Explore the transformative ‘Women Dressing Women’ exhibit at New York’s Metropolitan Museum, a groundbreaking showcase illuminating couturiers previously obscured in fashion’s shadows.
Central to the exhibition is Ann Lowe’s exquisite muslin dress, an often-overlooked African-American designer whose brilliance shone in crafting Jackie Kennedy’s 1953 wedding gown. The dress, adorned with silk roses and intricate taffeta, stands as a testament to Lowe’s exceptional talent.
A standout is the ‘little black dress’ by Madam Charlotte from the forgotten French fashion house Premet, predating Chanel’s iconic creation by three years. Mellissa Huber, associate curator of the Met’s Costume Institute, underscores the historical significance, offering a fresh perspective on women’s fashion evolution.
With 80 pieces by 70 creators, the exhibit spans 20th Century women’s fashion to today, highlighting environmental advocacy by designers like Gabriela Hearst and Hillary Taymour.
Huber emphasizes, «The overarching takeaway is to celebrate the incredible range of women designers throughout history who have made meaningful contributions to fashion.»
The narrative unfolds from the anonymity of sewing workshops, acknowledging early 20th-century French women designers—Madeleine Vionnet, Jeanne Lanvin, and Gabrielle Chanel. Featuring outfits by Elsa Schiaparelli, Nina Ricci, and Vivienne Westwood, the Costume Institute taps into its extensive collection of 33,000 pieces.
Originally slated for 2020 to commemorate a century of women’s suffrage, the exhibit concludes with a political reflection on absences and omissions in museum collections.
Looking ahead, the 2024 Met Gala theme, «Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,» co-sponsored by TikTok, marks the opening of a sweeping exhibition featuring 250 garments and accessories from the Costume Institute’s archives.
The Met Gala, a vital funding source for the Costume Institute, has become a pivotal event in the fashion calendar under Anna Wintour’s stewardship. Explore fashion’s evolution and hidden gems at the Met’s transformative exhibitions.
