Vintage-style dresses triumph at the Met Ball. And the relaunch of iconic Charles James label.

Dear Reader

Last week’s Met Ball was themed in honour of vintage British designer Charles James. Did you see my earlier post about this iconic designer? If not, you can find it here. 

Following the success of the Ball, it has just been announced that the Charles James label is to be given a new lease of life. The relaunched label will be headed by Georgina Chapman, designer and co-founder of luxury eveningwear label Marchesa.

The announcement was made by movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who is married to Georgina Chapman and who personally struck the deal with Charles James' family. 

This is interesting news and follows in the footsteps of other couture houses being resurrected, notably Halston and Vionnet in recent years. Designer Georgina Chapman explained:

"Charles James designs and gowns took everyone's breath away at the Met Ball. He's long been an inspiration to me and everyone at Marchesa."

The Met Ball itself is held each year in the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Musuem of Art, New York. Its purpose is to raise money for the Museum's famous costume collection. It is always themed around a designer or fashion movement, chosen each year by Anna Wintour. 

It also serves as a chance for celebrities to strut their stuff in fabulous dresses and has been compared to the Oscars without the three hour ceremony! This year, many of the dresses paid tribute to Charles James in style and proved that contemporary fashion's love affair with vintage style continues as strong as ever.

Karen Elson wears Zac Posen dress

Here’s my favourite dress from this year, worn so beautifully by Suki Waterhouse below: a layered silk organza gown by Burberry.

Suki Waterhouse wears Burberry

Suki Waterhouse wears Burberry

I also loved Emmy Rossum's floral Caroline Herrara dress - though perhaps it is closer in style to Dior than to Charles James. And the stunning Blake Lively looked fabulous as always in her vintage-styled Gucci gown.

Emmy Rossum wears Caroline Herrara

Emmy Rossum wears Caroline Herrara

Blake Lively in vintage-inspired Gucci Premiere

I personally thought many of the dresses were overdone and Charles James himself would not have approved... Especially lovely Lupita Nyongo who is usually the picture of elegance!

Lupita Nyongo overdoes it for once, in Prada

Model Liu Wen wears Zac Posen, the last word in fabulous vintage style

I hope you've enjoyed this brief glimpse into one of the fashion calendar's biggest social events, and the enduring influence of vintage style. You can see more fabulous dresses from this year's Met Ball here. And read about the new Charles James label here in Vogue or the report in The Independent.

And of course, there are many more fabulous original vintage and vintage-inspired dresses to enjoy here on my own vintage wedding blog!

Love

Helena

Heavenly Vintage Brides