Items: Is Fashion Modern?
- rizzyroseco
- Dec 24, 2017
- 2 min read
Fashion is an art that has been around since the beginning of time. High end fashion and runways account for so little of what fashion really is. Fashion is history, fashion is change, fashion is art. The exhibit, "Items: Is Fashion Modern?", at the MoMA, executed this concept in the most inclusive and visually pleasing way possible. The exhibit made me really think and realize how universal fashion is, and I learned so much about the evolution of America's most coveted fashion brands and clothing pieces. The exhibit began with a table of contents of all of the pieces including the history of the Lilly Pulitzer shift dress, the graphic white tee, and the burkini. Each item was uniquely shown on an almost invisible-type mannequin with a brief video or explanation of the piece. One of my favorite videos was of a man meticulously making a Panama hat. It made me wonder that if everything we wore was made with that much care and concentration, the fashion world would be revolutionized. The collection of pieces as a whole were more of a timeline and a beautifully done fashion history crash course, than an exhibit. According to the museum, it is the first exhibition dedicated solely to fashion at the MoMa since the 1940s, with it being called "Are Clothes Modern?"
While some pieces stood out by themselves, most of them became so enriching by the history behind them, and what they symbolized in the pinnacle of the trend cycle. A turtleneck once associated with the Black Panthers and feminism is now a staple in my wardrobe, and before this exhibit, to me it was only a "fashion trend" from the seventies I liked. Clothes are so much more about what decade they were trendiest in. As this comes by no surprise to people who know me best, my favorite pieces included the collection of little black dresses and shoes. To know my staple shoes (Adidas Stan Smith's, Converse All Star, and Doc Martens) are so ingrained in American culture is something I love so much. Always love what you wear, and wear it with a purpose!
"Items: Is Fashion Modern?" placed and showcased each item down to a very intricate and meaningful categorization. It embraced every era of fashion and numerous different cultures to make a statement that translates to: clothing at its core knows no boundaries or discrimination, it's the people that create the stereotypes and negative connotations. However, people also have the power to make clothing stand as a political movement, incorporate it with technology to push the boundaries of how clothes are made, to give tribute to someone or something they love. This exhibit inspired me to start shopping more vintage items because wearing vintage to me is wearing a piece of someone's history on your back and making it your own. The bottom line: fashion is empowering, fashion can be the catalyst of something new and exciting, and fashion is art. Included are some of my favorite pieces from the exhibit, and a description on each. If you are close to the city, I HIGHLY recommend this exhibit! It is closing on Jan. 28th, so start planning a girls trip to the city asap. Also, attached is a great article I love about the exhibit.
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