Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle Blog: br Fabulous Fashion Dior's New Look To Now Philadelphia Art Museum Exhibitbr br Read the full post at Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle Blog br br The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s exhibit was certainly titled appropriately, abounding with fabulous fashion from post war era to modern times.br br Upon entering, I was greeted with Dior’s New Look, the inspiration for the exhibition, which changed the silhouette and hemline of wartime garments back to full skirts, cinched waists, and floor lengths as a means to boost the economy. Before then, even Vogue was teaching it’s readers how to DIY, have shoe soles redone, and revamp looks, which tells you a lot about the impact of the depression and rationing of the times proceeding the world wars. The shift from rationing fabric to this return to glamour has had a lasting effect on fashion today- it’s a return to silhouettes abandoned in the turn of the century, when corsets and bustles gave way to the straight silhouette of the roaring twenties and the looks of rebels such as Coco Chanel, whose suit and scarf were on display...br br As I wound through a hallway of displays, designs lining the curved path lead to a greater room. Balenciaga’s white cotton overdress and black organza skirt were inspired by flamenco dancers. Patrick Kelly’s dress, although similarly inspired, was a different creature entirely; tiers of tulle and triacetate taffeta, and machine embroidery over the most striking looking plain weave ribbon created fabric which appears to be painstakingly adorned with tiny multicolored bows.br br Moving forward, a three step pyramid of fashion appears as a mirage before you, predominated by Cardin, but featuring other designers including Oscar de la Reta, and Dior.br br Yves Saint Laurent’s silver sequin, and sheer silk over rayon taffeta embroidered couture dress required scrutinizing to appreciate fully- its exquisite, eye catching, and so intricately ornate.br br Emilio Pucci’s 1965 page boy inspired and Turkish influenced floral print dress and matching tights offered a glimpse into the print heavy house’s history.br br Christian LaCroix’s strapless sweetheart neckline peplum rose floral dress featured three dimensional silk flowers with stems “printed on cotton woven with with a raised pattern.” It was romantic, pretty, and had an aura exuding excellent yet effortless appliqué.br br Oscar de la Renta’s beaded and embroidered leaf embellished skirt and green halter top were breathtaking up close. James Galanos’ beaded and sequin tartan silk crepe dress was quite the embellishing feat, and very impressive to behold.br br One of my favorite garments of the exhibit was Geoffrey Beene’s short metallic thread embroidered red lace evening dress- the sequins, “gems,” and beads adorning the sheer yoke glistened in the light and were hard to capture.br br How’d I dress? I decided to embody where we’re headed in fashion...