Dressed for Disco
When Italian-born, New York-based designer Giorgio di Sant'Angelo (1933-1989) launched his label in 1969, he quickly became known for his colorful, intricately constructed gowns inspired by ethnic dress and Renaissance and... Read Article ››

Wool and linen bodice, c. 1904
This bodice from our Study Collection is something of a puzzle. Though its silhouette concurs with the mid-1910s, the embellishment is somewhat idiosyncratic, suggesting that the wearer had a very specific sartorial vision. Consisting of an open-front bodice... Read Article ››

Versace Mare bikini, c. 1994
According to the inimitable fashion editor and curator Diana Vreeland, a bikini reveals "everything about a girl except her mother's maiden name."1 As Vreeland noted, bikinis are defined by their scant coverage and are rarely more than a few... Read Article ››

Red and black ensemble, 1894-96
In the 1890s, most women’s dresses were made-to-measure. Though ready-made clothing was increasingly common, garments that required a precise fit or featured delicate embellishment were typically custom-made, either by the wearer herself, or by a trusted... Read Article ››

Gianni Versace leather suit, 1994
Schoolgirl chic with a naughty edge was a strong theme throughout Gianni Versace’s Autumn/Winter 1994-95 collection. Statuesque supermodels Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Nadja Auermann walked the runway clad in shiny,... Read Article ››

Gothe evening gown, early 1950s
How do you pin a corsage on a strapless gown? This question was posed by florists in the early 1950s, when strapless evening and ball gowns were all the rage. In lieu of pinning the corsage on a shoulder strap, florists suggested creative alternatives. Create... Read Article ››

Bubble silhouette, 1958-59
  Cocktail dress 1958-59 Gift of Steven Porterfield S2007.897.8 In March 1958, Vogue lauded the new variety in fashionable silhouettes: "a whole lovely flight of new forms--winged, floating, or held slightly away from the body in some... Read Article ››

Silk chiffon evening dress, 1975
  Evening dress1975Silk chiffon & silk crepeGift of Phyllis WayneS2007.915.1AB Purchased in 1975 at Sak's Fifth Avenue Beverly Hills, this dress was worn by the donor to a family wedding. After the wedding, it was packed away and never worn... Read Article ››

1970s Gunne Sax dresses
  Gunne Sax's aesthetic has been described as feminine, nostalgic, Victorian, old world and romantic. Though the brand is now closely associated with formal and bridal wear, its origins date back to late '60s San Francisco. In 1969, San... Read Article ››

Duck dress, c. 1930
  Day dress c. 1930 Gift of Steven Porterfield S2007.897.39 The charming idiosyncrasy of this dress always gets a smile. From a distance, it is simply a black day dress with a 1920s silhouette and bright red applied decoration. But take a closer look... Read Article ››
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