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Seduction

Exhibition Info
Seduction December 9, 2008 - June 16, 2009

Seduction is traditionally defined as an act of temptation and enticement, often sexual in nature. Throughout history, men and women have utilized seductive clothing to enhance physical attractiveness, as well as to convey a sense of power and social status. Seduction, the first chronological survey to explore 250 years of sexuality in fashion, examined the complex relationship between seduction and clothing, presenting a visual history of sexuality, moral standards, and social norms all observed through the prism of fashion. At least seventy looks and forty accessories were featured, including a black satin Belle Époque corset, red satin Manolo Blahnik stilettos, and a skintight black leather evening gown by John Galliano for Christian Dior.

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White corset stays with brocaded multicolor floral pattern
Corset stays
c. 1750
Man’s off-white waistcoat in red, pink and green floral brocade with silver metallic embroidery…
Man's waistcoat
c. 1780
Floor length brown silk dress with blue flowers in grid pattern and off-white neckerchief
Robe à l'anglaise
c. 1785
Pale aqua blue dress with pleated motifs on bodice above empire waist and folded motifs on shor…
Dress
c. 1818
Green velvet floor length dress with short puffed sleeves and off-white lace trim
Evening dress
c. 1832
Ivory floor length dress with vertical patterned stripes, wide open neck, V-shaped pleating at …
Dress
c. 1845
Cream silk two-piece floor length dress of off-the-shoulder cap sleeve bodice with ruffle V-sha…
Dress
c. 1865
Floor length light green morning robe with symmetrical floral embroidery and train
Peignoir
c. 1878
Blue/grey two-piece dress with button front bodice and rouched ¾ length sleeves, matching skirt…
Two-piece dress
Chouvenin & Legrand
c. 1878
Pink floral patterend silk dress with short puffed sleeves, corset bodice and long skirt with t…
Evening dress
Joseph Johnson
c. 1895
Black floral embroidered corset with white lace corset cover and light blue petticoat with whit…
Corset cover
c. 1900
White floor length cotton lawn dress with stand collar, elbow length puffed sleeves, fitted wai…
Dress
Paquin
c. 1900