50 Years of Fashion
To celebrate 50 years of achievements in the area of fashion design, Phoenix Art Museum is organizing a retrospective that highlights masterworks and milestones from its permanent collection.
Alexander McQueen
silk dress, Fall 2010
“Defining Moments: 50 Years of Fashion at Phoenix Art Museum,” which is on view from April 2 to Aug. 7, 2016, features more than 50 works chosen from several eras throughout the history of fashion.
The exhibition features iconic designers including Alexander McQueen, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy and Chanel, alongside historical works, such as a leather gloves with metal lace and silk embellishments dating from 1650.
The institution is among a small group of art museums in the U.S. to claim a fashion collection. Phoenix Art Museum and volunteer support organization, Arizona Costume Institute (ACI), have acquired nearly 8,000 works from the likes of Elsa Schiaparelli, Charles James, Madeleine Vionnet and Cristobal Balenciaga, among others, since the ACI was founded in 1966.
In honor of its 50th anniversary, the Arizona Costume Institute purchased a 3D-printed couture dress by Dutch designer Iris van Herpen. The one-of-a-kind dress, which was featured prominently in National Geographic, is not only the first 3D-printed work acquired by Phoenix Art Museum but represents the ACI’s commitment to creating a diverse collection that follows the evolution of fashion.
The Arizona Costume Institute’s efforts were noted when the Arizona Republic recently awarded the Fashion Design Collection as the state’s “Best Museum Collection.” In addition to praise from peer institutions and fashion curators, the Fashion Design Collection receives ongoing support from countless stylish celebrities and fashion designers, moguls and models like Pauline Trigere, Joan Crawford, Zandra Rhodes, Pat Cleveland, Elizabeth Arden, James Galanos, Hubert de Givenchy and Edith Head. Each has participated in exhibits organized by Dennita Sewell, Curator of Fashion Design for the Fashion Design Collection.
Cristobal Balenciaga
cotton lace, silk chiffon dress and cape, Winter 1965
“I’ve been working with this extraordinary collection for 16 years, and ‘Defining Moments’ marks my 40th original fashion exhibition for Phoenix Art Museum. Our collection’s richness and diversity has fostered my ability to present a wide range of topics in two annual exhibits held in the fall and spring. I applied my background at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to updating our collection with contemporary acquisitions and to exploring topics that engage people from across the community,” says Sewell.
In addition to an extensive display of ensembles and fashion accessories, New York artist Ruben Toledo has been commissioned to create exclusive, large-scale illustrations to commemorate the golden anniversary for Phoenix Art Museum’s Fashion Design Collection and Arizona Costume Institute.
Max Mara, Italian luxury fashion brand, is the presenting sponsor for the exhibit’s opening party on April 2.
Defining Moments: 50 Years of Fashion at Phoenix Art Museum
April 2 – Aug. 7, 2016
Phoenix Art Museum
