In Pictures Exhibitionism; 50 years of the Museum at FIT

FIT is celebrating its anniversary with a greatest hits from its archive. Covering half a century of thought-provoking and educational presentations, the retrospective entitled “Exhibitionism” brings together garments from 33 of its most talked about shows: From among the earliest, 1976’s “Paul Poiret, The King of Fashion” through to the celebration of American design “Halston, Absolute Modernism” from 1992, to quirkier exhibits such as “Jocks and Nerds” (1989). Celebrating the link between fashion and art was the focus of “Fashion and Surrealism” (1987) while spotlighting that grand dame of early twentieth century design the intention behind “Madame Grès, Sphinx of Fashion” (2008).

Other notable exhibits represented are “China, East Meets West” (1999), “Shoes, A Lexicon of Style” (1999),“American Beauty” (2009), “Ivy Style (2012), “Daphne Guinness” (2011).

Garments on display range from a pantheon of creators past and present: Madeleine Vionnet, Charles James, Adrian, Claire McCardell, Pierre Cardin, André Courrèges, Ossie Clark, Yves Saint Laurent, Halston, Comme Des Garçons, Vivienne Westworrd, XULY Bet, Martin Margiela, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Boudicca, Roberto Cavalli, Gareth Pugh, Junya Watanabe, Rick Owens, Prada, Gucci, Rodarte and Undercover among others.

Exhibitionism runs until March 8, 2019.

Fashion editor Jackie Mallon is also an educator and author of Silk for the Feed Dogs, a novel set in the international fashion industry.

Photos FashionUnited.