Yesterday's issue of The Times featured a selection of gorgeous red party dresses - two from designer du jour, Madeleine Vionnet. And isn't it lovely to see an older model, looking gorgeous and sexy, rather than mutton-y and freakish, as in The Guardian Weekend magazine? (But that's another post!)
Anyway, rant over, now for a bit of history. Vionnet's fashion house closed in 1939 because of the Second World War and also, 'Because I'd had enough,' madame said later. The label relaunched in 2006, in collaboration with Barneys, New York, and designer, Sophia Kokosalaki - another mistress of elegant drapery - seemed like a perfect match. Not so. Several designers later, and now under new ownership, Vionnet showed a cruise collection for 2010 at Paris Fashion Week. Rudolfo Paglailunga (ex-Prada) is currently working his magic at the drawing board.
Photos: Zac Frackelton, as featured in The Times
Styling: Eve Thomas
Dresses by Vionnet from Selfridges (0800 123 4000)