Meredith Events Volume I | Page 55

scale. She conceived the transparent, wire shapes - much like a clothes hanger, - that would not detract from the garments. In fact, she didn't want them to resemble toy dolls, as they had to enhance the clothes. Wire was also a readily available material in war ravaged Paris. The mannequins were 27 inches in height. They were 1/3 the size of an actual human, which not only saved

considerable money by reducing the cost of material and labor needed to hand sew the original designs, but by eliminating the model altogether,

Théâtre de la Mode was able to travel throughout Europe and North America showcasing Paris fashion with considerable ease. Each couture house created up to five designs each. Each designer worked within the same miniature 27-inch scale. Work on the clothes progressed during the winter 1944/1945. These miniature gowns and accessories were painstaking in their detail. They had proper linings, closures, buttons

and trimmings. Many were hand-

beaded and designers often provided foundation garments.

In the end, fifty-three designers collaborated on the show that became known as "Théâtre de la Mode." Among these were Balenciaga, Balmain, Callot (Calvet), Carvin, Fath, Hermès, Lanvin, Madam Gres, Nina Ricci, Shiaparelli, Patou, Pacquin, Van Cleefs & Arpels and Worth.

Youtube Video @Marcela Calvet

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