Hello, Beauties🌸 Today’s post, I’m Keeping It Casual On Philly Parkway. As in the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in The City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia, my hometown.
For the last few years, I accompany my husband to my old stomping ground Philly for the annual Barrister’s Breakfast for him to celebrate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I use my time to explore the birthplace of America’s democracy.
I left Philly back in 1982 to move to Allentown to take my first sales representative position with Bristol Myers Squibb. I always welcome the opportunity not only to come back to Philly to visit my family but to experience the culture.
Little did I know that two of the most visited attractions in Philadelphia, the Museum of Art specifically the Rocky Statue and the Rocky Steps. I guess I’m no different than most visitors with a bucket list of must-see sites;
I too planned to run up the now iconic steps immortalized in the Oscar-winning film “Rocky” to get that champion photo with an overview of City Hall in the background.
This particular weekend happened to be the Third Annual Women’s March on Philadelphia. Where did the thousands convene? Right on the beautiful and scenic tree and flag-lined Benjamin Franklin Parkway! So much for my Rocky steps photo.
Instead, Presto Change-O of plans from sneakers to heels, no need to fret, I found the Rodin Museum. Unfortunately, this museum containing the most significant collection of sculptor Auguste Rodin’s (1840 -1917) works outside Paris closed for renovations until January 31, 2019. You may recall Rodin’s The Thinker is among the most recognized works in all of the modern sculptures.
When I grew up in Philly, I recall a Vocational/Technical high school by the name of Mastbaum. Upon further inspection of the name Mastbaum, I learned that the Rodin Museum was the gift of Jules Mastbaum (1872 – 1926) to the city of Philadelphia.
Mr. M, another wealthy Philadelphian that owned movie theaters began collecting works by Rodin in 1923 with the intent of founding a museum to enrich the lives of his fellow citizens.
Opened in 1929, the museum, administered by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Hours: Wednesday – Monday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed Tuesday.
Oh, did I mention the below-freezing temperatures on this 2019 MLK weekend when I went back to the Museum of Art on Monday to visit the Fabulous Fashion: From Dior’s New Look to Now exhibit? The ten-degree temps didn’t stop me from heading to the museum.
I was hoping to experience the drama and glamour of the entire Dior fashions from the museum’s costume collections. I guess seeing the photos of the Denver Dior Show from a fellow blogger, @JTouchofStyle back in December; Perhaps the Philly Museum has a limited Dior collection? It’s worth noting that Christian Dior achieved immorality with his debut collection in 1947 with his “New Look.”
The fabulous fashion theme continued to abound with a Charles James Pagoda Suit, Rei Kawakubo, the conceptual Japanese brand Commes des Garçons architectural coat, Jacqueline de Ribes red dress and my piece de resistance, the glittery gold design of not so familiar Anne Fogarty (1919 – 1980,) author of The Fine Art of Being A Well Dressed Wife.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is the official home of Philadelphia born Princess Grace of Monaco’s 1956 wedding gown. The gown, too delicate to display is currently in storage. However, a glass case highlighted the princesses’ wedding accessories including not the Brides Bible but A Manuel of Catholic Devotion with Mass for the Marriage Ceremony and the Nuptial Blessing and Helen Rose cap veil, and David Evins shoes.
After Uber rides me back to the hotel, I pondered the other featured iconic designers that included rare pieces from Pierre Cardin, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Oscar de la Renta, and Geoffrey Beene; these didn’t disappoint.
Finally, it was restaurant week in Philly, so instead of eating at the Downtown Loews Hotel, we ventured out to the new Iron Hill Brewery Restaurant. I’m glad I treated myself to Fabulous Fashion at the Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibit. If you live in Philly, the show is a must-see, the display ends on March 3, 2019.
How about you, do you like to visit fashion exhibits? Do tell in the comments section.
Thank you for reading. Have a fabulous week.
P.S. All photos of me: Face Forward Photography