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Mimi Plange, dress, Spring 2013, USA. Gift of Mimi Plange.

BLACK FASHION DESIGNERS

6/12/2016-16/5/2017

The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology presents Black Fashion Designers (December 6, 2016 – May 16, 2017), an exhibition that examines the significant, but often unrecognized, impact that designers of African descent have had on fashion. The exhibition features approximately 75 fashions by more than 60 designers. Although there have been exhibitions on individual black designers, this is the first major exhibition in many years that highlights the global history of black fashion designers from the 1950s to the present. All of the objects on display are part of the permanent collection of The Museum at FIT. 

Posted 22 October 2016

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The exhibition is accompanied by cell phone tour with multimedia content for smartphones, which provides an overview of the exhibition and additional content about selected objects. Commentary is provided by the curators, as well as from fashion designers Joe and Charlie Casley-Hayford, Eric Gaskins, Carl Jones and TJ Walker of Cross Colours, Andre Walker, model Veronica Webb, and André Leon Talley. 

Also on display is a short film, produced exclusively for the exhibition, addressing the ongoing topic of diversity within fashion. André Leon Talley leads a discussion with designers Tracy Reese and Mimi
Plange on their personal experiences as black fashion professionals and on the role of diversity in fashion. This film, like another on black fashion models featured later in the exhibition, was funded by the FIT Diversity Council. 

Duro Olowu, ensemble,
Fall 2012, England.
Gift of Duro Olowu

Black Fashion Designers opens with a fall 1986 evening dress by Patrick Kelly, embellished with vintage buttons. Buttons were a recurring motif for Kelly, whose grandmother would mend the family’s clothing. Alongside it is a fall 2012 ensemble by Nigerian-born, British designer Duro Olowu, whose knowledge of international textiles and affinity for mixing prints is evident in an intricate lace cape.

The introductory section of the exhibition also includes a beautiful wedding gown by society dressmaker Ann Lowe, who is best known for designing Jacqueline Kennedy’s wedding dress. Lawrence Steele, a Milan-based African-American designer, is represented by a stunning black evening dress accented with Swarovski crystals. Lagos-based designer Amaka Osakwe was inspired by the rich history of Nigerian story-telling when creating her contemporary, cut-fringe dress. Another highlight is Laura Smalls’s red-and-white floral print dress—famously worn by Michelle Obama when she sang with rapper Missy Elliot on James Corden’s carpool karaoke. 

Ann Lowe, wedding dress,
1968, USA.
Gift of Judith A. Tabler 

Lawrence Steele, dress, Spring
2002, Italy. Gift of Lawrence Steele

The “Evening Wear” section highlights designers such as B Michael, CD Greene, and Cushnie et Ochs, who specialize in creating event pieces. These ensembles feature luxurious, couture techniques and extraordinary details. Designer Eric Gaskins looked to the expressive brushstrokes in Franz Kline’s paintings for inspiration, creating a brushstroke effect on his 2014 evening gown by meticulously applying miniature bugle beads. Also on display is Bruce Oldfield’s elegant navy gown and Kevan Hall’s painterly, Serengeti-inspired evening dress. Oldfield is known for dressing the British aristocracy, including the late Princess Diana, and Hall’s styles are frequently seen on the Hollywood red carpet. 

Eric Gaskins, dress, 2014, USA. Gift of Eric Gaskins

Eric Gaskins, dress, 2014, USA. Gift of Eric Gaskins

Eric Gaskins, dress, 2014, USA. Gift of Eric Gaskins

For decades, high fashion has turned to African cultures for fresh ideas and embellishments, yet these appropriations are often superficial. The “African Influence” section illustrates significant ways that African and diasporic designers apply their own experiences, referencing traditional textiles and art forms to create contemporary styles. Aisha Ayensu’s dress and coat from spring 2016 combines Ankara fabrics with cut-out embroidery and artful scenes of the savannah. Ayensu created her Accra-based label Christie Brown because she wanted Ghanaian women to liberate traditional wax-print textiles from special-occasion wear and incorporate them into their everyday clothing in modern ways. 

Scott Barrie, dress, circa 1973,
USA. Gift of Naomi Sims

Joe Casely-Hayford, ensemble, fall 2015, England. Gift of Joe Casely-Hayford.

HARBISON, coat, spring 2015, USA. Gift of Harbison

Christie Brown, ensemble, spring 2016, Ghana. Gift of Christie Brown

Willi Smith, suit, circa 1984, USA.
Gift of the Council of Fashion
Designers of America (CFDA). 

Many fashion designers have taken inspiration from hip-hop culture, from the track suits and sneakers worn by break dancers to the extravagant ensembles flaunted by rappers. Ensembles by trailblazing, black-owned brands Dapper Dan of Harlem and Cross Colours are on display in the “Street Influence” section. Dapper Dan combines his skill as a tailor with the opulent flair of European luxury brands in his one-of-a-kind creations for his hip-hop clientele, such as a 1987 double-breasted bomber jacket adorned with the MCM logo pattern. For their fall 2016 collection, Maxwell Osborne and Dao-Yi Chow of Public School referenced post-punk New York City street styles by juxtaposing edgy elements, such as beanies, motorcycle boots, and cargo pants, with refined elements, like silk-fringed, knit vests. Lamine Kouyaté of the Paris-based Xuly.Bët label has long used the street as his inspiration, even staging his fashion shows on sidewalks. He is represented by a printed-gold jumpsuit, paired with a red fur vest and glittering red boots. 

