Period Ball Gowns Go Black, White and Green for Cliff House's 1909 Centennial Gala

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Cliff House memorabilia is getting a glamorous makeover for their November 4th Centennial Gala with the help of Bay-Area based Origen Marketing. The award-winning design duo, Mari O’Connor and Lily Smith, is repurposing menus, photos and other recycled materials into period ball gowns that best reflect what a woman might wear to the Cliff House during each of the four eras during which the buildings were built.


 

 

The elaborate Victorian gown (pictured), which includes a farthing coat, bustled skirt and hat, is a nod to what one would wear to the beach in the 19th century.

 

 

 

 

This turn-of-the-century Edwardian gown represents the opening of the Sutro Baths, and is topped off with a wide-brimmed hat and parasol, all made from recycled materials.

 

The intricate Roaring 20s flapper gown, constructed of hundreds of vintage photos formed into paillette fringe, embodies the bold spirit of the Cliff House.

 

Lastly, the 21st century gown is a glamorous ode to the current building, with portal openings framing recent Cliff House photos. The icing on the Centennial cake? A towering headpiece of paper flowers.

 

Each of these remarkable gowns will be showcased and auctioned off at the Gala, with proceeds going to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. Buy tickets here.

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