Fabulous Fashion: From Dior’s New Look to Now (PMA Exhibit)

Before Spring Break, I visited the “Fabulous Fashion” Dior exhibit at the Philadelphia Musem of Art. The exhibit focuses on the dresses, gowns, and a handful of suits worn by faceless mannequins. The exhibition is arranged thematically to explore designers’ creative use of color and pattern, shape and volume, draping, bridal traditions and innovations, and embellishments.

Walking around the exhibit made me pay attention to how small details and certain elements of a garment conjured different feelings and themes of a time period. For example, a group of drapey dresses in vibrant primary colors from the 1990s evoked a sense of youthful freedom that is still classic and timeless.

Stimulating juxtapositions are presented throughout the installation. I was interested to see the contrast between the Gold embroidered strapless evening dress by Anne Fogarty, designed to flaunt the ideal waist of the 1950s and the Vicky Tiel gold mini dress which symbolizes glamour, sensuality, and strength of women from the late 1980s.

I think the way the exhibit was arranged was effective in complementing one another and encouraging us viewers to make connections between different eras based on material properties, such as shape, color, pattern, drapings, etc. It just goes to show that a change in fabric, color, or statement design completely changes the way a piece of art/fashion is perceived.
- Sheryl