T-shirts, often used to disseminate political messages, are highlighted in the “Activism” section. Pharrell Williams’s recycled-plastic G-Star Raw T-shirt advocates for environmental awareness, while Kerby Jean-Raymond’s “They Have Names” T-shirt for Pyer Moss makes a powerful statement in support of the “Black Lives Matter” movement. An ensemble designed by Nkhensani Nkosi of Stoned Cherrie celebrates the history of the South African anti-apartheid movement with a T-shirt featuring the cover of Drum magazine, paired with a traditional Tsonga skirt.
 

Willi Smith, T-shirt, 1990, USA. Gift of Matthew Olszak.

G-Star RAW, T-shirt, spring 2016, Netherlands. Museum purchase

Pyer Moss, ensemble, Spring 2016, USA. Gift of Pyer Moss. Photograph by Paulie Wax

Pyer Moss, T-shirt, spring 2016, USA. Gift of Pyer Moss

The diverse styles of the “Menswear” section range from a classic American preppy look by Jeffrey Banks to an unapologetically lavish ensemble from Sean John’s fall 2008 runway collection, a show that featured a full cast of black male models. British Savile Row tailors also express varied styles, from a custom black windowpane check suit by Andrew Ramroop, who became the first black tailor on Savile Row, to the luxurious fashion forward suit from Ozwald Boateng, Savile Row’s first black-founded atelier. Young designers Agape Mdumulla and Sam Cotton of Agi and Sam reject strict tailoring, as seen in their deconstructed suit, while Grace Wales Bonner, winner of the 2016 LVMH prize, explores femininity in a fitted white suit with gold embroidery.
Avant-garde styles are highlighted in the “Experimentation” section. Andre Walker presents radical ideas in clothing construction, seen in his open-back cape-jacket and double-layered skirt. Epperson works with the tools of patternmaking and draping, using muslin fabric to create an organic, free-form dress, while Shayne Oliver of Hood By Air plays with proportions and concepts of gender in an elongated shirtdress and overcoat ensemble 

Black Fashion Designers is organized by Ariele Elia, assistant curator of Costume and Textiles, and Elizabeth Way, curatorial assistant, The Museum at FIT.
The curators were supported by an advisory committee of scholars and fashion professionals, some of whom are participating in the exhibition’s symposium, audio tour, and Fashion Culture program series. 

Dapper Dan of Harlem, jacket, 1987, USA. Gift of Dapper Dan of Harlem

Dapper Dan of Harlem, jacket, 1987, USA. Gift of Dapper Dan of Harlem

Patrick Kelly, pin, 1987-1990, France. Gift of Gloria Steinem

Black Fashion Designers Symposium and Educational Initiatives
The Museum at FIT will host a one-day symposium on February 6, 2017, featuring talks by designers, models, journalists, and scholars on African diasporic culture and fashion. A provisional list of speakers for the symposium and Spring 2017 Fashion Culture program series includes writer Teri Agins, stylist June Ambrose, journalist and photographer Dario Calmese, Professor Alphonso McClendon, designers Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs of Cushnie et Ochs, Dapper Dan of Harlem, designer Grace Wales Bonner, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Robin Givhan, former model and founder of The Diversity Coalition Bethann Hardison, Professor Monica Miller, designer Mimi Plange, Professor Eric Darnell Pritchard, Professor Elena Romero, Professor Victoria Rovine, costume designer Jeriana San Juan, and model Veronica Webb. 

Public School NYC, ensemble,
Fall 2016, USA. Gift of Public
School NYC. 

Xuly.Bët, ensemble, Fall 2016, France. Gift of Xuly.Bët.

Kevan Hall, dress, spring 2008, USA, Gift of Kevan Hall. Photographs by Fashionstock.com

Tracy Reese, dress, spring 2016, USA, Gift of Tracy Reese. Photograph by George Chinsee

Grace Wales Bonner, ensemble,
Spring 2017, England.
Museum purchase. 

The Museum at FIT
The Museum at FIT, which is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is the only museum in New York City dedicated solely to the art of fashion. Best known for its innovative and award-winning exhibitions, the museum has a collection of more than 50,000 garments and accessories dating from the 18th century to the present. The museum’s mission is to educate and inspire diverse audiences with innovative exhibition and projects that advance the knowledge of fashion. Visit fitnyc.edu/museum.
The museum is part of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), a State University of New York (SUNY) college of art, design, business, and technology that has been at the crossroads of commerce and creativity for over 70 years. With programs that blend hands-on practice, a strong grounding in theory, and a broad-based liberal arts foundation, FIT offers career education in nearly 50 areas, and grants associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. FIT provides students with a complete college experience at an affordable cost, a vibrant campus life in New York City, and industry-relevant preparation for rewarding careers. Visit fitnyc.edu. 

Tracy Reese, dress, pre-fall 2015, USA. Photograph by Philippe Rohdewald

Patrick Kelly, dress, Fall/Winter 1986-1987, France. Museum purchase.

Stephen Burrows, dress, circa 1973, USA. Gift of Mary W. Delany.

The Couture Council is a philanthropic membership group that helps support the exhibitions and programs of The Museum at FIT. The Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion is given to a selected designer at a benefit luncheon held every September. For information on the Couture Council, call 212 217.4532 or email couturecouncil@fitnyc.edu.
Museum hours: Tuesday–Friday, noon–8 pm; Saturday, 10 am–5 pm. Closed Sunday, Monday, and legal holidays.
Admission is free.

Black Fashion Designers is made possible by the support of the Couture Council and the President’s Diversity Council. 

See the Agenda>

THE MUSEUM AT THE FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
The Museum at FIT
227 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001, United States
+1 (212 )217-4558
fitnyc.edu

Stoned Cherrie, ensemble, 2010, South Africa. Gift of Stoned Cherrie

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