I've realized that I am getting quite a collection of books about Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, mostly from the Book Thing. Today's selection included Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years, Selections from the John F. Kennedy Library & Museum.
This is basically the catalogue for the exhibition of the same name at the Metropolitan Museum in New York in May to July of 2001. The book is written by Hamish Bowles, the European editor-at-large for American Vogue and curator of the exhibition. There are also essays by Rachel Lambert Mellon, also known as Bunny, and Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
The book begins with the campaign for the Presidency in the late 1950's and continues until just before JFK's death. Each dress featured is shown in context and also as a catalogue page. There's a narrative about each dress, the thought process behind making it and sometimes, interviews with the designer.
Some of the other books I have gotten are America's Queen, The Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, by Sarah Bradford; Kennedy Weddings by Jay Mulvaney, with a foreward by Doris Kearns Goodwin; and The Kennedy Curse, by Edward Klein. All very intersting books in their own way.
P.S. I also got a 1971 edition of Living Well is the Best Revenge, the story of Gerald and Sara Murphy, by Calvin Tompkins. I had an 1998 reprint of this, but can't seem to find it. I probably accidentally took it back to the Book Thing when I was doing a sweep of book to take there. 
Were any of these on exhibit at the American History Museum before they shut down for renovations?
ReplyDeleteThis also reminds me of an exhibit I saw at the Met a few months ago, of clothing designs over the last two hundred years. But the pushy idiot who was guarding the exhibit ignored the signs that didn't forbid me from taking photos and complained about my picture taking anyway.
Great post on two of my favorites. Saw this exhibit in Chicago a few years ago---just wonderful, also prompted more reading on Jacqueline Kennedy. "JK:The White House Years" is, in addition to being a visual feast, rich in historical material and provides a good view of the substance that accompanied the style. Recently bought the Sotheby's JKO estate auction catalog on ebay---rich detail and abundant color photos, a treasure. Re: the Murphys - they are fascinating, have read a couple other good books about them in addition to "Living Well." I liked "Sara and Gerald" by their daughter Honoria Murphy Donnelly and "Everyone Was So Young." Have you seen the recent book about their lives/style/Gerald's art---"Making It New."
ReplyDeleteThe exhibit was at the Corcoran in DC a few years back. Simply displayed dresses worn by Jackie...it was stunning.
ReplyDeleteI'd wear any of those dresses in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteAnne
Ha! This brings back memories - I started working at the Met in June 01, when this exhibition was up! :-) I actually went through the costume institute a few times while they were bringing down the exhibition.
ReplyDeleteTo John... you can take photos at the Met but without flash... either the "pushy idiot" was new and didn't know the rules or perhaps you were using flash?
ReplyDeletePhotography without flash is permitted at the Met. My digital camera actually has a museum setting. I was informed when visiting the Poiret and Anglo-mania exhibts that that was not the case at special exhibits.
ReplyDeleteMeg, I have a few books on Jackie Kennedy Onassis myself. I absolutely loved her style and the dresses here are breathtaking! I wish they would make more dresses like that today.
ReplyDeleteClaudia! How incredibly lucky to see the dresses like that!
ReplyDeleteAlkemie... When I was looking through the book, I was struck by how classic most of her clothes are. With a little tailoring and a tweak or two, they are still very contemporary.
What a great post! I am usually not into fashion, but I have such admiration for the style of the 'icons', in particular Jackie O. When I got out of college I had a cream dress, and when I wore it people would say that I looked very 'Jackie O'. It was a huge compliment!
ReplyDeleteThe Murphy's were elegant and lived well.......but lost their son at a young age.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that living well would ever make up for that.......
Would love to see your curved train tracks picture.
You did not just write about this. :::screaming GET OUT with a Seinfeld shove::: I was getting ready to write on this as one of my backup pieces. I'll have to let you know when it's up.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite passages out of Fitzgerald is from Tender is the Night where he based the character of Nicole Diver somewhat on Sara Murphy. Nicole is sitting on "their" beach on the French Riviera, pearls dripping down her back, and she's making a list of things they need. Fitzgerald's characters are always shopping and consuming. Fascinating stuff.
Cube... every time I write about something I think is unique, I find that everyone else has done it, and I don't even write about Domino magazine.
ReplyDeleteIn this book, they talk about how half-way through Tender is the Night, Nicole changes from Sara Murphy to Zelda Fitzgerald. I must go back and read the book now that I've read about the Murphys.
Elizabeth... I think that they lost two sons within about two years. One from spinal meningitis and the other from a long illness, which may have been leukemia. So sad.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful dresses, thanks. Still loved her in her jodphurs and boots.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post. I am such a Jackie fan. I have the book "American's Queen" and enjoyed reading it. I actually planned on reading it again on the plane ride to DC next week.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about that switch from Sara to Zelda in the book. Totally. I went back and re-read passages after you posted this.
ReplyDeleteI never see a picture of Jackie Kennedy without being struck by her elegance. And even more than the pictures of Jackie in formal dress, I notice it in pictures where she's dressed informally.
ReplyDeleteWow. Good design really is eternal. I think it just goes to show that whether it's grandmother's china or these lovely dresses, what worked in the past usually still works today.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
I was lucky to be able to see that exhibition in New York. The pink dress - the last one shown I believe, is so beautiful. She had such a perfect figure! What an icon.
ReplyDeletep.s. I love your new header.
I've been thinking of doing a post myself on Jackie and her style - which I just love!! I can never get enough of her natural grace and easy elegance.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! And now I want that book!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! And now I want that book!
ReplyDeleteThese dresses are so spectacular! They blow me away.
ReplyDeleteI adore the pink dress with the ruffle. It was so hard to choose between all of the gorgeous dresses in the book!
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds great, and I love the dresses you chose, especially the seafoam asymmetrical one--beautiful. She's always been one of my favourite style icons.
ReplyDelete{p.s. love the new header!}
Dear Pigtown , Can we have more of this ??!! Love it !!
ReplyDeleteNot surprised to see Jackie in Alkemie's book case and lovely to see the Cube doing the rounds again :-).