[Printed 'album', with programme. ] The exhibition Le Théatre de la Mode in London | Sponsored by the "Continental Daily Mail" | under the auspices of “L'Association Francaise d'Action artistique” | In aid of British and French charities.

Substantial unpaginated ring-bound 4to volume, with striking coloured cover illustration by Christian Bérard. Internally in fair condition, lightly aged and worn, in worn covers detaching from ring binding. A stylish volume, printed on both shiny art paper and thick rough grey stock. In three sections: 'The Story of this Exhibition'; 'Style in French Art by Gérard Bauër' and 'Twelve Scenes'. Profusely illustrated, including tipped-in plates. Several pages of advertisements for up-market Parisian shops at front and rear. Loosely inserted is the programme for the exhibition at Leeds City Art Galleries, from 2 January 1946, under the main title 'Fantasy of Fashion', on a folding sheet of six sections, with three sections listing 181 exhibits, and a page describing 'The Settings'. Théâtre de la Mode was a touring exhibition of fashion mannequins, one-third full size, organised by the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, with 'creations' by '41 leading Paris dressmakers', including Balenciaga, Freddy, Hermes, Jean Patou, Nina Ricci and Schiaparelli. Its aim was to raise funds for war survivors and to help revive the French fashion industry in the aftermath of World War II. It toured Europe and then the United States, where it is now part of the permanent collections of the Maryhill Museum of Art in Washington State. The only copy listed on COPAC is at the Victoria and Albert Musem, London, and OCLC WorldCat lists a further three copies.