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GLAMOUR: FASHION TO DIE FOR AT THE MUSEUM AT FIT |
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Written by Joe DiRosa
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| GLAMOUR: FASHION TO DIE FOR AT THE MUSEUM AT FIT
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| | Glamour: Fashion, Film, Fantasy,
an exhibition on view February 15 through April 9, 2005, features
approximately 100 ultra-glamorous fashions, including dresses worn by
stars such as Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe, and Madonna. This
exhibition has been made possible through the support of Target.
Combining "sex appeal plus luxury plus elegance plus romance,"
as glamour was described by a Hollywood writer, these clothes are not
for the shy. It would be hard to hide in the leopard print chiffon gown
trimmed with feathers designed by Galanos and worn by Rosalind Russell,
or the brilliant red evening dress by Schiaparelli for Rita Hayworth.
Shimmering white satin, glittering sequins, and gold lame are
quintessentially glamorous.
Enchantment, illusion, and the desire to escape from reality were memorably conveyed during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Glamour: Fashion, Film, Fantasy
includes many bias-cut gowns from the 1930s, as well as contemporary
fashions inspired by them. Viewers can compare Travis Banton's 1938
silk jersey and chiffon gown, trimmed in fox and worn by Marlene
Dietrich, with Bob Mackie's strapless gown covered with white bugle
beads and worn by Madonna to the 1991 Academy Awards. Another highlight
will be Adrian's red, sequined evening dress worn by Joan Crawford in
the film The Bride Wore Red.
Born on the silver screen, glamour today flourishes on the
catwalk and the red carpet, where it is associated with a new
generation of models, actresses, and other celebrities. Many of today's
top designers are fascinated by the stars and styles of the past.
Included in the exhibition are fashions and costumes by Adrian, Loris
Azzaro, Travis Banton, Geoffrey Beene, Coco Chanel, Jean Dessès,
Christian Dior, Eiko, Mme Grès, Gucci, Halston, Edith Head, Irene,
Charles James, Donna Karan, Jean Louis, Bob Mackie, Isaac Mizrahi,
Maggie Norris, Lars Nilsson for Nina Ricci, Norman Norell, Zac Posen,
Ralph Rucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Jeremy Scott, Valentino, and Versace.
Glamour: Fashion, Film, Fantasy
will be curated by Dr. Valerie Steele, director and chief curator of
The Museum at FIT, and Fred Dennis, associate curator of costume. A
related exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York, Glamour, New York Style, also opens in February. Curated by Phyllis Magidson, it will explore glamour on the Broadway stage and in New York society.
The third annual FIT Fashion Symposium will be held February 25-26 at FIT in conjunction with the exhibition Glamour: Fashion, Film, Fantasy.
It will feature scholars, curators, and authors defining glamour and
discussing such subjects as Oscar fashions, film and theatre costumes,
and fashion photography. Speakers include Stephen Gundle, senior
lecturer, the University of London, and Joseph Rosa, editor of Glamour: Fashion, Industrial Design, Architecture,
the catalogue of the exhibition he curated at San Francisco's Museum of
Modern Art. Additional speakers are Thomas Sokolowski, director, the
Andy Warhol Museum on Warhol and Fashion, and Professor Eugen Weber,
chair emeritus, Modern European History, University of California Los
Angeles.
THE MUSEUM AT FIT
The Museum at FIT is the only museum in
New York City dedicated entirely to fashion. The museum's costume
collection includes approximately 50,000 garments and accessories
dating from the 18th century, with strong emphasis on 20th-century
designer fashions. The textile collection, with more than 30,000
textiles, 250,000 swatches, and about 1,500 sample books, dates from
the 6th century to the present and illustrates a broad variety of
techniques and traditions from around the world.
The Museum at FIT is located on the southwest corner of
Seventh Avenue at 27 Street. Exhibition hours are Tuesday through
Friday, noon to 8 pm; Saturday 10 am to 5 pm; closed Sundays, Mondays,
and legal holidays. Admission is free. For museum information call
(212) 217-5800 or go to: www.fitnyc.edu/museum.
ABOUT TARGET STORES
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guests at 1,313 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today's
best retail trends at affordable prices. Whether visiting a Target
store or shopping online at Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and
convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and
highly differentiated items. Target Stores, along with its parent
company Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT), gives back more than $2 million
a week to its local communities through grants and special programs.
Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with
nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community
needs.
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