Jacqueline de Ribes: The Art of Style at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Anna Wintour Costume Center, November 19, 2015 – February 21, 2016

A Message from Jacqueline de Ribes:

Following the tragic events in Paris, Jacqueline de Ribes has canceled her trip to New York for the opening of Jacqueline de Ribes: The Art of Style at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. She would like to express her gratitude to all her friends at the Met with whom she has collaborated for so many months, and hopes that they will understand her decision.

Comtesse de Ribes also knows how much Americans share the deep sadness felt in France, which confirms the enduring bond between the two countries. She hopes the exhibition will represent the joy associated with the freedom of creation. —  November 16, 2015

01.Jacqueline de Ribes by Roloff Beny, 1959

Jacqueline de Ribes in Christian Dior, 1959. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photograph by Roloff Beny, Roloff Beny Estate

“Clothes, like good architecture, have to correspond to a rhythm of life. You can’t be elegant without being graceful, and you can’t be graceful if you’re not at ease.” — Jacqueline de Ribes

04.Jacqueline de Ribes by Raymundo de Larrain, 1961

Jacqueline de Ribes, 1961. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photograph attributed to Raymundo de Larrain

“Style is what makes you different; it’s your own stamp, a message about yourself.” — Jacqueline de Ribes

05.Jacqueline de Ribes by Victor Skrebneski, 1983

Jacqueline de Ribes in her own design, 1983. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photograph by Victor Skrebneski, Skrebneski Photograph © 1983

“Elegance. It’s an attitude. A frame of mind. An intuition, a refusal, a rigor, a research, a knowledge. The attitude of elegance is also a way of behaving.” — Jacqueline de Ribes

French stylist and socialite, Viscountess Jacqueline de Ribes, wearing evening dress and posing in ornate salon. (Photo by David Lees/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images)

Jacqueline de Ribes in her own design, 1985. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photography by David Lees, David Lees/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

“You must remember that you’re never going to be sexy for everyone. You are sexy for someone and for someone else you are not. Being totally nude is not sexy. The art of being sexy is to suggest. To let people have fantasy.” — Jacqueline de Ribes

06.Jacqueline de Ribes by Francesco Scavullo, 1986

Jacqueline de Ribes in her own design, 1986. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photograph by Francesco Scavullo, The Francesco Scavullo Foundation and The Estate of Francesco Scavullo

“My mirror, my only truthful advisor.” — Jacqueline de Ribes

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Gallery View, Evening Wear © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Gallery View, Evening Wear © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Gallery View, Black and White for Night © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Gallery View, Black and White for Night © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Gallery View, Black and White for Night © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Gallery View, Flights of Fantasy © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Gallery View, The Masked Ball © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Gallery View, The Masked Ball © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Images courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art