The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion

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Cecil Beaton (British, 1904–1980)
Dorian Leigh (fourth from left) and unidentified models in Charles James, Vogue, June 1948
Courtesy of the Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sotheby's
© Condé Nast Publications Inc.

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Charles James (American, b. Great Britain, 1906–1978)
Wedding Gown, 1948–49
Pink silk satin and ivory taffeta
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Jane Love Lee, 1993 (1993.427)

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Loomis Dean (American, 1917–2005)
Cabine of Christian Dior, 1957
Courtesy of Time Life Pictures / Getty Images

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House of Dior (French, founded 1947) by John Galliano (British, b. Gibraltar, 1960)
"Lucky" Evening Gown, haute couture fall/winter 2005–2006
(a) silk, synthetic, cotton, wool, plastic, metal; (b, c) leather; (d) metal, synthetic, pearl, silk; Length at CB (a): 98 in. (248.9 cm) Heel to Toe (b, c): 10 in. (25.4 cm) Diameter (d): 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm) Height (d): 7 in. (17.8 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation Inc. Gift, 2006 (2006.22a–d)

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Madame Grès (French, 1903–1993)
Evening gown, 1954
White silk jersey with gold lame; L. at center front (a) 55 in. (139.7 cm), (b) 39 in. (99.1 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Mrs. Byron C. Foy, 1956 (C.I.56.60.6a,b)

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Cristobal Balenciaga (French, b. Spain, 1895–1972)
Day dress, 1955–56
Dark brown wool jersey; L. shoulder to hem: 39 in. (99.1 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Muriel Rand, 1964 (C.I.64.4.3)

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Bert Stern (American, b. 1929)
Twiggy in Yves Saint Laurent, Vogue, March 15, 1967
Courtesy of Staley-Wise Gallery, New York

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Yves Saint Laurent, Paris (French, founded 1962)
Yves Saint Laurent (French, b. Algeria, 1936–2008)
Dress, fall/winter 1965–1966
Wool
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Mrs. William Rand, 1969 (C.I.69.23)

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Yves Saint Laurent, Paris (French, founded 1962)
Yves Saint Laurent (French, b. Algeria, 1936–2008)
Two Ensembles, fall/winter 1976–1977
Left: Red silk chiffon; green silk faille; green silk velvet; multicolored, printed silk chiffon; Length at CB (a): 23 1/2 in. (59.7 cm) Length at CB (b): 43 in. (109.2 cm) Overall (d): 99 1/2 x 45 in. (252.7 x 114.3 cm); Right: Red silk faille crepe with bead embroidery; red faille and gold braid; red twill with soutache trim; Length at CB (a): 27 in. (68.6 cm) Length at CB (b): 44 1/2 in. (113 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gifts of Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, 1979 (1979.329.6a–d) and (1979.329.7a–c)

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Peter Lindbergh (German, b. 1944)
Linda Evangelista in Guess (American, founded 1981) and Virginia, Vogue Italia, December 1988
Courtesy of Peter Lindbergh

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Craig McDean (British, b. 1964)
Kate Moss in Helmut Lang, Harper's Bazaar, November 1996
© Craig McDean / Art + Commerce

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Peter Lindbergh (German, b. 1944)
Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patitz, Christy Turlington, and Cindy Crawford in Giorgio di Sant'Angelo, Vogue British, January 1990
Courtesy of Peter Lindbergh

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Peter Lindbergh (German, b. 1944)
Naomi Campbell in Geoffrey Beene, Vogue, June 1990
Courtesy of Peter Lindbergh

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Gianni Versace (Italian, 1946–1997)
Evening Dress, spring/summer 1991
Multicolored silk crepe with bead embroidery; Length at CB: 39 1/4 in. (99.7 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Gianni Versace, 1993 (1993.52.4)

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House of Chanel (French, founded 1913)
Karl Lagerfeld (French, b. Germany, 1938)
Ensemble, spring/summer 1992
White cotton knit and black silk tulle
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Chanel, 1993 (1993.104.2a–j)