Museum of the City of New York

"Tissue of Diamonds" dress made for Lauren Bacall, 1963, Black silk net studded with crystal brilliants, over peach silk charmeuse and Pendant worn by Edith Bouvier Beale, Maker unknown, 1910s, Platinum, diamonds, natural pearl.

On exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York through January 2011, is "Notorious and Notable: 20th Century Women of Style." The project is co-presented with the National Jewelry Institute and sponsored by Graff. The pieces are clothing and accessories of influential and stylish American women from the 20th century such as Babe Paley, Lauren Bacall and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney.

Babe Paley, 1941

Check out this great review by Martin Filler who acknowledges that the exhibition reveals "that once upon a time, and not so long ago, the most influential style-setters actually owned their haute couture and bijoux." Today's emphasis on designers showcasing their work on celebrities is much different than women who consistently pursued quality fashion and accessories for the classic and enduring qualities.