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dresses that belong in museums
November 30, 2011

A First Look at F.I.T.’s New Exhibit, ‘The Great Designers’

By Charlotte Cowles

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One hundred fashion houses are represented in F.I.T.’s latest exhibit, “The Great Designers,”organized by Colleen Hill, Jennifer Farley, Fred Dennis, and Valerie Steele, who selected at least one archival piece from each house that best represents its aesthetic. The assortment wound up being so large, though, that F.I.T. has had to split it into two separate exhibits of 50 designers. Part One is now on view through May 8, and the second half kicks off on May 23. See a sampling of the garments, including a fantastic silver lamé evening gown by Thierry Mugler and an enormous saffron-colored ball skirt by Oscar de la Renta, in our slideshow.

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1 / 11 Photos
The Great Designers: Part One Gianni Versace, suit, multicolor cotton and silk, rhinestone buttons, 1991, Italy, museum purchase. Photograph &cop... The Great Designers: Part One Gianni Versace, suit, multicolor cotton and silk, rhinestone buttons, 1991, Italy, museum purchase. Photograph ©The Museum at FIT.
The Great Designers: Part One Rick Owens, bat-wing jacket and skirt, black denim, wool felt, distressed leather, gray silk crepe, fall 2008, Fran... The Great Designers: Part One Rick Owens, bat-wing jacket and skirt, black denim, wool felt, distressed leather, gray silk crepe, fall 2008, France, gift of Rick Owens. Photograph ©The Museum at FIT.
The Great Designers: Part One Elsa Schiaparelli, dress, printed black rayon, fall 1935, France, gift of Yeffe Kimball Slatin. Photograph ©Th... The Great Designers: Part One Elsa Schiaparelli, dress, printed black rayon, fall 1935, France, gift of Yeffe Kimball Slatin. Photograph ©The Museum at FIT.
The Great Designers: Part One Prada, ensemble, blue cotton lace, tan knit, patent leather, fall 2011, Italy, gift of Prada. Photograph ©The ... The Great Designers: Part One Prada, ensemble, blue cotton lace, tan knit, patent leather, fall 2011, Italy, gift of Prada. Photograph ©The Museum at FIT.
The Great Designers: Part One Oscar de la Renta, evening blouse and skirt, light green taffeta, gold silk taffeta, circa 1978, USA, gift of Penel... The Great Designers: Part One Oscar de la Renta, evening blouse and skirt, light green taffeta, gold silk taffeta, circa 1978, USA, gift of Penelope Tree. 
The Great Designers: Part One Givenchy (Alexander McQueen), coatdress, black wool, satin, metallic embroidery, fall 1997, France, gift of Mrs. Ma... The Great Designers: Part One Givenchy (Alexander McQueen), coatdress, black wool, satin, metallic embroidery, fall 1997, France, gift of Mrs. Martin D. Gruss. Photograph ©The Museum at FIT.
The Great Designers: Part One Chanel (Karl Lagerfeld), evening suit, black wool, 1986, France, gift from the Estate of Tina Chow. Photograph &cop... The Great Designers: Part One Chanel (Karl Lagerfeld), evening suit, black wool, 1986, France, gift from the Estate of Tina Chow. Photograph ©The Museum at FIT.
The Great Designers: Part One Valentino, evening dress, red silk, spring 2008, Italy, gift of Valentino. Photograph ©The Museum at FIT.
The Great Designers: Part One Thierry Mugler, evening gown, metallic silver lilac lamé, lilac satin, circa 1987, France, museum purchase. ... The Great Designers: Part One Thierry Mugler, evening gown, metallic silver lilac lamé, lilac satin, circa 1987, France, museum purchase. ©The Museum at FIT.
The Great Designers: Part One Boudicca (Zowie Broach and Brian Kirkby), ensemble, white cotton, black polyester net, black rayon stretch knit, bl... The Great Designers: Part One Boudicca (Zowie Broach and Brian Kirkby), ensemble, white cotton, black polyester net, black rayon stretch knit, black leather, fall 2006, England, museum purchase. Photograph ©The Museum at FIT.
The Great Designers: Part One Gareth Pugh, dress, black wool with patent leather appliqué, fall 2007, England, museum purchase. Photograph... The Great Designers: Part One Gareth Pugh, dress, black wool with patent leather appliqué, fall 2007, England, museum purchase. Photograph ©The Museum at FIT.
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  • slideshow
  • dresses that belong in museums
  • fashion institute of technology
  • museums
  • 100 greatest designers
  • oscar de la renta
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