There is definitely a huge interest in museum exhibits of the world of fashion and iconic designers. Marla and I have enjoyed fabulous fashion exhibits over the years in Denver, Dallas, San Francisco and Paris. We absolutely loved the 2022 exhibit at the Legion of Honor showcasing the creativity of designer Gau Pei. The 2019 exhibit at the Denver Art Museum, “Dior…From Paris To The World” was fabulous! In April we saw the beautiful and historical exhibit, “FASHIONING SAN FRANCISCO: CELEBRATING A CENTURY of STYLE.” Reading the accompanying labels of who designed the creation and WHO wore them and where is fascinating. I’ll share some of my favorites.

A fantastic jacket by Jean Paul Gaulthier. France b. 1952. Leather jacket with feathers 1998. Worn by Georgette “Dodie” Rosekrans.

I really don’t believe anyone in San Francisco ever displayed such varied, fearless, and bold personal style as Georgette “Dodie” Rosekrans. (1919-2010) Born Georgette Naify. Her husband John Rosekrans, was a grandson of Adolph Spreckels, who, with his wife, Alma, founded the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. Her father, Michael Naify, created a movie chain that became United Artists. They had a mansion in Pacific Heights, a 140-acre property in Woodside called Runnymede, where they displayed sculpture, and two homes abroad. The home in Paris was so ornate it was dubbed the jewel box. The other was in the Palazzo Brandolini on Venice’s Grand Canal with wildly fantastic interior by the late designer Tony Duquette. Dodie was stylish until the day she died at 91!

The dress on the right is by Jeanne Lanvin (French 1867-1946) Lanvin est. 1889. “Villeur de Nuit Evening Dress” Spring/Summer 1924. Worn by Barbara Donohoe Jostes. American 1898-1993.

This ensemble was one of my favorites! It was created by Mariano Fortuny (Spanish, working in Italy, 1871-1949) “Delphos Dress, wrap, and belt.” Circa 1920. Mariano Fortuny was the rare polymath, gifted as a fashion designer, inventor, painter, photographer, sculptor, architect, and theatrical lighting designer. His textiles were amazing! Gift of Mrs. Alan Fleishacker.

I love the way the pleated fabric waterfalls and puddles on the floor.

Jean Patou ( French 1887-1936) Patou established 1914. Silk crepe Evening dress 1937. Worn by Barbara Donohoe Jostes. American. 1898-1993.

Christian Dior ( French 1905-1957) Christiane Dior- France est. 1947. “Junon” evening Fall/Winter 1949-1950 Haute Couture. Modeled at the I. Magnin’s fashion show 1949. Worn by Margaret Funsten Cranston (American. 1928-2016) at the I. Magnin Dior Gala, de Young Museum 1957.

A closer look at the intricate iridescent beading and embroidery.

Christian Dior’s “Venus Evening Gown” Fall/Winter 1949-1950 Haute Couture. Modeled by Helen Berneice Fingado Green. (American, 1923-2001) at the I. Magnin & Company Fashion show, San Francisco 1949.

Creative trio of inspiring dresses. On the left, gorgeous ombre dyed silk gown and gloves by “On Aura Tout Vu”, France, est. 1998. Center: “Falcon Gown” by Vivienne Westwood (English 1941-2022). On the right, Ralph Rucci (American b. 1957). “Infanta Gown and Coat.” Fall 2007 Couture.

Ralph Rucci closeup. Worn by Tatiana Sorokko (Russian) to the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala 2007.

A creation from the final collection before his death in 2010, Alexander McQueen. (English 1969-2010) Fall/Winter 2010. Worn by Christie Suppes in the book Electric Fashion 2014.

Christian Lacroix (France, b. 1951) Ensemble: Coat & Dress, Fall Winter 2005 Haute Couture. Worn by the passionate fashion icon, Christine Suppes. Some people collect exotic cars, and others collect couture.

As a side note, I remember a 2009 Paris trip walking around the Saint Sulpice area in the 6th arrondissement. I spotted this group of people looking through the store window. Christian Lacroix was shuttering his boutiques after declaring bankruptcy.

Sybil Connolly ( Irish 1921-1998) Evening ensemble 1983. This was worn by famous San Francisco socialite, Denise Hale in 1983 to a state dinner in honor of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at the de Young. Great article on Denise Hale here. The dress was made from pleated linen. (Yards of linen were hand pleated to form 1 yard of material!

Kaisik Wong ( American 1950-1990) Evening ensemble: coat, dress, & slip c. 1985. Worn by Georgette “Dodie” Rosekrans.

We stepped into the “augmented reality” booth to have our photo taken wearing 3 designer outfits. Marla is looking elegant. Her shoes: very practical… “ON’s”

Lea looking quite stylish.

Yours truly looking somewhat…unusual! Shoes: very comfortable non-designer… “ON’s”

Edwin Oudshorn (Dutch b. 1980) Edwin Oudshorn est. 2005. “Spellbound Gown” Spring/Winter 2020.

I thought Marla would look great in this suit of printed faux fur and monkey fur by John Galliao (British, b. Gibraltar, 1960) Givenchy, France, est. 1952. Worn by Georgette “Dodie” Rosekrans to Gordon Getty’s birthday party, 1996.

Let’s talk shoes. There was a short moment in time when I had a serius shoe fetish. Seriously! These are by Rei Kawakubo (Japanese, b. 1947) Comme De Garcons, Japan est. 1973. Of course they were once worn by…any guesses? Georgette “Dodie” Rosekrans (1919-2010)

These are just so beautifully “Disco”. Charles Jourdan (French 1883-1976) Shoes 1969. Worn by Eleanor Christenson de Giugne. (American 1911-1983) Ms. Giugne is fascinating. Read more here.

Saint Laurent (1936-2008) Yves Saint Laurent, est. 1962. Evening dress Spring/Summer 1967 Haute Couture. It was inspired by the Bambara tribe from Mali, a French colony until1960 inspired the beadwork minidress. Worn by Georgette “Dodie” Rosekrans.

Lea and Marla check out the de Young cafeteria menu. What a tiring but wonderful day!

Photos: Dick gentry. Not to be used without permission.