The Latest Exhibit at The Museum at FIT: Statement Sleeves
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SLEEVES IN FASHION
From January 24 - August 25 2024, The Museum at FIT will be showcasing fashion designers work on sleeves. Balenciaga, Tom Ford, Schiaparelli, and Vivienne Westwood are some of the legendary and celebrated designers that who’s work is included in the exhibit. These sleeves have been constructed in an exaggerated way that catches ones eye. They emphasize on the role that sleeves play in self-expression that mirror ones movement and gestures. These sleeves can tell one fashion trends in the eras that they belonged to, and how status also had significance in the construction of the sleeves. Colleen Hill carefully arranged Statement Sleeves by showcasing approximately 80 permanent pieces from The Museum at FIT, some of which are being displayed for the very first time.
Carolina Herrera x Madame Grès x LaQuan Smith
From left to right:
Carolina Herrera: Black Silk Cut Velvet Evening Dress, Fall 1981
Madame Grès: Navy blue silk tissue taffeta evening dress, Circs 1980
LaQuan Smith: Navy Blue Acetate Faille Dress, Spring 2022
Milgrim x Christian Dior Boutique
From left to right:
Milgrim: Brown and multicolor printed silk evening ensemble 1924
Christian Dior Boutique: Printed red silk evening ensemble, Fall 2003
Christian Dior (Marc Bohan)
Peach silk crepe dress with feather and rhinestone embellishments, Fall 1968
Pauline Trigère x Christopher John Rogers
From left to right:
Pauline Trigère: Multicolor checked cotton dress, Circa 1970
Christopher John Rogers: Striped multicolor viscose blend dress, collection 009, 2023
Our visit to FIT’s museum gave us a deeper understanding of ideas a designer might have when creating not only just a garment, but every element that is attached to it. Not only do they add to the style or aesthetic of ones clothing, but they serve as a silhouette as well. Sleeves did not become a preeminent fashion statement until the Renaissance when sleeves even became detachable.
We enjoyed learning how fashion has always had one consistent concept which is that what your wear is one of the most unique and easiest ways that you can express yourself. As a company who ateliers, we love to help designers include those self-expressing details in their work. If there is an exhibit one would like to go see in order to feel inspired, or to have a different outlook on how to express oneself in their clothing, the Statement Sleeves exhibit is the perfect one to visit!
ReferenceS
https://www.fitnyc.edu/museum/exhibitions/statement-sleeves/index.php
https://www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/fashion/2022/Mar/21/wearing-purpose-on-your-sleeve-2432694.html#:~:text=Sleeves%20are%20being%20used%20to,the%2Dtop%20yet%20pretty%20sleeves.
https://www.universityoffashion.com/blog/the-age-of-extreme-super-sleeves/
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