I saw some of these mannequins in Maryhill Museum of Art,Washington when on a doll collectors' trip a few years ago. I have been haunted by them ever since. They were so ravishing and elegant in their dramatic, theatrical settings but none of my (permitted) photos came out and I was very frustrated! I felt they were more than mere fashion dolls; they were the work of artists who used textiles and other materials to express themselves - a view that crystalised for me later at the Versace exhibition at the V&A.
The display was exhibited around Europe and the New World from 1945-46 when I was a young child, so the fashions are very nostalgic for me, very much 'of their time'. I found out a little more about them from newspaper articles and recently discovered this wonderful book, advertised by a supplier I often use.
It provides a really well researched account of the development of the exhibition, with interesting notes about both famous and perhaps almost unknown people who were involved; many superb photographs, both vintage and contemporary, provide first rate illustrations of the text.
The story uncovers many aspects of the social and economic history of this time of post war reconstruction in Europe, when losses, deprivation and shortages continued to bite deep. Yet hopes for the future ran high and this vibrant and colourful exhibition must have played an important part in lifting the spirits of those, especially in Europe, who were lucky enough to see it. The power of the human spirit to triumph over disaster is writ very large upon this venture!
The book is a collection of essays by people who were involved with the Theatre de la Mode over a number of years. It had a chequered history after it closed in Paris in 1946 and was lost to view. Their first hand knowledge, anecdotes and detective work are fascinating in their own right. It is well worth every penny and will keep me for one, dipping in for a long time yet to come!