Anyone in on the fashion scene in New York knows that FIT is one of the hubs of the industry. The Fashion Institute of Technology is an internationally recognized college for design, fashion and art and it’s museum hosts a spectacular collection of clothing and costumes from around the world. Year round they host both award winning exhibitions and student gallery shows where you can stop by and admire the works of New York’s future designers.
In a city as fashionable as New York, its natural that expositions like these come up every once in a while. Fashion is a living art but is also something that takes its cues from the past. Just look at the revival of suede. And distressed denim. And 90’s punk.
New Yorkers obviously take pride in their status as global fashion icons and museums across the city often host expositions about sartorial life. The FIT Museum is obviously no different. According to their website, their mission is to “advance knowledge of fashion through exhibitions, programs and publications.” Throughout their three galleries, you are immersed in the history of fashion, from pieces made by luxury designers to outfits worn by your everyday Jane. They explain,
“The museum’s permanent collection encompasses some 50,000 garments and accessories from the 18th century to the present. Important designers such as Adrian, Balenciaga, Chanel, and Dior are represented. The collecting policy of the museum focuses on aesthetically and historically significant directional clothing, accessories, textiles and visual materials, with emphasis on contemporary avant-garde fashion.”
The Fashion Unraveled expo which opens in May is dedicated to exploring the imperfections that our clothing has after wear and tear-intentional or not. According to the website, the expo is
“an innovative exhibition devoted to the concepts of imperfection and in-completion in fashion. Garments that are altered, unfinished, or deconstructed, in addition to clothing that shows signs of wear, will highlight the aberrant beauty in flawed objects. Unless such imperfections are intentional — as they are in the case of deconstructed fashion — these items are often overlooked in museum collections. Fashion Unraveled includes a selection of more than 65 garments, accessories, and textiles from the museum’s permanent collection, highlighting objects that are not only visually compelling, but that often also tell intriguing stories about their makers and/or wearers.”
So, your ripped jeans could very well end up in an exhibit like this some time in the future.
Featured image: chocolatecashmerecloset.blogspot.com