May 2013

Sunset River Marketplace in Calabash, NC, Features Works by George Gerald Davis

Sunset River Marketplace in Calabash, NC, is presenting From Dior’s Paris to Calabash: Whimsical Creations & Vintage Fashion Drawings, featuring works by George Gerald Davis, on view through June 15, 2013. A reception will be held on May 11, from 2-5pm.

After studying fashion design at Richmond Professional Institute, now Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), George Gerald Davis lived in Paris studying fashion illustration at Cours Bercot, Dessin De Mode. He became an apprentice with a modeliste of Christian Dior in order to study draping and design.

Returning to New York City, he met Brook Volland, who would become his partner in business and in life. Together they designed hats under the label Gerald-Brook.

“We worked on each other’s designs,” says Davis. “And while Brook did not use a sewing machine, I did all the machine work. It was truly a collaborative effort. We were together for 49 years until Brook’s death last July.

“In 1964, Brook was managing the Battaglia Shop on Park Avenue and Mr. Battaglia allowed us to have a showing of hats on the second floor. An editor from Harper’s came in to see the hats.”

Suddenly the duo had their work on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar and by Fall 1965 had their first millinery shop in New York.

Davis had grown up in rural NC and a few years later the pair relocated to Wilson, NC, and opened Gerald-Brook Boutique, which they ran for the next 28 years.

“I’ve always come up with crazy things to do with my talent,” laughs Davis. “Several years ago I wanted to create something for some dear friend who has a shop in town called JoLiAn, so I took two pair of shoes and decorated them with beads, sprays, bangles, anything sparkly and shiny and they were a big hit. That was the beginning!”

The show at Sunset River will include several of Davis’ whimsically embellished shoes along with 30-some original vintage fashion drawings from his college days in the States and his apprenticeship in Paris.

Gallery owner Ginny Lassiter said, “I know Gerry from Wilson, where my daddy lives, so I’m always interested in what he’s going to do next. We’ve had his fashion illustrations at the gallery before, and they’ve always gotten quite a response. When I saw this group of shoes, I knew I wanted to feature him in a show. The titles alone make me laugh: Cupid Did It, Rosie the Riveter, Neptune’s WC … and he’s got some brand new ones, I understand.”

For further information check our NC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 910/575-5999 or visit (www.sunsetrivermarketplace.com).

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