NEW YORK - MoMA - Items: Is fashion modern?

Visiting the MoMA in New York was another thing I was highly anticipating when going to New York. When we there, the exhibition ‘Items: Is fashion modern?’ was taking place. The exhibition explores the present, past and future precedence of 111 items of clothing and accessories that have had a strong impact on the world in the 20th and 21st centuries - and continue to hold currency today. The list consisted of must have items such YSL touche éclat, wonderbras, tattoos and Air Force 1’s.

Upon entering the exhibition we were presented with a collection of classic little black dresses. Although it was the first collection we encountered it was definitely one of my favourite parts of the exhibition; I’ve always admired the LBD. Throughout the twentieth century, the little black dress's silhouette has continuously transformed. From Dior’s waist accentuating dress, to the sleek and sophisticated collections of Givenchy, to the sculptural, sexy dresses of Thierry Mugler. The MoMA’s collection of LBDs showed a kaleidoscope of attitudes for a timeless concept. All the little black dresses selected in the collection represent different contexts and embodiments of a timeless concept; the LBD will always stand as a metaphor for modernity.

The connotations the LBD holds with mourning date back to ancient times but the link became stronger in Victorian England after Queen Victoria refused to wear anything other than black while getting over the death of her husband. The association of black with grief shows notions of timeless elegance, flexibility and and quintessential fashionability. Pia Interlandi spoke of her Little Black (Death) Dress that incorporates versatility, sophistication and understated glamour, saying the garment was designed ‘to carry one from this world to the next, a garment literally created for the grave - the ensemble upends the traditional relationship between person and dress; its wearer participates in its creation but never sees herself wearing the final result.’

The following images attached are other highlights I enjoyed from the exhibition: