A lady’s wardrobe should ideally consist of tasteful, well-cut staples for a variety of occasions. One can’t go wrong with a crisp white shirt and a pair of black trousers for work, or a fitted blazer paired with dark wash jeans for a smart casual look.  But no closet can be considered complete without the classic, trend-proof Little Black Dress (“LBD”), which has the ability to take its wearer from board meetings to cocktail parties effortlessly.  We have to thank Coco Chanel, who fought against the norms of those days to make LBD synonymous with style. Since she started the LBD trend  in the 1920s, the world has seen countless reinventions of the versatile garment. Who can forget Audrey Hepburn’s black sleeveless sheath dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s?

If you have always been fascinated by the LBD, here’s an upcoming exhibition you wouldn’t want to miss.  This March, the National Museum of Singapore presents Beauty in Black: A Display of 18 Dresses from 1950s to 2000s.  The debut exhibition showcases a total of 18 stunning pieces meticulously collected by the Museum over the years through acquisitions and generous donations, some of which were designed as early as during the 1950s, to modern-day creations.

Ever wondered why the LBD took the world by storm?  Why black, and not blue, brown, or beige?  Let the fascinating display guide you on a journey through the decades – explore the significance of the colour black in the world of fashion and find out the meaning it holds for the fashion mavens and the stylish lot. 

Of the 18 dresses, 16 of them are creations of renowned fashion designers including Cristóbal Balenciaga, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, Karl Lagerfeld (yes, the Kaiser himself!), Thierry Mugler and Azzedine Alaïa. 

Here’s one of my favourite pieces – the Guitar Dress created by Karl Lagerfeld for Chloé in 1983.  This gorgeous number reflects Kaiser Karl’s quirky style, don’t you think?  

Back of the Guitar Dress, Karl Lagerfeld for Chloé, 1983

 

Not forgetting our local talents, the exhibition also features some amazing designs created right here by two of our best fashion designers, Benny Ong and Thomas Wee.  If you are not already familiar with our local creative scene, it’s high time to learn about our local works!  

I like this piece the best – a bustier cocktail dress designed by Benny Ong in 1987.  The beautiful cutting accentuates a lady’s hourglass curves while the contrasting white in the center adds a refreshing twist to the design.        

Cocktail Dress, Benny Ong, 1987

 

This season, black remains the new black!  

Beauty in Black: A Display of 18 Dresses from 1950s to 2000s runs from Wednesday, 16 March 2011 till Monday, 13 June 2011 from 10am to 8pm daily at the National Museum of Singapore, The Balcony, Level 2.  Admission is free.

Tags: beauty in black, coco chanel, LBD, little black dress, national museum, national museum of singapore

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