Charles James Ball Gowns, 1948Photography by Cecil Beaton, courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of ArtCharles James remains largely unknown, despite the fact that his influence is everywhere, to be found in wrap dresses, nipped-in waists, voluminous skirts and eiderdown jackets. Dior cited him as the inspiration for his revolutionary New Look, and his sumptuous, evocative ballgowns and tailoring dressed the likes of Millicent Rogers, Marlene Dietrich, Babe Paley and Diana Vreeland, who supported him throug...