Show celebrates 100 years at Brooks
“A Century of Fashion” will be presented Thursday as part of the Memphis Brooks Museum of Arts’ 100th anniversary celebration. The event will be at the historic Annesdale Mansion, which dates back to 1850. The fashion show will include a seated luncheon, as well as a tour of the mansion and its grounds. The show will feature the vintage fashion collection of local designer and artist Paul Thomas.
“As a designer, I have an affinity for collecting unusual objects, including couture vintage clothing,” said Thomas. “For this event, I will be featuring one vintage piece per decade spanning from 1916, when the Brooks Museum was first established, to 2016. Each decade will be represented by a signature style of a couture designer of that era.”
Thomas said the collection consists of several original Bob Mackie dresses, Eisenberg dresses, a suit from Gerber’s and gowns trimmed in furs, which showcase the opulence of the different periods.
“I have been collecting for 30 years,” recalled Thomas. “These pieces were acquired while I traveled around the country doing design work, with an eye towards preservation of fashion history.”
During the opening, Thomas will include the very first piece that started his collection — a vintage parasol with a sterling silver handle from Paris, France. He has trimmed it in woven ribbons to give the effect of how it would have looked when its fabric was still intact.
In addition to Thomas’ vintage fashions, Chantal Johnson, of 20twelve, will present fashions from the 21st century. Sheila Wilson of Master Design will create hairstyles and makeup for the show’s models and Babbie Lovett will narrate the fashion show.
“We are taking this historical perspective in honor of The Brooks Museum’s 100th anniversary,” said Olivia Lewis, president of the Brooks Museum League. “And Ken Robinson, current owner of Annesdale, has his own special tie to this event — his grandmother, Louise Hays, is a former president of the Brooks Museum League.”
A Century of Fashion is being presented by the Brooks Museum League and The Commercial Appeal. The fundraiser will benefit the Brooks Museum. Valet parking will be available. Tickets are $75 per person and call 901212-5489 to order.