Elegance After Dark

Social activities have long played a prominent role in Louisiana's cultural heritage. Using evening fashions from its outstanding costume collection, the State Museum has created an exhibition that spans the 20th century. Elegance After Dark: Evening Wear in Louisiana, 1896-1996, shows that although costumes do not cause historical change they do reflect and document these changes. The garments, accessories and images comprising the exhibit were selected to illustrate the evolution of design, construction and use of fabric. Moreover, portrayed within the context of fashionable New Orleans settings, they clearly reflect the spirit of their times.

A century ago, elaborate dresses, ball gowns and gentlemen's attire were influenced by a strict code of etiquette and were individually made for their owners. The ideal of beauty was a voluptuous, curvaceous figure. Fashion-conscious women were molded into their "S" curve styles by a corset. Servants of the wealthy assisted in caring for these elaborate costumes and in helping with the numerous clothing changes required by an active social life.

As the century progressed, rules of etiquette and ideals of beauty changed with each successive generation. This evolution continues as the dawn of a new century approaches. Haute couture has lost its dominance on fashion. Thanks to modern manufacturing, merchandising and a greater distribution of wealth, elegant evening wear is available for purchase or rental to almost everyone. Women are no longer molded into restrictive costumes. The opulent look of the past, which symbolized a husband's or father's wealth or power, has given way to luxurious fashions worn by today's women as evidence of their own success.

Over the decades men have similarly acquired a "new look" with the acceptance of the tuxedo as formal evening wear. Etiquette, too, has changed. On invitations, the terms "White Tie" or "Black Tie" are used not only to prescribe attire for male guests, but also to serve as a guideline for women by suggesting the level of formality.

The chronological sequence of the show culminates, fittingly, with the "retro" look of the 90s. Although designs based on fashions of the past are nothing new - Worth, Poret and Dior all sought inspiration from historic styles - today the practice is a little different. Our rapidly paced lifestyles and communications technology have caused fashion recycling to occur with greater frequency. Now, instead of recurring every 50 or 100 years, styles are being revived and popularized after only a generation.

What's next? One can only guess at what a similarly conceived exhibition may look like a century from now. One thing is certain, however. The Museum's enduring commitment to preserve and present the State's history and culture ensures that its costume and textile collection will continue to reflect Louisiana's unique legacy of style and joie de vivre.

Mary Edna Sullivan,
Curator of Costumes and Textiles

This exhibit is sponsored by Whitney National Bank, Shell Offshore, Inc., and First NBC