Elegant evening clothes from the mid 19th century to the end of the 20th century will highlight how Americans have dressed for special occasions. From the finery of the 19th century to the lime green Mollie Parnis gown worn by First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson to the first State Dinner honoring a female leader, Indira Gandhi this exhibit shows how the popular silhouette of the era was enhanced by fine fabrics and embellishment for important events.
Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.
Whether or not you go, The History of Modern Fashion: From 1850 looks at the history of fashion from 1850 to 2010. This lavishly illustrated book takes a decade-by-decade approach, exploring the history of fashion as a lively and dynamic manifestation of twentieth-century culture. Covering chronological changes in womenswear, menswear, and childrenswear, the book looks at the dissemination of style and the mechanisms of change, at the relationship between fashion and the visual, applied, and performing arts, the intertwined relationship between fashion and popular culture, the impact of new materials and technology, and the growing globalization of style. Illustrated with photographs of costume from museums and images from the fashion press including editorial photography, illustrations, and advertising, the book will include insights into icons of fashion and the clothes worn by "real people", providing a valuable visual reference.
The History of Modern Fashion: From 1850
