Fed by Birds: Best Wardrobe of All Time?

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Best Wardrobe of All Time?

My nomination is American dancer Ruth St Denis, whose fantastic costumes feature in page after page of pictures at NYPL.

Whether minimalist:

Or maximalist:

On stage:

Or as herself:

Comments

Looks like she raided my closet.

Posted by: The Nag | May 8, 2009 11:45 PM

She must have had an interesting life.

Posted by: Debbie | May 11, 2009 5:07 AM

Awesome. Simply stunning!

Posted by: Jim | May 11, 2009 5:53 AM

I want to raid her closet! this is too fabulous! I love it!

Posted by: Gaby | May 11, 2009 6:36 AM

So beautiful! I wish I could wear those clothes without people thinking I was some weirdo although, that could have happened then too....hmmm.

Posted by: Andrea | May 12, 2009 3:53 AM

Let them think it! Anyone who is freaked out by someone else's choice of clothing isn't worth paying attention to.

Posted by: Emma | May 12, 2009 10:51 AM

beautiful art.stunning eyes..

Posted by: deepikapub | May 12, 2009 11:53 AM

GREAT pictures!!

Posted by: Bianca | May 12, 2009 2:47 PM

I love these photos! Wonderful fashion and photography. Stumbled this article :)

Posted by: K | May 12, 2009 3:40 PM

Excellent antique vintage clothing and photos!

Posted by: Andrew London | May 12, 2009 3:56 PM

I am so glad I came across this site. I am inspired now!

Posted by: Haleh | May 12, 2009 5:08 PM

It is interesting to go back in time. We can catch the essence of

the people and time though photographs.

Posted by: Dolores | May 12, 2009 7:09 PM

very very nice.. Great style..

Posted by: nicolas noah | May 12, 2009 9:02 PM

Didn't she die by choking because one of her scarves got stuck while driving?

Posted by: rebekka | May 12, 2009 11:18 PM

No, think that was Isadora Duncan

Posted by: Emma | May 12, 2009 11:33 PM

cross cultures, select from the styles of the ages...a lil' flavor and texture...not a bad thing

Posted by: fernando | May 13, 2009 6:26 AM

This is wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing!

Posted by: Hannah | May 13, 2009 7:42 AM

Great Collection.

Posted by: Infrascape | May 13, 2009 12:19 PM

Love this collection!

Posted by: Anonymous | May 14, 2009 4:52 AM

very very nice.. Great style..

Posted by: film izle | May 16, 2009 1:42 PM

I hate that women aren't classy like this anymore.

Posted by: Manton | May 16, 2009 6:47 PM

She's been stealing from me again, sigh.

Posted by: raptureponies | May 16, 2009 7:56 PM

Very intresting pictures.

Posted by: brigitte | May 16, 2009 9:24 PM

Wow. . . I love her sense of style. I wonder what she wore to just lounge around the house? You don't see many people these days with this kind of a wardrobe. We could use a few more of Ruth today.

Posted by: John McDonnell | May 17, 2009 3:17 AM

what lmao? These are just tweaked styles taken from other traditional cultures around the world, with a flapper twist. I can see how it's "classy" or "glamourous" now but i mean, didn't take a lot of thinking or creativity, just a lot of money and a little bit of worldly travel.

That being said I would like to see her in lounge-everyday wear before I say it's the best.

Posted by: sabka | May 17, 2009 8:00 PM

I love the retro styles too. The work that went into making these clothes is incomparable to today's rags.

Posted by: Andrea | May 17, 2009 9:14 PM

I love this era, for clothing.

Posted by: smj | May 19, 2009 2:19 AM

Worldly travel is just plain boring; time travel is much more thrilling.

Posted by: Stefan | May 19, 2009 5:44 AM

absolutely fabulous, lovely costumes. I wish I could try some of them!

Posted by: Wendy | May 19, 2009 8:57 AM

I love it!!

Posted by: Rebecca Agra | May 19, 2009 6:01 PM

Very inspiring! Hmm I definitely should take notes and acquire some of this into my wardrobe with an added twist, would love to see the reaction of today's time and age.

Posted by: TLS | May 20, 2009 4:39 PM

Every decade has pioneers when it comes to fashions. Personally I can't say that this was the best wardrobe of all time. What I can say that some of the costumes Ruth wore at the time definably made some heads turn.

Posted by: Ren | May 20, 2009 5:28 PM

I nice look back in history. thanks for posting these.

Posted by: Rob | May 20, 2009 6:17 PM

congratulation's u'r pick.. is... great ^o)

Posted by: souma | May 21, 2009 5:46 PM

What a beauty and the clothing too. I love the jewels in her hair.
I find it amazing she still performed in to her 80's.

Posted by: Bunnygotblog | May 21, 2009 9:04 PM

I absolutely love, love, love this style and she is beautiful. You can't help but wonder about the colors, materials, workmanship. I only wish that the designers were mentioned. The closest we have today would be Valentino. If you want to see more theatrical designs, you might check out the fabulous Leon Bakst!

Posted by: muunlitr | May 26, 2009 7:59 PM

Great style. People should have fun with the clothes they wear. Otherwise you become a prisoner of conformity. In other words, love what you wear!

Posted by: Stile | June 13, 2009 1:25 AM

shopped...you can tell

Posted by: friedlinx | July 12, 2009 3:53 AM

Looks like she was heavily influenced by India

Posted by: jai | July 12, 2009 6:27 AM

great post. Wish we could dress like that everyday...Love the dresses.

Posted by: 1fashionstatement | July 16, 2009 6:29 PM

Wonderful wonderful wonderful!!!!

Posted by: silentstoryteller | October 20, 2009 8:57 AM

Ruth St. Denis was outstanding. So bravely artistic and original in her time. Wonderful photos!