This past weekend I visited Philadelphia and got the chance to check out the current fashion exhibit at the Museum of Art. It was so beautiful and if you’re in Philly before March 3rd, when it closes, I definitely recommend checking it out. In this post, I have a few photos of the exhibit as well as my thoughts on it. I also got to check out another exhibit as well and I talk a bit about that at the end. If you want to read more about the Fabulous Fashion exhibit you can also check out the museum’s website here.
This gown towards the beginning of the exhibit immediately reminded me of my own midnight blue dress I wore to my first father-daughter dance in 1st grade. It was ironic because this dress was also designed in that same year, 2001. That moment reminded me of the scene in The Devil Wears Prada when Miranda explains the influence high fashion has over fast fashion (aka the infamous belt scene).
This was probably my favorite dress because I found it to be so beautiful. It’s a cocktail dress from the 1960s by Emilio Schuberth. It was made in Italy and it reminded me of when I took my Italian Fashion course in college. If I had lived in the 60’s I would have loved to wear a dress like this.
When I first saw this piece I thought it had too much going on, especially with the ostrich feathers, but if I’m being honest I’m kind of in love with this dress. It’s designed by Gérard Pipart in 1968 and again if I lived in the 60’s I would see myself wearing this. It’s funny because when I picture
Grace Kelly Fashion
Towards the end of the exhibit was a beautiful bridal section. In the middle of it was a glass case featuring accessories for Grace Kelly’s wedding but her wedding dress was not on display. It was nice to see her accessories but I had wished the dress would also be on display. They did have a plaque with information on the dress, explaining that the museum does have it but that the dress is too fragile to be on display at the moment. I hope they can restore it so that I can visit again and see it in person.
Two For the Price of One
Towards the exit, I noticed another room which belonged to a different exhibit. I found that it was another fashion exhibit but this one was titled Little Ladies: Victorian Fashion Dolls and the Feminine Ideal. It was centered around dolls influence on fashion and culture in the late 1800s. I found it incredibly interesting because it highlighted how young girls were essentially trained on how to do housework through dolls.
These dolls were considered an element of class as they were expensive and typically imported from France and Germany. It was really interesting to read about the pieces in the exhibit and how they influenced the social norms of the time. If you visit the museum for Fabulous Fashion I definitely recommend stopping by this exhibit as well!