- artwork analysis
- garment analysis
- film analysis
1856 – Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Madame Moitessier
In Ingres’s 1856 portrait, Madame Moitessier wears a fashionable off-the-shoulder dress with a bertha collar trimmed with tassels. The evening dress reflects her elegant taste and features the essential elements of 1850s fashion--from its floral silk brocade fabric to its Renaissance-revival jewelry.
1860 – Cream silk evening dress
This light pinky peach dress covered in ruched bows and with full crinoline-supported skirt epitomizes the early 1860s ball gown. With delicate detailing and a simple color palette this garment is sophisticated yet effortless--perfectly in line with the fashions of the day.
1939 – Cukor, The Women / 1956 – Miller, The Opposite Sex
Trusting Park Avenue socialite Mary Haines (Norma Shearer) loses her husband to scheming shopgirl Crystal Allen (Joan Crawford), and can only win him back if she becomes as cunning as her so-called friends.
- designer profile
- thematic essays
- year overview
1948-1987 – Willi Smith
Willi Smith was the popularly renowned designer behind Williwear, a womenswear line that opened in 1976. He was known for his innovative blend of the newly-emerging concept of streetwear with high fashion.
Roaring & Swinging: Shared Fashionable Ideals of Flappers and Mods
Flappers and mods rebelled against the traditional image of femininity held by the generations before them. Although their worlds were very different, their fashion and beauty ideals were remarkably similar.
- ancient
- Middle Ages
- 14th century
- 15th century
- 16th century
- 17th century
clavus/clavi
Decorative vertical stripes that ran over the shoulder on the front and back of a Late Roman or Byzantine tunic.
barbette
A piece of linen which passes under the chin and is pinned at the sides, usually worn in conjunction with additional head coverings during the Middle Ages.
pattens
Wooden-soled platform over-shoes, which were commonly worn from the 14th century to the 18th century.
1420-1429
The duchy of Burgundy, enriched by the wealth of its Flemish cities, was the leading center of fashion during the 1420s. The Duke of Burgundy's alliance with England supported the production of the finest woolen textiles, woven in Flanders from English yarn. Merchants used their profits from manufacture and trade to rival aristocrats as the greatest consumers of Italian silk velvets and other luxuries. Throughout Europe, men dressed in black and women with tall, horn-shaped headdresses were signs of Burgundian influence.
1583/5 – Annibale Carracci, Portrait of a Woman Holding a Clock
This 16th-century portrait attributed to Annibale Carracci is valuable for its realistic depiction of a Black sitter, possibly a seamstress, who is dressed in a fine but sensible black day dress with touches of Italian luxury.
1650 – Diego Velázquez, Juan de Pareja
This dignified portrait by Diego Velázquez depicts his enslaved Black assistant, Juan de Pareja, who was a skilled artist in his own right.
- 18th century
- 19th century
- 20th century
- 21st century
- BIPOC
- LGBTQ+
1700-1709
In 1700-1709, the mantua remained the dominant womenswear garment, while men continued to wear the coat, waistcoat and breeches as they had at the end of the 17th century.
muslin
Muslin is a simple plain-weave textile made out of cotton and available in varying weights and finishes. Historically, there were also varieties of muslin in silk and wool.
1990-1999
As the 20th century came to a close, fashion reached its most casual. Both men and women adopted grunge fashion in the early part of the decade and loose, oversized clothing and jeans became staples. As the decade progressed, women's fashion became more streamlined as minimalism became de rigueur, while children's clothing often featured popular Disney characters.
2004 – Tom Ford for Gucci, Acid Green Evening Gown
This 2004 acid green sequin gown embodies the sex appeal and modern lines that Tom Ford’s designs have been known for throughout his career.
1948-1987 – Willi Smith
Willi Smith was the popularly renowned designer behind Williwear, a womenswear line that opened in 1976. He was known for his innovative blend of the newly-emerging concept of streetwear with high fashion.
1948-1987 – Willi Smith
Willi Smith was the popularly renowned designer behind Williwear, a womenswear line that opened in 1976. He was known for his innovative blend of the newly-emerging concept of streetwear with high fashion.