Untying the Bow

The School of Graduate Studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), in collaboration with The Museum at FIT (MFIT), presents Untying the Bow , a new exhibition conceived of and organized by graduate students in the college’s Fashion and Textiles Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice program. The exhibition invites viewers to delve into the captivating world of bows and explores the impact of bows as they transcended their humble utilitarian origins to become a sophisticated and influential component of personal style.

Untying the Bow is presented in three thematic sections: Form and Functions begins by tracing the bow’s utilitarian origins. The next section, Status and Gender, explores the “bow’s” symbolism as a marker and subverter of status and gender. Finally, in Abstraction, the exhibition examines how the symbolism of bows has evolved into abstract forms and patterns. Experiments with scale and technique have allowed bows to transcend their original form to become captivating motifs. Untying the Bow is a transformative journey, unraveling the hidden narratives and cultural expressions that have elevated the bow from a mere structural element to a timeless icon in fashion.