I'll just have the dress

[excerpt, from JackieStyle, by Pamela Clarke Keogh. Copyright 2001. Harper Collins. 10 East 53rd St., New York, NY.]

After studying at the Sorbonne, Jackie moved home to Merrywood and attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C., for her senior year. Switching her major to French literature, she studied journalism and creative writing as well.
...
[Jackie] pored over rare copies of French Vogue and studied what was happening in Paris. She would sketch out an idea she had for a dress and bring it to Mrs. Rhea's...to be produced at her home at 1820 Thirty-fifth Street, NW.

..And it is almost historic to note that one of the most influential looks of

Camelot was invented in Mrs. Rhea's little shop.
...Jackie...looked in the mirror and said, "I definitely look better with this sleeveless effect."
Mrs. Rhea agreed, although she continued, "It's a pity the style isn't that way for daytime."
Jackie went over and retrieved a magazine from her pile of things on the couch. It was the first time Mrs. Rhea had seen a French fashion magazine.
"Look here, Mrs. Rhea," she flipped a few pages. "You'll find almost any look you want -- why can't you wear a sleeveless dress for daytime?"

While Mrs. Rhea leafed through the magazine, amazed at the variety of clothing styles the French were wearing and the extreme look of French dresses, Jackie fiddled with the muslin at her neck and shoulder, deciding which neckline looked good on her and how deep the armhole should be cut.
"I like the slim, sleeveless look. I think the shoulder should come about here." She pointed to the tip of her shoulder bone. "And I think it should barely cover here," as she ran her finger along the ridge of her collarbone.

Shortly thereafter, wanting to test her theory, she ordered a sheath for daytime and Mrs. Rhea suggested a little jacket to cover her arms. "That would be losing the whole point," Jackie said. "I think I'll just have the dress."

And so, a look was born.
---------------------------
[end excerpt]

-30-