EXTRA CREDIT: 1950s Evening Dress Inspired

1. Cristóbal Balenciaga, Evening Dress, 1953-54, Victoria and Albert.com 

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O15581/evening-dress/

2-6. Oscar de la Renta,  Ready-To-Wear, Spring 2009, Style.com 

Looking at Oscar de la Renta's beautiful pieces, all I can do is be inspired by his inspiration of the 1950s evening dress look. With its simple tops and rounded (and sometimes, dramatic) skirts, the 1950s style screams: Hello! 

20. Rococo HeadPiece Inspired

1. “Miss Gideon” by Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1786, Utexas.edu 

 http://www.utexas.edu/features/archive/2004/fashion.html

2. Christian Dior, Couture, Fall 2007, Style.com 

In the Rococo period, headwear and wigs were all the rage. They were also overwhelming and a powerful component to an appearance. Though this headpiece isn't as grand as historic Rococo headpieces, with this hat and it's oversized bows, one can see Dior's inspiration. 

19. Rococo Head Piece Inspired

1. Marie Antionette, Marie Antionette.org 

http://www.marie-antoinette.org/

2. Christian Dior, Couture, Fall 2007, Style.com 

The designers at Christian Dior embody the headpieces of the  Rococo period but in a minimalistic  way. In the Rococo era, this Dior piece would have be so grand that it probably wouldn't fit on the screen. Despite it's downgrade in size, the quirkiness and excitement of the headpiece is a product of inspiration from this grand era. 

18. Rococo Inspired

1. Unknown, Watteau Dress, Rococco, Victoria & Albert.com

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O74093/sack-back-gown/

2. Christian Dior, Couture, Fall 2007, Style.com 

With its overuse of fabric, fabric detail, layers and over-exaggeration, this piece looks to the Rococo period for inspiration. This piece could be a garment for a princess or queen of the time. 

17. Rococo (Chemise a la Rhine) Inspired

1. Rose Bertin,  Chemise a la Rhine, Rococo, Ludique.ro.

http://www.ludique.ro/?cat=511

2. Chloe, Ready-To-Wear, Spring 2010, Style.com

With its lack of structure and soft fabric, this piece can be the granddaughter of the Chemise a la Rhine.

If not the granddaughter, at least evidence that the Chemise a la Rhine has impact today. 

16. Rococo (Watteau Dress) Inspired

1. Unknown,  Rococo Slide Show (Elizabeth Ives), Rococo Era

 2. Stella McCartney, Ready-To- Wear, Fall 2011

The sack-like structure  at the bottom of this  McCartney piece definitely draws inspiration from the Rococo "Watteau Dress". It provides shapelessness for the body but in all is fashionable. True Rococo inspiration. 

15. Rococo (Mantua Dress) Inspired

1. Unknown, Mantua Dress, 1740-1745, Victoria &Albert

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O78803/mantua/

2. Christian Dior, Couture, Fall 2008, Style.com

Christian Dior's couture piece is no where near as dramatic at the original Mantua Gown but there are hints of the Mantua Gown's inspiration on the piece. Look at the those wide hips, it screams Mantua structure.