This past weekend we had the opportunity to go see the “Women Dressing Women” exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Mets' latest exhibit offers an amazing exploration of the historical and cultural significance of female fashion. Through carefully curated garments and accessories from many time periods, the exhibit highlights the evolving roles and influences of women in style. This exhibit features houses such as Jeanne Lanvin, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Madeleine Vionnet, to American makers like Ann Lowe, Claire McCardell, and Isabel Toledo, along with contemporary designs by Iris van Herpen, Rei Kawakubo, Anifa Mvuemba, and Simone Rocha. According to The Met, “Women Dressing Women honors the contributions of women fashion designers represented in The Costume Institute collection, tracing a lineage of makers from the turn of the twentieth century to the present day by highlighting celebrated couturiers, emerging voices, and forgotten figures alike.” Here are some of our favorite looks from the exhibit and quotes from the museum!
Lanvin (French, founded 1889) Jeanne Lanvin (French, 1867-1946) "Cyclone" evening dress, 1939. "Gray silk taffeta embroidered with silver and coral sequins and beads."
A. F. Chantilly, Inc. (American, 1965-before 1972) Ann Lowe (American, 1898-1981) Evening dress, ca. 1968. "White cotton organdy trimmed with pink silk organza and green silk taffeta carnations."
Prada (Italian, founded 1913) Miuccia Prada (Italian, born 1949) Ensemble, autumn/winter 2007-8. "Coat of black silk-linen-synthetic gabardine novelty weave with green felted wool embroidered with black feathers and black rectangular sequins; skirt of black silk gabardine embroidered with black rectangular sequins."
House of Dior (French, founded 1947) Maria Grazia Chiuri (Italian, born 1964) Ensemble, spring/summer 2017; edition 2020. "Jacket of white cotton canvas with matelassé quilting embroidered with a heart motif in red silk and glass seed beads; shirt of white cotton plain weave and pique; knickers of white cotton canvas."
Alexander McQueen (British, founded 1982) Sarah Burton (British, born 1974) Spring/summer 2012. “Dress of white silk organza and nude silk mesh embroidered with silver glass beads, clear glass crystals, and silver metal feather-shaped paillettes; headpiece of silver synthetic Chantilly lace embroidered with silver sequins and beads.”
To read more about the “Women Dressing Women” exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, click here!