The Moore exhibit showcases 40 years of his work with 35 original designs, including evening gowns, cocktail dresses, opera coats, pantsuits, and day wear, many of them culled from the closet of his wife, Grace Ann. The show, which opened Thursday night, runs through Dec. 11.
Agostino's work has graced society events and red carpets nationwide, including the 2000 Academy Awards, for which he designed a gown for M. Night Shyamalan's wife, Bhavana.
"This is the first dress I ever made," Agostino said, standing in front of a pale-blue silk cocktail dress from 1966 with a hand-beaded pearl and rhinestone yoke, as curators put finishing touches on the exhibit.
"I made it for my wife when we were dating."
Every woman should have such a boyfriend. Those who don't can acquire - buy sounds too gauche - the high-end, sophisticated pieces that Tracy Lord from High Society - or Grace Kelly herself for that matter - might have worn.
Regulars know to enter his shop through a side door and go upstairs, where a team of Italian ladies sew all his designs. They also know Agostino won't sell the same dress twice for a big event.
"These are wealthy Main Line ladies who . . . don't want to take a chance and buy the Yves Saint Laurent at Saks, because someone else might have it," said Janice Lewis, chairwoman of Moore's fashion design department. "He's the go-to guy to have an original, custom design."
The gilded threads running throughout Agostino's work are elegance, top-notch workmanship, and timelessness, say the 68-year-old designer's admirers.
"His work is extraordinary," said Jane Carton, former fashion director at Saks Fifth Avenue. "Many, many times, when I see a lady socially and say, 'Oh my God, that looks fantastic,' - it's Frank."
