Fashion and Textile History Gallery, The Museum at FIT

Maison Martin Margiela, tunic, linen, spring 1997, Belgium, museum purchase. December 5, 2017 – May 5, 2018 Fashion is inextricably linked to the physical form of the wearer. The cut of a garment draws the eye to zones of the body, simultaneously accentuating and concealing in order to achieve a desired silhouette. Elaborate undergarments, diet regimens, exercise routines, and even plastic surgery have all been promoted as necessary tools for attaining the ideal fashion shape. However, the idealized fashionable body…

Maison Martin Margiela, tunic, linen, spring 1997, Belgium, museum purchase. December 5, 2017 – May 5, 2018 Fashion is inextricably linked to the physical form of the wearer. The cut of a garment draws the eye to zones of the body, simultaneously accentuating and concealing in order to achieve a desired silhouette. Elaborate undergarments, diet regimens, exercise routines, and even plastic surgery have all been promoted as necessary tools for attaining the ideal fashion shape. However, the idealized fashionable body…

Detail of ensemble by XULY.Bët, repurposed acrylic sweaters, fall 1994, gift of XULY.Bët. May 25–November 17, 2018  Fashion Unraveled will examine the concepts of imperfection and incompletion in fashion. Garments that are altered, unfinished, or deconstructed, in addition to clothing that shows signs of wear, will highlight the aberrant beauty in flawed objects. Unless such imperfections are intentional—as they are in the case of deconstructed fashion—these garments are often overlooked in museum collections. This exhibition will include a selection of…

Detail of ensemble by XULY.Bët, repurposed acrylic sweaters, fall 1994, gift of XULY.Bët. May 25–November 17, 2018  Fashion Unraveled will examine the concepts of imperfection and incompletion in fashion. Garments that are altered, unfinished, or deconstructed, in addition to clothing that shows signs of wear, will highlight the aberrant beauty in flawed objects. Unless such imperfections are intentional—as they are in the case of deconstructed fashion—these garments are often overlooked in museum collections. This exhibition will include a selection of…

Traina-Norell, “Indian sari” silk brocade dress, circa 1955, gift of Mildred Morton. December 4, 2018–May 4, 2019  Fabric In Fashion explores the role played by textiles in forming the silhouette in Western fashion over the last 250 years. The examination of textiles is often separated from that of the fashionable silhouette, yet historically, textiles were as important as the cut of clothing in keeping up with current fashion. This exhibition will delve into the mechanics of textiles, looking at how fibers…

Traina-Norell, “Indian sari” silk brocade dress, circa 1955, gift of Mildred Morton. December 4, 2018–May 4, 2019  Fabric In Fashion explores the role played by textiles in forming the silhouette in Western fashion over the last 250 years. The examination of textiles is often separated from that of the fashionable silhouette, yet historically, textiles were as important as the cut of clothing in keeping up with current fashion. This exhibition will delve into the mechanics of textiles, looking at how fibers…

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, dress, spring/summer 2014, Madrid, gift of Agatha Ruiz de la Prada. May 28–November 16, 2019  Fashion is a world of extremes, where sartorial expression ranges from minimalist to maximalist aesthetics. Some designers may identify almost exclusively with one over the other; Calvin Klein, for instance, was known for fashion minimalism. However, the cyclical nature of fashion moves us through design periods alternately dominated by a minimalist or maximalist aesthetic, reaffirming Isaac Newton’s third law of…

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, dress, spring/summer 2014, Madrid, gift of Agatha Ruiz de la Prada. May 28–November 16, 2019  Fashion is a world of extremes, where sartorial expression ranges from minimalist to maximalist aesthetics. Some designers may identify almost exclusively with one over the other; Calvin Klein, for instance, was known for fashion minimalism. However, the cyclical nature of fashion moves us through design periods alternately dominated by a minimalist or maximalist aesthetic, reaffirming Isaac Newton’s third law of…

Pyer Moss by Kerby Jean-Raymond, jacket, fall 2015, USA, gift of Pyer Moss. The Museum at FIT is temporarily closed.  View the online exhibition here. December 10, 2019–May 9, 2020  Power is part identity, part behavior, and part physicality. The way we outfit ourselves can play an outsized role in conveying power to others—whether it be the pink “pussy hats” at the 2017 Women’s March or the Cleveland Cavaliers’ coordinated Thom Browne suits during the 2018 NBA playoffs. However, power…

Pyer Moss by Kerby Jean-Raymond, jacket, fall 2015, USA, gift of Pyer Moss. The Museum at FIT is temporarily closed.  View the online exhibition here. December 10, 2019–May 9, 2020  Power is part identity, part behavior, and part physicality. The way we outfit ourselves can play an outsized role in conveying power to others—whether it be the pink “pussy hats” at the 2017 Women’s March or the Cleveland Cavaliers’ coordinated Thom Browne suits during the 2018 NBA playoffs. However, power…

