I was so excited about this "Fairy Tale Fashion"exhibit at the Museum of FIT that I included it in my museum round-up for Winter 2016, sight unseen. (NOTE: I only recommend the things I'm willing to try. If I don't think it's hot, why would you.) Anyway, at my first opportunity, I jetted over to the museum. Um. FIT under promised and over-delivered, by far. Let me say this high up: if you have a chance to see this exhibit, GO!!!
The idea behind the exhibition is that the phrase "fairy tale" is used in fashion circles to describe clothing that is particularly ornate and seemingly out of reach. Clothing also plays a significant role in fairytales, think Cinderella's ball gown or glass slippers; or Little Red Riding Hood's, well hood. The curators used garments and accessories from the 18th century to present-day to fuse the phrase "fairy tale" and actual "fairytales" into a magical display.
There are 15 fairytales featured, including Cinderella, Little red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel, Snow White, The Little Mermaid. I've included my favorites from the exhibition below. See if you match the dress and accessories with the story.
Kristy Mitchell "Once Upon A Time" (2009)
Kristy Mitchell, "the Ghost Swift, 2012
Judith Leiber bag, 2013
Purple dress, Dolce & Gabbana (2014); Red dress, Soronen (2007), Striped dress, Rodarte (2008)
Rodarte (2008)
Rodarte (2008)
From L to R: Jean Paul Gaultier (2002), Alexander McQueen (2008),
Alexander McQueen (2008)
Marchesa (2012), Zuhair Murad (spring 2015)
Zuhair Murad (spring 2015)
Zuhair Murad (spring 2015)
Zuhair Murad (spring 2015)
Marchesa (2012)
From L to R: Charles James (1954-55), Jean Louis Sabaji (2015), unknown, Undercover (2015)
Undercover (2015)
Undercover (2015)
Undercover (2015)
The Swan Dress, Charles James (1954-55)
Jean Louis Sabaji (2013)
La Sirene, Charles James (1956-7)
Nicholas Kirkwood (2010)
From L to R: unknown, Court dress (1755), Rodarte (2007)
Court dress (1755)
Rodarte (2007)
From L to R: Mary Liotta (1930); Bibhu Mohapatra (spring 2015), Zandra Rhodes (1981), unknown
Zandra Rhodes (1981)
Noritaka Tatehana (2014)
Holly Fowler (2014)
Armari Prive' (2007), Holly Fowler (2014),
From L to R: Yoshiki Hishinuma (2001), Alexander McQueen (2010), Giles (2015),
Alexander McQueen (2010)
Alexander McQueen (2010)
Dolce and Gabanna (2012)
Dolce and Gabanna (2012)
Red Ensemble: Thom Browne (2013)
Thom Browne (2013)
Thom Browne (2013)
Andrea Chaves (2011)
(L) Dolce and Gabanna (2014)
Dolce and Gabanna (2014)
Dolce and Gabanna (2014)