A Century of Style: 1860 – 1960 Exhibition Celebration, Guest of Honor, Jade Hobson, former style editor at Vogue Magazine

On Saturday, Sept. 8 from 3:30-4:30 p.m., head to the Wilton Historical Society for a glass of something bubbly, and a look at a century’s worth of women’s special occasion fashions. Inspired by the upcoming New York Fashion Week (Sept. 5-12), the event will toast the fashion exhibition “A Century of Style:  1860-1960.” Guest of Honor is Wilton’s Jade Hobson, former style editor of Vogue Magazine, who may be persuaded to share a story or two of her own experiences at Fashion Week. The exhibition runs through Oct. 6. All are invited. No charge.

About the exhibition:
The Wilton Historical Society is presenting a fashion exhibition, “A Century of Style: 1860-1960,” open through Oct. 6. Decade by decade, the exhibition traces evolving styles in women’s special occasion garb. From an all-white cotton lace flounced dress suitable for a tea party in a garden to a Jackie Kennedy-esque black A-line with satin bow, an Edwardian bridesmaid dress with train to a sophisticated wasp-waisted 1940s dress with matching custom-made suede shoes, style trends are captured in these carefully saved clothes which had special significance to their owners. Also on display are an acid-green silk high-necked gown with black netting and jet beads from the late 1880s which came from the Elizabeth Ambler Estate, and was possibly worn by Betty Ambler’s grandmother. Lady Mary Crawley of Downton Abbey would have looked stunning in the stunning black chiffon flapper dress accented with rhinestones for a night on the town. A display of purses and women’s shoes rounds out the show.

The exhibition was developed by the Wilton Historical Society, Pamela Hovland, and Megan Smith-Harris.