Mollie Parnis

Mollie Parnis (d. 1992), a mid-twentieth century New York designer who dressed First Ladies and movie stars, once told a reporter, "The last thing I want to talk about is what people are wearing."[1] A curious sentiment for a woman who spent her... Read Article ››

My Funny Valentine

Have you ever panicked over what to buy your Valentine? Women typically receive chocolates, roses, and teddy bears, but what is the classic Valentine’s Day gift for men? Perhaps this pair of silly novelty boxers, complete with an amorous pun and kitschy... Read Article ››

Ceil Chapman

Best remembered today as Marilyn Monroe's favorite designer, Ceil Chapman was famous in the 1940s and '50s for her glamorous yet affordable evening looks. Her ready-to-wear "dream dresses," as the New York Times called them in... Read Article ››

Ranch Dressing, Part 1

The American West has been a powerful influence on fashion since the 1920s, when Hollywood films romanticized the cowboy myth and city slickers from the East Coast traveled west to experience ranch living as "dudes": tourists who dressed... Read Article ››

Put On Your Christmas Sweater!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the FIDM Museum & Galleries! The blog will be on holiday until January 5, but you can follow our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds for daily updates from the world of fashion. See you in 2016!... Read Article ››

Selling the Scents of the Season

In 1950, most women viewed perfume as a luxury item, reserved for special occasions, and it represented less than one percent of the overall cosmetics market.1 Because it had a higher profit margin than skincare products or makeup, however, the beauty... Read Article ››

Something Wicked This Way Comes

With Halloween approaching, these black evening gowns in the FIDM Museum's permanent collection epitomize spooky chic for the stroke of midnight. Traditionally, witches have been portrayed in black, the color of darkness, power, and evil. But black is not... Read Article ››

Intern Post: Where the Stars Shopped

FIDM Museum summer intern Becca Love, a master’s candidate at the  Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, is studying the relationship between high fashion, celebrity, and the department store. Her graduate thesis explores the... Read Article ››

What I Wish I Wore on My Summer Vacation

American clothing manufacturers looked to Europe for design inspiration in the years before World War II; London for tailored daywear and Paris for elaborate eveningwear. Not until combat closed France's borders were American designers, such as Claire... Read Article ››

From the Archives: Bubble silhouette, 1958-59

The FIDM Museum blog will be on hiatus through early January 2015. In the meantime, enjoy weekly posts from the archives. To keep up with our current projects, find us on Facebook and Twitter, which will be updated regularly during the blog hiatus. This late... Read Article ››

Fashion Birthday: Edith Head

  Edith Head, costume designer extraordinaire, was born on this day in 1897! Head designed costumes for hundreds of films and dressed some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Kim Novak, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren, Elizabeth... Read Article ››

Fall dressing: Coats and Jackets

  As today is the first full day of fall, it seems only appropriate to take a look at some of the warm and cozy garments in our collection. So, today we bring you a selection of coats and jackets, from sensible wool to patterned lamé. Let us know if... Read Article ››
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