The Wedding Gowns

This is a follow up to the post last week on some of the gowns designed by New Orleanian Suzanne Perron.  

She is a wonderful dressmaker, artist, designer who designs very high end gowns for Carnival Queens and maids, debutantes, and brides.  Currently there is an exhibition of a dozen plus a few of the gowns at the LSU Museum of Art in Baton Rouge.  If you live in the area, this is something not to be missed!
(While I was a little disappointed that the veils were  not included, I have noticed that lately veils don't seem to be as prominent as they once were).

Suzanne Perron - Photo from the LSU Museum of Art

Her wonderful book, Designing in Ivory and White, takes a much closer look the construction of these gowns, and traces their development from sketch to muslin sample to the intricate handwork that provides the exquisite finish.  It is a lovely, lovely book.  Brides, Carnival queens, maids, and debutantes are featured.

The LSU Museum exhibit has three of the wedding gowns on display.  I tried to get as many pictures as I could, even from the back, as the beautiful work doesn't just stop in the front!  I hope you'll enjoy these!

Gown #!:

Gown #2:

This is the actual bride in the gown, a picture from the book.

Gown #3:

The exhibit also has a number of her sketches:

This was a fabulous exhibit!  Thank you so much for enjoying it with me!

Gowns Fit For Queens!

I don't know about you all, but I still love all things Queens and Princesses.  Today, I spent a good part of the afternoon at the LSU Museum of Art in complete wonderment over the Suzanne Perron exhibit.  Ms. Perron is a dressmaker, artist, designer extraordinaire who lives in New Orleans and designs gowns for debutantes, carnival queens and maids, as well as wedding gowns.  Since I have no access to the grand carnival balls in New Orleans, I have only seen some of these gowns in the pages of  (what's left of) the New Orleans paper.  So, when this exhibit was announced, I knew I had to see it!

LSU Museum of Art

 Preceding this exhibit, I purchased her book, Designing in Ivory and White, which gives a glimpse into the extraordinary work and detail that go into these gowns.  Each is a work of art, and one can only wonder as to the fortune paid for each one!

I hope those of you who appreciate dressmaking and artistry (and queens, princesses and brides) will enjoy these photos.  I took many, many more and it was difficult choosing which ones to include here!  

Gown worn by the 2012 Queen of Carnival (the queen of carnival's gown is always gold) at the Rex Ball:

Gown worn by the 2013 Queen of Mithras:

Gown worn by the 2013 Hermes Queen:

Gown worn by the 2013 Queen of Carnival at the Rex Ball:

A future post will include the wedding gowns on display, as well as some of the actual sketches!

Thanks for visiting!

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It's SPANISH TOWN!

The last parade of the season in Baton Rouge is the infamous, notorious, Spanish Town Parade, which takes place in a most unique part of downtown.  It draws tens of thousands of people and is just the most fun!

We are soooo fortunate to have friends who live on the parade route; we are among the dozens who are lucky enough to be invited to their home (parking, bathroom, etc!).  

The symbol of the parade is the pink flamingo; that's a whole other story, and pink is the color du jour!

The theme every year reflects (loosely) some event, usually political, to which all can relate.  We've had the BP oil spill, lots of local political embarrassments, etc. in past years.  This year was the Hostess Twinkie debacle!  Herewith are some of the highlights (!) from this year!

 Our good friend and host, in the purple glasses, was the Grand Marshall!

 Spanish Town is a very old, interesting, and unique part of downtown.

 The Capitol Grocery is a landmark...

 ...as is the State Capitol.

A hastily made sign so that all would know WE have friends in HIGH places!

 Keeping us all safe!

Tutus were apparently the dress of the day, though The Headmistress did NOT appear in one (she did, however wear one here for Halloween)!

The requisite 'Second Line' led the parade; usually, the second line comes at the END of a parade, but, then, this is Spanish Town!

A reference to the theme...

Most of the Krewes have 'fun' names!

A sea of hands!  The Headmaster and I rode one year and it was the most fun I've ever had; to see thousands of people with their arms outstretched waiting for a tacky pair of beads...just the best!

This particular krewe (one of my favorites) added a State of Con-Stant Embarrassment.  The 'Con' refers to the plethora of our Louisiana politicians who have spent some time in jumpsuits - and there are quite a few!

A float blowing soap suds!  You just never know what you'll see!

I hope you've enjoyed this virtual Mardi Gras Parade and also hope that I haven't offended anyone!  I had to eliminate some of the photos, but they are on FB!

It's Spanish Town, y'all!