Fashioning Surprise: Cupboards of Curiosity, the latest exhibition at The Museum at FIT, supplies the primary in-depth exploration of the fascinating connections between trend and cupboards of curiosity. Wunderkammern, or “cabinets of curiosities,” emerged within the sixteenth century as precursors to fashionable museums, gathering uncommon and intriguing artifacts from all over the world. These collections typically included textiles and trend, demonstrating the worldwide affect of fashion and craftsmanship. Fashioning Surprise examines this legacy, presenting trend by means of the lens of curiosity, gathering, and creativity.
The items on view, a lot of that are being displayed for the primary time, replicate the rarity, magnificence, and originality of objects present in these early collections. That includes greater than 200 clothes and equipment principally from the museum’s intensive assortment, Fashioning Surprise showcases designers equivalent to Dior, Schiaparelli, Pucci, and Vivienne Westwood, amongst many others.
Curated by MFIT Curator Dr. Colleen Hill, the exhibition is organized into 10 thematic sections:
Specimens illustrates trend impressed by pure historical past, together with a 2013 Tom Ford robe intricately beaded in a zebra sample with a horsehair “mane.”
Tom Ford, sequined and beaded zebra-print gown with horsehair “mane,” fall 2013. Reward of the Property of Pleasure Venturini Bianchi.
A placing central birdcage shows feathered objects in Aviary, equivalent to a desk vividly adorned with feathers by Invoice Cunningham, on view for the primary time.
Designs influenced by the human type seem in Anatomical Theatre, together with a 2013 Arzu Kaprol gown created from metallic leather-based with a cut-out skeletal design.
A celebration of positive craftsmanship, Artisanship options miniature trend objects and historic dressmaking instruments that may be admired for his or her intricate handicraft.
Kunstkammer (“Chamber of Art”) fuses positive artwork and trend, together with a 2018 Comme des Garçons gown printed with the 1591 portray “Vertumnus” by Giuseppe Arcimboldo.
Impressed by Seventeenth-century work, Vanitas explores themes of mortality and luxurious, together with a pair of Sophia Webster’s elegant butterfly footwear, representing the fragility of life.
Sophia Webster, Chiara sandals with multicolor embroidery and painted by hand heels, 2019. Reward of Sophia Webster.
Reflections and Refractions contains objects embellished with shimmering supplies, equivalent to a 1996 gown by CD Greene, designed for Tina Turner, with rhinestones and mirrors.
Illusions incorporates a 1955 gown by Pucci, created from the label’s impressively convincing “visone” (mink) printed silk, full with “tails” edging the skirt hem.
The final sections are supposed for viewers interplay, an vital facet of experiencing the early cupboards of curiosities. In What Is It? guests are inspired to have interaction with historic trend objects, check their information, and expertise the sounds and development of choose items.
Lastly, The Senses features a touchable duplicate of a c. 1948 Molyneux gown (made by Katherine Shark, a graduate scholar in FIT’s MA Vogue and Textile Research program), proven alongside the unique object.
The exhibition is on view at The Museum at FIT in New York Metropolis by means of April 20.
To be taught extra, go to fitnyc.edu/museum.
Christian Dior, leopard fur coat, early Sixties. Reward of Mrs. Sylvia Slifka. Background picture: Ole Worm, “Ole Worm’s Cabinet of Wonder: Natural Specimens and Wondrous Monsters” (1655)
Mary Katrantzou, printed, embroidered, and beaded gown with internet overlay, spring 2019. Museum buy.
