MUSEUM MINUTE.....Viva Oscar! My Top 20 Looks from the Oscar de la Renta Exhibition at the de Young Museum San Francisco

MUSEUM MINUTE.....Viva Oscar! My Top 20 Looks from the Oscar de la Renta Exhibition at the de Young Museum San Francisco

 Oscar Fabuloso! Nick Verreos visits the Oscar de la Renta Exhibition at the de Young Museum San Francisco

This past week, I flew to San Francisco--along with my partner David--to enjoy a quick overnight trip at the invitation of David's mom Conchita. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner at the Embarcadero with Conchita's friend of 58 years, Susan Burns...

(L to R) Susan Burns, Conchita Encinas-Hansen, Nick Verreos and David Paul--The Waterfront Restaurant Embarcadero San Francisco 

View of the San Francisco Bay Bridge from The Waterfront Restaurant

Susan happens to be a docent at the de Young and procured tickets for us to attend the fabulous Oscar de la Renta Exhibition/Retrospective at the de Young Museum. The retrospective lasts until the end of May so we HAD to see it!!!

Nick poses a la Oscar--Oscar de la Renta Retrospective de Young Museum San Francisco

 (L to R) David Paul, Conchita Encinas Hansen and Nick Verreos--Oscar den la Renta Retrospective de Young Museum San Francisco

As a young aspiring fashion designer--when I lived in the S.F. Bay Area--I loved fashion and I was especially obsessed with Oscar de la Renta. My mom even took me to see him when he was making an appearance at the San Francisco I. Magnin many, many years ago. I was thrilled that there was a Latino fashion designer--and a very elegant looking one--that was representin', as it were! Needless to say, I was more than excited to attend this fabulous retrospective giving an homage to one of my design influencers.

There were so many fabulous looks in the exhibition, it made it hard to choose which ones I liked best, but here are my Top 20 Favorite pieces from the Oscar de la Renta Retrospective at the de Young Museum San Francisco--in no particular order...

#1: Battle of Versailles--Oscar de Renta silk georgette and jersey looks from the iconic "Battle of Versailles" in 1973--I am obsessed with these pre-Disco era designs for their fluid asymmetric silhouettes and how un-Oscar de la Renta they seemed. Where's all the pouf? I kinda loved pre-pouf de la Renta!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#2 and #3: Flamenco Oscar--These Spain-centric designs were some of my favorites from the retrospective. I was a big admirer of Oscar de la Renta's designs as a young fashion-loving adolescent and especially his overt references to España--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

 #4 Watteau Couture: As part of the "Marie Antoinette/Flower Garden-inspired gallery, this was one of my top favorite looks--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#5 Black and White Flower Train--This black and white flower printed silk satin gown was truly one of my top looks from the exhibition: Gown fabulous!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#6 Sequined and Embroidered Mink Trimmed Coat--This decadent UBER luxe coat is the definition of Haute Couture; the unbelievable sequin and embroidery craftsmanship, the mink trim and notice how you barely see where there is a in-seam side pocket...it all blends because of the handwork of the sequin applique...Stunning!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco 

