2024 APRIL ISSUE
THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM
OF ART
WOMEN DRESSING WOMEN
Written by Andrew Sia
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From the Desk of the Publisher
This exhibition was mentioned in our January issue, together there are eleven shows of the same level across cities like Shanghai, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Chicago, London, Morocco, Brussels, Florence and Milan.
“Women Dressing Women” covering 70 different female designers from the early part of 20th century until now in 83 pieces of the collections.
We visited once already and took some pictures and have used them with the article. We are going again later during the month when someone out of town will be visiting New York. Being someone who was a New Yorker before, the support of the Metropolitan Museum is very important. We are still a member there.
I hope that you will stop by and let’s visit the museum together.
EXHIBITIONS | WOMEN DRESSING WOMEN | VISITING GUIDE
December 7, 2023–March 10, 2024
Introduction
In our January issue, under the article of Global Fashion & Exhibition Calendar January to June 2024, we mentioned this show among many other shows around the world. We have the opportunity to visit the Metropolitan Museum and walked through the show.
We want to feature it now in our journal and to let those who don’t want the opportunity to come to the New York City to have a better understanding of this fashion exhibition.
“Women Dressing Women” is a celebration of work from the museum’s collection by over 70 different female designers since the early 20th century to the present. It is the first time for the museum to dedicate the work solely belonging to the women and at least half of the 83 pieces of the collections have never been shown.
The show was intended to coincide with the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote in political elections in the United States in 2020, but it was postponed due to the coronavirus lockdowns changed the show’s schedule.
We have to know that fashion is an industry largely catering to women, but the majority of the designers in every fashion house are dominated by men. Perhaps men are more creative when come to design?
Many of the pieces are from the Met’s permanent collection. It includes haute couture from the eighteenth-century to contemporary makers who are the leading designers in the fashion weeks around the world.
Snap Shots
These were the shots that we took during our tour in the Met. For more information, I would suggest you to buy the catalogue and it tells a lineage of female fashion designs.
Information of Knowledge
In our fashion history, it can typically divided into several distinctive eras, each of it would show its unique styles, trends, and influences. The most commonly accepted framework includes the following major fashion eras:
Ancient and Classic Period (before 500 AD): We are referring to ancient civilizations such as Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome. From the museums, we can find them showing cultural, social, and religious influences. At that time they were only using natural materials such as linen, wool, and silk.
Medieval Period (500-1500 AD): We saw the rise of feudalism in Europe and clothing styles were often indications of social hierarchy and status. Garments in tunics, robes, ad gowns with details and embellishments varying from regions.
Renaissance (14th-17 century): Renaissance was the period of cultural rebirth in Europe characterized by a revival of classical arts, literature, and fashion. Clothes were more elaborated and the use of new materials, silhouettes, and decorative elements, such as lace, embroidery, and intricate patterns.
Baroque and Rococo (17th-18th century): Baroque and Rococo periods were known for the opulent and ornate fashion styles. They were characterized by elaborated fabrics, exaggerated silhouettes, and extravagant embellishments. Fashion featured those elaborated fabrics, exaggerated silhouettes, and extravagant embellishments. Women were wearing voluminous skirts, corsets, and elaborated hairstyles. Men were wearing tailored suits and powdered wigs.
Industrial Revolution (late 18th-19th century): The Industrial Revolution brought significant changes to fashion production and enlarged consumption. With the rise of mass production and ready-to-wear clothing and showed advancements in technological and social changes. Fashion started to be more practical and popular.
Victoria Era (19th century): It was named after Queen Victoria of England and it lasted much of the 19th century. Fashion was characterized by modesty, restraint, strict social norms. Featuring voluminous skirts, corsets, and high necklines. Men were wearing tailored suits and formal attire.
Belle Époque (late 19th to early 20th century): The Belle Époque, or “Beautiful Era”, was a period of cultural and artistic trend flourishing in Europe marked by optimism, prosperity, and technological innovation. It was characterized by elegant, feminine styles for women, featuring soft fabrics, pastel colors, and intricate detailing.
Modern and Contemporary Fashion (20th century to present): In the 20th century we saw the rapid changes in fashion influences by global events, cultural shifts, and technological advancements. We have those sub-period such as the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, World War II, the post-war era, the Swinging Sixties, the punk movements, and contemporary fashion trends influenced by globalization, technology, and diverse cultural influences.
With all these being mentioned, fashions are showing in every museum showing the different parts of the world and the eras. I encourage you to go out there and study them if you have interest. It can also be a very good hobby to develop.