The Countess Greffulhe

Lately I've been so busy to write my blog. I had some time to visit some exhibitions, and one of them was in the FIT Museum.
It's called Proust's Muse, and they show some of the best dresses of the Countess Greffulhe. She was during the Belle Epocque in Paris one of the most important figures in beauty, fashion and society. The writer Marcel Proust was inspired to create the character of the Duchess de Guermantes for his novel, " In search of the lost time".

 

The Countess Greffulhe loved to impress her friends and society. She always chose the fabrics and designs. In the first photo we see one of her favorite tea gown in green velvet (the left side) with oriental pattern. The other one in black lace, was for late afternoon. 

The second photo is a group of dresses of 1930s. The Countess was an old woman, but she still was observe by the public, media and relatives. That photo, also represents how she adapted to new times.

In that photo we see two important pieces. The dress in Byzantine style, she wore for her daughter's wedding. When the newspaper covered the event, talked first about the dress of the Countess, later of the dress of the bridal. 

The other piece is a cape. A gift from the Tsar Nicholas II. 

 That piece is one of my favorite in the collection. The black velvet dress with a bold pattern embroidered is a clear sign of distinction.