#7 Blue Duchesse Satin Coat--I love this gorgeous duchesse satin coat worn by Annette de la Renta. It is dramatic and so architecturally beautiful--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#8 Flemenco Tiered Ruffles--More Flamenco-inspired fabulousness! Si!!!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#9 and #10 Caftan Fab--I have never met an Oscar de la Renta caftan I did not like! I can just see the ghost of Elizabeth Taylor blushing over these designs--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#11 Pantaloon Ensemble--Orientalism Couture at its best! Lord knows I wish I was one of those Ladies-Who-Lunch who could wear this on their next Orient Express First Class Trip!Oh and yes, Miss Barbara Walters wore that stunning red and black sequined jacket to an event as well!(in 1989)--Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#12 and #13: Gown Gorgeous--These two gowns are more recent examples of the late fashion designers' work; in fact this collection was more attributed to being designed by the genius (and very controversial) John Galliano--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#14 Sequined and Embroidered Coat--Very over-the-top, very Louis XIV and very fabulous! Oh and yes, Art Doyenne Ann Getty wore it...that's enough for me!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#15 Fur-trimmed gowns--This tableaux consisting of three fur trimmed flower-printed gowns was Couture beautiful; just three simple gals sitting on a bench waiting for their Champagne!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#16 Gown Fab--A Museum tableaux recreation of a U.S. Vogue Magazine photo by Steven Meisel---Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#17 Pouf Sleeves and Turban. Those two things amount to a definite inclusion in my Top 20 List!--Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#18 Asiana Luxe--Asiana-inspired Tunic and Sable-trimmed pants worn by Couture Doyenne Nan Kempner. Can you just see her greeting her guests for aperitifs and dinner at her Manhattan pied-de-terre...in this?---Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#19 Custom Oscar de la Renta gown worn by Sarah Jessica Parker at 2014 Charles James Met Ball Gala--To be honest, I was not  a big fan of this gown that SJP wore to the 2014 Met Ball; it was a little tacky to see the designer's signature on the dress and almost verged on provincial and common; it reminded me of those 1970's Gloria Vanderbilt jeans. But for good or bad, it has become iconic and people do remember it--Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#20 Gown worn by Taylor Swift at 2014 Charles James Met Ball/Gala--Now this was a gown that I did like from that 2014 Met Ball; the simple silhouette was contrasted with such a dramatic back bow and train detail. It reminded me of a John Singer Sargent painting come to life!--Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

 (L to R) David Paul and Nick Verreos--de Young Museum San Francisco

 Outstanding views from the Hamon Observation Tower at the de Young Museum

Women Fashion Power exhibition at the Design Museum

Women Fashion Power exhibition at the Design Museum

Zaha Hadid's Prada cape

Fashion has finally come out of the closet in a fantastic new exhibition at the Design Museum. 
Women Fashion Power includes interviews and outfits donated by 26 high-flying business women arrived at via a 'corridor of power' containing paintings of historical figures, such as, Joan of Arc and Boudicca, as well as photographs and quotes from those who didn't take part, like Hillary Clinton and Angela Merkel. Contributors include Natalie Massanet, architect Zaha Hadid (who designed the exhibition), Human Rights lawyer and director of Liberty Shami Chakrabati and broadcaster Kirsty Wark.

Camilla Batmanghelidjh the founder of the children's charity Kids Company loaned the multi-coloured dress created by Magbule Mulla (above). Next to it, is one of my favourite outfits (the Georges Rech black blazer and pants and stripy silk scarf), belonging to Anne Hidalgo the current Mayor of Paris and first woman to hold office in the French capital, who also opened the exhibition. C'est chic, non?

Photo: Elle

From the Suffragettes to Katharine Hamnett's Protest and Survive, the exhibition offers highlights from 150 years of the women's movement, alongside key fashion moments. And yes, a lot of this stuff we've seen before, but Women Fashion Power is presented in a way that feels quite fresh and celebratory. I had chance to have a quick chat with co-curator Donna Loveday about the exhibition,
'For a long time, dress in the workplace was thought of as frivolous but now we have more choice over what we wear to work and we feel freer to express ourselves through our clothes. Women USE fashion in their professional working lives. I think this is incredibly empowering and sends out a really positive message.'

Archive Yves Saint Laurent Le Smoking

Archive Vivienne Westwood bondage suit

Influential business women discuss how they feel about fashion and how fashion makes them feel. The 31-year-old chartered mechanical engineer Morwenna Wilson chose a Carven map print jacket and explained, 'Jackets are very important to me because I am petite and a woman, yet one with responsibility and authority working in a male dominated industry, often with a team of people older than me.'

Morwenna Wilson

Archive Roger Vivier slingback

Kirtsy Wark's red Katharine Hamnett jacket and skirt, from 1988

Broadcaster Kirsty Wark photo: Sunday Times

Women Fashion Power is proof (not that we needed any) that clothes matter and it's OK to talk about them seriously. This is an exhibition for fans of fashion and feminism - because we know now that the two can exist together.

Women Fashion Power is on at the Design Museum, Shad Thames, London SE1 until 26 April 2015. And I know what I'll be wearing to the beach next summer...

1930s beach pyjamas