
New York's Fashion Institute of Technology to honour Lauren Bacall
The first exhibition dedicated to her career and signature style
In the next few months, FIT's School of Graduate Studies will help unveil the first exhibition, Lauren Bacall The Look, dedicated to Lauren Bacall's career and unique flare – marking five months since the Academy Award-winning actress' death at the age of 89.
Memorable ensembles from the star's wardrobe will be on display, including her black silk Emanuel Ungaro pantsuit when the month-long show opens March 3 2015. All of the selections were chosen from the 700 items Bacall donated to the museum between 1968 and 1986, with the museum visitors set to be greeted at the entrance with the 1943 Louise Dahl-Wolfe photo of a then 19-year-old Bacall, which Diana Vreeland used for a Harper's Bazaar cover.
Norman Norell, evening set, cashmere, silk jersey, sequins, circa 1958, USA
The exhibition will also highlight the New York-bred actress's relationship with iconic designers like Norman Norell, Pierre Cardin, Saint Laurent, Emanuel Ungaro and Marc Bohan. In 1968, Bacall convinced her creative friends to join her in a CBS television special called Bacall and the Boys, which spotlighted their fall collections – a true testament to her love and support for the fashion industry.
A few of the looks she wore for the CBS show, such as a fuschia Pierre Cardin dress with 3D pyramid shapes, a silk jersey Christian Dior gown with ostritch feathers accenting the wrists and hemline, and Norell's shimmering "subway coat", will also be on display.
In addition, a multitude of photos of Bacall will line the gallery walls, showcasing her modeling talent and beauty since she started her career in 1941 as a teenage showroom model, telling WWD back in 1996, "I was a terrible model. I was terrified and bony."
Christian Dior by Marc Bohan, evening dress, silk jersey, ostrich feathers, spring 1968, France
Emanuel Ungaro, pantsuit, silk damask, circa 1973, France
Yves Saint Laurent, evening set, silk organza, sequins, beads, fall 1969, France
Pierre Cardin, dress, Dynel (Cardine), 1968, France
Norman Norell, coat and two-piece dress designed for Sex and the Single Girl, wool, rhinestones, 1965, USA
Lauren Bacall The Look will open at FIT March 3–April 3 2015