Even today having a full wardrobe of gowns for state dinners and gala events, is the height of luxury. The designs were simple but the fabric was expensive and luxurious. "You have an oppurtunity here" Cassini told Jackie "For an American Versailles". Jackie agreed with her husband's support. Jackie planned to make Washington the social area of America. Jackie saw her husband as a statesman instead of a politician.
To great parties at the White House, she would invite writers, artists, musicians, scientists, designers, architects, everyone who had accomplished something that is worthy to the world. The food and wine she served hadn't been served at any White House party before, and the great house, the Kennedys lived in would be restored to it's former glory.
When it came to evening gowns, Cassini would send Jackie sketches and she would make little changes and comments. She always knew what she wanted and she would fight to get it. Even though Cassini designed most of Jackie's official clothes, she didn't want them too fancy. She wanted simple clothes but she didn't want them to look casual.
The first state dinner of the Kennedy presidency, was to honour President Bourguiba of Tunisia. Cassini designed Jackie a one shouldered gown in a soft yellow colour. The dress also had a satin bow at the waist and it was embroidered at the hem and on the drape at the shoulders.
Two nights later, President Bourguiba entertained the Kennedys at the Tunisian Embassy. Jackie's evening gown for this dinner was a silk gown. It was very different from her other gowns. It had a full skirt, an uneven hemline and fussy embroidery at the neck.
One of the most celebrated dinners of the Kennedy era. It was held at George Washington's home of Mount Vernon. It honoured Pakistan's president Ayub Khan who Jackie later met in 1962 when she visited the country and Khan gave her a horse called Sadar. Jackie ordered her dress specifically for the evening and the location too!
Her dress was a full length columnar sheath of row upon row of narrow lace and organza ruffles. The necklace was her favourite part of the dress. Bateau, straight across the front. Adding a final touch, was a chartreuse silk belt that nipped in the waist.
In her time Jackie was criticized for having too much clothes but she did enjoy re-wearing clothes. For example, take the blue dress to wore to London for dinner with Queen Elizabeth. Then Jackie wore it a few weeks after London for dinner at the Japanese Embassy in Washington.
For dinner at the Japanese Embassy, JFK had a cold so she was escorted there by the Johnsons. When you see an image at the Embassy, you will immediately see Jackie's simplicity, Lady Bird's ebullience and the tradition in the Japanese fashion as the Prime Minister of Japan wore a kimono.
When it came to evening gowns, Jackie wanted it in pastel and dazzling colours. She wanted to look gorgeous but she didn't want all of the grandeur former First Ladies put into their clothes
