and youll get some way to understanding exactly what the event dubbed the battle of versailles meant in the context of fashion history. Come and experience your torrent treasure chest right here. Famous runway showdown revisited in versailles 73 wwd. But in france in november 1973, the venue was versailles, the money was for its restoration, and the instigator was eleanor lambert, the. Treaty and protocol signed at versailles june 28, 1919. The battle of versailles fashion show took place on november the 28th, 1923, in the palace of versailles as an event to raise money for its. Landmark fashion show broke racial barriers, showcased u. Organized by publicist eleanor lambert, the event was billed as a.
The battle of versailles, by robin givhan the new york. The night american fashion stumbled into the spotlight and made history by robin givhan. The american runway revolution, released in cinemas in 2012. Floridian director deborah riley draper was the first to focus on the event in her historical documentary versailles 73. Famous runway showdown revisited in versailles 73 a new documentary recalls the 1973 francoamerican fashion event at the palace of versailles and wwd was there, too. In the battle of versailles, fashion critic robin givhan tells the story of the groundbreaking runway show that pitched french couture designers against american up.
Versailles 73 american runway revolution apt worldwide. Givhan will discuss and read from the battle of versailles. This featurelength film, based on margaret macmillans acclaimed book of the same name, takes us inside the most ambitious peace talks in history. As told by robin givhan in the battle of versailles the frocks created by the american designers were not the historymaking element that ignited a chilly november evening in the paris suburbs. The gallery of great battles is the most important of the historic galleries created by louisphilippe in the palace of versailles. Fritz mitchell then went on to recreate the outfits from the american show to produce the 2016 documentary battle at versailles. American runway revolution documentary film that traces the iconic fashion battle of versailles between 5 french and 5 american designers. When african american models such as bethann hardison, pat cleveland, alva chinn, and billie blair boarded the plane to paris in 1973, they had no idea they would help change the course of fashion.
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