Roger Vivier for Christian Dior, silk evening pumps and clutch, 1955-1959, France, gift of Arthur Schwartz. 79.169.6. POSTPONED May 26–November 21, 2020  Fashion and Textile History Gallery Head to Toe will explore approximately 200 years of women’s dress from 1800 to the early 21st century through the lens of accessories. Often the focus of fashion exhibitions are garments; however, accessories are integral components of the full ensemble and are important in communicating vital messages about the wearer. Over time accessories have become powerful…

October 13–November 7 Fashion and Textile History Gallery Nelson Mandela’s “Madiba” shirts were dramatically different from the conventional western suits worn by most politicians in South Africa and around the world. They were also the opposite of the hateful, drab prison garb that he was forced to wear for almost three decades. Made of brightly-patterned silk, Mandela’s Madiba shirts became emblematic of post-apartheid freedom, and were particularly meaningful to the Black majority of South Africans. Several of these shirts and…

October 13–November 7 Fashion and Textile History Gallery Nelson Mandela’s “Madiba” shirts were dramatically different from the conventional western suits worn by most politicians in South Africa and around the world. They were also the opposite of the hateful, drab prison garb that he was forced to wear for almost three decades. Made of brightly-patterned silk, Mandela’s Madiba shirts became emblematic of post-apartheid freedom, and were particularly meaningful to the Black majority of South Africans. Several of these shirts and…

Roger Vivier for Christian Dior, silk evening pumps and clutch, 1955-1959, France, Gift of Arthur Schwartz. 79.169.6. November 17, 2021–May 8, 2022 Fashion and Textile History Gallery Head to Toe will explore approximately 200 years of women’s dress from 1800 to the early 21st century through the lens of accessories. Often garments are the focus of fashion exhibitions, however accessories are integral components of the full ensemble, and are important in communicating vital messages about the wearer. Over time accessories…

Roger Vivier for Christian Dior, silk evening pumps and clutch, 1955-1959, France, Gift of Arthur Schwartz. 79.169.6. November 17, 2021–May 15, 2022 Fashion and Textile History Gallery Head to Toe will explore approximately 200 years of women’s dress from 1800 to the early 21st century through the lens of accessories. Often garments are the focus of fashion exhibitions, however accessories are integral components of the full ensemble, and are important in communicating vital messages about the wearer. Over time accessories…

June 1–November 6, 2022 Fashion and Textile History Gallery Dior + Balenciaga: The Kings of Couture and Their Legacies features fashions by Christian Dior (1905–1957) and Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895–1972), the two most important couturiers of the mid-20th century. Featuring objects drawn solely from The Museum at FIT’s permanent collection, this exhibition is the first to juxtapose the work of these legendary designers, side by side. This exhibition is free and open to the public. 

June 1–November 6, 2022 Fashion and Textile History Gallery Dior + Balenciaga: The Kings of Couture and Their Legacies features fashions by Christian Dior (1905–1957) and Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895–1972), the two most important couturiers of the mid-20th century. Featuring objects drawn solely from The Museum at FIT’s permanent collection, this exhibition is the first to juxtapose the work of these legendary designers, side by side. This exhibition is free and open to the public. 

Paquin, evening cape, pink silk chiffon and metal sequins, 1897, France, museum purchase, P83.19.7 November 30–May 14, 2023 Fashion and Textile History Gallery Modern female fashion designers ardently incorporated interior decoration into their professional and personal lives. This phenomenon became increasingly evident beginning in the late nineteenth century, as more women founded important couture houses in Paris, London and New York. At the same time, the field of interior decoration became a viable profession, thanks in large part to innovative…

Paquin, evening cape, pink silk chiffon and metal sequins, 1897, France, museum purchase, P83.19.7 November 30–May 14, 2023 Fashion and Textile History Gallery Modern female fashion designers ardently incorporated interior decoration into their professional and personal lives. This phenomenon became increasingly evident beginning in the late nineteenth century, as more women founded important couture houses in Paris, London and New York. At the same time, the field of interior decoration became a viable profession, thanks in large part to innovative…

May 31–November 5, 2023 Fashion and Textile History Gallery For decades, fashion designers of Latin American descent such as Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, and Haider Ackermann have been central figures of the fashion industry. Their successes have paved the way for new generations of talented designers including Gabriela Hearst, Carla Fernández, and Willy Chavarria. These represent only a few of the emerging designers who are making their mark on the fashion scene by creating for famous fashion houses,…

May 31–November 5, August 27, 2023 Fashion and Textile History Gallery Due to unexpected maintenance issues, the ¡Moda Hoy! exhibition closed on August 27.  We apologize for any inconvenience. Please check the MFIT website for future exhibition schedules. For decades, fashion designers of Latin American descent such as Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, and Haider Ackermann have been central figures of the fashion industry. Their successes have paved the way for new generations of talented designers including Gabriela Hearst,…