The Charles James Exhibit @ Chicago History Museum=INSPIRATION

This past Friday I had the privilege to attend the Charles James exhibit at the Chicago History Museum. Let me just say: INSPIRATIONAL. First, American fashion designers are NOT known for couture designs, but this man totally changed that one-sided view about American designers. All his designs (by the way the Chicago History Museum has the majority of the FEW designs of his that still exist today) were CAT scanned and that scan showed the museum goer the complexity & intensity that this man worked with-WOW!!!!

Image from the Chicago History Museum

First, he did attend college, but the majority of his one-of-a-kind difficult techniques (that many designers today do not use due to the complexity) were self-learned. This man was a genius, he knew how to make a women feel like if she was the only woman in the world, his work bought out the best features in these women (don't worry, they could afford it, in the 1950's his pieces were being sold at $15,000 minimum a garment-elite women they were). Since his clothing was couture (except for a few mass-merchandise lines), there were only 1 of each garment, except for that gray suit that Angelina Jolie wore in the Tourist movie, there was also one in the exhibit. 

The Charles James Suit from the Tourist (google image)

Going through the collection, just seeing the faces of my students light up while examining these stellar designs, I could almost feel them getting inspired to start their own masterpieces, making me even more enthused to help them achieve those masterpieces. Although Charles James did have a sad ending to his story, died moneyless and alone; he still is stirring the hearts of people today. Charles James will forever live in his inimitable pieces and in our hearts forever. He is still one of the best American designers ever and through his designs he is helping the growth of future American designers. Visit this exhibit before it ends in April!!