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Works of “Force of Nature”

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Works of “Force of Nature”

25 to 48 of 66 Exhibition Information

91.241.136

Charles James

1954-1955

91.241.127

Charles James

1955

75.180.42

early 1960s

2013.79.1

Bill Cunningham

1960s

82.42.4

Halston

c. 1965

82.153.149

Capezio

1966

82.153.72

Rudi Gernreich

1966

87.19.1

Balenciaga

1967

Tunic (88.1.15) with vest and skirt ensemble (88.1.153)

Giorgio di Sant'Angelo

1968

2008.15.1

Mr. Fish

c. 1970

80.261.9

Pierre Cardin

Spring 1969

88.170.1

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche

c. 1972

96.84.1

Valentino Couture

1974

2014.63.3

Chanel

c. 1989

Top (P88.76.2) and skirt (P87.41.1)

Jean Paul Gaultier pour Gibo

1987

2016.82.14

Patrick Kelly

Spring 1988

Top (P88.76.2) and skirt (P87.41.1)

Jean Paul Gaultier

1988

2011.13.1

Thierry Mugler

Spring 1989

94.16.1

Oscar de la Renta

Spring 1992

98.45.1

Dolce and Gabbana

Spring 1998

98.77.3

Manolo Blahnik

1998

98.77.1

Manolo Blahnik

1998

98.45.2

Dolce and Gabbana

Spring/Summer 1998

2016.15.1

Alexander McQueen

Spring/Summer 2003

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Exhibition Info

Force of Nature

Force of Nature examined how the beauty and complexity of the natural world inspired fashion designers for centuries. The exhibition placed more than 95 objects from MFIT’s permanent collection, dating from the 18th century to the present, within a context of period philosophies and scientific literature in order to demonstrate the deep interconnectedness between fashion and nature.

A 1775 robe à l’anglaise with a naturalistic pattern of fruit and flowers, illustrated a movement towards simple dress, influenced by philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau, who urged a return to nature. A dress by Alexander McQueen from his acclaimed final collection in 2010, presented a meditation upon Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution and concern over climate change.

More than a survey of flora, fauna, and geology as merely decorative, the exhibition revealed the natural world as a nexus of ideas and symbolism in fashion design. Force of Nature aimed to contribute to today’s important, ongoing conversation about society’s relationship with the natural world and humankind’s place within it.