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Want to see this vibrant Thea Porter dress in person? Make a beeline for the MFA Boston, where it's currently on display in Hippie Chic, an exhibit celebrating the fashions of the Woodstock generation. On view through November 11, 2013, Hippie Chic... Read Article ››
Helmut Lang sheer dress, c. 1994
If something is good, it doesn't go out of style every six months. — Helmut Lang1 Helmut Langc. 1994Gift of Doris Raymond in honor of Kevin Jones2011.800.1 Almost classical in its simplicity, this black dress demonstrates Helmut Lang's (b. 1956)... Read Article ››
Evening dress, c. 1926
No matter what your feelings about director Baz Luhrmann's new cinematic adaption of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic American novel The Great Gatsby, you can't deny that the film is generating interest in 1920s fashion. Though reaction to the... Read Article ››
From the Archives: Pucci maxi dress, 1964
Today's post, originally published in 2010, explores a 1964 Pucci print inspired by designer Emilio Pucci's travels in Africa. ********** Emilio Pucci's (1914-1992) intensely colored prints are one of the most easily identifiable signatures in... Read Article ››
Butterflies abound
Though we're not a natural history museum or a science center, we have lots of butterflies in our collection. No taxidermy specimens here, FIDM Museum butterflies are woven, printed, painted, and embroidered. Our curatorial team has no specific intent to... Read Article ››
Ossie Clark ensemble, c. 1969
In August 1965, British Vogue featured the designs of Ossie Clark, a recent graduate of London's Royal College of Art. Clark's graduation collection featured the graphic patterns and short shift dresses that were popular in the freewheeling milieu of... Read Article ››
From the Archives: Quilted petticoat, c. 1840-45
This quilted petticoat is a fascinating garment. Though worn as an undergarment, it features detailed quilting and a cheerful textile. We first published this post in late 2009, but with winter weather on the horizon, it seemed a good time to revisit this... Read Article ››
Muslin dress, c. 1845
The ideal 1840s woman was a delicate being. She was innocent, modest, sensitive to etiquette, possessed of softly rounded shoulders and had a demure gaze. According to one 1843 description, proper young women, "never go into a passion, have no will of... 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 ››
Todd Oldham patchwork vest
Todd Oldham1991-92Museum Purchase2005.5.9 Todd Oldham's (b. 1961) designs were anything but basic. Instead of tasteful button down shirts or quiet business suits, Oldham offered eclectic ornamentation and an exuberant, catch-all approach to inspiration.... Read Article ››
From the Archives: Holly’s Harp evening dress
Today's post features a late 1970s Holly's Harp dress. We've reposted this garment today because it is currently on view at The Autry in California's Designing Women, 1896–1986. On view through January 2013, this exhibit focuses on... Read Article ››
Wedding gown, 1910-1911
One of the priciest clothing purchases a woman can make, a wedding gown is worn only once. After the wedding, the gown is carefully tucked away, becoming an heirloom for future generations. In some families, a wedding gown is later altered and worn by... Read Article ››