Fashion museum welcomes couture

Sarah Nusinow

Elegant. Timeless. Beautiful. These are the words that come to mind when describing garments designed by French couture fashion designer Madeleine Vionnet.

From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Kent State Fashion Museum in Rockwell Hall, a lecture followed by a fashion show will be given to accompany the opening of “Vionnet 2007.” This exhibit explores the legacy of Vionnet and her brand as seen by the exhibitions curator Anne Bissonnette.

“I have been interested in Madame Vionnet and her work my entire professional career because she fuses fashion and art together so well,” Bissonnette said.

Admission is free with a Kent State ID, and community admission is $5.

Arnaud de Lummen, the CEO of the House of Vionnet in Paris, and Betty Kirk, an award-winning author and Vionnet scholar, are scheduled to speak. The fashion show will display 20 reproduced pieces of Vionnet’s work.

Bissonnette said Vionnet is the best-kept secret in fashion.

“She designed alongside the best designers in the business even though many people may not recognize her name like they do Chanel,” Bussibbette said.

The first House of Vionnet launched in 1912 and closed in 1939 due to the onset of World War II.

The design house re-launched last year. The first collection will be on display in the Stager Gallery through Jan. 27, 2008.

Contact fashion reporter Sarah Nusinow at [email protected].