Picturing Fashion
Picturing Fashion
Highlights from the Museum's Costume Collection,
1860-1920
March - September, 2008
Highlights from the Museum's Costume Collection,
1860-1920
March - September, 2008
Photographs show how a woman desired to present herself to the outside world. With a tilt of her head, a casual smile, or the set of her shoulders, along with the photographer, the sitter is making a statement about beauty and style.
The clothing and photographs in this exhibition provide a glimpse into how women interpreted beauty and style from 1860 to 1920. They were chosen for a variety of reason: some are good examples of costumes of the era; some were chosen because of their display of self-expression; and some found their way into the hearts and imaginations of the creators of this exhibit.
Picturing Fashion will be on display in the Mezzanine of the Main Museum through September 2008.
Highlights from the exhibit:
Dora Ritzler Fast, 1889
During the 1880s, most dress fashions had tight-fitting bodices and sleeves, a long waist, a high collar, and a large shelf-like bustle worn protuding from the derriere. Skirts were asymmetrically draped and had a street-length hem. The look, combined with the high-crowned hat, created a sense of height and slimness with its vertical emphasis. Dora Ritzler Fast wore this greeen and tan two-piece dress at her 1889 wedding. Dora diverged slightly from the traditional late 1880s style when she borrowed for the newly-fashionable Directoire style. This style, popularized by actress Sarah Bernhardt, featured an asymmetrical bodice with lace fichu effect and an undraped skirt. Dora's skirt features long tails, which create the appearance of an underskirt.
During the 1880s, most dress fashions had tight-fitting bodices and sleeves, a long waist, a high collar, and a large shelf-like bustle worn protuding from the derriere. Skirts were asymmetrically draped and had a street-length hem. The look, combined with the high-crowned hat, created a sense of height and slimness with its vertical emphasis. Dora Ritzler Fast wore this greeen and tan two-piece dress at her 1889 wedding. Dora diverged slightly from the traditional late 1880s style when she borrowed for the newly-fashionable Directoire style. This style, popularized by actress Sarah Bernhardt, featured an asymmetrical bodice with lace fichu effect and an undraped skirt. Dora's skirt features long tails, which create the appearance of an underskirt.
Eliza Ashe, circa 1896
At the age of fourteen, the daughter of Elliott Ashe (for whom Ashe Road is named) seems overwhelmed by the fashionably large leg-of-mutton sleeves. The large leg-of-mutton sleeves, which came to define the 1890s, were popular for only a short amount of time. The sleeves reached their maximum size in 1895-96, and vanished abruptly by 1897.
At the age of fourteen, the daughter of Elliott Ashe (for whom Ashe Road is named) seems overwhelmed by the fashionably large leg-of-mutton sleeves. The large leg-of-mutton sleeves, which came to define the 1890s, were popular for only a short amount of time. The sleeves reached their maximum size in 1895-96, and vanished abruptly by 1897.
Irma Weill, circa 1905
Illustrator Charles Dana Gibson's pen and ink drawings of women became the standard for feminine beauty during the early 1900s. The so-called "Gibson Girl" was tall and slender with an ample bosom, hips, and derriere. Her 'S' curve silhouette was achieved by corseting that thrust out her bosom and derriere. With her wasp waist, generous 'mono' bust with no cleavage, and high-piled hair, Irma Weill is the epitome of the Gibson Girl's 'S'-bend silhouette.
Illustrator Charles Dana Gibson's pen and ink drawings of women became the standard for feminine beauty during the early 1900s. The so-called "Gibson Girl" was tall and slender with an ample bosom, hips, and derriere. Her 'S' curve silhouette was achieved by corseting that thrust out her bosom and derriere. With her wasp waist, generous 'mono' bust with no cleavage, and high-piled hair, Irma Weill is the epitome of the Gibson Girl's 'S'-bend silhouette.
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