Fairy Tale Fashion At The Museum At FIT

Kirsty Mitchell, The Storyteller, from the Wonderland series. Photograph © Kirsty Mitchell, kirstymitchellphotography.com

The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City presents "Fairy Tale Fashion," a unique and imaginative exhibition that examines fairy tales through the lens of high fashion. It is evident that a dress in a fairy tale is often used to symbolize a character’s transformation, vanity, power, or privilege. The importance of Cinderella’s glass slippers is widely known, yet her shoes represent only a fraction of the many references to clothing in fairy tales.

Gown illustrating Snow White and Rose Red by Dolce and Gabbana, with view of platform illustrating Cinderella. Photograph © 2016 The Museum at FIT. Organized by associate curator Colleen Hill, "Fairy Tale Fashion" features more than 80 objects placed within dramatic, fantasy-like settings designed by architect Kim Ackert. Fairy Tale Fashion includes garments and accessories dating from the 18th century to the present. There is a particular emphasis on extraordinary 21st-century fashions by designers such as Thom Browne, Dolce and Gabbana, Tom Ford, Giles, Mary Katrantzou, Marchesa, Alexander McQueen, Rick Owens, Prada, Rodarte, and Walter Van Beirendonck, among others.

Christian Louboutin, Lady Lynch stilettos, fall 2009-2010. Lent by Christian Louboutin, photograph © Christian Louboutin (illustrating The Wizard of Oz) The main gallery space uses fashion to illustrate 14 classic fairy tales. Visitors first walk into the Forest, which includes the tales Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, The Fairies, Rapunzel, and Snow White and Rose Red. Inspired by the fairy tale–themed fall 2014 presentation by Alice + Olivia designer Stacey Bendet, Snow White is portrayed wearing a black organza gown encrusted with rhinestones while lying in her glass coffin. The subsection on Rapunzel includes a stunning dress from Alexander McQueen’s fall 2007 collection.

Charles James, Swan evening dress, 1954-1955, USA. The Museum at FIT, 91.241.136, photograph © The Museum at FIT (illustrating The Swan Maidens)

The center of the gallery is dominated by a large Castle, where the tales Cinderella, Furrypelts, The Snow Queen, Beauty and the Beast, and Sleeping Beauty are displayed. The Little Mermaid and The Swan Maidens are explored in the Sea section of the exhibition.

Rodarte, dress, spring 2015, USA. The Museum at FIT, 2015.35.1, photograph © The Museum at FIT (illustrating The Little Mermaid) The Little Mermaid is represented by a variety of beautiful, mermaid-inspired gowns, including Thierry Mugler’s 1987 bustier and fishtail skirt in metallic lilac fabric, and an elaborately crafted dress embellished with pearls, sequins, feathers, and Swarovski crystals from the spring 2015 Rodarte collection.

Manish Arora, dress, 2010 (remade 2015), France. The Museum at FIT, 2015.10.1, photograph © The Museum at FIT (illustrating Alice in Wonderland)

The exhibition also highlights two fairy tales that take place in Parallel Worlds -- Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz. "Fairy Tale Fashion" runs January 15 through April 16.

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