American Woman

Sunday, May 2, 2010



House of Chanel Designer: Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel 1934

They say Fashion is a Science. Fashion trend forecasters study past trends and develop a system in which they are able to forecast recurring fashion cycles. While studying at FIT I took an art history course that traced the chronological study of costume designs and the relation of recurring style trends to contemporary fashion.
The connection between past fashion styles and how they relate to the styles of today will be on display at the Met this coming May in a new installation. American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity will explore developing perceptions of the modern American woman from 1890 to 1940 and how they have affected the way American women are seen today. Focusing on archetypes of American femininity through dress, the exhibition will reveal how the American woman initiated style revolutions that mirrored her social, political, and sexual emancipation. "Gibson Girls," "Bohemians," and "Screen Sirens," among others, helped lay the foundation for today's American woman.

The collection includes these dresses below...You would never know that they are not from a 2010 collection!


Charles James 1939


Charles James 1941



Mrs. Eta Hentz "Athena" Dress 1943


Charles James 1951-1952
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