Fashioning America: Grit to Glamour Opens at Crystal Bridges Museum
The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, located in Bentonville, Arkansas, has launched 'Fashioning America: Grit to Glamour', marking the first exhibition to explore American fashion through a broad perspective that includes Hollywood and social movements. Curated by Michelle Tolini Finamore, the exhibition showcases approximately 100 garments alongside artworks by Martine Gutierrez, Robert Henri, and Jordan Casteel. Spanning about 200 years, the display is divided into categories such as Streetwear, Intimacies & Beachwear, and Red Carpet dressing. Notable items include a gold lamé suit by Nudie Cohn worn by Elvis Presley and a Catalina swimsuit donned by Marilyn Monroe. The exhibition features works from various designers, including underrepresented talents like Lois K. Alexander-Lane. It will be on view until January 30, 2023, as described by museum president Olivia Walton, who calls it 'an innovative platform'.
Key facts
- Exhibition titled 'Fashioning America: Grit to Glamour' at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.
- Curated by Michelle Tolini Finamore.
- Features approximately 100 garments alongside works by artists including Martine Gutierrez, Robert Henri, and Jordan Casteel.
- Covers about 200 years of American fashion history.
- Sections include Streetwear, Intimacies & Beachwear, The Rise of Ready-to-Wear, Pop Art, Bridal, Refashioning America, and Red Carpet dressing.
- Notable items: Nudie Cohn gold lamé suit worn by Elvis Presley, Catalina swimsuit worn by Marilyn Monroe, Cole of California swimsuit worn by Esther Williams.
- Designers include Anna Sui, Halston, Rudi Gernreich, Isabel Toledo, Jeremy Scott, Christian Siriano, Virgil Abloh, Patrick Kelly, Hattie Carnegie, James Galanos, and Lloyd Henri Kiva New.
- Highlights underrepresented designers such as Lois K. Alexander-Lane, founder of Harlem Institute of Fashion and Black Fashion Museum.
- Museum president Olivia Walton calls the institution 'an innovative platform'.
- Exhibition runs until January 30, 2023.
Entities
Artists
- Michelle Tolini Finamore
- Martine Gutierrez
- Robert Henri
- Jordan Casteel
- James Dean
- Marlon Brando
- Elvis Presley
- Marilyn Monroe
- Esther Williams
- Nudie Cohn
- Hattie Carnegie
- James Galanos
- Patrick Kelly
- Anna Sui
- Halston
- Rudi Gernreich
- Isabel Toledo
- Jeremy Scott
- Christian Siriano
- Virgil Abloh
- Lloyd Henri Kiva New
- Charles Loloma
- Lois K. Alexander-Lane
- Kerrie Aaron
- Oliver Michael Fitzpatrick Jr.
- Olivia Anthony
- Olivia Walton
Institutions
- Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
- CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America)
- Harlem Institute of Fashion
- Black Fashion Museum
- Institute of American Indian Art
- FIDM Museum at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
- Artribune
Locations
- Bentonville
- Arkansas
- United States
- New York
- Los Angeles
- New Mexico
- Hollywood