If you happen to be in NYC and can spare an hour or 2, make your way to the FIT and browse your way through the Fabric in Fashion Exhibit that is going on now until May 4, 2019. There is some wonderful eye candy (from several different time periods) for you to drool over! Pictures are allowed, as long as you do not use flash.
As you enter the exhibit, the first dress is the portrays the Exhibit’s theme – Fabric in Fashion. The dress is a reproduction (not the original). It stands alone, with a light directed at it. Different filters are cycled through, showing how the dress would look if it were made from different fabrics. The patterns run from a William Morris-type to the mod fabrics of the (19)60’s.
The different displays have a wide variety of garments from several different time periods. The fabrications are a wonder to see. Some of the garments use fabric that is simple, but the way it is draped transforms the garment into something special.
This dress is created from a silk chiffon. The skirt is draped in swags and attached to a boned bodice.
The skirt lays over a hooped underskirt to give it shape.
When I saw this jacket, I quickly leaned in to see (what I thought) was Trapunto work.
As you can see, the detail on this is amazing and I was itching to turn it inside out to take a closer look (and no luck there…..).
You can see the work along the sleeve, as well as on the back of the jacket in the pictures above. As I read the information card, my jaw dropped. These motifs were actually woven INTO the fabric! Incredible! The knowledge and mastery of weaving required to do this seamlessly is truly a talent. Ralph Rucci (designer) is only the 2nd American to be invited to join the Chambre Syndicale, which is the French regulating commission that decides which which fashion houses are eligible to be labeled as haute couture houses. In France, the designation as haute couture, is protected. You can’t just add that to your label!
As I post more, I will add pictures of more of the garments on display in this exhibit.