The Great Designers, Part One

Armani Privé evening gown. Silver silk, Diamond Leaf Swarovski crystals. Fall 2007.

Now on view at The Museum at FIT is The Great Designers, Part One. Jennifer Farley and Colleen Hill co-curated fifty garments from FIT’s own collection of over 50,000 garments and accessories to celebrate the greatest designers of the 20th and 21st centuries, arranged alphabetically from A to Z.

This unique approach means you will see pieces by Cristóbal Balenciaga but also by Nicholas Ghesquière for Balenciaga; dresses by Coco Chanel, as well as by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel. It also allows the viewer to look at garments by lesser-known design houses such as Boudicca, represented in this exhibit with a striking black and white ensemble from their Fall 2006 collection.

On the left is a coat by Cristóbal Balenciaga from Fall 1950 made of gray, brown, tan and black cut silk velvet. On the right is a 2007 coat by Nicholas Ghesquière for Balenciaga of wool, leather and chinchilla.

Boudicca (Zowie Broach & Brian Kirby) ensemble. White cotton, black polyester net, black rayon stretch knit, black leather. Fall 2006.

Note the black ruffled crinoline underneath the unusual cut of this skirt.

A 1954 Charles James evening gown of dark emerald green silk satin.

A 1947 Mainbocher evening dress on the left, a Claire McCardell evening Popover dress from 1955 on the right.

Viewers will enjoy works by famous mid-century American designers like Charles James, Mainbocher, and Claire McCardell, as well as standout (and unusual) groupings such as the 1908 Paul Poiret coat alongside Miuccia Prada’s 2008 Guipere lace skirt and blouse, and Gareth Pugh’s 2007 black wool and patent leather dress.

An interesting juxtaposition, left to right, of Poiret, Prada and Pugh, from 1908, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

A 1908 Paul Poiret coat of black silk faille and black and gold silk fringe.

Miuccia Prada’s 2008 Guipure lace blouse and skirt.

A closeup of Gareth Pugh’s 2007 dress of black wool and patent leather appliqué.

The Great Designers, Part One is on view until May 8, 2012. The second half of the exhibit, The Great Designers, Part Two, will open May 23, 2012.

The Museum at FIT
Seventh Avenue and 27th Street
New York NY 10001-5992
212-217-4558
Hours: Tuesday-Friday: Noon-8PM
Saturday: 10AM-5PM
Closed Sundays, Mondays, and legal holidays
Admission is free