Attempting to discuss C.Z. Guest's role in spreading the WASP culture throughout the United States and perhaps the world is a daunting task. In fact, it is such a task, I realize I will not give her the credit she deserves. The cover of Time magazine above is a perfect picture to display the life she led, and the things she surrounded herself with. She was known as a fashion icon, but her style was clearly centered around the WASP establishment. She was easy on the eyes in her youth, and she was a dog lover. But again, I am not the person to write her biography, but I do want to recognize her for the icon she is on my site. Hats off to C.Z. Guest.
6 comments:
Terrific Post, Richard!
; )
I have that copy of Time.C.Z. was certainly a WASP icon, and a bit of a character. She did pose for a nude portrait by, I believe, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo's lover.C.Z. was beautifully attired: Balenciaga et. al. for dressy wear, Lilly Pulitzer for Palm Beach casual.
http://www.fashionista.com/2007/03/the_big_book_of_wasp.php
Mrs. Guest eventually settled on American designers to dress her to compliment her quentissentially 20th century American look- Adolfo for her day suits and the legendary Mainbocher for her evening dresses. In fact, she was Mainbocher's muse until he closed his atelier in the early 1970s. His use of luxurious fabrics, exquisitely cut in simple, timeless silhouettes suited her perfectly. This couturier and client were as ideal a match as Balenciaga and Mona, Countess Bismark better known as the former Mrs. Harrison Williams "the best dressed woman in town" of Cole Porter fame. To see Mrs. Fredrick Winston Churchill Guest coming down the marble staircase of her Old Westbury house in a jeweled, vicuna Mainbocher twin set, silk ball skirt and pearls to greet her guests is to see perfection.
Ah, C.Z.
The Estate behind her is Templeton (now de Seversky) the previous Guest estate. The du Ponts also lived there. It is on the North Shore (of Long Island), which is arguably the Waspiest place on earth.
YES I AGREE
It is WASPier than England
And I'm British
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