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Local News for a Global Village | www.VoiceSB.com
December 29, 2023
Santa Barbara Historical Museum
Absolutely Fabulous! Evening Couture Fashion
at Santa Barbara Historical Museum Sparkles By Leslie A. Westbrook, Special to VOICE
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JEWEL BOX OF A FASHION EXHIBITION JUST OPENED THIS MONTH (and runs through April 14 2024) at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. “Seasonal Soirées: Santa Barbara Evening Couture 1880-1980” features a collection of evening wear seductively staged in a room dramatically draped in black curtains. The pieces are lit to both protect and show off the sparkle, tucks, ribbons, lace, and brocades of yesteryear on display. Fashionistas enter at your own risk: you will drool and covet – but these fashions are not for trying on or touching. Escape into the museum for a fresh breath of vintage air where Guest Curator Sharon Bradford has created an elegant, confectionery exhibition that offers a delightful distraction to fantasize about balls and soirées of the past during these troubled times. There’s a gorgeous purple silk gown from the late 19th century when women boasted 18” corseted waists - we’ve come a long way, baby! - to more freewheeling 1920s beaded flapper gowns that beg for the Charleston. From Arnold Scassi (the museum holds over 40 of his gowns) and Pierre Cardin creations to a fab feather cape circa 1880 and a sassy, hot pink mid-century cocktail dress, the pieces demonstrate not only how evening fashion has progressed over the 100-year period represented but are also reflective of values and attitudes both towards, and of, women of the periods. One of the lesser known designers, who lived in Carpinteria – Zoe de Salle – has a stunning fav, an Art Deco dress and cape that one can easily imagine Ginger Rogers gliding across the floor in.
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A showcase also sparkles with a stunning topaz necklace – one of the museums most significant treasures – with a storied history. The piece was used as loan collateral when Pio Pico, the last Mexican governor to rule Alta California, borrowed money from the Oreña family. The necklace was gifted to the museum by Ynez E. Oreña and is on display with evening bags.
On loan, in tandem with the Constance McCormick Fearing Estate (full disclosure), is a fantastic 1913 Paul Poiret harem pants that I discovered while researching and conducting the deaccession of the Fearing estate collection this year. The reverse side of the label revealed the original owner’s name during my sleuthing: “Mrs. Stanley McCormick” - the wife of Stanley McCormick of Rivenrock fame and a scion of the International Harvester fortune. Katherine Dexter McCormick was a suffragette,
2 financed birth control research and development and even smuggled diaphragms from Europe to the United States in couture clothing for women who wanted to control their own bodies a century ago. Founded in 1932, the museum houses a vast textile and costume collection – over 4,000 items – and this show is just the tip of the closet iceberg. The SBHM is one of Santa Barbara’s ofttimes overlooked treasures by locals. The museum offers free admission, wonderful well-researched exhibitions, and fantastic events – like the recent “Flamenco Íntimo” in the Covarrubias Adobe tucked in the back of the property (used by wedding parties) – as well as lively lectures by our town’s living treasures like author/historian Erin Graffy, and popular member parties. Become a member and help support this wonderful asset to our community as well as to visitors wishing to learn more about our town. Admission to the Museum is free. 3
Photos Courtesy of SBHM 1) Art Deco dress by Zoë de Salle, c. 1935 2) Flapper dress, c. 1920, dress, House of Reville, c. 1920 3) Flapper dress, c. 1920
www.sbhistorical.org
Santa Barbara Historical Museum is open Wed-Sun 12-5; Thurs12-7pm • It is located at 136 E De La Guerra St, Santa Barbara • www.sbhistorical.org
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