Irish at the Met

Among the many breathtaking gowns in an exhibition of Anglo-American designer Charles James (1906-1978) which opened this week at the Met in New York are three items from Ireland. One of the couturier’s most dedicated clients in the 1930s was Anne Messel, later Countess of Rosse.

James was considered the greatest talent of his generation by both Dior and Balenciaga, and though best known for opulent ballgowns also created revolutionary daywear like the famous "Taxi" dress with its spiralling zips so that it could be put on in a cab. The three items from Ireland include the Taxi in black silk satin, the "Snow White" dress in blue silk with a repeat pattern of the Disney character, and the dramatic "Beetle", a metallic blue/green and black evening dress, its shimmer replicating scarab wings. Deirdre McQuillan