Follow up: American Chic; Nan Kempner at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Houston socialite Lynn Wyatt once said “I would love to raid the closet of Nan Kempner”. Wyatt, a close friend of Nan Kempner was one of the guest, among others, at the opening night of American Chic: Nan Kempner. The new exhibition at the Costume institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, displays the opulent and beautiful collection of haute couture and prêt-a-porter clothing that legendary socialite Nan Kempner collected in her life time. Nan Kempner began buying haute couture during its glorious golden age, and through out the decades continue her seasonal visits to Paris for the couture shows. The exhibition showed some of her prized pieces, such as a silk faille, yellow, Yves Saint Laurent opera coat and a pink, lace ruffled, ball gown by Jacques Griffe. Other pieces included were perfect tailored suits by YSL, Lesage embroidered jackets, regal gowns, and gaudy jewelry by Mary McFadden and YSL. Some of my favorite pieces were three Madame Gres, Grecian gowns, and a yellow velvet, beaded jacket with a stable collar by Valentino Haute Couture. Her first haute couture purchase was from a young Yves Saint Laurent at Christian Dior, which was a white satin gown with an over coat. Ever since, Nan Kempner continued to be a loyal client of Yves Saint Laurent, as well to Valentino, and Oscar de la Renta for Perrier Balmain Haute Couture. I believe that any haute couture lover or anyone who just loves fashion should go and see American Chic at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The exhibition runs from December 12, 2006 through March 4, 2007.

-David Pedroza