Friday Fashion: Jacqueline de Ribes at the Met

When people meet our mother, the first thing they say is how much she resembles a certain Jacqueline…  The one who is most known here in the States, of course!  But given our mother’s passion for Yves Saint Laurent and Dior, we think she would be all the more flattered if she were to be compared to “the last queen of Paris”, the very elegant and fashionable Jacqueline, Comtesse de Ribes.

Mother could hardly contain herself when she found out that the Costume Institute at the Met will be exhibiting 60 or so of this Jacqueline’s gorgeous gowns and we’re looking forward to sharing the experience with her.  In reading more about Jacqueline de Ribes, we learned that she was much more than an “it girl” – she always worked in a creative field even though she really didn’t have to.  From her family’s hotel particulier (where they’ve lived since the 1860’s), she launched careers in fashion, theater, television, philanthropy and even architecture.

While not much has been written about Jacqueline’s own home, we did uncover some pictures that were published in Vogue in 1984.  By the looks of it, she also had an eye for interior design and a love for flowers…  just like our mother.

Who’s up for a field trip in November?  We’re going to “Jacqueline de Ribes: The Art of Style” the day it opens!

Photos: Diane and daughters, Jacqueline in pink, Jacqueline in Dior, Jacqueline at home, living room and sitting room