A black dress is essential to a complete wardrobe
The collective memory is abundant in persons and events, details and intrigues. In some cases the thin line between truth and fantasy is obliterated. Sometimes the truth is harder to believe than the legend. People ask sometimes details about an event and the contradictions that appear show on one hand the generality of it and on the other hand the fact that details are as elusive as ever. To start an argument at a poker table is sufficient to ask “what is the origin of the dead man’s hand”. Other elements appear as of nowhere and determine the mainstream quite casually. And speaking of casually nothing is classier than a little black dress. After the first War and the Spanish flu many women were wearing black for mourning. It was a common sight for women everywhere to dress in black. It was the most familiar color of the 20’. And then a glorious moment happened. Coco Chanel created a simple black dress that was dubbed the “Fashion Ford”. The little black dress became famous. Movie directors chose the black dress as a uniform code for dangerous women. The Hollywood ‘femmes fatales’ were using the black dress to distinguish themselves from the conservative housewives. The 60’s adopted it with a single amendment – the dress became mini – and the coronation took place thanks to Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. The French icon, Edith Piaf, was nicknamed ‘little black sparrow’ for performing always in a black dress. The notorious Duchess of Windsor declared that “when a little black dress is right, there is nothing else to wear in its place”. The rule of thumb decrees that a black dress is essential to a complete wardrobe. The main advantage of it is that it can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Because it is intended to be worn for several years the little black dress should be as simple as possible. Falling into the category of cocktail dresses the black dress is a complete companion for women. Sometimes grim events determine the fashion trends. Other times fashion ideas make their way into the world and are associated with great human achievements. The little black dress is such an example. Its origins are sad and full of sorrow but today represents a ‘must have’ for many women. From reality to the big screen and back it is a journey that not many dresses undertook.